PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight kickboxing rules bout between Dan Church (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chris McArthur (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Church
vs
McArthur

174 cm
22
135 lbs
3 - 4 - 2

185 cm
23
144 lbs
7 - 7 - 1

Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent MT
Granite chin

Golden Supplements [O.R.G]

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 2, fighting out of Tokyo, Dan Church!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Chris McArthur!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Church throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Church gets tackled into the ropes by McArthur. McArthur maintains the clinch.
McArthur is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Church is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
McArthur tries to work over Church's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Church managing to block the knees to the body from McArthur.
McArthur landing knees to the body.
Church wants to break free but McArthur has control.
McArthur prevents Church from breaking the clinch.
Church avoids a wild elbow strike from McArthur.
McArthur throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
McArthur lands a hook to the side of the head.
McArthur tries to land knees in the clinch but Church avoids the damage to the body.
McArthur using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
McArthur missing with knees to the body.
Church blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

McArthur breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
McArthur fails in his attempt to clinch.
A telegraphed right hand from Church misses the target.
Chris McArthur seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

McArthur pushes Church up against the ropes in a clinch.
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!
Church blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A short right from Church.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McArthur is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
McArthur pushes off an throws an elbow but Church leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the ropes.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
McArthur misses with an elbow over the top.
Church goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Church avoids the elbow strike from McArthur, against the ropes.
Church looking to stall.

Church breaks the clinch.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Church.

McArthur closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
Church is trying to push McArthur away but McArthur has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
McArthur lands a damaging elbow.
McArthur lands an elbow that stopped Church in his tracks for a moment.
Church is looking to control McArthur's arms but McArthur gets an underhook and turns him. Now Church has his back to the ropes.
McArthur pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the ropes.
Church avoids a wild elbow strike from McArthur.
Church managing to block the knees to the body from McArthur.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
McArthur pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the ropes.
Church blocks the elbow strike.
Church avoids a wild elbow strike from McArthur.
Church takes an elbow to the temple.
Church avoids the elbow strike from McArthur, against the ropes.
McArthur lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
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!
McArthur leaning against his opponent.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Church tries a body shot but McArthur blocks it.
McArthur displaying some good clinch control by pressing Church up against the ropes.
McArthur is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A nice glancing elbow lands by McArthur.
McArthur looks to throw an elbow but misses.
McArthur stalling.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris McArthur dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Church circles away from the clinch attempt.
Church throws a head kick that McArthur semi-blocks.
Church fails to land with a series of punches.
McArthur dodges the punch combination from Church.
McArthur misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
McArthur fails with an attempt to clinch.
McArthur tries a head kick but it misses.
Church is looking to clinch but McArthur is avoiding it.
McArthur throws a head kick but Church moves out of range.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from McArthur - that will leave a mark!
Church throws a series of punches but McArthur avoids them all with ease.
Church falls off balance throwing a combination

and McArthur holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
McArthur lands a nice uppercut.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from McArthur.
Church working aggressively here.
McArthur tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
McArthur lands a right hand.
McArthur throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Church blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

McArthur breaks the clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Church looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
McArthur tries a head kick but it misses.
McArthur gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Church counters with a good, hard body kick but McArthur shrugs it off.
McArthur is looking to clinch but Church is avoiding it.
Church misses with a jab, cross combination.

Church closes the distance and clinches.
Church keeps control of McArthur as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
McArthur pushes Church back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Church misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Church dodges an elbow strike from McArthur.
Church takes an elbow to the temple.
McArthur pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the ropes.
McArthur tries to circle away but Church has him pinned against the ropes.
Church looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Nice elbow from McArthur.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Church.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McArthur throws an elbow that misses.
McArthur throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Chris McArthur seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
McArthur is trying to break free.
Church takes an elbow to the temple.
Church avoids a wild elbow strike from McArthur.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Knees to the body from McArthur.
Church goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Church trying to control the position but instead, McArthur has worked for underhooks and has pushed Church into the ropes.
McArthur is trying to push Church away but Church has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
A right handed body shot lands from Church.
Still in the clinch, McArthur scores with a nice short uppercut.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
McArthur lands a damaging elbow.

McArthur breaks from the clinch.
Church goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
McArthur uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Church.
Church throws a push kick but McArthur slaps the foot to one side.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris McArthur showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A punch combination from Church misses.
Church throws a good cross that connects.
Church throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
McArthur tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Church paws at him with a jab and circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - McArthur looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Church looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
McArthur is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
McArthur tries a head kick but it misses.
Church throws a right and a left that McArthur avoids nicely.
Church fails with an attempt to clinch.
Church tries to clinch but McArthur moves out of range.
McArthur looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
McArthur is looking to clinch but Church is avoiding it.
McArthur moves in looking to clinch but Church pushes him off.
McArthur throws a head kick but Church moves out of range.
McArthur tries to clinch up but Church circles away and keeps his distance.
Church throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McArthur circles away from the clinch attempt.
Church is looking to clinch.

Church moves into the clinch successfully.
Church managing to block the knees to the body from McArthur.
Church dodges an elbow strike from McArthur.
Church is trying to stall.

