PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Andrey Arshavin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andrei Arlovski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Andrey Arshavin has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Arshavin
vs
Arlovski

200 cm
20
250 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

190 cm
22
220 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Andrey Arshavin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Andrei Arlovski!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Alan Glass and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Arlovski shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Arshavin checks a leg kick.

Arshavin gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Arlovski decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Arshavin, up you get!
Arlovski fails in his attempt to clinch.
Arshavin tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Arlovski counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Arshavin looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Arlovski is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Arshavin won't allow Arlovski to pass to mount.
Arlovski sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Arshavin defending well though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arlovski trying to pass the guard but Arshavin defending well.

Arshavin is defending against the submission attempts here by Arlovski.
Arshavin manages to get to full guard.
Arlovski is looking to work some ground and pound but Arshavin has wrist control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Arlovski circles away from the clinch attempt

and Arlovski counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
It looks like Arlovski is going to stand back up.
Arlovski looks gassed!

Arlovski is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Arshavin has managed to free his arm - good work.
Arshavin trying to control but Arlovski postures up.
Arshavin is pressing down on Arlovski's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Arshavin controlling the position.
Arlovski missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Arshavin not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Arshavin is pulling down on Arlovski's head. It's preventing any offense from Arlovski, at least for the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arlovski throwing strikes from guard but Arshavin blocks nicely.
Arshavin bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Arlovski's guard.
Arshavin seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Arlovski is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Arshavin decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Arlovski, up you get!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arshavin fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Arshavin throws a head kick but Arlovski moves out of range.
Arlovski swats away the attempt to clinch by Arshavin.
Arshavin is looking to clinch but Arlovski is avoiding it.
A low kick from Arshavin is predictable there
and Arlovski counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.

Arlovski closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
You can see the frustration on Arshavin's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Arlovski is looking to take a break and control but Arshavin is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andrei Arlovski dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Arlovski closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Arshavin is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Arlovski off and has taken his back!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Arlovski is in bad spot here.
Arshavin lands punches and elbows.
Arlovski wants to escape the position but for the time being he's just trying to control the pace.
Arshavin wants to control but Arlovski is keeping busy.
Arlovski trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arlovski controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
Arshavin is working the ground and pound here and the referee is taking a close look at Arlovski. He must escape soon or this one will be stopped.
Arlovski is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Arshavin lands punches and elbows.

Arshavin is working for the choke. He's slipped one arm under the chin. Arlovski has to defend the other arm for all he's worth... but Arshavin has managed to get that arm free too and he's tightening the choke! Arlovski taps out and looks absolutely disgusted with himself. Arshavin doesn't care though - he's delighted!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:49 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Andrey Arshavin!