PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Arthur Halo (ranked 1147 p4p, 140 weight class) and Forrest Worthington (ranked 1017 p4p, 123 weight class). Worthington is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: I Am Canadian Anthem. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Halo
vs
Worthington

187 cm
38
180 lbs
27 - 18 - 0

183 cm
35
175 lbs
20 - 11 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 27 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Arthur Halo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Forrest Worthington!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Paul Tew and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Halo misses with a takedown
and Worthington cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Halo dives in for a single leg takedown but Worthington sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Halo wants to land a leg kick but Worthington is out of range.
Halo shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Worthington as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Arthur Halo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A low kick from Halo misses
and Worthington counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Halo is trying hard to land a takedown here. Worthington sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
It seemed like Worthington was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Halo pivots, looking for a leg kick but Worthington is out of range and Halo settles back down.
Halo backing away here, and Worthington unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Worthington keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Worthington slaps away a takedown attempt from Halo, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Worthington listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Halo fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Worthington checks it well.
Worthington looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Halo connects with an inside leg kick.
Halo just misses with a punch to the body.
Worthington connects with a single shot there.
Jab by Worthington.

Halo drives through with a takedown into Worthington's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Halo is pushing down on Worthington's leg trying to pass to half guard. Worthington is fighting to maintain full guard but Halo has managed to sneak the leg through.
Halo 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.
Worthington is looking for a sweep. Halo is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Worthington is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Halo is keen to just control but Worthington is a slippery customer.

Halo is trying to work for a kimura but Worthington is defending well.
Halo seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Worthington does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Worthington is trying to maintain the position but Halo is very close to passing his half guard.
Ground and pound from Halo.
Worthington tries to roll over but Halo keeps him under control.
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!
Worthington keeps trying to improve his position.
Halo trying to pass the guard but Worthington defending well.
Worthington is not content to let Halo control the position.

Halo is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Halo is trying to control the action in half guard but Worthington is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Worthington trying to control from the bottom.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Halo uses his free foot to push down on Worthington's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Worthington.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Halo wants to control the pace but Worthington is squirming around nicely.
Worthington is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Halo trying to control but Worthington is having none of it.
Worthington is looking to get to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Halo is trying to control here but Worthington has managed to regain half guard.

Halo is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Halo trying to control the action but Worthington is working from the bottom.

Worthington is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Halo pulls his head out easily.
Halo is looking to take a break and control but Worthington is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Halo content to control rather than advance.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Worthington is refusing to be controlled, as Halo sits in half guard.
Worthington has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Halo is working away from the top position though.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Halo content to control rather than advance.
Worthington is looking to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Arthur Halo will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Halo.
Nice sprawl there from Worthington as Halo shoots in.
Halo shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Worthington pinned against the cage. Worthington gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Worthington only half commits to the counter leg kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Arthur Halo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Worthington lands a right hook to the body.
Halo wants to clinch up but Worthington keeps it at a distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Halo uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Worthington.
Arthur Halo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Worthington throws out a leg kick but Halo moves out of range and Worthington only half commits.
Halo half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Halo throws a sloppy head kick
and Worthington counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Halo keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Worthington.
Halo fails with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Halo.
Halo shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Worthington pinned against the cage. Worthington gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Halo throws a solid leg kick but Worthington takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Halo.
Worthington let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Halo misses with a low kick.
Forrest Worthington is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Halo tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Worthington stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Worthington wants it to stay on the feet.
Worthington has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Worthington takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Worthington lands a nice looking body shot.
Worthington scores with the left hand. Halo knows he should have avoided that one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Worthington tries to land a front kick but Halo steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Worthington lands a high kick!
Worthington lands a jab.
Worthington scores with a jab to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Halo drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Halo wants to control from the top but Worthington keeps moving.
Worthington is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Halo wants to control from the top but Worthington keeps moving.
Halo is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Worthington is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Halo wants to control from the top but Worthington keeps moving.
Worthington trying to keep a closed guard but Halo is proving a slippery customer.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Halo is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Worthington is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Worthington has his hands on Halo's head, controlling the position.

Worthington looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Worthington trying to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Halo wants to control from the top but Worthington keeps moving.

Worthington 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 wants to control from the top but Worthington keeps moving.

Worthington escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Halo gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Halo engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Halo passes easily into side control. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Forrest Worthington showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Halo's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Good shot there by Halo.
A clash of legs there as Worthington blocks the low kick.
Worthington let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Worthington checks a leg kick nicely.
Halo finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
A big right from Halo misses.
Worthington doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Halo throws a sloppy head kick
and Worthington counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Worthington ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Halo takes a swing at Worthington's ribcage but misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Halo takes a kick to the side of the head.
Worthington lands a front kick.
A slapping leg kick lands for Worthington.
Halo wants to slow Worthington down by chopping away at his legs.
Halo keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Worthington scores with a hook.
A shot to the liver by Worthington. Beautiful body shot.
Halo finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Halo shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Worthington as he jumps to the side.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Worthington buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Worthington ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Forrest Worthington seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Worthington is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

Halo fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Worthington to the ground. Halo is now in Worthington's guard.
Halo trying to control but Worthington is working from the bottom.
Halo is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Worthington is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Halo trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Worthington looking to control.
Halo pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Worthington is keeping the position for now.
Halo chips away with some ground and pound.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Worthington controlling the position.
Worthington looking for a sweep. Not yet Worthington, not yet.
Halo in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Worthington avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Worthington working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Halo has passed into half guard!
Worthington is refusing to be controlled, as Halo sits in half guard.
Halo is thwarting Worthington's attempts to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Worthington is refusing to be controlled, as Halo sits in half guard.

Worthington looking for submissions off his back.
Worthington is looking to control Halo's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Worthington avoid being mounted?
Worthington wants to get back to full guard.
Halo is nestled in close to Worthington, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Halo content to control rather than advance.
Halo trying to control the action but Worthington is working from the bottom.

Worthington looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Worthington works his way to full guard. Good work.
Halo stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Worthington swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Halo distracts Worthington with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Worthington keeping full guard, as Halo tries to pass.
Worthington controls Halo momentarily but Halo frees himself.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Halo trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Worthington is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Worthington controlling the pace.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Forrest Worthington.
I think Worthington 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 28:30
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Forrest Worthington!
An out of breath Forrest Worthington thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.