PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Javier Arroyo (ranked 8 p4p, 54 weight class) and Johnny Billabong (ranked 1 p4p, 8 weight class). Johnny Billabong told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Arroyo
vs
Billabong

176 cm
31
155
21 - 8 - 1

171 cm
31
155
30 - 12 - 2

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Conviction
Bondi MMA 🏝️

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Javier Arroyo!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 30 - 12 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, Johnny Billabong!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Ryoma Takatsuka and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Billabong scores with a jab to the body.
Billabong lands a head shot.
Billabong misses with an uppercut.
Arroyo looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
A jab from Arroyo misses.
Arroyo connects with an inside leg kick.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Billabong has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Billabong jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Arroyo keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A solid leg kick lands there for Arroyo.
Arroyo does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Billabong misses with a looping left.
A nice inside leg kick there by Arroyo. That's going to slow Billabong down.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Billabong avoids the body shot from Arroyo.
Billabong now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Arroyo lands a right hook to the body.
Billabong gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Arroyo.
A looping hook to the body misses from Billabong. Arroyo does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Billabong blocks a jab.
Arroyo throws a jab but it's blocked by Billabong.
Billabong ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Arroyo ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Billabong moves away.
Billabong scores with a crisp jab that stopped Arroyo in his tracks.
Billabong lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Billabong throws a shot from downtown. Arroyo moves away and avoids it.
Arroyo misses with an uppercut. Billabong saw that one coming.
Arroyo lands a nice looking kick to the body. Billabong takes a step back to recover.
Arroyo loads up on a big right hand but Billabong slips the punch.
Billabong checks a low kick from Arroyo.
And Billabong tries to counter it with a takedown but Arroyo pushes his down on his head and steps out.
A slow jab from Billabong misses its intended target.
Billabong dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Billabong shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Arroyo napping and manages to drive through into side control!

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!
Billabong cracks Arroyo with a big right hand but Arroyo just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Arroyo is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Billabong stalling.
Billabong trying to control from half guard but Arroyo is working away.
Billabong slips a nice elbow through Arroyo's hands, connecting with Arroyo's forehead.
Billabong trying to control the pace.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Billabong connects with a nice short shot to Arroyo's temple.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Arroyo looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Arroyo looking for submissions off his back.

Arroyo is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Billabong pulls his head out easily.

Arroyo looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Arroyo has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Billabong escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Billabong!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Arroyo gets back to half guard.

Arroyo is defending against the submission attempts here by Billabong.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Billabong winds up and cracks Arroyo with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Billabong is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Billabong stalling away here and it's allowed Arroyo to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Billabong dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Arroyo throws a hook but Billabong avoids it easily.
Billabong slips a jab from Arroyo.
Billabong with the counter takedown but Arroyo avoids it easily.
Billabong throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Arroyo throws a hook but Billabong avoids it easily.
Billabong checks the leg kick nicely there.
Arroyo connects with a looping right hand.
The crowd cheers as Billabong lands an impressive looking overhand right. Arroyo doesn't seem phased though.
Arroyo slips a straight right by Billabong.
Arroyo throws a big shot that misses.
Billabong swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Arroyo swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Arroyo throws a shot from downtown. Billabong moves away and avoids it.
Billabong ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Arroyo moves away.
Arroyo looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Johnny Billabong seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Arroyo misses the shot to the body.
Billabong throws a shot from downtown. Arroyo moves away and avoids it.
It looked like Arroyo wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arroyo connects with a solid leg kick.
Billabong takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Billabong throws a looping overhand right but Arroyo ducks down to avoid it.
Arroyo fires out a quick counter leg kick but Billabong just manages to avoid it.
Billabong shoots in looking for a takedown but Arroyo manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Billabong's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Billabong shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Arroyo defends it nicely.
Billabong missing with a left hand there. Arroyo was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Arroyo misses with a low kick as Billabong jumps back.
Billabong looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Arroyo scoring well with a low kick there.
Arroyo lands with a straight right. Billabong didn't see that one coming.
Billabong moves out of range of the strikes.
Arroyo ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Billabong moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Billabong on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Arroyo pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Arroyo throws a jab but it's blocked by Billabong.
Arroyo misses with a body shot.
Billabong ducks under a wild hook from Arroyo.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Billabong! But no joy.
Javier Arroyo is winning the standup battle so far.
Billabong blocks a jab.
Billabong slips under a jab.
Billabong just misses with a punch 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!
Arroyo is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Billabong.
Billabong throws a shot from downtown. Arroyo moves away and avoids it.
A telegraphed right hand from Arroyo misses the target.
Billabong swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Billabong misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Arroyo.
Billabong lands a nice shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arroyo throws an overhand right that lands on Billabong's shoulder, as Billabong tries to avoid the shot.
Nice uppercut lands for Billabong. That snapped Arroyo's head back.
Billabong lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Arroyo connects with a body shot that sends Billabong's belly button to the back.
Javier Arroyo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Billabong throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Billabong misses with a straight left.
Arroyo throws a shot from downtown. Billabong moves away and avoids it.
Billabong avoids the body shot from Arroyo.
Billabong scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Arroyo lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Arroyo displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Billabong.
Javier Arroyo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Johnny Billabong.
Billabong blocks a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Billabong throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Arroyo lands a nice shot that snaps Billabong's head back.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Arroyo throws an off balance right hand
and Billabong cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Billabong lands with a nice combination. Arroyo backs away looking to recover.
Billabong lands a jab to the nose.
Billabong lands with a nice body punch.
Billabong slips a jab from Arroyo.
Billabong looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Billabong listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Billabong keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Arroyo.
Billabong swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Billabong swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Billabong takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Arroyo misses with an uppercut. Billabong saw that one coming.
Billabong waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Arroyo.
The fighters circling - Arroyo throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Javier Arroyo will probably get the nod.
That's time! Arroyo's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Arroyo tries a low kick but Billabong avoids it.
Billabong misses the body punch
and Arroyo counters with an inside leg kick.
Arroyo drops his hands momentarily and Billabong takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Arroyo takes one on the button.
Arroyo throws the left hand but Billabong avoids the punch easily.
Billabong throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Arroyo on the side of the head.
Billabong misses the shot to the body.

