PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Phil Arcuri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paul Maul (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Arcuri
vs
Maul

176 cm
27
168 lbs
13 - 2 - 0

180 cm
30
182 lbs
19 - 13 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Conviction
Sully's Bar & Grill

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Phil Arcuri!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 13 - 0, fighting out of London, Paul Maul!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Sam Margolis and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maul throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Maul throws a hook but Arcuri blocks it.
Maul swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Paul Maul seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Maul throws a combination that misses
and Arcuri counters with a good, hard body kick but Maul shrugs it off.
Arcuri throws a jab when Maul was well out of range.
Maul on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Maul bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Arcuri throws out a leg kick but Maul moves out of range and Arcuri only half commits.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Maul! But no joy.
Maul misses with a right hand
and Arcuri counters with a slapping leg kick.
An inside leg kick lands from Arcuri.
Maul throws a lazy right hand but Arcuri sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Maul, as that shot connected.
Maul throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Arcuri counters with a good low kick that Maul was not able to check.
Arcuri 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.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A punch lands to the side of Arcuri 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Maul tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Arcuri was well out of range. Poor timing from Maul.
Maul throws an off balance right hand
and Arcuri cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Maul pivots, looking for a leg kick but Arcuri is out of range and Maul settles back down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maul looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Arcuri swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Arcuri slips a jab from Maul.
As Maul backs away, Arcuri returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Maul throws out a loose jab but Arcuri uses good head movement to avoid it.
It looked like Arcuri wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Maul looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Arcuri quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Arcuri moves out of range as Maul strikes.
Arcuri appears to be looking for a big counter.
Arcuri throws a jab but it's blocked by Maul.
Maul throws a combination that misses
and Arcuri counters with a good, hard body kick but Maul shrugs it off.
Arcuri avoids the body shot from Maul.
Maul misses the shot to the body.
Arcuri quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Maul looks to throw a body kick
enabling Arcuri to counter with a crisp jab.
Arcuri staying out of range there.
Maul keeps the fight on the outside.
Maul throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Arcuri sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Maul lands a nice looking body shot.
Arcuri lands a jab to the nose.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maul circles away from the clinch attempt.
Maul throws an off balance right hand
and Arcuri counters with a nice body kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Arcuri with a nice cross.

Arcuri has taken the fight to the clinch.
Maul letting Arcuri take a breather here.

Maul breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Arcuri staying out of range there.
Arcuri throws a half hearted mid kick.
Arcuri cracks Maul with a right hand to the side of the head.
Arcuri swings for the body but Maul moves out of range.
The crowd cheers as Maul lands an impressive looking overhand right. Arcuri doesn't seem phased though.
The fighters circling - Maul throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Arcuri uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Maul.
Arcuri throwing a counter right hand but Maul manages to avoid it.
Nice shot lands for Maul.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maul throws a wild body kick that Arcuri sees coming a mile off.
A little feinted left hand from Arcuri on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Maul lands a nice shot to the body.
Arcuri on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Maul throws the left hand but Arcuri avoids the punch easily.
Arcuri is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Arcuri getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Maul lands a jab-cross combination.
Maul pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Arcuri gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Maul scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Arcuri doesn't seem bothered though.
Maul throws a shot to the body.
Maul lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Maul looks to land a body kick but Arcuri moved away.
Arcuri appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Arcuri tries to work over Maul's front leg with a kick but Maul checks it.
Maul throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arcuri lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Arcuri ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Arcuri is looking to counter punch.
Arcuri throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Maul misses with a wild combination.
Arcuri bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Arcuri throws a big counter combination but Maul scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Maul throws a leg kick
and Arcuri counters with a thumping low kick.
Arcuri finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Arcuri throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Maul looks to throw the jab but Arcuri is out of range.
An attempted straight right counter from Arcuri misses the target.
Arcuri tries to close the distance and clinch but Maul swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Maul avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Maul misses with a hook.
Arcuri's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Maul connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Arcuri scrambles back to his feet.
Maul throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Arcuri.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Maul dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Arcuri uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Maul.
Maul throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Maul misses with a few strikes there.
A little feinted left hand from Arcuri on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Maul has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Arcuri swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Maul scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Maul throws a right hand that misses
enabling Arcuri to counter with a crisp jab.
Arcuri defending well as Maul loads up on a big left hand.
It appears Arcuri was looking to counter with a kick there.
Arcuri blocks a jab.
Arcuri throwing a counter right hand but Maul manages to avoid it.
Maul misses with an uppercut
and Arcuri counters with a nice leg kick.
Arcuri fakes the leg kick and cracks Maul in the body.
Arcuri uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Maul.
Maul misses with a combination
and Arcuri counters with a stiff right hand.
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!
Nice uppercut lands for Arcuri. That snapped Maul's head back.

