PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Craig Hanks (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. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Hanks
vs
Aremis

179 cm
35
175 lbs
31 - 15 - 1

178 cm
30
178 lbs
15 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Conviction

GREEN!160
BeastMode

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 31 - 15 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Craig Hanks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Xantos Aremis!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, William Gold and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hanks takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Aremis scores with a jab. Hanks acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Hanks throws a leg kick that is checked
and Aremis connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Aremis will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Aremis has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Hanks misses with a leg kick.
Aremis throws a shot from downtown. Hanks moves away and avoids it.
Hanks throws a leg kick but Aremis sees it coming and moves out of range.
It seemed like Aremis was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Hanks looks to throw the jab but Aremis is out of range.
Hanks moves out of range as Aremis throws a body kick.
Aremis doesn't manage to clinch there - Hanks circles away.
Hanks fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Aremis checks it well.
Hanks connects with a body shot.
Good exchange - Aremis coming out on top.
Hanks waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Aremis.
Hanks keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Hanks connects with a body shot that sends Aremis's belly button to the back.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hanks scores with a jab to the jaw.
Hanks has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Aremis finds it's way round the side to connect with Hanks's head.
Aremis has a takedown stuffed.
Craig Hanks has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Xantos Aremis.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Aremis.

Aremis closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Aremis throws a strike aimed at the side of Hanks's head but Hanks avoids it well.
Hanks gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Hanks blocking the ground and pound attempt from Aremis.
Aremis wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hanks keeps working.
Hanks has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Aremis landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hanks blocking the ground and pound attempt from Aremis.

Aremis is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Aremis trying to control the pace.
Hanks controlling the position for now.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Hanks manages to get to full guard.
Hanks wants to get back to his feet but Aremis is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aremis looking to pass the guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Hanks throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Aremis.
Hanks throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Aremis fails with a takedown attempt.
Aremis avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Aremis let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.

Aremis gets the takedown into side control.

Aremis goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Hanks has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Aremis but great work by Hanks.
Aremis tries to control the position but he's not in luck - Hanks easily slips into full mount!
Aremis tries to hold on but Hanks postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hanks looking to control and managing it successfully.
Hanks'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.
Aremis sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hanks looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Hanks prevents Aremis from improving his position.
Aremis trying to control here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Xantos Aremis will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Hanks moves out of range of the body kick from Aremis.
Hanks walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Aremis checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Aremis swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Aremis shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Hanks loads up on a big right hand but Aremis slips the punch.
An inside leg kick from Hanks misses.
Aremis connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Aremis misses with a takedown attempt - Hanks sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Aremis walks into a straight right hand from Hanks.

It looks like Xantos Aremis has been cut.
Hanks tries to bum rush Aremis with a series of wild strikes but Aremis uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Hanks scores with a decent looking hook.
Aremis throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hanks sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Hanks throws a counter high kick but Aremis was just alert enough to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hanks throws a big shot that misses.
Aremis swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Hanks throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Aremis sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A head kick misses from Hanks.
Hanks misses with a series of wild punches.
Hanks slips a straight right by Aremis.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hanks dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Aremis. That did some damage!
A big left from Aremis misses.
Craig Hanks is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A jab from Aremis misses.
Aremis slips under a jab from Hanks.
Xantos Aremis seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hanks throws a hook but Aremis avoids it easily.
And Aremis tries to counter it with a takedown but Hanks pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Aremis connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Hanks misses with a hook.
And Aremis tries to counter it with a takedown but Hanks pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Hanks connects with a body shot.

Hanks gets caught flat footed, as Aremis shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Aremis wants to control from the top but Hanks keeps moving.
Xantos Aremis has got the better of the ground game so far.

Aremis drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Hanks dives on top into guard.

