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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Serge Ibaka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and BJ Arnold (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Serge Ibaka has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.
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| 170 cm
33
143 lbs
26 - 7 - 0 |
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154 cm
33
134 lbs
27 - 5 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine |
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Olympic wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
26 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, Serge Ibaka!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
27 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, BJ Arnold!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Daniel Bishop and Sam Margolis.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A nice leg kick lands there from Arnold.
Arnold throws a front kick aimed at Ibaka's knee but Ibaka avoids it well.
Ibaka throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Arnold.
Arnold doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Arnold misses with a body kick.
Ibaka takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Ibaka throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Arnold sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Ibaka fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Arnold manages to avoid it.
Arnold lands with a thumping leg kick.
Arnold scores with a body shot.
Ibaka throws a body punch but Arnold moves out of range.
Arnold scores with a hook to the body. Ibaka takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Arnold avoids the body shot from Ibaka.
Ibaka fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Arnold cracks Ibaka with a right hand to the side of the head.
We've been told by Ibaka's head coaches at England Fight Club MMA that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Arnold lands the left hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ibaka ducks right into an uppercut from Arnold.
Arnold misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ibaka.
An inside leg kick lands from Ibaka.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Arnold tests Ibaka's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Arnold ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Arnold.
Arnold looks for the body kick but Ibaka saw that one coming.
Ibaka connects with a looping right hand.
Arnold lands a nice shot to the body.
Ibaka moves out of range of the body kick from Arnold.
Arnold misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ibaka.
Ibaka swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Ibaka misses with an uppercut.
Ibaka with a hook.
Ibaka scores with a shot to the body.
Arnold misses the shot to the body.
Ibaka looks to land a combination but Arnold avoids it well.
A shot to the body from Arnold misses
and Ibaka moves into the clinch.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ibaka's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ibaka misses with a left hand
and Arnold counters with a solid body kick.
Arnold misses with a body shot.
Arnold turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Arnold avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Arnold counters with a body kick.
Arnold wants to slow Ibaka down by chopping away at his legs.
Ibaka throws a shot from downtown. Arnold moves away and avoids it.
Ibaka lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Ibaka throws a lazy right hand but Arnold sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Ibaka ducks under a wild hook from Arnold.
Ibaka has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Arnold.
Ibaka swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Arnold misses with a head kick.
A quick step to the side and Ibaka tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
A big left from Ibaka misses.
Arnold looks to land a body kick but Ibaka moved away.
It looked like Ibaka wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Arnold misses with a leg kick.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arnold throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Ibaka throws a head kick that misses.
Arnold keeps Ibaka at a distance using the push kick.
Ibaka misses with a looping left.
Arnold keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ibaka is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Arnold.
Ibaka moves out of range of the body kick from Arnold.
A combination from Ibaka does no damage.
Arnold swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Arnold wants to slow Ibaka down by chopping away at his legs.
Ibaka moves out of range as Arnold throws a body kick.
Ibaka was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Arnold throws the kick towards the body but Ibaka avoids it.
Nice body kick there by Arnold.
Ibaka waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Arnold.
Arnold throws a leg kick but Ibaka sees it coming and moves out of range.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ibaka takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Ibaka moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Arnold blocks a jab.
Arnold throws a half hearted mid kick.
Arnold throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Arnold displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ibaka throws out the jab.
Ibaka misses with a straight right.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Ibaka lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Arnold has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Arnold and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Arnold replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Ibaka blocks it well.
Ibaka moves out of range of the body kick.
Arnold scores with a body shot.
Arnold connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Arnold lands with a nice body kick.
Arnold chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Ibaka lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Arnold looks to land a body kick but Ibaka moved away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
BJ Arnold dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
Arnold takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Ibaka connects with a body shot that sends Arnold's belly button to the back.
Ibaka looks to score with a jab to the body but Arnold is just out of range.
Arnold goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Arnold closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
A jab from Ibaka misses.
Arnold misses with an attempted mid kick.
BJ Arnold seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Arnold blocks a head kick by Ibaka.
Arnold misses with the body kick
and Ibaka counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Ibaka chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Arnold can pounce on him.
Ibaka walks forward, straight into a front kick from Arnold.
Nice straight punches there by Ibaka. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Ibaka.
