PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Nick Faflatas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jyoti MacArthur (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Faflatas
vs
MacArthur

175 cm
25
140 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

178 cm
26
155 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Nick Faflatas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Jyoti MacArthur!
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, Bart Greer and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
MacArthur looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Faflatas checks a leg kick.
The crowd cheers as MacArthur lands an impressive looking overhand right. Faflatas doesn't seem phased though.

Faflatas darts in and clinches MacArthur up against the cage.
MacArthur using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Faflatas has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
MacArthur tries to circle away but Faflatas has him pinned against the cage.
MacArthur is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Faflatas scores a nice knee to the body.
Faflatas tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. MacArthur smiles and moves away.
MacArthur connects with a nice looking jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
MacArthur thows a leg kick but Faflatas checks it
and Faflatas counters with a series of strikes. MacArthur will be more careful next time no doubt.
Faflatas misses with a takedown
and MacArthur counters with a left to the body.
MacArthur connects with a right hand. Faflatas shakes it off.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
MacArthur throws a leg kick but Faflatas moved away.
Faflatas has been working on his balance at Highland CT & Spar, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by MacArthur.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Faflatas checks a leg kick.
Faflatas takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

Faflatas clinches up against the cage.
Faflatas creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through MacArthur's defenses.
MacArthur pushes Faflatas back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
MacArthur misses with a punch to the body.
MacArthur misses with a knee strike.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
MacArthur can't find room to land a body shot as Faflatas controls the action.
Faflatas fails to pull the fight into his guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nick Faflatas. That's going to take a lot out of him.
MacArthur is trying to stall.
Faflatas misses with a shot to the kidneys.
MacArthur on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Faflatas is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables MacArthur to keep the fight standing.
MacArthur looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Faflatas lands an elbow just above MacArthur 's eye.
MacArthur is trying to force a seperation but Faflatas has the dominant position.
Faflatas tries to land a knee to the head but MacArthur blocks with his arms.
MacArthur looking to throw knees to the head but Faflatas is blocking nicely.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Faflatas blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
MacArthur lands an uppercut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Faflatas avoiding damage as MacArthur throws knees to the body.
A shot in the inside from MacArthur.
MacArthur is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Faflatas doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A short right from Faflatas.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MacArthur lands with a short shot to the head.
Faflatas throws a punch but it's blocked by MacArthur.
MacArthur lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Faflatas.
Faflatas goes for a takedown attempt but MacArthur pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
MacArthur moves into range and connects with a jab.
Faflatas doesn't manage to clinch there - MacArthur circles away.
MacArthur displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Faflatas.
MacArthur throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Faflatas.
Faflatas was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
MacArthur throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
MacArthur throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
A right-left combo lands from MacArthur.
Nice uppercut there from MacArthur.
MacArthur moves into range and connects with a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Faflatas keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Faflatas has a takedown stuffed.
MacArthur scores with a jab to the jaw.
Jyoti MacArthur seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jab by MacArthur.
MacArthur lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Faflatas at a distance.
MacArthur scores with a body shot.
MacArthur throws a low kick, looking for Faflatas's leg but Faflatas calmly moves out of range.
Faflatas drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
MacArthur tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Faflatas looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Some bone on bone action there as Faflatas checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Faflatas doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
MacArthur scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jyoti MacArthur dominated that round.
That's time! Faflatas's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Faflatas fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
MacArthur displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Faflatas.
MacArthur moves into range and connects with a jab.
Faflatas fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nick Faflatas. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Faflatas takes the fight into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
MacArthur wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Faflatas has him pressed against the cage.
A body shot lands from MacArthur.
MacArthur wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MacArthur with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Faflatas tries to pull guard but MacArthur holds him up against the cage and eventually Faflatas drops back down to his feet.
MacArthur wants to stall.
Faflatas lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Faflatas stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Faflatas tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and MacArthur avoids it.
Faflatas with a knee to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Faflatas.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Faflatas managing to block the knees to the body from MacArthur.
MacArthur lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Faflatas throws an elbow but it misses.
Faflatas swings wildly with an uppercut but MacArthur uses good head movement to avoid it.
Faflatas throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but MacArthur blocks it with crossed arms.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MacArthur wants to stall.
MacArthur lands a body punch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by MacArthur.
MacArthur gets through Faflatas's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Faflatas putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has MacArthur in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
MacArthur tries to land knees in the clinch but Faflatas avoids the damage to the body.
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!
Faflatas tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. MacArthur just stands there and leans against the cage.
A short left from MacArthur.
Faflatas struggles to land a body shot inside as MacArthur controls his hands.
Faflatas blocks an elbow strike from MacArthur.
Faflatas lands a left hand.
Faflatas creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
A head punch on the inside from Faflatas fails to land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MacArthur content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Faflatas jumps guard but MacArthur stands there with Faflatas around his waist. Faflatas gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Faflatas can't find room to land a body shot as MacArthur controls the action.
A short uppercut from MacArthur.
Faflatas misses with a body punch.
Faflatas tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Faflatas putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has MacArthur in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Faflatas fails to pull guard.
Faflatas tries to work over MacArthur's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
MacArthur blocks an uppercut.
MacArthur tries a body shot but Faflatas blocks it.
Faflatas has a couple of punches blocked by MacArthur.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Faflatas crunches a lovely knee into MacArthur's ribcage.
Faflatas misses with a punch to the body.
MacArthur lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
MacArthur lands a right hand that snaps the head of Faflatas backwards.
A short uppercut from MacArthur.
Faflatas tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and MacArthur avoids it.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
A frustrated look appears on MacArthur's face as he tries to break the clinch.
MacArthur has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
MacArthur lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
MacArthur gets through Faflatas's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
MacArthur avoiding damage as Faflatas throws knees to the body.
MacArthur swings wildly with an uppercut but Faflatas uses good head movement to avoid it.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, MacArthur creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
MacArthur is trying to push Faflatas away but Faflatas has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jyoti MacArthur showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Faflatas closes the distance and clinches up with MacArthur, looking for a takedown. Faflatas pushes MacArthur against the cage but MacArthur circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
MacArthur lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
MacArthur throws a combination that misses
and Faflatas counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Faflatas fails in his attempt to clinch.
MacArthur throws a counter combo.
MacArthur scores with a jab to the head.
Faflatas takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
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 connects with the punch.

