PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kayden Ollis (ranked 4675 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rafik Arfah (ranked 23703 p4p, 0 weight class). Rafik Arfah is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Ollis
vs
Arfah

190 cm
18
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

150 cm
20
205 lbs
3 - 24 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kayden Ollis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 24 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rafik Arfah!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Stewart Dunkirk and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ollis staying out of range there.
Arfah steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Ollis. That one must have hurt.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Arfah has eaten all the pies!
Arfah throws a chopping leg kick but Ollis manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Ollis shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Arfah sprawls well. Arfah wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Ollis gets slowly back to his feet.
Arfah displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ollis.
Arfah swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Arfah ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ollis moves away.
Ollis shoots for a takedown but Arfah saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kayden Ollis. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Arfah misses with a shot to the body
and Ollis connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Arfah throws a chopping leg kick but Ollis manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Arfah throws a jab when Ollis was well out of range.
Arfah slaps away a takedown attempt from Ollis, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Ollis fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ollis.
Arfah tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ollis was well out of range. Poor timing from Arfah.
Arfah throws a body shot but no joy.
Arfah throws a hook but Ollis avoids it easily.
Ollis lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Arfah misses with an uppercut.
Ollis scores with the left hand. Arfah knows he should have avoided that one.
Arfah misses with an uppercut.
Arfah throws a leg kick that is checked
and Ollis counters with a series of strikes. Arfah will be more careful next time no doubt.
Ollis throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Ollis looks for a takedown but Arfah sprawls well.
It seemed like Arfah was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Arfah throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Ollis closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Ollis breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ollis fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Arfah avoids it really well and circles away.
Ollis is breathing heavily.
Arfah throws a low kick but it's checked well by Ollis.
Ollis shoots in for a takedown but Arfah shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
No luck for Ollis with that takedown attempt.
Arfah appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Arfah misses the shot to the body.
Arfah is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Arfah misses with a looping left.
A big right from Arfah misses.
Arfah looks to score with a jab to the body but Ollis is just out of range.
Arfah jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Arfah throws a low kick but it's checked well by Ollis.
Ollis appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Arfah tries to work over Ollis's front leg with a kick but Ollis checks it.
Ollis is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Arfah misses with a wild body shot.
Rafik Arfah seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
An inside leg kick from Arfah misses.
Arfah throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Nice defenses there by Ollis.
Ollis is looking to counter the offense by Arfah and move into the clinch.
Ollis slips a jab from Arfah.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ollis.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Arfah! But no joy.
Ollis staying out of range there.
Arfah throws out a loose jab but Ollis uses good head movement to avoid it.
Arfah finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Arfah tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Ollis throws a head kick that misses.
Arfah throws a low kick but it's checked well by Ollis.
Ollis feinted with a counter takedown.
A slow jab from Arfah misses its intended target.
Ollis staying out of range there.
It looked like Ollis was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Ollis bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ollis forces Arfah back against the cage and clinches.
Ollis blocking some punches.
Arfah swings wildly with an uppercut but Ollis uses good head movement to avoid it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ollis.
Ollis tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Arfah just stands there and leans against the cage.
Ollis will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Arfah up against the cage.

Ollis breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ollis steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Arfah.
Arfah throws a body punch but Ollis moves out of range.

Ollis darts in and clinches Arfah up against the cage.
Arfah wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Ollis has him pressed against the cage.

Ollis breaks the clinch.
Arfah fails with the takedown
and Ollis counters with a left and a right that stings Arfah.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Rafik Arfah will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Ollis ducks under a wild hook from Arfah.
Ollis stalks Arfah and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Arfah's face. Arfah staggers backwards, shaken.

It looks like Rafik Arfah has been cut.

Ollis closes the distance and clinches.
Arfah takes a knee to the side of the body.
Ollis has Arfah pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Arfah manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Arfah being controlled against the cage.
Arfah misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ollis blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ollis 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 tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ollis was well out of range. Poor timing from Arfah.
Arfah misses with a left hand
letting Ollis counter with a right hand.
Ollis jabs Arfah right on the nose. Arfah blinks but takes it well.
Arfah missing with a left hand there. Ollis was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Ollis attempts a counter takedown but Arfah avoids it well and moves away.
A telegraphed right hand from Arfah misses the target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ollis fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kayden Ollis. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Arfah throws a body shot but no joy.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ollis.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Ollis takes the fight into the clinch.
Arfah fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Arfah tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Ollis is looking for a takedown.
The referee calls for Ollis to work.
Arfah misses with the head strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ollis is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Arfah to keep the fight standing.

