PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between The Artist (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Douglas MacArthur (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Artist's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Limp Bizkit / Break Stuff. Douglas MacArthur will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Artist
vs
MacArthur

182 cm
18
192 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

191 cm
18
192 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

The Knot
Perkele!

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, The Artist!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Douglas MacArthur!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Artist throws a hook but MacArthur blocks it.
It seemed like MacArthur was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Artist looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
MacArthur lands an overhand right.
MacArthur showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Artist.
MacArthur looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
MacArthur throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Artist counters with a nice double leg into side control. MacArthur won't be happy with that.
Artist is chipping away with strikes.
Artist working the ground and pound.

It looks like Douglas MacArthur has been cut.
Artist working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Artist working the head and body with strikes.
MacArthur is trying to control Artist's posture but Artist avoids it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Artist misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Artist misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
MacArthur avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Artist.
Artist has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Artist happy to just control the position for now.
The ground and pound from Artist seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Artist working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Artist lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear MacArthur down.
MacArthur can't do much from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MacArthur is looking to regain half guard here but Artist keeps moving and retains side control.
Artist working the head with strikes.
MacArthur takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Artist working the head and body with strikes.
The ground and pound from Artist seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
MacArthur is not in a great position here, taking some shots.

MacArthur is rocked!
Artist in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Artist just content to control the position.
Artist throwing shots but missing, from side control.
A lull in the action here.
MacArthur takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if MacArthur can do anything to dispel that myth.
Artist staying calm.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Artist lands an elbow.
Artist just content to control the position.
Artist with the ground and pound but MacArthur regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Artist takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Artist's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

The Artist dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Douglas MacArthur's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

MacArthur throws the left hand but Artist avoids the punch easily.
A little feinted left hand from Artist on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
MacArthur misses with an uppercut.
A quick step to the side and Artist tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Artist misses with a wild body shot.
MacArthur steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Artist.
Artist falls off balance throwing a combination
and Artist takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Artist lands a nice hook to MacArthur's body. MacArthur takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Artist on the wrong end of a nice hook.
MacArthur misses with a looping left.
MacArthur lands a right hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
MacArthur bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Douglas MacArthur seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice straight punches there by MacArthur. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of MacArthur.
Artist staying out of range there.
MacArthur swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A counter left hand to the body from Artist misses its target.

Artist fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. MacArthur sprawls well initially but Artist persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Artist throwing shots but MacArthur is blocking nicely.
Artist not doing much here.
MacArthur really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Artist. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
MacArthur keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Artist thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed MacArthur's head.
MacArthur keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Artist throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Artist not doing much here.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Artist throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Jab by MacArthur.
MacArthur uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Artist.
MacArthur throws a sloppy body shot
and Artist counters with a left to the body.
Douglas MacArthur is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
MacArthur's corner calls for a 1-2. MacArthur obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
MacArthur has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Artist throws a shot from downtown. MacArthur moves away and avoids it.
Artist throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Jab by MacArthur.
Artist takes one to the chin there.
MacArthur scores with the left hand. Artist knows he should have avoided that one.

Artist is rocked!
Douglas MacArthur seems to be getting the better of the standup.
MacArthur throws a hook to the side of Artist's head but Artist sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

Artist closes the distance and clinches.
Artist lands a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Artist.
A head punch on the inside from Artist fails to land.
MacArthur has a couple of punches blocked by Artist.
Artist prevents a body shot from MacArthur.
Artist blocks a body shot from MacArthur.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
MacArthur tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Artist tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Artist doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Artist gets through MacArthur's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That has opened up Douglas MacArthur's cut even more.
Artist throws a head punch that misses.
Artist blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A body shot lands from Artist.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Artist pushes MacArthur back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Artist keeps control of MacArthur as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
MacArthur is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Artist is keeping busy.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Artist.
MacArthur misses with a hook from the clinch.
Artist lands with a right to the head.
A short right from Artist on the inside.
Artist misses with a short punch on the inside.
MacArthur working aggressively here.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for MacArthur.
MacArthur struggles to land a body shot inside as Artist controls his hands.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Artist blocks a body shot from MacArthur.
Artist working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
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 The Artist will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Douglas MacArthur's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

MacArthur misses the shot to the body.
MacArthur looks to land a left hand but Artist moved out of range nicely.
MacArthur throws an off balance right hand
and Artist counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A punch lands to the side of Artist 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Artist walks into a stiff left hand from MacArthur.
MacArthur misses with a straight right.
MacArthur jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
MacArthur listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Artist thows a left - swing and a miss!
Artist misses the shot to the body.
MacArthur lands a body shot.
MacArthur scores with a jab. Artist acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Artist ducks down and throws a hook to the body but MacArthur moves away.
Artist takes a swing at MacArthur's ribcage but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MacArthur bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
MacArthur appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Nice defenses there by MacArthur.
MacArthur slaps away a takedown attempt from Artist, before circling back to the center of the mat.
MacArthur misses with some punches.

Artist has clasped his hands together around MacArthur's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Artist trying to control the position but MacArthur is working away.
Artist throws a strike aimed at the side of MacArthur's head but MacArthur avoids it well.
The Artist overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Artist is putting a hurting on MacArthur here, landing some big shots from side control.
Artist throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Artist moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Artist in side control lands a decent elbow.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Artist lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear MacArthur down.
Douglas MacArthur has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Artist in side control, throwing shots but MacArthur defends.
MacArthur dodges the ground and pound from Artist.
Artist working the ground and pound but MacArthur is defending the strikes.
Artist working the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Artist cracks MacArthur with an elbow. That is naaassty.
MacArthur defending against the ground and pound.
Artist working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
MacArthur wants to control but Artist postures up.
The referee asks Artist politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Artist prefers to stall for the moment though.
Artist connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused MacArthur some visible discomfort.
Artist scoring with punches from side control.
MacArthur is still in real trouble! Can Artist finish him?
Artist in side control lands a decent elbow.
Artist in side control, just content to control the action for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Artist works to advance to full mount. MacArthur defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.

And that's the end of the fight!
The Artist showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Artist, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:26
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:26
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... The Artist!
After winning the bout, The Artist thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.