PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rik McRae (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jack Arlovski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McRae's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Slipknot - Before I Forget. Arlovski has chosen Sex, God, Sex by the SWANS as his entrance music. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

McRae
vs
Arlovski

189 cm
26
198 lbs
11 - 4 - 0

194 cm
28
196 lbs
17 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Very quick

ADCC Champion
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rik McRae!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 9 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jack Arlovski!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Illya Tyunina and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McRae with a body punch. A glancing blow.
McRae avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Arlovski tries to clinch up but McRae circles away and keeps his distance.
A nice leg kick lands there from McRae.
Arlovski takes a swing at McRae's ribcage but misses.
Arlovski misses with a looping right.
McRae swings and misses with a hook to the body.
McRae takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
A telegraphed right hand from McRae misses the target.
McRae throws a low kick but it's checked well by Arlovski.
McRae slips a jab and a cross from Arlovski.
McRae moves into range and connects with a jab.
McRae thuds a left hand into Arlovski's body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Arlovski checks the leg kick.
Arlovski throws a leg kick that misses.
Arlovski keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Arlovski dives in and scores a takedown into McRae's guard.

McRae working for a triangle but Arlovski defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McRae can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Arlovski controls the pace.
McRae has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Arlovski has passed into side control.
McRae tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Arlovski works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
McRae trying to remain calm as Arlovski controls from the top position.
Arlovski trying to control the action but McRae is working from the bottom.
Arlovski is working McRae over with some ground and pound from side control.

Arlovski working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Arlovski trying to control the action but McRae is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Arlovski cracks McRae with a big elbow.
Arlovski looks up at the clock and then as McRae takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Arlovski smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Arlovski cracks McRae with a big elbow.
Arlovski wants to control but McRae is keeping him busy.
Arlovski in side control, throwing shots but McRae defends.
Check out the look on Arlovski's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Arlovski trying to control the position but McRae is working away.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Arlovski is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Arlovski slows the pace down.
McRae is looking to reverse the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arlovski is chipping away with strikes.

Arlovski is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, McRae has escaped the position, nice work there.
McRae tries to bench press Arlovski off him but Arlovski keeps the position.
McRae looks to move to half guard but instead Arlovski has passed into mount! Damn!

Arlovski with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
McRae is in all sorts of trouble here.
Arlovski dominating with strikes here.
McRae gets back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The fighters are battling for position here. McRae manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

McRae is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McRae wants to sweep here but Arlovski controlling him for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arlovski trying to control but McRae is working from the bottom.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Jack Arlovski.
No luck for Arlovski with that takedown attempt.
Arlovski throws a lazy uppercut
letting McRae counter with a right hand.
Nice shot lands for McRae.

It looks like Jack Arlovski has been cut.
Arlovski misses with a wild body shot.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Arlovski looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
McRae on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
McRae throws a hook but Arlovski blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Arlovski dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jack Arlovski's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

