PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ryan Mcarthy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Benny Popson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Benny Popson has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Mcarthy
vs
Popson

171 cm
23
187 lbs
3 - 5 - 0

190 cm
22
185 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ryan Mcarthy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Benny Popson!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Robert Twigg and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Popson is defended easily by Mcarthy.

Mcarthy feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
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.
Mcarthy scoring with some ground and pound.
Mcarthy pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Popson is keeping the position for now.

Popson looking for a guillotine here but Mcarthy defends easily.

Mcarthy thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Mcarthy avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Popson wants to stand and escape but Mcarthy is having none of it.
Mcarthy scoring with some ground and pound.

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

Mcarthy thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mcarthy stopping the sweep attempt from Popson.
Mcarthy lands a couple of digs.
Mcarthy working some strikes from top position.
Mcarthy preventing the sweep.

Mcarthy thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Popson is looking for a triangle but Mcarthy pushes his legs off easily.
Mcarthy could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Mcarthy cracks Popson with a solid left hand.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mcarthy is in close to Popson's body, working some short punches and elbows.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Mcarthy drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Popson manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Mcarthy has Popson in his guard.
Popson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Mcarthy swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mcarthy escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Popson gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Mcarthy is breathing heavily.
Mcarthy tries to strike from the bottom.
Popson trying to control the position from guard on top but Mcarthy is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Popson might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Mcarthy kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Mcarthy keeping full guard, as Popson tries to pass.
Popson wants to control from the top but Mcarthy keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mcarthy trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

Mcarthy pushes a forearm under Popson's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, Popson is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:29 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Ryan Mcarthy!