Billabong darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Billabong is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Billabong is looking to take a break and control but Arroyo is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Billabong works his way into side control.
Arroyo is trying to improve his position.
Arroyo is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Billabong off and has taken his back!
Billabong trying to control the action but Arroyo just sinks the hooks in.

Arroyo is persistently looking for the submission but Billabong is defending it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Billabong showing good submission defense here.
Billabong tries to escape the position.

Billabong defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Arroyo's arms.

Arroyo is looking for a rear naked choke here but Billabong reverses the position brilliantly into Arroyo's guard!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Billabong is pushing down on Arroyo's leg trying to pass to half guard. Arroyo is fighting to maintain full guard but Billabong has managed to sneak the leg through.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Billabong lands a nice short elbow.
Billabong is controlling the pace.

Arroyo looking for a kimura from the bottom but Billabong passes into side control!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Billabong has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Arroyo!
Arroyo is squirming around, avoiding Billabong's attempts to control the action.
Billabong takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Billabong lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Arroyo is desperately trying to improve his position but Billabong has a good base and remains in mount.
Billabong wants to control the pace but Arroyo is squirming around nicely.
Arroyo is working to get back to half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Billabong really dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Arroyo jabs at Billabong's body.
Billabong slips under a jab.
Billabong lands a lovely overhand right.

Billabong closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Arroyo quickly recovers to half guard.
Johnny Billabong has got the better of the ground game so far.
Billabong lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Arroyo actively working from the bottom here.
Billabong scoring with strikes to the body and head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Arroyo looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Billabong frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arroyo tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Arroyo is working hard here to advance position.
Billabong dominating with strikes here.
Arroyo sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

Arroyo looking for submissions off his back.

Arroyo is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Billabong pulls his head out easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Arroyo is staying active underneath Billabong, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Arroyo on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Arroyo looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Billabong has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Billabong controlling the pace.

Arroyo is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Billabong pulls his head out easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Billabong content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Arroyo is trying to get back to full guard.
Billabong is looking to take a break and control but Arroyo is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Arroyo clobbers Billabong with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Billabong loads up on a big right hand but Arroyo slips the punch.
Arroyo uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Billabong.
Billabong misses with a looping right.
Arroyo throws a lazy right hand but Billabong sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Arroyo looks to land a left hand but Billabong moved out of range nicely.
Billabong throws a lazy right hand but Arroyo sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Arroyo throws a lazy uppercut
and Billabong counters with a nice body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Arroyo. Billabong does a little dance to reset his feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nice uppercut lands for Billabong. That snapped Arroyo's head back.
Arroyo looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Billabong avoids the body shot from Arroyo.
Billabong lands a nice hook to Arroyo's body. Arroyo takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Billabong dominated that fourth round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Arroyo throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Billabong ducks right into an uppercut from Arroyo.

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

Arroyo has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Billabong escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Billabong!
Billabong connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Arroyo some visible discomfort.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Arroyo is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Billabong staying calm.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Billabong lands a nice forearm strike.
Arroyo tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Billabong wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Arroyo gets back to half guard.
Billabong lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's two 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.

Arroyo looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Arroyo looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Arroyo on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Billabong is figuring out what he wants to do next.

Arroyo is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Billabong pulls his head out easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Billabong is taking a breather. Arroyo says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Billabong lands a nice short elbow.
Johnny Billabong is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Still in half guard, Billabong seems content to control.

Arroyo looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Billabong stalling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Nice defenses there by Billabong.
Arroyo throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Billabong throws a shot from downtown. Arroyo moves away and avoids it.
A swing and a miss from Billabong.
Billabong staying out of range there.
Billabong slips under a jab from Arroyo.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Arroyo lands a nice shot that snaps Billabong's head back.
Arroyo tried to score with a low kick but Billabong checks it.
Javier Arroyo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Billabong connects with a right hand. Arroyo shakes it off.

And that's the end of the fight!
Johnny Billabong comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Billabong 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 46:49
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 46:49
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Johnny Billabong!
Johnny Billabong is the new lightweight champion!
Johnny Billabong decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.