McRae throws a hook but Arlovski blocks it.
McRae defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Arlovski.
Rik McRae seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Arlovski wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
McRae throws a low kick but Arlovski moves out of range easily.
Arlovski throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Arlovski scores with a jab to the body.
Arlovski misses with a hook.
Arlovski throws a series of punches but McRae avoids them all with ease.
McRae looks to land a left hand but Arlovski moved out of range nicely.
Arlovski throws a head kick that half lands.
Arlovski throws the left hand but McRae avoids the punch easily.
McRae thows a left - swing and a miss!
McRae misses with a looping left.
Arlovski throws a body punch but McRae moves out of range.
McRae fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Arlovski.
Arlovski lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McRae throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Arlovski throws a shot to the body.
Arlovski throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Arlovski lands a nice looking body shot.
Arlovski connects with a good right hand that stumbles McRae. McRae circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
McRae ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Arlovski moves away.
A decent looking cross lands there for Arlovski.
McRae throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Arlovski lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Arlovski cracks McRae with a good jab.
Arlovski throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Arlovski attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Arlovski missing with a left hand there. McRae was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McRae looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
McRae circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McRae lands a jab to Arlovski's midsection.
McRae motions for Arlovski to come forward. McRae throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
McRae throws a leg kick that misses.
McRae jabs Arlovski to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Rik McRae is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Arlovski tries to clinch but McRae moves out of range.
Arlovski throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent McRae stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
McRae does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Arlovski lands with a hook. McRae tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Arlovski avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Jack Arlovski seems to be getting the better of the standup.
McRae just misses with a punch to the body.
McRae misses with a wild body shot.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
McRae takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
McRae misses the shot to the body.
McRae takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McRae on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Arlovski just misses with a punch to the body.
McRae throws a hook but Arlovski blocks it.
McRae avoids a kick to the body.
McRae has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Arlovski finds it's way round the side to connect with McRae's head.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as McRae checks a leg kick.
Arlovski keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Arlovski keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Arlovski connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Arlovski throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Arlovski swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Arlovski lands a jab to the head.
McRae defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Arlovski.
The crowd cheers as McRae lands an impressive looking overhand right. Arlovski doesn't seem phased though.
Arlovski thuds his shin into the meat of McRae's side.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McRae misses with a body shot.
Arlovski misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McRae cracks a nice hook into Arlovski's ribs.
Arlovski tries to move into range but McRae moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Arlovski tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but McRae was well out of range. Poor timing from Arlovski.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from McRae.
McRae moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
McRae keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Arlovski throws a chopping leg kick but McRae manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Arlovski changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Arlovski avoids the body shot from McRae.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
McRae looks to score with a jab to the body but Arlovski is just out of range.
McRae thows a body shot but no joy.
McRae feints and then cracks Arlovski's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Arlovski down.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Arlovski showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Jack Arlovski's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

A shot to the liver by Arlovski. Beautiful body shot.
McRae misses with a body shot.
Arlovski is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
McRae checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Arlovski throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Arlovski wants to slow McRae down by chopping away at his legs.

Arlovski rushes McRae and presses him up against the cage.
A short right from Arlovski.
Arlovski misses with some punches.
McRae doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
McRae scores with a nice hook to the head.
A short right from Arlovski.
McRae can't get the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McRae tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Arlovski avoids it.
McRae creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for McRae.
Arlovski misses with a punch on the inside.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Arlovski obliges.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
McRae scores with a hook to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for McRae.
Arlovski stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
McRae lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
McRae has a couple of punches blocked by Arlovski.
Arlovski can't break the clinch.
A right hook to the body lands for Arlovski.
McRae's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McRae tries to land knees in the clinch but Arlovski avoids the damage to the body.
A frustrated look appears on Arlovski's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Arlovski pushes McRae back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Arlovski lands with a short shot to the head.
Arlovski lands with a light punch inside.
Nice body punch from Arlovski - that landed with a thud.

Arlovski manages to break the clinch.
Arlovski checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
McRae moves forwards but Arlovski connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Arlovski connects with a single shot there.
Arlovski throws a head kick that McRae semi-blocks.
An inside leg kick lands from Arlovski.
Arlovski lands with an uppercut that bounces McRae off the cage and back into range.
Arlovski takes a shot right to the bread basket.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arlovski misses with a low kick as McRae jumps back.
Arlovski motions for McRae to come forward. Arlovski throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Arlovski.
Arlovski landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Arlovski working away.
Check out the look on Arlovski's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Arlovski lands a few punches from side control.

McRae is rocked!
McRae struggling a bit here.
Oh McRae is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Arlovski wants to control but McRae is keeping him busy.
Arlovski is working McRae over with some ground and pound from side control.
McRae takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McRae is working to avoid the ground and pound but Arlovski connects with a decent elbow.
Arlovski wants to lay and pray for a moment but McRae keeps working.
McRae sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arlovski trying to control the pace.
McRae wants to get back to full guard.
Arlovski is keen to just control but McRae is a slippery customer.
Rik McRae has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Arlovski is working for a kimura but McRae is defending it quite comfortably.
McRae is refusing to be controlled, as Arlovski sits in half guard.
McRae seems to have got his legs back now.
McRae is trying to get back to full guard.
Arlovski trying to control the action but McRae is working from the bottom.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Arlovski landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Arlovski moves into side control, avoiding the strikes from McRae.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jack Arlovski comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Arlovski has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 27:30
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jack Arlovski!