Aremis managing to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hanks won't allow Aremis to get back to his feet.
Aremis keeping moving, preventing Hanks from controlling successfully.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Aremis pulls Hanks in close to his closed guard and prevents Hanks from doing any damage or advancing position.
Aremis trying to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aremis looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hanks is one step ahead there.
Hanks is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Aremis takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Aremis lands with a straight right. Hanks didn't see that one coming.
Hanks misses the jab.
Aremis lands a nice shot that snaps Hanks's head back.
Aremis cracks Hanks with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Aremis changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Aremis with a jab.
Hanks moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Aremis looks to land a body kick but Hanks moved away.
Aremis misses with a straight left.
Aremis throws a push kick but Hanks slaps the foot to one side.
Hanks takes a swing at Aremis's ribcage but misses.
Aremis wants to counter with a clinch but Hanks pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hanks dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Aremis. That did some damage!
Aremis checks a low kick from Hanks.
Hanks takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Hanks scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Hanks throws a right and a left that Aremis avoids nicely.
A good leg kick by Hanks.
Hanks stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Hanks wants it to stay on the feet.
A slapping leg kick lands for Aremis.
A shot to the liver by Hanks. Beautiful body shot.
Hanks swings for the body but Aremis moves out of range.
Aremis tries for a takedown but Hanks sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Craig Hanks has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Xantos Aremis.
Hanks doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Aremis catches Hanks with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Aremis shoots in looking for a takedown but Hanks manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Aremis's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Aremis is breathing heavily.
Aremis takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Hanks moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Hanks works the jab nicely.
Hanks thuds his right hand into Aremis's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
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 Craig Hanks will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Xantos Aremis's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Hanks looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Hanks takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Hanks circles away from the clinch attempt.
An attempted straight right counter from Hanks misses the target.
Hanks misses with a hook. Aremis ducked under it nicely.
Hanks misses with a hook.
Aremis misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hanks.
Hanks ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Aremis moves away.
Aremis looks to throw the jab but Hanks is out of range.
Hanks wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Aremis throws a shot from downtown. Hanks moves away and avoids it.
Aremis connects with an inside leg kick.
Aremis misses the shot to the body.
Aremis misses with a body kick.
A swing and a miss from Hanks.
Aremis is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Hanks with a body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hanks moves away from the strike by Aremis.
Aremis lands a jab to Hanks's midsection.

Aremis shoots in and bounces Hanks off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Aremis trying to control the position from guard on top but Hanks is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hanks pulls Aremis in close to prevent any damage.
Hanks looking to hit a scissor sweep but Aremis is one step ahead there.
Aremis throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hanks works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Aremis lands a couple of elbows.
Aremis preventing the sweep.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Hanks looks to land a right hand but Aremis moved out of range.
Aremis fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
A good leg kick by Hanks.
Hanks throws a hook but Aremis avoids it easily.
Aremis throws a leg kick but Hanks moved away.
Aremis dips to his left and cracks Hanks with an uppercut!

Aremis takes the fight into the clinch.
Aremis has Hanks pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Hanks manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Hanks lands a hook to the side of the head.
Hanks lands a hook that snaps the head of Aremis backwards.
Hanks misses with a punch on the inside.
Aremis blocks a body shot from Hanks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hanks prevents a takedown attempt there.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hanks.
Aremis tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Aremis with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Aremis putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Hanks in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Hanks fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Aremis pushes Hanks back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Aremis working aggressively here.
Hanks tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Aremis's elbow.
Aremis digs a right hand into Hanks's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Hanks's gas tank.
Hanks throws a punch but it's blocked by Aremis.
Aremis tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hanks's elbow.

Hanks manages to break the clinch.
Nice shot by Hanks.
Hanks throws a half hearted mid kick.
Aremis fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hanks manages to avoid it.
As Aremis tries to get set, Hanks tries to push him back and clinch up but Aremis manages to avoid the attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hanks connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Aremis slips a straight right by Hanks.
Hanks dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Aremis. That did some damage!
Nice shot lands for Hanks.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A chopping leg kick lands by Aremis.
Aremis shoots in looking for a takedown but Hanks manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Aremis's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Craig Hanks has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Xantos Aremis.
Hanks lands with an overhand left.
Aremis connects with a body shot.

Aremis gets the takedown into side control.
Hanks is not content to let Aremis control the position.
Hanks sneaks back into half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Xantos Aremis comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Aremis has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Gold scores the fight 28:29
Judge James Glass scores the fight 28:29

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