PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Shae Ophof (ranked 5165 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yuri Arsenyev (ranked 4978 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Ophof
vs
Arsenyev

223 cm
18
275 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

205 cm
25
262 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Shae Ophof!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Yuri Arsenyev!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Nard Betker and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Arsenyev shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Ophof but Ophof pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Ophof moves into the clinch.

Arsenyev jumps guard.
Ophof wants to stand and escape but instead Arsenyev has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Arsenyev controlling from the top position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Ophof is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arsenyev controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Ophof not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Arsenyev stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ophof swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ophof trying to control the position.
Arsenyev stays in close to Ophof's body and controls the position.
Ophof utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Arsenyev stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ophof swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Arsenyev postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Ophof knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Arsenyev on the ground.
Ophof trying to control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Ophof shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Ophof showed some decent athleticism there.

Arsenyev pushes Ophof off and gets back to his feet.
Ophof swings widly with a right hand
and Arsenyev counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Arsenyev shoots in for a takedown but Ophof shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Ophof throws an overhand right that lands on Arsenyev's shoulder, as Arsenyev tries to avoid the shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arsenyev has a takedown stuffed.
Shae Ophof has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yuri Arsenyev.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ophof looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Arsenyev closes the distance and clinches.
Ophof is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Arsenyev is defending well.
Nice elbow from Ophof.
Arsenyev tries to land a knee to the head but Ophof blocks with his arms.

Arsenyev breaks the clinch.

Arsenyev has Ophof up against the cage in a clinch.
Arsenyev tries to pull guard but Ophof holds him up against the cage and eventually Arsenyev drops back down to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice elbow from Arsenyev.

Arsenyev breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Ophof gets tackled into the cage by Arsenyev. Arsenyev maintains the clinch.
Arsenyev fails to pull guard.
Ophof tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Arsenyev smiles and moves away.
Ophof keeps the fight on the outside.
Decent striking displayed by Arsenyev there.
Ophof really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Arsenyev tries to clinch but Ophof is having none of it.
Ophof tries to counter by clinching up but Arsenyev breaks away and moves out of range.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Arsenyev scoring well with a low kick there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Arsenyev fails with a takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yuri Arsenyev 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.

Arsenyev gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Arsenyev using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Ophof has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Ophof is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Arsenyev is defending well for now.

Arsenyev pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Arsenyev prevents Ophof from breaking the clinch.
Ophof is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Arsenyev to keep the fight standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ophof wants to take the fight to the mat but Arsenyev manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Arsenyev drops down looking for an ankle pick but Ophof pulls his leg out and moves away.
Arsenyev leaves Ophof with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shae Ophof. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ophof tries to keep at a distance but Arsenyev has taken the fight into the clinch.

Arsenyev manages to break the clinch.
Ophof is looking to clinch.
Ophof stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Ophof wants it to stay on the feet.
Arsenyev scores with a push kick.

Ophof tries to keep at a distance but Arsenyev has taken the fight into the clinch.
Arsenyev prevents the takedown attempt.
Ophof has had enough of the clinch but Arsenyev keeps him there for the moment.
Arsenyev lands a body shot in the clinch.
Ophof is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Arsenyev to keep the fight standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Arsenyev connects with a knee to the head.

It looks like Shae Ophof has been cut.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Arsenyev manages to break the clinch.

Arsenyev clinches.
Ophof drops down looking for an ankle pick but Arsenyev pulls his leg out and moves away.
Arsenyev tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ophof sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Arsenyev somewhat.
Ophof shoots in but Arsenyev avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Shae Ophof is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ophof misses with a takedown

and Arsenyev holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

Ophof gets control of Arsenyev's arms and successfully pulls guard. Ophof will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ophof is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Arsenyev has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Ophof not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Arsenyev landing some decent shots from guard.
Arsenyev controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Arsenyev passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Arsenyev stands up and we're back to a striking position.

Arsenyev takes the fight into the clinch.
Arsenyev is struggling to control the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ophof wants to break the clinch but can't.
Arsenyev digs a right hand underneath Ophof's ribcage. Ophof let out a lung full of air as it connected.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yuri Arsenyev showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Shae Ophof's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Arsenyev takes the fight into the clinch.
Arsenyev tries to pull guard but Ophof holds him up against the cage and eventually Arsenyev drops back down to his feet.
Arsenyev tries to pull guard but Ophof forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Arsenyev lands an elbow just above Ophof 's eye.
Arsenyev throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Ophof tries for a takedown but Arsenyev manages to get underhooks.

Ophof breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Arsenyev is trying hard to land a takedown here. Ophof sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Shae Ophof has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yuri Arsenyev.
Ophof with a lazy takedown attempt

and Arsenyev holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Ophof wants to take the fight to the mat but Arsenyev manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Arsenyev lands a damaging elbow.
Ophof jumps guard but Arsenyev stands there with Ophof around his waist. Ophof gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ophof wants to stall.

Arsenyev manages to pull guard.

Arsenyev uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Ophof will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Arsenyev fails with the takedown.
Ophof thinks about countering with a head kick.
Arsenyev scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Ophof slaps away a takedown attempt from Arsenyev, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Arsenyev closes the distance and clinches.
Ophof is trying to drag Arsenyev to the mat but Arsenyev just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Arsenyev will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Ophof up against the cage.
Ophof drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Arsenyev gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Arsenyev breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ophof is looking to clinch but Arsenyev is avoiding it.
Some wild striking there from Arsenyev.
Arsenyev throws a sloppy head kick and Ophof moves out of range easily.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Ophof is trying to pull guard but Arsenyev has him pressed against the cage.
Arsenyev's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.

Arsenyev pulls guard.
Arsenyev working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ophof.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arsenyev keeping moving, preventing Ophof from controlling successfully.
Ophof postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Ophof decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Arsenyev, up you get!
Arsenyev shoots in but Ophof avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Ophof swings and misses with a hook to the body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Arsenyev clinches up against the cage.

Arsenyev breaks from the clinch.
Shae Ophof has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Yuri Arsenyev is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Ophof misses with a takedown attempt - Arsenyev sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yuri Arsenyev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Arsenyev has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Albert Achterberg scores the fight 27:30
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 27:30
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yuri Arsenyev!
Yuri Arsenyev spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.