PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Richard Renninger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Xantos Aremis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Aremis has chosen Infected Mushroom - Merlin as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. 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.

Renninger
vs
Aremis

184 cm
25
182 lbs
13 - 6 - 0

178 cm
24
178 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Richard Renninger!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Xantos Aremis!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Lou da Vinci and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Aremis moves out of range of the body kick from Renninger.
Aremis misses with a low kick as Renninger jumps back.
Renninger tries to clinch but Aremis moves out of range.
The crowd cheers as Renninger lands an impressive looking overhand right. Aremis doesn't seem phased though.

It looks like Xantos Aremis has been cut.
Aremis tries a low kick but Renninger avoids it.
No joy there for Renninger, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Renninger throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Aremis moves out of range of the body kick.
Aremis works Renninger's body with a nice hook.
Aremis connects with the punch.
Aremis misses with a straight left.
Aremis takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Aremis scores with a leg kick.
Aremis rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Renninger counters with a good low kick that Aremis was not able to check.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Renninger, as that shot connected.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Renninger blocks the body kick.
Renninger lands a nice looking body kick.
Renninger misses with a wild body shot.
Aremis tries for a takedown but Renninger sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aremis checks a leg kick.
Aremis moves out of range of the body kick.
Aremis closes the distance looking to clinch
and Renninger counters with an inside leg kick.
Renninger misses with a body shot.
Aremis just misses with a punch to the body.
Aremis's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Renninger connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Aremis scrambles back to his feet.
Renninger throws a sloppy head kick and Aremis moves out of range easily.
Good leg kick by Renninger there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Renninger looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Renninger slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Renninger throws a low kick but Aremis moves out of range easily.
Renninger throws a push kick but Aremis slaps the foot to one side.
Renninger misses with a right hand
and Aremis counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Renninger takes a swing at Aremis's ribcage but misses.
Richard Renninger seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Renninger throws a right hand that Aremis ducks under and follows up with a left that Aremis also avoids with ease.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Renninger misses with a low kick.
Aremis shoots in for a double leg but Renninger sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Renninger throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Renninger fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Aremis.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Renninger clinches.

Aremis gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Renninger keeping moving, preventing Aremis from controlling successfully.
Aremis wants to pass the guard but Renninger is keeping the position.
My spies in Hunter's hideout inform me that Aremis has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Aremis is pushing down on Renninger's leg trying to pass to half guard. Renninger is fighting to maintain full guard but Aremis has managed to sneak the leg through.

Renninger looking for submissions off his back.
Aremis throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Renninger wants to get back to full guard.
Aremis lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Renninger wants to control but Aremis is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Aremis lands strikes from half guard.
Renninger is trying to get back to full guard.
Renninger is controlling Aremis's trapped leg to prevent Aremis from advancing to side control.
Renninger won't allow Aremis to pass to mount.
Aremis is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Renninger wants to control but Aremis is keeping busy.
Nice strikes from Aremis there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aremis trying to control from half guard but Renninger is working away.
Renninger wants to control but Aremis is keeping busy.
Renninger is controlling Aremis's position as best he can from this difficult position.
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!
Aremis not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Renninger is trying to get back to full guard.
Renninger is trying to maintain the position but Aremis is very close to passing his half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Aremis thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Renninger keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Richard Renninger will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Xantos Aremis'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.

Renninger blocks a low kick nicely.
Aremis lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Aremis throws a quick inside leg kick.
Renninger tries a head kick but it misses.
Aremis tries to close the distance and clinch but Renninger swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A slow jab from Renninger misses its intended target.
Aremis takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Aremis goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Aremis throws a leg kick

and Renninger counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Renninger tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Aremis just stands there and leans against the cage.
Renninger misses with a punch on the inside.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Aremis tries to stall but Renninger uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Renninger blocks a body shot from Aremis.
Renninger wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Aremis has him pressed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Renninger scores with a nice hook to the head.
Renninger is trying to pull guard but Aremis turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Aremis swings wildly with an uppercut but Renninger uses good head movement to avoid it.
Renninger landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Aremis lands an uppercut.
Renninger throws a punch but it's blocked by Aremis.
Aremis lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Renninger lands with a short shot to the head.
Aremis managing to block the knees to the body from Renninger.
Renninger tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Aremis managing to block the knees to the body from Renninger.
Aremis lands a body shot in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
A shot in the inside from Aremis.
Aremis on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Renninger is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Renninger tries to throw a body punch but Aremis avoids it by throwing Renninger back against the cage.
Renninger doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Renninger stops a takedown attempt from Aremis.
Aremis throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Renninger blocks it with crossed arms.
Aremis has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Renninger avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Renninger blocks a body shot from Aremis.
Renninger lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Renninger content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Renninger gets underhooks to prevent Aremis's takedown attempt.
Richard Renninger has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Xantos Aremis.
Aremis is struggling to control the position.
Aremis receives a warning from the referee for stalling.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aremis throws a punch but it's blocked by Renninger.
Aremis lands a right hand.
Aremis stalling in the clinch but Renninger improves position.
Aremis is looking to take this one to the mat.
Renninger lands a left hand that snaps the head of Aremis backwards.
Aremis tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Renninger's elbow.
Aremis drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Renninger gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Aremis tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Renninger displaying some good clinch control by pressing Aremis up against the cage.
Renninger lands a shoulder strike.
Renninger fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Renninger misses with a knee strike.
A shot in the inside from Renninger.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Aremis can't find room to land a body shot as Renninger controls the action.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Renninger with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Renninger misses with a hook from the clinch.
Renninger makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Renninger manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Renninger is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

Renninger is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Aremis defends well.
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 Richard Renninger will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Xantos Aremis's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Renninger throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Renninger turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Renninger throws a leg kick but Aremis checks it.
Renninger swings for the body but Aremis moves out of range.
A solid leg kick lands there for Aremis.

Aremis shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Aremis must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Aremis wants to control from the top but Renninger keeps moving.
Aremis content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Renninger looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Aremis wants to control from the top but Renninger keeps moving.

Renninger working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Aremis doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Aremis manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Renninger working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Aremis.
Aremis is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

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

Renninger looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Renninger keeping full guard, as Aremis tries to pass.
Aremis in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Xantos Aremis has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aremis passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Aremis throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

Aremis is trying to get an arm triangle but Renninger is defending well.
Renninger is trying to control Aremis's posture but Aremis avoids it.
Aremis tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Renninger wants to control but Aremis postures up.
Renninger tries to control the position but he's not in luck - Aremis easily slips into full mount!
Aremis lands with some strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice elbow there by Aremis.
Renninger is desperately trying to improve his position but Aremis has a good base and remains in mount.
Aremis can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Renninger is looking to escape.
Aremis lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Aremis has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Renninger's face.
Aremis avoids the attempt from Renninger to control.
Aremis in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Aremis lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Renninger hang on?

Renninger is rocked!
Renninger bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Oh Renninger is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Renninger wants to pass the guard but Aremis is keeping the position.
Renninger seems to have got his legs back now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Renninger trying to control but Aremis is working from the bottom.
Aremis looking to hit a scissor sweep but Renninger is one step ahead there.
Renninger wants to control from the top but Aremis keeps moving.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Aremis is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

And that's the end of the fight!
Xantos Aremis comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Renninger 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 John Kavanagh scores the fight 29:28
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 29:28
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Richard Renninger!
A victorious Richard Renninger thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.