PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rhyan Arias (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thorwald Govandekal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Rhyan Arias has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Arias
vs
Govandekal

173 cm
20
175 lbs
0 - 4 - 0

180 cm
18
170 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Can Moonwalk

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 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Rhyan Arias!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Thorwald Govandekal!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Francis DeMontford and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Govandekal lands a head kick. Arias smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

It looks like Rhyan Arias has been cut.
Arias throws a sloppy head kick and Govandekal moves out of range easily.
Arias throws a sloppy head kick
and Govandekal counters with a straight right hand.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Govandekal, right into the meat.
We've been informed that Govandekal has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Arias tries to close the distance and clinch up but Govandekal swats him away and circles back towards the center.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Govandekal.
Govandekal throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Arias's waist but Arias gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Govandekal off to one side.
Govandekal fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Rhyan Arias has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thorwald Govandekal.
Arias tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Arias fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Arias is breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Arias misses with a head kick.
Govandekal shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A head kick by Arias misses
and Govandekal counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Govandekal keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Arias throws a sloppy head kick
and Govandekal counters with a straight right hand.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Govandekal is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Arias's half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Govandekal looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Govandekal uses his free foot to push down on Arias's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Arias.
Govandekal lands a nice shot to the head.
Govandekal putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Govandekal controlling the position easily from mount.
Arias keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Govandekal controlling from mount.
Arias is trying to stand but he's not in a good position to be doing that! Govandekal has taken his back!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Govandekal slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Arias preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Govandekal.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
A lull in the action here.

Govandekal looking to break Arias's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Arias remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Govandekal will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Arias wants to get back to his feet.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Arias defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Govandekal's arms.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Govandekal is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
Govandekal lands with a nice looking elbow that stuns Arias.
Arias trying to get back to his feet but Govandekal is in full control for now.

Arias is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Govandekal is landing with strikes. Arias can't take much more of this.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Govandekal looking for the choke but no joy.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Govandekal's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Arias trying to get back to his feet but Govandekal is in full control for now.
Arias is trying to remain composed but Govandekal is hammering down strikes to the side of his head.
Arias wants to escape the position.
Govandekal wants to control but Arias is keeping busy.

Govandekal working for the choke.

Arias showing good submission defense here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thorwald Govandekal dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Rhyan Arias's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Arias tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Govandekal manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Govandekal forces Arias back against the cage and clinches.

Govandekal pulls guard.
Govandekal is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

Arias gets to his feet. Govandekal looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Arias looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Govandekal drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Arias defends it well.
Arias throws a head kick that misses.
Govandekal feints the counter takedown.
A head kick by Arias misses
and Govandekal counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Rhyan Arias seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Govandekal fails with a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Govandekal looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Arias is fending him off so far but Govandekal persists. Nope, Arias circles away and we're back to standing.
Thorwald Govandekal seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Govandekal misses with a takedown attempt - Arias sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Rhyan Arias has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thorwald Govandekal.
Arias misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arias throws a head kick that misses.
Govandekal throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Arias tries for a takedown but Govandekal circles away easily

and Govandekal holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Arias tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Govandekal has hold of one of Arias's legs. Arias is fighting the takedown attempt but Govandekal gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Arias being controlled here, momentarily.
Govandekal stands up over Arias, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Arias is rocked!

Arias is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Govandekal stands up and waves to Arias to follow him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Arias stuffs the takedown attempt from Govandekal. Govandekal gets slowly back to his feet.

Govandekal decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Govandekal wants to control but Arias is keeping him busy.
Govandekal controlling the action here.
Arias wants to improve his position but Govandekal is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Govandekal stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Arias throws a head kick that misses
and Govandekal counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Govandekal is trying hard to land a takedown here. Arias sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Govandekal drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Arias uses the cage to get back to his feet.

Govandekal rushes Arias and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Govandekal wants a takedown but no success here.

Govandekal has clasped his hands together around Arias's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.

Arias explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Arias blocks a head kick by Govandekal.

Govandekal shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Arias manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Govandekal wants to pass the guard but Arias is keeping the position.
Thorwald Govandekal has got the better of the ground game so far.
Arias tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Govandekal trying to control the position from guard on top but Arias is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Arias looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Govandekal passes into half guard.
Arias is refusing to be controlled, as Govandekal sits in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Thorwald Govandekal will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Rhyan Arias's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Govandekal shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Arias sprawls well. Arias wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Govandekal gets slowly back to his feet.
Govandekal stuffs the takedown attempt from Arias. Arias gets slowly back to his feet.
Govandekal shoots in but Arias avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Arias throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Govandekal counters with a good low kick that Arias was not able to check.

Govandekal rushes Arias and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Govandekal tries to score a body lock takedown but Arias shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Rhyan Arias has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thorwald Govandekal.

Govandekal pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Arias lands a high kick!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Arias throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Govandekal counters with a three punch combo that has Arias backing up. Arias nods at Govandekal to acknowledge the strikes.
Govandekal scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Oh Arias is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Govandekal clinches.
Arias seems to have got his legs back now.
Arias is trying to force a seperation but Govandekal has the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Govandekal slows down the pace here.
Arias tries a knee to the head but Govandekal blocks it.

Govandekal has Arias pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Govandekal pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Arias tumbling to the mat - Govandekal dives into Arias's guard.
Govandekal trying to control the position from guard on top but Arias is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Govandekal advances to half guard.
Arias is trying to get back to full guard.
Govandekal is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Govandekal stops Arias from getting back to his feet.
Govandekal is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Govandekal controlling the action here.
Govandekal working over Arias with some ground and pound. Arias looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Govandekal stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Arias to get to his feet.
Arias misses with the body kick
and Govandekal counters with an outside leg kick.
Arias leaves Govandekal with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Arias doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Govandekal holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Govandekal putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Arias in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Govandekal is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Arias is defending well.
Govandekal blocks an uppercut.

Govandekal breaks from the clinch.
Arias throws a sloppy head kick
and Govandekal counters with a series of strikes. Arias will be more careful next time no doubt.

Govandekal instigates a clinch.

Govandekal breaks from the clinch.
Govandekal is looking to slow Arias down with leg kicks.

Govandekal shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

That's four 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!

Govandekal decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.

Govandekal has managed to clinch.
Govandekal avoiding damage as Arias throws knees to the body.
Knees to the body from Govandekal.
Govandekal cracks Arias with a nice body shot.

Govandekal escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Govandekal has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Govandekal tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Arias defends well and Govandekal ends up having to push Arias into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Arias takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Rhyan Arias has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Arias pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Thorwald Govandekal is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Govandekal moves into range and clinches up with Arias.

Arias is fighting off a takedown attempt but Govandekal is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Arias to the mat. Arias regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thorwald Govandekal comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Govandekal 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 Hugh Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Francis DeMontford scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thorwald Govandekal!