PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mikel Arteta (ranked 7090 p4p, 628 weight class) and Hector Zorba (ranked 6658 p4p, 618 weight class). Zorba has chosen Let the bodies hit the floor : Drowning Pool as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. The key to victory for Mikel Arteta has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Arteta
vs
Zorba

192 cm
18
208 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

186 cm
18
220 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Pit Bull Development

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mikel Arteta!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Hector Zorba!
The judges for this bout are Darius Henderson, Chris Dean and Ron Honeybunn.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Arteta throws a body shot but no joy.
Arteta misses with a wild body shot.
Zorba changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Arteta looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

Arteta decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Zorba wants to control but Arteta is keeping busy.
Zorba gets full guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Zorba can do anything to dispel that myth.
Zorba manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Arteta manages to get himself to full guard.

Arteta looking for a guillotine here but Zorba defends easily.
Zorba lands a couple of elbows.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

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

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zorba with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Zorba working some strikes from top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zorba connects with a couple of short punches.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Zorba working his ground and pound in the gym. So far it seems to be working well.
Arteta has momentary wrist control but Zorba slips an elbow through the middle.
Arteta trying to keep a closed guard but Zorba is proving a slippery customer.
Zorba with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Arteta looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Zorba connects with a couple of short punches.

Arteta working for a triangle but Zorba defends it easily.
Zorba lands a couple of elbows.
Zorba preventing the sweep.
Zorba has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zorba lands a couple of elbows.
Zorba working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Zorba postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Zorba landing some decent shots from guard.
Zorba is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Zorba lands a couple of digs.
Zorba content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Zorba cracks Arteta with a solid left hand.
Zorba makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Zorba scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Zorba lands a couple of elbows.
Zorba working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Arteta is rocked!

Arteta looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Zorba lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zorba trying to control but Arteta is working from the bottom.
Zorba works over Arteta with some ground and pound from guard.
Zorba postures up and lands a big shot to Arteta's brow.

Arteta escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Zorba gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Zorba is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Zorba is pushing down on Arteta's leg trying to pass to half guard. Arteta is fighting to maintain full guard but Zorba has managed to sneak the leg through.
Zorba lands with a punch from half guard.
Arteta knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Zorba on the ground.

Arteta looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Arteta is in trouble now - Zorba has advanced to mount!
Arteta is in a horrible position here. Zorba smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Oh Arteta is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!

It looks like Mikel Arteta has been cut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zorba lands a nice shot to the head.

Mikel Arteta's cut is getting worse.
Zorba postures up and lands a whopping elbow - oh that's hurt Arteta bigstyle! Two more strikes land for Zorba and the fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:30 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Hector Zorba!
Hector Zorba took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, King Nutrition for their support in the buildup to the fight.