PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Artem Irhin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arthur Halo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Irhin
vs
Halo

180 cm
25
200 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

187 cm
25
187 lbs
11 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Good kicks
Granite chin

Conviction

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 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Artem Irhin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Arthur Halo!
The judges for this bout are Dillan Fox, Elvis Blanc and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Halo takes one to the side of the head.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Halo.
An attempted straight right counter from Irhin misses the target.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Halo checks a leg kick.
Irhin pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Irhin has been working on his boxing with his coaches at St Petersburg MMA Gym in the buildup to the fight.
Halo blocks a head kick by Irhin.
Irhin throws a head kick that half lands.
Nice straight punches there by Irhin. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Irhin.
Danga de danga de dang - Halo scores with a four punch combination!
Irhin throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Halo decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Irhin's guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Irhin is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Halo wants to control from the top but Irhin keeps moving.
Halo is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Halo lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Irhin working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Halo doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Halo manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Halo trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Halo trying to control but Irhin is working from the bottom.
Irhin is trying to control the position but Halo postures up.

Irhin kicks Halo off and gets to his feet.
Artem Irhin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Irhin throws a head kick that misses

and Halo decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Irhin's guard.
Halo tries to free his leg and advance position but Irhin is retaining full guard.
Irhin keeping moving, preventing Halo from controlling successfully.

Halo drops back looking for a leg! Irhin is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Irhin manages to kick Halo off! Halo jumps back into Irhin's guard.
Halo throws a big elbow that misses.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Halo throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Halo won't allow Irhin to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Halo makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Halo with a flurry of punches that miss.
Halo connects with a couple of short punches.
Halo tries to free his leg and advance position but Irhin is retaining full guard.
Irhin pulls Halo in close to prevent any damage.
Halo connects with a couple of short punches.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Irhin has momentary wrist control but Halo slips an elbow through the middle.

Irhin is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Halo cracks Irhin with a solid left hand.
Halo slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Irhin takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Irhin struggling a bit here.
Halo working the ground and pound from side control.

Halo is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Irhin is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Halo landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.

Halo is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Irhin has escaped the position, nice work there.
Halo connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Irhin some visible discomfort.
Halo working away.
Halo is looking to take a break and control but Irhin is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Halo connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Irhin some visible discomfort.
Halo has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Halo goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Irhin has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Halo but great work by Irhin.

Irhin decides to stand back up.
Irhin dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Halo. That did some damage!
Halo shoots for a double leg takedown but Irhin sprawls well. He's pushed Halo's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Irhin tries a head kick but it misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A nice leg kick lands there from Irhin.
Halo staying out of range there.
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!

Halo throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Irhin was covering up waiting for the punch and Halo finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Halo working some strikes from top position.
Halo scoring with punches to the head and body.
Irhin wants to stand up but Halo is controlling him.
Irhin looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Irhin looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Halo's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Irhin looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Halo trying to control the position from guard on top but Irhin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Irhin throws a sloppy head kick

and Halo counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Arthur Halo has got the better of the ground game so far.
Halo with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Halo trying to control the position from guard on top but Irhin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Halo is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Irhin is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Halo defends well.

Irhin has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Halo is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Irhin is pressed up against the cage. Halo has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Irhin down to the mat. Irhin avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Arthur Halo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The fighters circling - Irhin throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Halo is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Irhin throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nice shot by Irhin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Halo keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Irhin misses with a body shot.
Irhin keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Irhin lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Halo tried to score with a low kick but Irhin checks it.
Irhin tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Halo manages to circle out of the way.
Artem Irhin is winning the standup battle so far.
Halo blocks a leg kick.
Irhin connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Irhin tries a head kick but it misses.
Halo fails with a takedown attempt.
Artem Irhin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Arthur Halo.

Halo dives in and scores a takedown into Irhin's guard.

Irhin scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Halo's coach down at Canadian Dragon MMA was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Halo's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Halo ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Halo feints the counter takedown.
Irhin tries a head kick but it misses.

Irhin gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Irhin keeping moving, preventing Halo from controlling successfully.
Halo sitting in guard here, content to control.
Halo works over Irhin with some ground and pound from guard.
Halo trying to control but Irhin is working from the bottom.

Irhin looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Halo prevents Irhin from getting back to his feet.
Halo is looking to work some ground and pound but Irhin has wrist control.
Halo wants to control from the top but Irhin keeps moving.
Irhin controls Halo momentarily but Halo frees himself.
Halo connects with a couple of short punches.

Irhin working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Halo doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Halo manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Irhin keeping moving, preventing Halo from controlling successfully.
Halo is working Irhin over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Irhin throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Halo postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Irhin is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Halo, into his guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Irhin avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Irhin gets to his feet - Halo follows without any prompting.
Irhin ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Halo fails with a takedown attempt.
Irhin is looking for a counter combo.
Halo slips a jab from Irhin.
Irhin throws a head kick that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Artem Irhin dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Halo ducks under a wild hook from Irhin.
Irhin tries a head kick but it misses.
Halo shoots in but no luck this time.
Irhin blocks a head kick by Halo.
Irhin ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Halo moves away.
Halo scores with a head kick.
Irhin pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Halo closes the distance and clinches up with Irhin, looking for a takedown. Halo pushes Irhin against the cage but Irhin circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Halo shoots in looking for a takedown. Irhin tries to sprawl out of it but Halo keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Irhin manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Artem Irhin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Arthur Halo.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Irhin throws a head kick that half lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Irhin on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Halo. Halo obviously looking to wear him down.
A swing and a miss from Irhin.
Irhin tries to bum rush Halo with a series of wild strikes but Halo uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Halo shoots in and drives through. Irhin sprawls well.
Halo just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromIrhin.
Halo closes the distance and clinches up with Irhin, looking for a takedown. Halo pushes Irhin against the cage but Irhin circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Halo shoots in for a double leg but Irhin sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Irhin scores with a jab.
Irhin throws a jab but it's blocked by Halo.
Halo blocks a head kick by Irhin.
Irhin pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Irhin throws a head kick but Halo moves out of range.
Horrible takedown attempt by Halo or perhaps it was just good defense by Irhin, which made it look bad.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A right-left combo lands from Irhin.
Irhin tries to land a front kick but Halo steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Halo drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Irhin defends it well.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Halo is defended easily by Irhin.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Halo uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Irhin.
Irhin misses with a body shot.
Irhin misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Halo feints the counter takedown.
Irhin is looking to clinch.
A slapping leg kick lands for Irhin.
Halo blocks a jab.
Irhin defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Halo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Irhin misses.
Irhin keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Irhin throws a series of punches but Halo avoids them all with ease.
Halo avoids the head kick by Irhin.
Irhin misses with a kick to the body.
Halo slips a jab and a cross from Irhin.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Halo looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Irhin thows a left - swing and a miss!
Halo fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Halo shoots for a double leg takedown but Irhin sprawls well. He's pushed Halo's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Nice uppercut there from Irhin.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Irhin misses with a body shot.
Irhin lands a lovely overhand right.
Irhin throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Artem Irhin is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Halo moves away from the strike by Irhin.

Halo dives in and scores a takedown into Irhin's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Irhin working for a triangle but Halo defends it easily.
Halo trying to control the position from guard on top but Irhin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Halo sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Halo is working Irhin over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Artem Irhin showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Irhin 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 Dillan Fox scores the fight 29:28
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Artem Irhin!
Our winner, Artem Irhin, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.