McArthur breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
McArthur is looking to clinch but Church is avoiding it.
Church misses with a jab, cross combination.
Church tries to clinch there but McArthur circles away.
McArthur throws a lazy head kick

and Church counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Church.
McArthur is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.

McArthur pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
McArthur tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Church misses with a wild combination.
McArthur lands a high kick!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Church throws a series of strikes that have McArthur backpedaling.
Dan Church is winning the standup battle so far.
Church connects with a nice looking jab.
Church lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but McArthur circles away quickly and effectively.
A combination from Church does no damage.
Nice body punch from Church.
Church avoids the head kick by McArthur.
McArthur throws a head kick but Church moves out of range.
McArthur throws the kick towards the body but Church avoids it.
McArthur misses with a head kick.
McArthur throws a head kick that misses.
McArthur throws a head kick that misses.
Church looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
McArthur fails in his attempt to clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McArthur tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in the close the distance. Church manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Church tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
McArthur throws a sloppy head kick and Church moves out of range easily.
No joy there for Church, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A head kick misses from McArthur.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Chris McArthur just about did enough to take it.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

McArthur goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
McArthur tries to clinch but Church is having none of it.
Church keeps the fight on the outside.
Church takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Church misses with a few strikes there.
Dan Church is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

McArthur takes the fight into the clinch.
Church blocks an elbow strike from McArthur.
McArthur throws an elbow but it misses.
McArthur misses with an elbow strike.
McArthur crunches a lovely knee into Church's ribcage.
Church dodges an elbow strike from McArthur.

McArthur pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Church throws a series of punches but McArthur moves out of range.
Church avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Church throws a one two combo.
Church misses with a few strikes there.
Church looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Church misses with a body kick.
Church tries to clinch up but McArthur circles away and keeps his distance.
Church lands a slapping body shot.
No joy there for Church, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

McArthur instigates a clinch.
McArthur lands a damaging elbow.
Church is trying to force a seperation but McArthur has the dominant position.
McArthur unloads a knee to the mid-section. Church lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Knees in the clinch landing for McArthur.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
McArthur lands a shoulder strike.
Church avoiding damage as McArthur throws knees to the body.
Church wants to get back to striking at distance but McArthur won't allow it.
Church avoids a wild elbow strike from McArthur.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
Church tries to break the clinch but McArthur is controlling the position.
McArthur is looking to control Church's arms but Church gets an underhook and turns him. Now McArthur has his back to the ropes.

McArthur manages to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Church looks to land a combination but McArthur avoids it well.
Church throws a right and a left that McArthur avoids nicely.
McArthur dodges the punch combination from Church.
Church throws a jab when McArthur was well out of range.
McArthur tries to clinch but Church is having none of it.
Church lands a really nice looking cross but McArthur seems unphased.
McArthur is looking to clinch.
McArthur throws a head kick that misses
and Church counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
McArthur keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
McArthur throws a body kick that misses.
McArthur slips a jab and a cross from Church.
Church fakes the leg kick and cracks McArthur in the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
McArthur tries to clinch but Church is having none of it.
Church throws out a loose jab but McArthur uses good head movement to avoid it.
McArthur tries to clinch but Church moves out of range.
Church swats away the attempt to clinch by McArthur.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris McArthur dominated that fourth round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Church moves out of range as McArthur throws a body kick.
A punch combination from Church misses.
McArthur tries to clinch but Church moves out of range.
Church throws a series of punches but McArthur moves out of range.
McArthur is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

McArthur forces Church back against the ropes and clinches.
Church takes an elbow to the temple.
Church takes an elbow to the temple.
McArthur pushes off an throws an elbow but Church leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the ropes.
Dan Church has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
McArthur makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Church working aggressively here.
Church tries a body shot but McArthur blocks it.
McArthur gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Church misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Church putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has McArthur in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
McArthur keeps control of Church as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice right hand lands inside from Church.
McArthur comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Nice elbow from McArthur.
Church swings away with an uppercut that misses.
McArthur creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
McArthur pushes off an throws an elbow but Church leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the ropes.
McArthur misses with a body punch.

McArthur escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Church swinging wildly here.

McArthur forces Church back against the ropes and clinches.
A short right from McArthur.
Church tries to break the clinch but McArthur is controlling the position.
Church blocks the elbow strike.
McArthur blocks an elbow strike.
A short body shot lands from Church as the two fighters clinch.
McArthur tries to land knees in the clinch but Church avoids the damage to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

McArthur pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Church tries to clinch there but McArthur circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - McArthur looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
McArthur takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Church tries to bum rush McArthur with a series of wild strikes but McArthur uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Church tries to clinch up.
Church tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but McArthur paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Church fakes high and swings low for a body shot but McArthur manages to avoid it.
McArthur fails with an attempt to clinch.

McArthur moves into the clinch.
McArthur lands an elbow that stopped Church in his tracks for a moment.
Church takes an elbow to the forehead.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McArthur scores with a shot to the side of Church's head.
Church blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
McArthur working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Chris McArthur is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Church connects with a knee to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chris McArthur comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got McArthur winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 45:50
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 46:50
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chris McArthur!