PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Genki Dama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steve Areeno (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Dama
vs
Areeno

157 cm
26
156 lbs
16 - 7 - 0

175 cm
27
155 lbs
14 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Genki Dama!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Steve Areeno!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Steve Smith and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Areeno swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Areeno blocks a head kick by Dama.
Dama takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Areeno shoots in but Dama avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Dama tried to score with a low kick but Areeno checks it.
Areeno lands a jab to Dama's midsection.
Dama misses with a wild body shot.
Areeno looks to throw the jab but Dama is out of range.
Dama tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Areeno is able to avoid easily.
Steve Areeno seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Dama scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Areeno is looking for a sweep. Dama is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Areeno regains full guard. Nicely done.
Areeno looking for a sweep. Not yet Areeno, not yet.
Dama slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sloppy strikes there by Dama.
Areeno is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Areeno is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Dama tries for a kimura but Areeno is defending well.
Areeno tries to bench press Dama off him but Dama keeps the position.

Dama decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Dama chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Areeno tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Areeno chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Dama can pounce on him.
Areeno tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Dama paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Areeno doesn't manage to clinch there - Dama circles away.
Areeno connects with a good right hand that stumbles Dama. Dama circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dama is looking to land body kicks.
Dama takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Areeno lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Areeno avoids a kick to the body.
Areeno cracks Dama with a right hand to the side of the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Dama drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Areeno has his foot on Dama's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Dama works his way back into a safe position though.

Areeno throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Dama not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Areeno is looking for a triangle but Dama pushes his legs off easily.
Dama wants to control from the top but Areeno keeps moving.
Dama slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dama in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dama wants to lay and pray for a moment but Areeno keeps working.
Areeno is pushing Dama's head away, looking to escape. Dama manages to hold on to the position though.
Dama taking a break here but Areeno is having none of it and regains half guard.
Dama is trying to control. Areeno wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Areeno wants to improve his position but Dama is controlling well.
Areeno wants to control but Dama is keeping busy.

Dama is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Areeno is just riding it out for now. Dama eventually gives up the hold.
Dama landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Areeno tries to roll over but Dama keeps him under control.
Dama wants to take a breather but Areeno is having none of it.
Areeno wants to improve his position but Dama is controlling well.
Dama passes the guard and advances to mount!

Dama working for a submission but Areeno is keeping him at bay.
Dama putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Dama postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Areeno looks a forlorn figure.
Areeno tries to hold on but Dama postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Genki Dama dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Areeno throws a body punch but Dama moves out of range.
Dama scoring well with a low kick there.
Areeno missing with a left hand there. Dama was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Areeno moves in looking to clinch but Dama pushes him off.

Dama shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Areeno is trying to defend but Dama finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Areeno wants to get back to full guard.
Dama thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Areeno's head.
Dama is taking a breather. Areeno says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Genki Dama overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Areeno moves into full guard.
Dama might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Areeno tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Dama trying to control the position from guard on top but Areeno is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Areeno working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Dama.
Dama wants to control from the top but Areeno keeps moving.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Areeno holds on and takes a little breather.

We're going to have a standup here because Genki Dama wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Dama keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Dama avoids the head kick by Areeno.
Areeno tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Dama manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Dama tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Dama thows a leg kick but Areeno checks it
and Areeno counters with a three punch combo that has Dama backing up. Dama nods at Areeno to acknowledge the strikes.
Areeno lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Areeno lands a nice shot to the body.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Dama.
Areeno has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Dama dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Areeno feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Dama's calf.
Dama throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Areeno lands with a slapping head kick.
Dama throws a lazy right hand but Areeno sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Horrible takedown by Areeno or perhaps it was just good defense by Dama which made him look bad.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Areeno closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Dama tries to score a power double leg takedown but Areeno sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Dama somewhat.
Dama takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Dama fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Areeno.
Areeno swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Dama counters with a slapping leg kick.
Dama fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Areeno has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Good work by Areeno as he checks the leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Areeno misses with a hook.
Good work by Dama as he checks the leg kick.
Dama shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Dama ducks under a wild hook from Areeno.
A head kick by Areeno misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Areeno takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
A solid leg kick lands there for Areeno.
Dama sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
A leg kick checked by Dama.
Areeno is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Dama misses with a looping right.
Areeno lands a leg kick that knocks Dama off balance momentarily.
Dama misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Dama lands a head shot.
Areeno thumps Dama with a low kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dama ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Areeno moves away.
Dama pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Dama misses with a wild body shot.
Dama throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Areeno fails with a takedown attempt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Areeno misses with a looping right.
Dama throws a head kick but Areeno moves out of range.
Dama tries a head kick but it misses.
Dama pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Decent striking displayed by Dama there.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Areeno leaves Dama with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Genki Dama. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Areeno lands with a shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Genki Dama will probably get the nod.
That's time! Dama's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Areeno has managed to clinch.
Dama throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Areeno blocks it with crossed arms.
Dama lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Areeno backwards.
Areeno lands a nice elbow.
Areeno misses with a hook to the ribs.
Knees to the body from Areeno.
Areeno tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Dama avoids it.
Areeno using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Dama has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Dama misses with a short punch on the inside.
Areeno lands a knee to the body.
Dama misses with the head strike.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Areeno just misses with a elbow thrown towards Dama's brow.
Dama lands a body punch in the clinch.
Areeno pushes off an throws an elbow but Dama leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Areeno misses with a knee to the head.
Areeno misses with a knee strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dama lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Areeno swings wildly with an uppercut but Dama uses good head movement to avoid it.
Areeno lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Areeno digs a right hand underneath Dama's ribcage. Dama let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Dama on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Areeno creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Areeno looking to throw knees to the head but Dama is blocking nicely.
Areeno putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Dama in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Areeno lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Areeno lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Dama backwards.
Dama is trying to pull guard but Areeno has him pressed against the cage.
Dama throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Areeno misses with an elbow strike.
Areeno throws a punch but it's blocked by Dama.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Areeno misses with a knee to the head.
Dama looking to throw knees to the head but Areeno is blocking nicely.
Areeno with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Dama blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Areeno.
Dama lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Dama goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Dama throws a punch but it's blocked by Areeno.
Areeno tries to land a knee to the head but Dama blocks with his arms.
Steve Areeno seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Dama is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Areeno is defending well.
Areeno lands a hook to the side of the head.
Dama tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Areeno just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Genki Dama. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dama blocks an elbow strike from Areeno.
Areeno blocks an elbow strike from Dama.
Dama misses with a knee strike.
Areeno throws an elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Areeno throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Dama blocks it with crossed arms.

Dama jumps guard.
Areeno wants to pass the guard but Dama is keeping the position.
Areeno preventing the sweep.

Dama throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Dama is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Areeno must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Dama wants to hit a switch here but Areeno passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Dama there!
Dama is looking to improve his position but Areeno isn't that keen on the idea.
Areeno lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Dama hang on?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Areeno lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Dama can't escape the position.
Areeno landing strikes from the mount.
Genki Dama is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The referee warns Dama that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Dama wants to control but Areeno is having none of it.
Areeno dominating with strikes here.
Areeno lands a nice shot to the head.
Areeno trying to control but Dama is having none of it.
Areeno scores with a couple of good head shots there.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Areeno can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Dama is looking to escape.
Dama is in a horrible position here. Areeno smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Steve Areeno comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Dama has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Yves DeLean scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Genki Dama!
An out of breath Genki Dama thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.