Ollis manages to break the clinch.
Ollis paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Arfah pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Ollis shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Arfah but Arfah pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Arfah tried to score with a low kick but Ollis checks it.
Arfah tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Ollis swivels and escapes.
Arfah finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Arfah throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Arfah takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Arfah misses with a hook
and Ollis makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Arfah really felt that one!
Arfah looks to land a right hand but Ollis moved out of range.
Arfah throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Arfah throws the left hand but Ollis avoids the punch easily.
Arfah misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ollis.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arfah throws a lazy right hand but Ollis sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Arfah throws a lazy right hand but Ollis sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Arfah loads up on a big right hand but Ollis slips the punch.
Arfah jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Ollis shoots in but Arfah avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Arfah fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Ollis is out of range.
Arfah throws a chopping leg kick but Ollis manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Ollis avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ollis ducks under a wild hook from Arfah.
A left and a right from Ollis both land. Nice combination.
Arfah looks to throw the jab but Ollis is out of range.

Ollis closes the distance and clinches.
Arfah tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arfah struggles to land a body shot inside as Ollis controls his hands.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Arfah.
Arfah fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Ollis drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Arfah gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Arfah tries to pull guard but Ollis forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Arfah being controlled against the cage.
Arfah swings wildly with an uppercut but Ollis uses good head movement to avoid it.
Arfah is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Ollis breaks from the clinch.
Arfah pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kayden Ollis dominated that second 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! This is the final round!

Ollis slips under a jab.
Ollis is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Arfah throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ollis sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Arfah throws a body punch but Ollis moves out of range.

Ollis moves into range and clinches up with Arfah.
Ollis displaying some good clinch control by pressing Arfah up against the cage.
Arfah is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Arfah stalling.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Arfah is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Ollis pulls him back up using the underhooks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Ollis jumps guard and drags Arfah to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Ollis utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Arfah controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ollis wants to improve his position but instead Arfah has moved into half guard.
Arfah wants to control but Ollis is keeping him busy.
Arfah is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Ollis is trying to maintain the position but Arfah is very close to passing his half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Well, if Arfah is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Ollis wants to get back to full guard.
Ollis is trying to maintain the position but Arfah is very close to passing his half guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Arfah misses the jab.
Arfah throws a jab but it's blocked by Ollis.
Arfah avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Arfah misses with a body punch
and Ollis counters with a two punch combo.
Arfah swings for the body but Ollis moves out of range.
Rafik Arfah seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ollis is looking to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ollis keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Arfah just misses with a punch to the body.
Arfah just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromOllis.
Arfah misses with a hook to the body
and Ollis counters with a one-two to the body.
Arfah with a poor takedown
and Arfah takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ollis uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Arfah.
Kayden Ollis is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ollis moves out of range as Arfah strikes.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ollis.
Ollis slips under a jab.
Arfah misses with a looping right.
Arfah swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Ollis blocks a low kick nicely.
Arfah stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kayden Ollis. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arfah looks to score with a jab to the body but Ollis is just out of range.
Arfah fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ollis manages to avoid it.
A slow jab from Arfah misses its intended target.
Ollis ducks under a wild hook from Arfah.
Arfah misses with a wild body shot.
Arfah throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Arfah pivots, looking for a leg kick but Ollis is out of range and Arfah settles back down.
Arfah thows a left - swing and a miss!
Ollis blocks a jab.
Ollis uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Arfah.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Arfah fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Ollis checks it well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Arfah tried to score with a low kick but Ollis checks it.
Ollis is looking for a counter combo.
Ollis closes the distance and clinches up with Arfah, looking for a takedown. Ollis pushes Arfah against the cage but Arfah circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Arfah displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ollis.
Arfah throws out a counter right but Ollis avoids it with no problem.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rafik Arfah comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Arfah 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 29:28
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Rafik Arfah!
A pretty intense looking Rafik Arfah took the opportunity post-fight to ask for a shot at the title.