Ibaka fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Arnold on the side of the head.
Ibaka will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks 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!
Ibaka on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Arnold. Arnold obviously looking to wear him down.
Arnold shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Jab from Arnold.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Arnold fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Ibaka checks it well.
Arnold is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Ibaka rather than just go for the knockout.
Ibaka tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Arnold manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Arnold takes a jab right on the kisser.
An inside leg kick lands from Arnold.
Arnold showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ibaka.
Arnold throws a push kick but Ibaka slaps the foot to one side.
A looping hook to the body misses from Arnold. Ibaka does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ibaka darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Arnold wants to slow Ibaka down by chopping away at his legs.
Arnold throws a leg kick but Ibaka sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Ibaka misses the jab.
Ibaka backing away here, and Arnold unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Arnold ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
BJ Arnold seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ibaka throws a big shot that misses.
Arnold throws out a loose jab but Ibaka uses good head movement to avoid it.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Arnold lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Arnold is looking to land body kicks.
Ibaka avoids a kick to the body.
Arnold throws a body punch but Ibaka moves out of range.
Ibaka is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Arnold takes one on the button.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ibaka fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Arnold on the side of the head.
Arnold is looking to land body kicks.
Arnold looks for the body kick but Ibaka saw that one coming.
Arnold connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Ibaka lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Arnold.
Ibaka's jab looks to have found its range, popping Arnold under the eye.
Arnold slips a straight right by Ibaka.
Arnold displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ibaka throws out the jab.
Arnold is trying to counter with his kicks.
Arnold catches Ibaka with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ibaka avoids the body shot from Arnold.
Ibaka is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Ibaka takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Nice shot lands for Ibaka.
Arnold wants to land a leg kick but Ibaka is out of range.
Ibaka wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Ibaka lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Arnold backs up against the cage.
Ibaka throws a hook but Arnold blocks it.
Arnold misses with the body kick
and Ibaka counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Arnold throws a body kick that misses.
Ibaka misses with a straight right.
Ibaka waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Arnold.
Ibaka loads up on a big right hand but Arnold slips the punch.
Arnold appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Arnold misses with a body kick.
Ibaka throws a body shot but no joy.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arnold throws a half hearted mid kick.
Ibaka uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Arnold.
Arnold throws a push kick but Ibaka slaps the foot to one side.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Arnold misses with a body kick.
Arnold swings away with a leg kick that misses.
A little feinted left hand from Ibaka on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Arnold. Ibaka shrugs it off though.
Arnold is looking to land body kicks.
A little feinted left hand from Ibaka on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Arnold takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Ibaka has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Arnold.
Ibaka looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Arnold slips a jab and a cross from Ibaka.
And Arnold responds with a good body kick, but Ibaka manages to step out the way in time.
Ibaka throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Ibaka keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Arnold tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ibaka was well out of range. Poor timing from Arnold.
Arnold takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Serge Ibaka dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
Ibaka misses with a hook. Arnold ducked under it nicely.
A countering left hand to the body from Arnold misses.
Arnold looks to land a body kick but Ibaka moved away.
Nice uppercut there from Ibaka.
Arnold looks to throw a body kick
and Ibaka counters with a straight right hand.
Arnold scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Ibaka throws a big shot that misses.
Crunch! Arnold slams his shin into Ibaka's torso.
Ibaka takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Arnold scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Arnold scores with a push kick.
Arnold lands a nice shot to the body.
Ibaka checks the leg kick.
Arnold throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Arnold moves out of range as Ibaka strikes.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ibaka. Arnold does a little dance to reset his feet.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Arnold misses with a wild body shot.
Arnold just misses with a punch to the body.
Arnold moves forwards but Ibaka connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Arnold throws a push kick but Ibaka slaps the foot to one side.
Ibaka moves out of range of the leg kick from Arnold.
Ibaka throwing a counter right hand but Arnold manages to avoid it.
Ibaka tries to close the distance and clinch but Arnold swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Arnold buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Ibaka clinches up with Arnold and pushes him back against the cage.
Arnold lands a right hand.
Ibaka managing to block the knees to the body from Arnold.
Arnold tries to work over Ibaka's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Arnold goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Arnold goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ibaka digs a right hand into Arnold's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Arnold's gas tank.