Faflatas is rocked!
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!

Faflatas changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. MacArthur looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Oh Faflatas is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
MacArthur struggling a bit here.
MacArthur manages to get back to half guard.
Faflatas seems to have got his legs back now.
MacArthur regains full guard. Nicely done.
MacArthur is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MacArthur looking to control but Faflatas passes into half guard.

Faflatas decides to stand and escape the position.

Faflatas shoots in and bounces MacArthur off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

MacArthur working for submissions but it's allowed Faflatas to get to half guard.

Faflatas stands up and beckons MacArthur to join him on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MacArthur throws a head kick that misses.
MacArthur throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
MacArthur misses with a few strikes there.
MacArthur throws a half hearted mid kick.
MacArthur's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and MacArthur duly obliges.
Faflatas wants to clinch up but MacArthur keeps it at a distance.
Faflatas shoots in for a takedown but MacArthur shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Faflatas is trying hard to land a takedown here. MacArthur sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nick Faflatas. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Faflatas takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Faflatas takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
A jab from MacArthur finds it's way through Faflatas's defenses.
Nice uppercut lands for MacArthur. That snapped Faflatas's head back.
Faflatas moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A shot to the body from MacArthur misses
and Faflatas counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps MacArthur thinking.
MacArthur lands with an overhand left.
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.
Faflatas is trying hard to land a takedown here. MacArthur sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
MacArthur misses with a body kick.
MacArthur jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Faflatas takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
MacArthur scores with a one two! Faflatas had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Faflatas checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
MacArthur lands a nice shot that snaps Faflatas's head back.
MacArthur scores with a jab to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
MacArthur connects with a body shot.
Faflatas takes a body punch but keeps moving.
MacArthur lands a jab to Faflatas's midsection.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
MacArthur scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
MacArthur swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Nice takedown defense from MacArthur. No joy for Faflatas on that attempt.
Faflatas checks the leg kick.
Faflatas doesn't manage to clinch there - MacArthur circles away.
MacArthur connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Faflatas's hands.
Jyoti MacArthur is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
MacArthur lands a jab to Faflatas's midsection.
MacArthur avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Faflatas shoots for a takedown but MacArthur saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
MacArthur now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Faflatas takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
MacArthur will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Faflatas shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says MacArthur as he avoids it easily.
Faflatas moves out of range of the body kick from MacArthur.
Nick Faflatas has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nice uppercut there from MacArthur.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jyoti MacArthur comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got MacArthur winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Michael Johnstone scores the fight 27:30
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jyoti MacArthur!