PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Xxx Xxx (ranked 7604 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rafik Arfah (ranked 24841 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Xxx
vs
Arfah

183 cm
18
200 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

150 cm
18
205 lbs
0 - 8 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Self confident

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Xxx Xxx!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rafik Arfah!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Stewart Dunkirk and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Arfah throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Xxx sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Arfah throws a chopping leg kick but Xxx manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Arfah ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Xxx moves away.
Xxx swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Arfah throws a leg kick
and Xxx counters with a two punch combo.

Xxx has managed to clinch.
A right hand to the body from Xxx.
A left hand lands to the body for Xxx.
A nice left hand lands by Xxx.
Xxx goes for a takedown attempt but Arfah pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Arfah misses with a right hand
and Xxx connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Arfah misses with a leg kick
and Xxx counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Arfah throws a low kick but it's checked well by Xxx.
A shot to the body from Arfah misses
and Xxx counters with a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Xxx scores with a hook to the body. Arfah takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Arfah looks to land a right hand but Xxx moved out of range.
Xxx swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Arfah misses with a low kick.
Xxx tries to counter with a takedown but Arfah is quick to defend against it.

Xxx clinches up against the cage.

Xxx breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Arfah throws a right hand that misses
and Xxx counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Arfah thinking.

Xxx rushes Arfah and presses him up against the cage.
Xxx lands a shot to the body.
Xxx digs a right hand into Arfah's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Arfah's gas tank.
Arfah is looking to control Xxx's arms but Xxx gets an underhook and turns him. Now Arfah has his back to the cage.
Xxx lands a right hand that snaps the head of Arfah backwards.
Xxx has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Arfah avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xxx with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

It looks like Rafik Arfah has been cut.
Arfah looking to stall.
Arfah tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Arfah swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Xxx displaying some good clinch control by pressing Arfah up against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Xxx scores with a hook to the body.
Xxx is looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Xxx Xxx. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Xxx blocks an uppercut.
Arfah fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Xxx lands with a short shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xxx lands a body shot.
Arfah misses with a punch on the inside.
Xxx crunches a lovely knee into Arfah's ribcage.
Xxx stalling the fight.
A right hook to the body lands for Xxx.
Arfah throws a head punch that misses.
Arfah tries a body shot but Xxx blocks it.
Arfah looking to slow down the pace here.
A hook to the body from Xxx.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Xxx as Arfah tries to tie him up.
Arfah misses with a punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Xxx wants a takedown.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Xxx.
Arfah misses with some punches.
Xxx digs a right hand underneath Arfah's ribcage. Arfah let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Arfah misses with a hook from the clinch.
Xxx is leaning against Arfah and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Arfah has eaten all the pies!
Xxx blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Arfah wants to stall.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Xxx.
A short body shot lands from Xxx as the two fighters clinch.
A hook to the body from Xxx.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Xxx Xxx dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Rafik Arfah's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Xxx gets a clinch.
Arfah is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Arfah misses with a hook from the clinch.
Arfah throws a punch but it's blocked by Xxx.
Arfah taking a breather.
Arfah tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Arfah tries to work over Xxx's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Xxx escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Xxx clinches.
Arfah misses with a body punch.
Xxx lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Arfah.
Xxx digs a right hand underneath Arfah's ribcage. Arfah let out a lung full of air as it connected.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short body shot lands from Xxx as the two fighters clinch.
Arfah is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Xxx is keeping busy.
Xxx lands a shot to the body.
Arfah struggles to land a body shot inside as Xxx controls his hands.
Arfah tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Knees to the body from Xxx.
Xxx lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Arfah or not.
Arfah has Xxx pushed against the cage.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Xxx works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
A head punch on the inside from Arfah fails to land.
Xxx blocks an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xxx throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Xxx lands a body shot.
Nice body punch from Xxx.
Xxx lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Arfah.
Xxx blocks an uppercut.
Xxx changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Arfah fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Arfah throws a body shot but no joy.
It looked like Xxx was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Arfah.
Rafik Arfah seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Xxx jabs at Arfah's body.

Xxx darts in and clinches Arfah up against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Arfah is trying to maintain a safe position but Xxx gets an underhook and turns Arfah into the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Arfah fails to land.
Xxx digs a right hand into Arfah's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Arfah's gas tank.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arfah swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Arfah tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Knees to the body from Xxx.
Arfah tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A short body shot lands from Xxx as the two fighters clinch.
Xxx lands a body punch in the clinch.
Nice body punch from Xxx - that landed with a thud.
Xxx is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Arfah can do to turn this around?
Arfah is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Xxx is keeping busy.
Xxx digs a right hand into Arfah's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Arfah's gas tank.
Xxx works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Xxx.
Arfah swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Xxx blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Arfah working aggressively here.
Arfah tries to stall but Xxx uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Xxx scores with a hook to the body.
Arfah is trying to maintain a safe position but Xxx gets an underhook and turns Arfah into the cage.
A right handed body shot lands from Xxx.
Arfah looking to slow down the pace here.
Arfah stalling in the clinch but Xxx improves position.
Arfah is persisting with his attempts to control the action in the clinch, rather than do any real damage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Xxx blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Nice body punch from Xxx.
Arfah looking to stall.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Xxx Xxx dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Rafik Arfah's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Arfah throws a predictable looking body shot
and Xxx makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Xxx uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Arfah.
Xxx appears to be looking for a big counter.

Xxx drives through and clinches with Arfah against the cage.
Arfah has a couple of punches blocked by Xxx.
Xxx lands a body shot.
Arfah fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Xxx works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Arfah throws a head punch that misses.
Arfah misses with a body punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Arfah wants to stall.
Xxx lands a knee to the body.
Xxx working Arfah over with knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Xxx.
Arfah misses with a body punch.
Arfah misses with a hook to the ribs.
Arfah takes a knee to the side of the body.
Xxx controlling the action here for a moment.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Xxx.
Arfah tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Xxx's elbow.
Xxx stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Arfah looking to slow down the pace here.

Xxx turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Xxx manages to end up in side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Xxx decides to stand back up. Xxx steps back and let's Arfah get back to his feet.
Xxx Xxx is winning the standup battle so far.
Arfah throws a leg kick

and Xxx holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Arfah misses with a punch on the inside.
Arfah tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Arfah tries to work over Xxx's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Xxx utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Xxx tightens his grip and picks Arfah up, before dumping him to the ground. Arfah manages to land in guard.
Xxx loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
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.
Xxx preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arfah bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Xxx's guard.

Arfah prevents Xxx from getting back to his feet.
Arfah slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Arfah stops Xxx from standing up.
Xxx is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Arfah stops Xxx from standing up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Arfah is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Xxx is trying to hold Arfah in close to prevent damage but Arfah has managed to pass into half guard.
Xxx wants to control the action here but instead Arfah manages to pass to full mount!
Xxx Xxx is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Arfah thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Arfah can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Xxx is looking to escape.

And that's the end of the fight!
Xxx Xxx showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Xxx 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 30:27
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Xxx Xxx!