PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Galen Hicks (ranked 8152 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arjan Arnolds (ranked 5459 p4p, 0 weight class). Arjan Arnolds will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Hicks
vs
Arnolds

195 cm
21
177 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

170 cm
25
174 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Likes comics

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Galen Hicks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Arjan Arnolds!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Paulsen Ambrosius and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Arnolds misses with a combination
and Hicks cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Arnolds tries to close the distance and clinch up but Hicks swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Arnolds rushes Hicks and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Hicks struggles to land a body shot inside as Arnolds controls his hands.
Hicks tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Hicks successfully pulls guard.

Hicks is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Arnolds must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Arnolds tries to stand but Hicks is controlling from the bottom.
Arnolds stopping the sweep attempt from Hicks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arnolds trying to control but Hicks is working from the bottom.
Arnolds should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Arnolds is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Arnolds stays in close to Hicks's body and controls the position.

Arnolds drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Hicks manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Arnolds has Hicks in his guard.

Hicks loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Hicks won't allow Arnolds to sweep him here.
Hicks will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Arnolds seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

Hicks has gone for a leg lock! Arnolds slips out almost immediately though and dives into Hicks's guard.

Hicks pulls Arnolds in close to his closed guard and prevents Arnolds from doing any damage or advancing position.
Hicks 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.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arnolds controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Arnolds got a little sloppy there for a moment and Hicks has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Arnolds has managed to get both his arms back between Hicks's legs - danger averted.
Arnolds forces his way into half guard.
Arnolds tries to pass the half guard into mount. Hicks knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Arnolds controlling the action here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Arnolds looks to land a strike but Hicks avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Arnolds wants to control from the top but Hicks keeps moving.
Arnolds controls from within his opponent's guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Arnolds loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
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 Galen Hicks will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Arnolds is looking to clinch but Hicks is avoiding it.
Arnolds lands a two punch combo.

It looks like Galen Hicks has been cut.
Hicks slaps away a takedown attempt from Arnolds, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Horrible takedown attempt by Arnolds or perhaps it was just good defense by Hicks, which made it look bad.
Hicks leaves Arnolds with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Hicks tries to counter with a takedown but Arnolds is quick to defend against it.
Galen Hicks has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Arjan Arnolds.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hicks throws a head kick but Arnolds moves out of range.
A punch combination from Arnolds misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hicks slaps away a takedown attempt from Arnolds, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Arnolds throws a hook to the side of Hicks's head but Hicks sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hicks appears to be looking for a big counter.

Hicks pushes Arnolds up against the cage in a clinch.

Hicks ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Hicks no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Arnolds accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Arnolds throws a big right hand that misses.
Hicks keeping moving, preventing Arnolds from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Arnolds gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Hicks closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Hicks tries to land knees in the clinch but Arnolds avoids the damage to the body.
Hicks prevents a takedown attempt there.
Arnolds goes for a takedown attempt but Hicks pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Arnolds rushes Hicks and presses him up against the cage.
Hicks really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arnolds jumps guard but Hicks turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Arnolds manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Hicks in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hicks wants to stand but Arnolds is controlling his posture from full guard.
Hicks loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hicks postures up and lands a big shot to Arnolds's brow.
Arnolds looking to control.
Galen Hicks overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arnolds might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Hicks haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Hicks works over Arnolds with some ground and pound from guard.
Arnolds tries to strike from the bottom.
Hicks working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Hicks loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hicks working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Hicks is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Arnolds is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Arnolds has escaped and now he's on top!

Hicks had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Arnolds defends it easily.
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 Galen Hicks will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Galen Hicks's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

No luck with that takedown attempt from Arnolds.
Hicks appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Arnolds shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hicks pinned against the cage. Hicks gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Hicks appears to be looking for a big counter.
Arnolds tries to close the distance and clinch but Hicks swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Galen Hicks is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hicks decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Arnolds tries to get to full guard but Hicks has control of the leg.

Hicks is looking for a kimura but Arnolds is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Hicks to get the leverage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hicks is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Arnolds sees it coming and defends easily.

Hicks is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Arnolds is just riding it out for now. Hicks eventually gives up the hold.
Arnolds is concentrating on defense, preventing Hicks from advancing position.

Arnolds has one foot on Hicks's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Arjan Arnolds seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hicks displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Arnolds.
Hicks feinted with a counter takedown.
Galen Hicks has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Arjan Arnolds.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Arnolds throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Arnolds is defended easily by Hicks.
Arnolds takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Arnolds fails with a takedown attempt.
Arnolds shoots in but Hicks avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arnolds tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hicks paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Arnolds changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hicks tries to avoid it but Arnolds manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hicks to the ground. Hicks escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Hicks clinches.

Hicks has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Arnolds uses from the top position.
Arnolds wanted to stand there but Hicks had control of the position.
Hicks is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Hicks is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Arnolds is aware though and is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arnolds postures up in Hicks's guard and throws a big left but Hicks blocks it.
Hicks controls Arnolds momentarily but Arnolds frees himself.
Arnolds stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hicks swivels though and keeps the full guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Arnolds tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Hicks defends well and Arnolds ends up having to push Hicks into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hicks stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Hicks wants it to stay on the feet.
Arjan Arnolds has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Galen Hicks is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Hicks closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Galen Hicks showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Hicks 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 Nard Betker scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 30:27
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Galen Hicks!