PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between BJ Arnold (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Pinaglabanan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pinaglabanan has chosen Flume - Some Minds (XVII Flip) as his entrance music. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Arnold
vs
Pinaglabanan

154 cm
29
134 lbs
17 - 4 - 0

171 cm
29
144 lbs
11 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

KAISER

Arcticus University: London

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, BJ Arnold!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, John Pinaglabanan!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Steven Brown and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pinaglabanan shoots for a double leg takedown but Arnold sprawls well. He's pushed Pinaglabanan's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Pinaglabanan fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Arnold enables Pinaglabanan to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Arnold manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Arnold wants to control but Pinaglabanan passes easily into half guard.
Arnold might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Arnold looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Pinaglabanan tries to pass the half guard into mount. Arnold knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Pinaglabanan looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Arnold is looking to get back to full guard here but Pinaglabanan has managed to pass to side control instead.
Pinaglabanan throwing shots but missing, from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pinaglabanan grinds an elbow into Arnold's temple.
Pinaglabanan takes a little break here. Arnold wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Arnold tries to control the position but he's not in luck - Pinaglabanan easily slips into full mount!
Arnold is wriggling around trying to escape.
Pinaglabanan lands a nice shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Pinaglabanan lands a nice shot to the head.
Pinaglabanan tries to control but Arnold wriggling away.
Pinaglabanan controlling the pace for now.
Arnold wants to control but Pinaglabanan is having none of it.
Pinaglabanan raining down shots from the mount!
Pinaglabanan controlling the position easily from mount.
Pinaglabanan prevents Arnold from getting the reversal.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pinaglabanan looking to control but Arnold is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Arnold sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Arnold throws a nice inside leg kick.
Pinaglabanan fails with the takedown
enabling Arnold to counter with a crisp jab.
BJ Arnold has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Pinaglabanan.
Pinaglabanan looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Arnold tries to clinch up but Pinaglabanan circles away and keeps his distance.
Pinaglabanan is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Pinaglabanan shoots and misses
and Arnold counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pinaglabanan jabs Arnold right on the nose. Arnold blinks but takes it well.
Pinaglabanan misses with a takedown
and Arnold makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Pinaglabanan.
Pinaglabanan will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Pinaglabanan fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Arnold avoids it really well and circles away.
Pinaglabanan blocks a low kick nicely.
Arnold throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Pinaglabanan sizes up Arnold with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Arnold jabs Pinaglabanan to the body, keeping him at a distance.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Arnold throws out a loose jab but Pinaglabanan uses good head movement to avoid it.
Arnold steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Pinaglabanan.
Arnold throws a head kick but Pinaglabanan moves out of range.
John Pinaglabanan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Arnold lands with a straight right. Pinaglabanan didn't see that one coming.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

BJ Arnold dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Arnold finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Arnold is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Pinaglabanan can do to turn this around?
Pinaglabanan shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Arnold but Arnold pushes him off and we're back to square one.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Pinaglabanan is defended easily by Arnold.
Pinaglabanan lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Arnold throws a jab but it's blocked by Pinaglabanan.
Pinaglabanan fails with a takedown attempt.
BJ Arnold has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Pinaglabanan.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Arnold looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Nice takedown defense from Arnold. No joy for Pinaglabanan on that attempt.

Pinaglabanan closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Pinaglabanan lands in his opponent's guard.
Pinaglabanan with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arnold is pulling down on Pinaglabanan's head to control his posture.

Arnold is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Arnold on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Arnold tries to get out of the position.

Arnold had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Pinaglabanan defends it easily.
Pinaglabanan is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

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.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Pinaglabanan's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Pinaglabanan in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Arnold avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Arnold stuffs the takedown attempt from Pinaglabanan. Pinaglabanan gets slowly back to his feet.
Arnold thinks about countering with a body kick.
Arnold is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
Arnold takes one to the chin there.

Pinaglabanan shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Arnold napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Arnold sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Arnold is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Pinaglabanan performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pinaglabanan looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

Arnold looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Pinaglabanan trying to control the action but Arnold is working from the bottom.
Pinaglabanan is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Pinaglabanan is trying to control. Arnold wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Arnold looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Pinaglabanan perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
BJ Arnold is winning the standup battle so far.
Pinaglabanan with a poor takedown
and Arnold counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Arnold clobbers Pinaglabanan with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Pinaglabanan scores with a decent looking hook.
Pinaglabanan takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Pinaglabanan waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Arnold.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Arnold.
Pinaglabanan misses with a left hand
and Arnold counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
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 BJ Arnold will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Pinaglabanan misses with a takedown attempt
and Arnold counters with a thumping low kick.
Pinaglabanan will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Arnold avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Arnold lands with a nice body kick.
Pinaglabanan shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Arnold defends it nicely.
BJ Arnold has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Pinaglabanan.
Pinaglabanan takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Arnold steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Pinaglabanan.
Arnold tried to counter with a leg kick but Pinaglabanan avoided it.
A telegraphed right hand from Pinaglabanan misses the target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Arnold scores with a push kick.
Pinaglabanan shoots for a double leg takedown but Arnold sprawls well. He's pushed Pinaglabanan's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Arnold steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Pinaglabanan.
As Pinaglabanan backs away, Arnold returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Arnold throws a body kick that misses.
Pinaglabanan shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Arnold defends it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pinaglabanan on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Pinaglabanan shoots for a double leg takedown but Arnold sprawls well. He's pushed Pinaglabanan's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Pinaglabanan avoids the head kick by Arnold.
Arnold is looking to clinch.
Pinaglabanan takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

Pinaglabanan looking to score a takedown here. Arnold is defending well but Pinaglabanan drives through and ends up in Arnold's guard.
Pinaglabanan trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Arnold has an active guard here but Pinaglabanan has managed to pass into half guard.

Arnold looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
BJ Arnold is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Pinaglabanan in particular looking to stall.

Arnold looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Arnold moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Arnold had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Pinaglabanan defends it easily.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Arnold throws a push kick but Pinaglabanan slaps the foot to one side.
Arnold lands a really nice looking cross but Pinaglabanan seems unphased.
BJ Arnold is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A big right from Arnold misses.
Pinaglabanan shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Arnold sprawls well. Arnold wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Pinaglabanan gets slowly back to his feet.
Pinaglabanan scores with a nice strike.
Pinaglabanan shoots in looking for a takedown. Arnold tries to sprawl out of it but Pinaglabanan keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Arnold manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Pinaglabanan shoots in for a takedown but Arnold shows good takedown defense.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arnold misses with a jab, cross combination.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Arnold, as that shot connected.
Arnold throws out a loose jab but Pinaglabanan uses good head movement to avoid it.
Pinaglabanan shoots in for a takedown but Arnold shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Pinaglabanan shoots for a takedown but Arnold saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Pinaglabanan with a lazy takedown attempt
and Arnold counters with an inside leg kick.
Pinaglabanan might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Pinaglabanan fails with a takedown attempt.
Pinaglabanan takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Pinaglabanan ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Pinaglabanan shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Arnold defends it nicely.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Pinaglabanan tries to score a power double leg takedown but Arnold sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Pinaglabanan somewhat.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Both fighters circling a little - Arnold finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
BJ Arnold showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Arnold, 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 James Ackerman scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 30:27
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 30:28

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