PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jannis Arvanitidis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aldo Raine (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Raine has chosen Shinedown - Diamond Eyes as his entrance music. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Aldo Raine was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Arvanitidis
vs
Raine

169 cm
26
155 lbs
10 - 8 - 0

181 cm
28
167 lbs
19 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Vitality
[CBK] LEGAL HIGHS « SFL ↑ 5x160Q

BeastMode

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 8 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jannis Arvanitidis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Aldo Raine!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Vladimir Khabensky and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Arvanitidis misses with a double jab.
Arvanitidis fails to land the takedown.
Raine lands a nice shot that snaps Arvanitidis's head back.
Raine lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Arvanitidis circles away quickly and effectively.
Arvanitidis looks for a takedown but Raine sprawls well.
Arvanitidis shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Raine but Raine pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jannis Arvanitidis. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Raine shoots in looking for a takedown. Arvanitidis tries to sprawl out of it but Raine keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Arvanitidis manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Raine tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Arvanitidis swivels and escapes.
Arvanitidis lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Raine circles away quickly and effectively.
Arvanitidis shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Raine as he avoids it easily.
Arvanitidis fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Raine lands with an overhand left.
Arvanitidis misses with a double jab.
Raine scores with a hook to the body. Arvanitidis takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Raine, as that shot connected.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raine connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Arvanitidis's hands.
Raine dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Arvanitidis walks into a straight right hand from Raine.
Raine lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Arvanitidis backs up against the ropes.
Raine throws a right and a left that Arvanitidis avoids nicely.
Raine lands a jab to the nose.
Arvanitidis has a takedown stuffed.
Raine throws a right and a left that Arvanitidis avoids nicely.
Arvanitidis is trying hard to land a takedown here. Raine sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Jannis Arvanitidis seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Raine has a takedown stuffed.
Arvanitidis doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Raine jabs at Arvanitidis's body.
Raine swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Arvanitidis.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Arvanitidis shoots and misses
and Raine counters with a nice uppercut.

Raine drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Raine tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.

Raine is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Arvanitidis knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
The ground and pound from Raine seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Arvanitidis is looking for a sweep.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Arvanitidis gets back to half guard.

Arvanitidis looking for submissions off his back.

Raine is working for a submission of some sort.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Arvanitidis moves into full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arvanitidis tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Arvanitidis is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Raine defends well.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Raine wants to get up but he can't break Arvanitidis's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Raine pushing down on Arvanitidis's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Arvanitidis moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Arvanitidis has his foot on Raine's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Raine works his way back into a safe position though.

Arvanitidis working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Raine has passed into half guard!

Raine seems to be working for a kimura but Arvanitidis defends the submission attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Arvanitidis is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Raine pulls his head out easily.
Raine wants to take a breather but Arvanitidis is having none of it.

Raine gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
A punch combination from Arvanitidis misses.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Raine shoots for a takedown but Arvanitidis saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Raine connects with a body shot.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Raine misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Arvanitidis.
Arvanitidis shoots in but no luck this time.
Some wild striking there from Arvanitidis.
Arvanitidis tries for a takedown but Raine circles away easily
and Raine counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aldo Raine dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Raine scores with a jab to the body.
Raine has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Raine lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Raine changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Arvanitidis will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Arvanitidis fails with the takedown
and Raine counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Jannis Arvanitidis is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Arvanitidis defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Raine.
Arvanitidis throws a half hearted mid kick.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Arvanitidis. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Raine connects with a good right hand that stumbles Arvanitidis. Arvanitidis circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Raine displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Arvanitidis.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jannis Arvanitidis. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Arvanitidis decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Arvanitidis is actively looking for submissions here but good counter grappling here from Raine as he works his way to full guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Raine pulls Arvanitidis in close to prevent any damage.
Raine trying to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arvanitidis postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Arvanitidis wants to get up but he can't break Raine's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Raine kicks Arvanitidis off and gets to his feet.
Raine is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Aldo Raine seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Arvanitidis throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Raine lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Arvanitidis backs up against the ropes.
Nice uppercut there from Raine.
Nice uppercut there from Raine.
Arvanitidis takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Raine slips a straight right by Arvanitidis.
Arvanitidis shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Raine pinned against the ropes. Raine gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Raine misses with a wild combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Arvanitidis throws a combination that misses

and Raine counters with a single leg into guard. Arvanitidis didn't expect that.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Raine would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Raine sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Arvanitidis's guard.

Raine is working for a submission of some sort.
Arvanitidis tries to roll over but Raine keeps him under control.

Arvanitidis looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Arvanitidis is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Raine's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Raine's back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Arvanitidis is looking for the choke from the back position but Raine is controlling his hands well.
Arvanitidis avoiding Raine 's attempts to control his hands.
Raine wants to get back to his feet.

Raine fending off the submission attempt from Arvanitidis.
Raine controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Arvanitidis is looking for a choke. Raine gets to his feet with his opponent on his back and slams him to the mat. Raine manages to squirm out of the attempted choke and turns into his opponent's guard.
Aldo Raine has got the better of the ground game so far.
Raine wants to get up but he can't break Arvanitidis's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Arvanitidis is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Arvanitidis throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Raine wants to control from the top but Arvanitidis keeps moving.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Raine wants to stand but Arvanitidis is controlling his posture from full guard.

Arvanitidis looking for subs off his back but Raine has passed one foot through into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aldo Raine 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 ring so we can get back down to business.

Arvanitidis shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Raine as he jumps to the side.
Raine slaps away a takedown attempt from Arvanitidis, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Raine connects with a looping right hand.
Raine works over Arvanitidis's head and body with a nice combination.
Raine fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Arvanitidis manages to avoid it.

