PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Zach Ariyah (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Hellwig (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the fighters buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Ariyah
vs
Hellwig

185 cm
21
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
28
176 lbs
14 - 11 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Fossington & Blythe: Gentlemen's Fight Attire
Fossington & Blythe: Gentlemen's Fight Attire

Fossington & Blythe: Gentlemen's Fight Attire

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Zach Ariyah!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 11 - 0, fighting out of London, James Hellwig!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, James Glass and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A right-left combo lands from Hellwig.

Hellwig drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Ariyah working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hellwig.

Hellwig stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Hellwig cracks Ariyah with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Ariyah tries a head kick but it misses.
Hellwig tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Ariyah closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Hellwig creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Ariyah's defenses.
Ariyah trying to stall but Hellwig improves his position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hellwig is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Ariyah to keep the fight standing.

Hellwig jumps into guard, dragging Ariyah to the mat.
Hellwig looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ariyah is one step ahead there.

Hellwig is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Ariyah is aware though and is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ariyah tries to stand but Hellwig is controlling from the bottom.

Hellwig has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Ariyah can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Ariyah stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Hellwig scores with a sloppy right hand. Ariyah should have avoided that one.
Ariyah throws a sloppy head kick and Hellwig moves out of range easily.

Hellwig rushes Ariyah and presses him up against the cage.

Hellwig ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Hellwig no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Ariyah wanted to stand there but Hellwig had control of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hellwig has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Ariyah wants to stand and escape but instead Hellwig has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Hellwig drops back, looking for a kneebar! Ariyah looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Ariyah looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Ariyah!
You can see the frustration on Hellwig's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Hellwig gets back to half guard.
Hellwig makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Hellwig.
Hellwig has a closed guard, preventing Ariyah from standing up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hellwig looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Ariyah is fighting to break Hellwig's control of his arms but Hellwig is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

Hellwig escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Ariyah gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Ariyah tries to stand but Hellwig is controlling from the bottom.

Hellwig working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Ariyah doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Ariyah manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Ariyah has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Hellwig working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Ariyah doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Ariyah manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Ariyah trying to stand up but can't free himself from Hellwig's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ariyah got a little sloppy there for a moment and Hellwig has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Ariyah has managed to get both his arms back between Hellwig's legs - danger averted.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Hellwig scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Ariyah circles away from the clinch attempt
and Ariyah counters with a big head kick but Hellwig shrugs it off.
Hellwig comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hellwig is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Hellwig cracks Ariyah with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Hellwig dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Hellwig takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Ariyah displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Hellwig.
Hellwig fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Ariyah swats away the attempt to clinch by Hellwig.
Hellwig throws a body kick that misses.

Hellwig closes the distance and clinches.
Hellwig fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Hellwig tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Zach Ariyah has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Hellwig.
Hellwig tries for a takedown but Ariyah manages to get underhooks.
Ariyah wants to get back to striking at distance but Hellwig won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ariyah is trying to maintain a safe position but Hellwig gets an underhook and turns Ariyah into the cage.
Ariyah prevents the takedown attempt.
Hellwig letting Ariyah take a breather here.
Ariyah tries to break the clinch but Hellwig is controlling the position.
Ariyah tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hellwig's elbow.
Hellwig has Ariyah pressed against the cage, preventing Ariyah from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Hellwig jumps into guard, dragging Ariyah to the mat.
Hellwig has his hands on Ariyah's head, controlling the position.
Ariyah tries to stand but Hellwig is controlling from the bottom.

Hellwig is looking for a triangle but Ariyah pushes his legs off easily.
Ariyah wants to stand but Hellwig has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hellwig throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

Hellwig has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Ariyah can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Hellwig is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hellwig is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Hellwig is trying to work for a kimura but Ariyah is defending well.
Hellwig missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hellwig decides to stand and escape the position.
Hellwig tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ariyah sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Hellwig somewhat.
Hellwig avoids the head kick by Ariyah.

Hellwig closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Ariyah to the mat! Ariyah manages to get full guard.
Ariyah keeping moving, preventing Hellwig from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hellwig accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Hellwig stands up and waves to Ariyah to follow him.
Hellwig blocks a head kick by Ariyah.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hellwig takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The fight stays on the outside here - Hellwig looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Hellwig darts in and clinches Ariyah up against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Hellwig showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Hellwig drives through with a takedown into guard.
Hellwig trying to control but Ariyah is working from the bottom.
Ariyah avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Hellwig stands and steps away. Ariyah gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Hellwig has managed to clinch.

Ariyah manages to break the clinch.
Ariyah throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ariyah misses with a body kick.
Ariyah misses with a head kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hellwig has Ariyah up against the cage in a clinch.
Hellwig fails to pull guard.

Hellwig manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Hellwig is looking for a triangle but Ariyah pushes his legs off easily.
Hellwig trying to keep a closed guard but Ariyah is proving a slippery customer.
Ariyah wants to stand and escape but instead Hellwig has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Hellwig looking to pass the guard.

Hellwig drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Ariyah manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Hellwig has Ariyah in his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ariyah avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Ariyah wants to stand but Hellwig is controlling his posture from full guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hellwig working a defensive guard here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Hellwig is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Ariyah is aware though and is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hellwig working for a triangle but Ariyah defends it easily.
Hellwig controlling Ariyah's posture.
Ariyah trying to stand up but can't free himself from Hellwig's guard.

Hellwig is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Ariyah has had enough of the clinch but Hellwig keeps him there for the moment.
Ariyah wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Hellwig jumps guard but Ariyah turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Hellwig is working for takedown but Ariyah is calmly controlling the position for now.
Zach Ariyah has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Hellwig.

Ariyah's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Hellwig.
Hellwig is looking to clinch but Ariyah is avoiding it.
Ariyah lands a leg kick that knocks Hellwig off balance momentarily.
Hellwig is looking to clinch but Ariyah is avoiding it.
Ariyah misses with a head kick.
James Hellwig is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hellwig looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hellwig shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ariyah as he avoids it easily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hellwig fails with an attempt to clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
James Hellwig comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Hellwig 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 Donald Grub scores the fight for James Hellwig!
Judge James Glass scores the fight for James Hellwig!
Judge James Atkins scores the fight for James Hellwig!

James Hellwig wins by unanimous decision!
James Hellwig very nearly forgot to thank Fossington & Blythe: Gentlemen's Fight Attire amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.