Ibaka doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Arnold struggles to land a body shot inside as Ibaka controls his hands.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ibaka lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Arnold lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Ibaka backwards.
Ibaka misses with a body punch.
Arnold tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ibaka's elbow.
Ibaka manages to break the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Arnold feints a jab promting Ibaka to slip. Arnold then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Ibaka slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Arnold explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Ibaka misses with a straight left.
Arnold throws a head kick but Ibaka moves out of range.
Arnold gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Arnold takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Arnold uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Ibaka.
Ibaka needs to keep his hands up - Arnold had a free shot at his head there.
Arnold feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Ibaka's calf.
Ibaka avoids the body shot from Arnold.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arnold stuns Ibaka with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Ibaka swings for the body but Arnold moves out of range.
Ibaka looks to land a right hand but Arnold moved out of range.
Arnold moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Ibaka misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Arnold comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
The crowd cheers as Arnold lands an impressive looking overhand right. Ibaka doesn't seem phased though.
Ibaka digs a good hook to Arnold's body.
Ibaka blocks a head kick by Arnold.
Ibaka throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Ibaka throws a body shot but no joy.
Ibaka lands a head kick!
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Arnold, right into the meat.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Arnold takes a swing at Ibaka's ribcage but misses.
Ibaka throws a quick counter head kick but Arnold was just out of range.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ibaka checks the leg kick.
Arnold is looking to land body kicks.
Arnold throws a body kick that misses.
Ibaka swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Ibaka lands with a hook. Arnold tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Ibaka scores with a crisp jab that stopped Arnold in his tracks.
Arnold swats away the attempt to clinch by Ibaka.
Ibaka loads up on a big right hand but Arnold slips the punch.
The fighters circling - Ibaka throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Arnold flicks out a counter leg kick but Ibaka steps away.
Ibaka loads up on a big right hand but Arnold slips the punch.
Ibaka stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Arnold.
Arnold swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ibaka moves out of range as Arnold throws a body kick.
Ibaka fails to land with a series of punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close third round but BJ Arnold just about did enough to take it.
That's time! Ibaka's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.
Ibaka throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A little jabbing left from Arnold on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Arnold punishes Ibaka's body with a nice straight punch.
Ibaka tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Arnold was well out of range. Poor timing from Ibaka.
Ibaka throws a low kick but Arnold moves out of range easily.
Ibaka backing away here, and Arnold unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Arnold misses with a body kick.
Ibaka rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Arnold finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Ibaka takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Arnold slips under a jab.
Ibaka throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Arnold counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Arnold.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ibaka scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Arnold doesn't seem bothered though.
Arnold throws a body kick that misses.
Arnold throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
An attempted straight right counter from Ibaka misses the target.
Arnold throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Ibaka counters with a stiff right hand.
Arnold misses with a body kick.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Arnold tries to land a front kick but Ibaka steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Ibaka swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Arnold takes a swing at Ibaka's ribcage but misses.
Arnold cracks a nice hook into Ibaka's ribs.
A decent looking cross lands there for Ibaka.
Ibaka misses with a hook.
Ibaka lands a really nice looking cross but Arnold seems unphased.
Ibaka thows a left - swing and a miss!
A big left from Ibaka misses.
Arnold smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Arnold moves away from the strike by Ibaka.
Ibaka doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Some bone on bone action there as Ibaka checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Ibaka cracks Arnold with a good jab.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ibaka takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Ibaka throws a hook but Arnold blocks it.
Ibaka misses with a low kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Arnold throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Ibaka's head.
Arnold looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Arnold throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Sloppy strikes from Ibaka. Those never looked like landing.
A head kick misses from Arnold.
Arnold misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ibaka.
Arnold misses with a kick to the body
and Ibaka counters with a straight right hand.
Arnold lands with a kick to the ribs.
Arnold gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Ibaka counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Arnold has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Ibaka misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Arnold.
Arnold throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ibaka throws a head kick but Arnold moves out of range.
Arnold thumps Ibaka with a low kick.
Arnold pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Arnold feints and then cracks Ibaka's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Ibaka down.
Arnold moves away from the strike by Ibaka.
Ibaka takes a swing at Arnold's ribcage but misses.