Arvanitidis scores with a takedown into Raine's guard.
Arvanitidis trying to control but Raine is working from the bottom.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Raine is trying to keep Arvanitidis in close.
Arvanitidis stops Raine from standing up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arvanitidis postures up.
Raine preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Raine seems keen to control Arvanitidis's posture.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Aldo Raine hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Arvanitidis misses with a double jab.

Arvanitidis scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Raine is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Arvanitidis asserts his dominance and retains side control.

Arvanitidis looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Raine wants to get back to his feet but Arvanitidis drags him back down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Arvanitidis stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Raine keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jannis Arvanitidis. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Raine lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Raine is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Raine scores with a takedown into Arvanitidis's guard.

Raine decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arvanitidis shoots in for a double leg but Raine sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Raine connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

Arvanitidis drives through with a takedown into Raine's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Raine keeping full guard, as Arvanitidis tries to pass.
Raine working a defensive guard here.
Raine is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Arvanitidis trying to stand up but can't free himself from Raine's guard.
Arvanitidis not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Arvanitidis postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Raine is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Arvanitidis, into his guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raine trying to stand up but can't free himself from Arvanitidis's guard.
Arvanitidis trying to control the position here.

Arvanitidis working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Raine doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Raine manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Arvanitidis might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Raine passes easily into side control. Nice work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Arvanitidis tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Raine wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Jannis Arvanitidis did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Arvanitidis rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Raine moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Raine lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Raine stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Raine wants it to stay on the feet.
Arvanitidis is trying hard to land a takedown here. Raine sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Arvanitidis doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Raine feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Arvanitidiss jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Arvanitidis walks into a stiff left hand from Raine.
Arvanitidis fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jannis Arvanitidis. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Raine connects with a good right hand that stumbles Arvanitidis. Arvanitidis circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
No luck for Raine with that takedown attempt.
Arvanitidis drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Arvanitidis looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Raine moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raine swinging wildly here.
Raine throws a one two combo.
Raine slaps away a takedown attempt from Arvanitidis, before circling back to the center of the mat.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
A punch combination from Arvanitidis misses.
Arvanitidis doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Nice cross by Raine.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Arvanitidis.
Raine throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Arvanitidis on the side of the head.
Arvanitidis throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Raine cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Danga de danga de dang - Raine scores with a four punch combination!
Raine lands a right hook to the body.
Raine with a body punch. A glancing blow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raine keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Arvanitidis shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Raine defends it nicely.
Arvanitidis looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Raine closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Arvanitidis quickly recovers to half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Raine throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Arvanitidis makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Arvanitidis.

Arvanitidis throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Raine wants to get up but he can't break Arvanitidis's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Raine is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Arvanitidis is on top in guard.
Raine trying to control the position.
Arvanitidis preventing the sweep.

Arvanitidis drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Raine dives on top into guard.
Raine advances position into side control!

Raine looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Arvanitidis tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Raine presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arvanitidis regains half guard.
Raine is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Arvanitidis regains full guard. Nicely done.
Raine wants to get up but he can't break Arvanitidis's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Arvanitidis is looking for a triangle but Raine pushes his legs off easily.
Raine has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Arvanitidis is proving hard to escape from.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Arvanitidis looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Raine has picked Arvanitidis up and slammed him! Arvanitidis can't keep hold of the triangle and Raine manages to pass to side control!
Arvanitidis sneaks back into half guard.

Arvanitidis actively working from the bottom here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aldo Raine dominated that fourth round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Raine fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Arvanitidis manages to avoid it.
Arvanitidis swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Arvanitidis tries a head kick but it misses.
Raine with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Raine scores with a shot to the body.
Arvanitidis lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Raine circles away quickly and effectively.
Raine fails with a takedown attempt.
Raine looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Arvanitidis is fending him off so far but Raine persists. Nope, Arvanitidis circles away and we're back to standing.
Nice shot lands for Raine.
Arvanitidis tries for a takedown but Raine circles away easily
letting Raine counter with a right hand.
Arvanitidis throws a right hand that Raine ducks under and follows up with a left that Raine also avoids with ease.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Arvanitidis fails with the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raine ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Raine bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Arvanitidis's head.
Raine throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Arvanitidis.
Arvanitidis fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jannis Arvanitidis. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A right-left combo lands from Arvanitidis.
Raine shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Arvanitidis defends it nicely.
Arvanitidis throws a hook but Raine avoids it easily.
Arvanitidis looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Nice takedown defense from Raine. No joy for Arvanitidis on that attempt.
No joy there for Raine, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Arvanitidis fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Raine connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Arvanitidis throws a nice looking combination but Raine bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Arvanitidis doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

Raine shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Raine seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.

Raine is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Arvanitidis doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Raine.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Raine missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Raine tries to stand but his arm is trapped.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Arvanitidis looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Arvanitidis trying to control here.

Raine is looking for a kimura here.
Arvanitidis is looking to improve his position.

Arvanitidis looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Arvanitidis is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Raine pulls his head out easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arvanitidis tries to get to full guard but Raine has control of the leg.
Raine looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Raine sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Arvanitidis defending well though.

Raine is working for a kimura but Arvanitidis is defending it quite comfortably.
Jannis Arvanitidis has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Arvanitidis is looking to improve his position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Arvanitidis actively working from the bottom here.
Arvanitidis tries to get to full guard but Raine has control of the leg.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aldo Raine comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Raine 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight for Aldo Raine!
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight for Aldo Raine!
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight for Aldo Raine!

Aldo Raine wins by unanimous decision!
Aldo Raine really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that BeastMode logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.