PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Johnny Arcane (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zarko Zidane (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Arcane
vs
Zidane

186 cm
25
190 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

180 cm
20
192 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Very quick

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Solid chin

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Johnny Arcane!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Zarko Zidane!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Eddie Farnsworth and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zidane is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Arcane darts in looking for a takedown but Zidane gets double underhooks and turns Arcane into the cage.
A nice side step and Zidane releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Arcane misses with a straight right.
Zidane tries a head kick but it misses.
A little feinted left hand from Arcane on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Arcane doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Zidane counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Zidane.
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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zidane throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Arcane works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Zidane postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Arcane looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Zidane working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zidane working some strikes from top position.
Arcane keeping full guard, as Zidane tries to pass.
Zidane trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Zidane pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Arcane is keeping the position for now.
Arcane lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Zidane really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Arcane. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Arcane wants to control from the top but Zidane keeps moving.
Arcane lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Zidane is looking to stand back up but Arcane counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Zidane.
Arcane looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Arcane prevents Zidane from standing back up.
Arcane scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Arcane missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Zidane tries to get to full guard but Arcane has control of the leg.
Arcane thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Arcane tries to pass to full mount but Zidane defends it.
Zidane blocking the ground and pound attempt from Arcane.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arcane uses his free foot to push down on Zidane's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Zidane.
Zidane taking shots to the head.
You get the feeling that Zidane really doesn't like being in this position too much.
BOOM! Arcane connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Arcane landing strikes from the mount.
Arcane throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Zidane because Arcane loaded up on that one.
Arcane in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Zidane blocking the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zidane blocking the ground and pound.
Arcane working away from the top, dropping strikes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Arcane misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Zidane tries to lock up and control but Arcane gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Zidane can't escape the position.
Zidane wants to try and get back to his feet.
Arcane lands a heavy elbow.
Zidane wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Arcane postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Zidane looks a forlorn figure.
Arcane lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Arcane 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.

Arcane shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Zidane sprawls well. Zidane wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Arcane gets slowly back to his feet.
Arcane fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Zarko Zidane is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Arcane shoots in and bounces Zidane off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zidane keeping moving, preventing Arcane from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arcane won't allow Zidane to get back to his feet.
Zidane keeping moving, preventing Arcane from controlling successfully.
Zidane is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Arcane is controlling him.
Zidane tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Arcane trying to control the position from guard on top but Zidane is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Arcane is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Zidane can do to turn this around?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Zidane working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Arcane.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Arcane shoots in but Zidane avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Zidane is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Johnny Arcane. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Arcane throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Zidane sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Zidane flicks out a counter leg kick but Arcane steps away.
Zidane bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Arcane throws a hook but Zidane blocks it.
Zidane tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Arcane shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Zidane defends it nicely.
Zidane unleashes a big counter combination but Arcane bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arcane has a takedown stuffed.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Zidane! But no joy.
Arcane tries to score a power double leg takedown but Zidane sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Arcane somewhat.

Arcane changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Zidane looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Zidane is trying to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zidane is trying to buck Arcane off.
The strikes coming from Arcane are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Arcane in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Arcane landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Zidane is looking to reverse the position.
Arcane has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Arcane wants to lay and pray for a moment but Zidane keeps working.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Arcane lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Arcane dominated that second round.
That's time! Arcane's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Arcane throws a combination. Zidane tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Johnny Arcane seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zidane lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Arcane circles away quickly and effectively.
Arcane shoots in for a takedown but Zidane shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Arcane misses with a takedown attempt - Zidane sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Zidane is trying to counter with his kicks.
Arcane misses the shot to the body.
And Zidane responds with a good body kick, but Arcane manages to step out the way in time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Arcane throws a shot from downtown. Zidane moves away and avoids it.
Zidane is trying to counter with his kicks.
A big right from Arcane misses.
Zidane looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Horrible takedown attempt by Arcane or perhaps it was just good defense by Zidane, which made it look bad.
Zidane is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Arcane with a body shot.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Johnny Arcane. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arcane swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Zidane looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Nice defenses there by Arcane.
Arcane throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Zidane sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Arcane works the jab nicely.
Arcane swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Zidane follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Arcane throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Zidane counters with a body kick.
Zidane slips a jab from Arcane.
Arcane takes a swing at Zidane's ribcage but misses.
Johnny Arcane is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zidane throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Arcane shoots in but Zidane avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Arcane throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Zidane is looking for the big counter here.
Zidane defending well as Arcane loads up on a big left hand.
Zidane swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Zidane tried to score with a low kick but Arcane checks it.
Nice sprawl there from Arcane as Zidane shoots in.
Arcane ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Zidane moves away.
Zidane is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Arcane darts in looking for a takedown but Zidane gets double underhooks and turns Arcane into the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arcane shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Zidane with the counter takedown but Arcane avoids it easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Zidane wants to clinch up but Arcane keeps it at a distance.
Zidane keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Arcane.
Zidane feints the counter takedown.
Arcane swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Arcane.
Zidane shoots in for a takedown but Arcane shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Arcane throws a shot from downtown. Zidane moves away and avoids it.
Zidane now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Zidane thows a left - swing and a miss!
Arcane attempts a counter takedown but Zidane avoids it well and moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Arcane shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Zidane is trying to defend but Arcane finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Arcane prevents Zidane from standing back up.
Arcane sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Zidane defending well though.
Arcane throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Arcane working over Zidane with some ground and pound. Zidane looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Arcane is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Zidane is trying to escape back to his feet but Arcane uses the scramble to pass into side control.
Zarko Zidane has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Zidane strikes from the bottom but Arcane takes advantage and advances to full mount!

And that's the end of the fight!
Johnny Arcane showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Arcane has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Steve Montenegro scores the fight for Johnny Arcane!
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight for Johnny Arcane!
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight for Johnny Arcane!

Johnny Arcane wins by unanimous decision!