It seemed like Arnold was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Ibaka crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Arnold - the referee stops the clock and Ibaka gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Arnold. Ibaka manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Arnold throws a half hearted mid kick.
Ibaka throws an off balance right hand
and Arnold counters with a body kick that stops Ibaka in his tracks momentarily.
Arnold blocks a head kick by Ibaka.
Arnold throws a body kick that misses.
A counter left hand to the body from Ibaka misses its target.
A looping hook to the body misses from Arnold. Ibaka does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ibaka missing with a left hand there. Arnold was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Ibaka avoids a kick to the body.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arnold tries to land a front kick but Ibaka steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Ibaka throws a big counter combination but Arnold scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Arnold lands a leg kick that knocks Ibaka off balance momentarily.
Arnold avoids a punch combination nicely.
Arnold throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Arnold explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Ibaka cracks Arnold with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
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!
Ibaka swings widly with a right hand
and Arnold makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Arnold.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Ibaka checks a leg kick.
Arnold lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Ibaka at a distance.
Arnold misses the shot to the body.
Arnold throws a body shot but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
BJ Arnold dominated that fourth round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!
Arnold throws a sloppy body shot
and Ibaka counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Ibaka tries a head kick but it misses.
Ibaka connects with a nice looking jab.
Ibaka loads up on a big right hand but Arnold slips the punch.
Arnold looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Arnold connects with a body shot.
Ibaka fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Arnold manages to avoid it.
Ibaka throws a big shot that misses.
Nice body kick there by Arnold.
Arnold feints and then cracks Ibaka's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Ibaka down.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice body kick from Arnold.
Ibaka chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Arnold can pounce on him.
Arnold staying out of range there.
Arnold blocks a jab.
That's one minute gone in the round.
A left lands for Arnold.
Ibaka lands with a cross.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Arnold.
Arnold lands with a good body shot.
Arnold connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Ibaka momentarily.
Ibaka will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A solid body kick from Arnold.
The fighters circling - Ibaka throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Arnold looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Arnold bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Ibaka misses with a series of wild punches.
Arnold motions for Ibaka to come forward. Arnold throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Serge Ibaka has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
BJ Arnold is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Arnold tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ibaka takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Ibaka throws a sloppy head kick and Arnold moves out of range easily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ibaka takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Arnold misses the shot to the body.
Arnold misses with a kick to the body.
Ibaka connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Arnold throws a push kick but Ibaka slaps the foot to one side.
Ibaka throws out a loose jab but Arnold uses good head movement to avoid it.
Arnold bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Ibaka looks to land a right hand but Arnold moved out of range.
Arnold flicks out a counter leg kick but Ibaka steps away.
Arnold feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Ibaka's calf.
Arnold throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arnold lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Arnold moves out of range as Ibaka strikes.
Arnold uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Ibaka has time to react.
Arnold pushes Ibaka away with a front kick.
Arnold scores with a kick to the midsection.
Ibaka fails to land with a series of punches.
Ibaka throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Arnold counters with a nice kick to the body.
Arnold scores with a spinning back kick!
Ibaka listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Ibaka misses with a looping left.
Arnold goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Ibaka takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Arnold slips under a jab from Ibaka.
Ibaka throws a good cross that connects.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ibaka swings for the body but Arnold moves out of range.
Ibaka backing away here, and Arnold unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Arnold lands a right hook to the body.
Ibaka throws a sloppy head kick and Arnold moves out of range easily.
Ibaka throws a lazy uppercut
and Arnold finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Arnold pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ibaka throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A thudding body kick lands there by Arnold!
Ibaka takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Ibaka throws a predictable looking body shot
and Arnold counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Ibaka bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
A chopping leg kick lands by Arnold.
Arnold misses with an attempted mid kick.
Ibaka throws a big counter combination but Arnold scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Arnold works Ibaka's body with a nice hook.
And that's the end of the fight!
BJ Arnold comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Arnold 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge William Gold scores the fight 46:49
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 46:49
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 46:49
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... BJ Arnold! BJ Arnold retains his bantamweight title!
A relieved looking BJ Arnold thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.
The defeated Serge Ibaka had this to say: 'This is tough to take, but I still feel I can get to the top of this division. In the meantime I want to get back in there, Jandre Vorster how about we go again?'.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
74% |
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