Arcuri takes the fight into the clinch.
Arcuri lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arcuri throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Mauls head.

Maul breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Maul fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Arcuri looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Maul throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Arcuri counters with a nice uppercut.
Arcuri fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Maul throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Arcuri counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Maul throws a poor cross that misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Maul throws a lazy right hand but Arcuri sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Arcuri moves out of range of the strikes.
Maul rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Arcuri counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Arcuri closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Arcuri wants to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Maul misses with a looping right.
Paul Maul seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Arcuri takes one on the button.
Arcuri ducks under a wild hook from Maul.
Maul throws a right hand that Arcuri ducks under and follows up with a left that Arcuri also avoids with ease.
Maul throws a hook but Arcuri blocks it.
Arcuri half committed to a counter leg kick.
Maul rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Arcuri counters with an outside leg kick.
Arcuri on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Maul looks to land a left hand but Arcuri moved out of range nicely.
Arcuri swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Arcuri lands with a nice body kick.
Maul is breathing heavily.
Maul just misses with a punch to the body.
Arcuri misses with a body shot.
Maul looks to land a right hand but Arcuri moved out of range.
A nice combination there by Maul.
Maul misses with a hook
and Arcuri counters with a body kick that stops Maul in his tracks momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arcuri feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Maul's calf.
Arcuri lands a nice looking body kick.
Arcuri tests Maul's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Arcuri throws a quick inside leg kick.
Maul tries to land a body kick
and Arcuri counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Maul misses with a straight left.
Maul throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Arcuri moves out of range as Maul strikes.
Maul throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Arcuri drives through and clinches with Maul against the cage.

Maul escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Jab by Maul.
Maul rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Arcuri moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Maul loads up on a big right hand but Arcuri slips the punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arcuri scores with a crisp jab that stopped Maul in his tracks.
Maul throws a combination that misses
and Maul takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Maul throws a looping overhand right but Arcuri ducks down to avoid it.
Maul takes one on the chin but seems OK.
The fighters circling - Maul throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Maul throws a shot from downtown. Arcuri moves away and avoids it.
Arcuri looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Donk. Maul catches Arcuri right on the button with a cross.
Maul misses with a looping left.
Maul looks to land a left hand but Arcuri moved out of range nicely.
Arcuri half committed to a counter leg kick.
Maul swings widly with a right hand
and Arcuri makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Nice defenses there by Arcuri.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Maul swats away the attempt to clinch by Arcuri.
Arcuri tries a head kick but it misses.
Maul swings widly with a right hand
and Arcuri counters with a lovely straight right hand!
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 Phil Arcuri will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Both fighters circling a little - Arcuri finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Arcuri takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Maul misses with an uppercut
and Arcuri counters with a nice leg kick.
Maul's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Arcuri scores with a spinning back kick!
Maul misses with an uppercut
and Maul takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Arcuri closes the distance and pushes Maul back into the cage.

Arcuri breaks from the clinch.
Arcuri scores with a crisp jab that stopped Maul in his tracks.
Maul keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Maul misses with a wild body shot.
Maul looks to score with a jab to the body but Arcuri is just out of range.
Maul takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Maul looks to land a left hand but Arcuri moved out of range nicely.
Maul throws out a loose jab but Arcuri uses good head movement to avoid it.
Arcuri throws a low kick but it's checked well by Maul.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Some wild striking there from Maul.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maul misses with a body punch
and Arcuri counters with a good low kick that Maul was not able to check.
Maul misses with a low kick.
Maul has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Arcuri.
Maul swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Arcuri counters with a nice leg kick.
A jab lands there for Arcuri.
Maul misses with a lunging right hand
and Arcuri counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Maul throws a shot from downtown. Arcuri moves away and avoids it.
Arcuri lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

Maul is rocked!
Maul misses with a hook to the body

and Arcuri lands a stunning uppercut that sends Maul to the mat!
Maul is still in real trouble! Can Arcuri finish him?
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Maul wants to improve his position but Arcuri is controlling well.

Arcuri is trying to work for a kimura but Maul is defending well.
Arcuri scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Arcuri scoring with strikes to the body and head.

Arcuri is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Maul sees it coming and defends easily.
Arcuri takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Arcuri works his way into side control.
Arcuri lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Maul down.
Arcuri moves into full mount!
Arcuri has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Maul's face.
Arcuri looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Maul is in a horrible position here. Arcuri smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Arcuri scoring with strikes but Maul is staying in there.
Arcuri with good strikes from the mount here!
Arcuri is in full mount looking to finish with strikes. He lands a big shot, followed by another and Maul goes limp! The ref jumps in to end the fight - a big win for Arcuri!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:49 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Phil Arcuri!
Phil Arcuri is the new welterweight champion!
Phil Arcuri decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.