PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between James Arkley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Degen Gambler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Arkley
vs
Gambler

190 cm
24
220 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

188 cm
23
220 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, James Arkley!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Degen Gambler!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Robert Twigg and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Arkley throws a shot from downtown. Gambler moves away and avoids it.
Arkley keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A good leg kick by Arkley.
Arkley thuds his right hand into Gambler's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
A swing and a miss from Gambler.
A left and a right from Gambler both land. Nice combination.

It looks like James Arkley has been cut.
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!
Good shot there by Arkley.
The fighters circling - Gambler throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Gambler thuds his right hand into Arkley's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Gambler takes a swing at Arkley's ribcage but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gambler moves out of range of the body kick from Arkley.
James Arkley seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Arkley pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Gambler back to the cage. Arkley follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Gambler checks a leg kick.
Gambler tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Arkley tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Arkley throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Gambler throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Gambler throws a head kick that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Arkley throws a low kick but it's checked well by Gambler.
Gambler lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Gambler connects with a high kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Arkley avoids the head kick by Gambler.
Gambler looks to score with a jab to the body but Arkley is just out of range.
Arkley lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Gambler swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Gambler takes a swing at Arkley's ribcage but misses.
Good shot there by Arkley.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arkley takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Gambler throws a head kick that misses.
Gambler throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Arkley throws a head kick but Gambler moves out of range.
Arkley lands with a kick to the temple. Gambler shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Gambler is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Arkley rather than just go for the knockout.
Gambler throws a head kick that misses
letting Arkley counter with a right hand.
Arkley misses with a body punch
and Gambler cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Gambler misses the shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gambler checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Arkley uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gambler.
Arkley showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gambler.
Arkley throws a lazy body kick
and Gambler makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Arkley takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Gambler misses with a jab to the body
and Arkley counters with a good, hard body kick but Gambler shrugs it off.
Gambler looks gassed!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Arkley gets in close and instigates a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that James Arkley will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on James Arkley's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Gambler scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
A nice leg kick lands there from Gambler.
Gambler ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Arkley moves away.
Gambler swings widly with a right hand
and Arkley makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Arkley takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Gambler avoids the body shot from Arkley.
Arkley looks to score with a jab to the body but Gambler is just out of range.
James Arkley is winning the standup battle so far.
Gambler throws a sloppy head kick
and Arkley counters with a one-two to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arkley looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Arkley avoids a kick to the body.
Arkley swings widly with a right hand
and Gambler counters with a head kick.
Arkley scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Gambler in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Arkley throws a sloppy head kick
and Gambler makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Arkley throws a body punch but Gambler moves out of range.

Arkley closes the distance and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gambler presses Arkley against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Gambler scores with a shot to the side of Arkley's head.
Gambler lands a nice shot to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Arkley tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Gambler's elbow.
A hook to the body from Gambler.
Gambler lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Arkley or not.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gambler misses with a punch on the inside.
Gambler swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Gambler stalling the fight.
Gambler is working Arkley over against the cage.
Gambler working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A short left from Gambler.
Gambler misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Gambler lands a right hand that snaps the head of Arkley backwards.
Gambler lands a right hand.
Gambler works on Arkley's body with a couple of short punches.
A nice right hand lands inside from Gambler.
Gambler throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Arkleys head.
Gambler lands a nice uppercut.
Gambler lands a hook to the side of the head.
A head punch on the inside from Gambler fails to land.
Gambler scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Gambler manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gambler swings wildly with an uppercut but Arkley uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gambler has a couple of punches blocked by Arkley.
A short right from Gambler on the inside.
Gambler tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Arkley's elbow.
Gambler taking a breather.
Gambler lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Arkley backwards.
Arkley swings away with an uppercut that misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Gambler.
A right handed body shot lands from Gambler.
Gambler lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Arkley backwards.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Gambler.
Gambler doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Arkley.
Gambler throws a punch but it's blocked by Arkley.
Gambler misses with a body punch.
Gambler tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Arkley's elbow.
Arkley wants to get back to striking at distance but Gambler won't allow it.
Gambler trying to control the position but instead, Arkley has worked for underhooks and has pushed Gambler into the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Gambler is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Gambler digs a right hand into Arkley's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Arkley's gas tank.
Arkley's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Arkley prevents a body shot from Gambler.
A head punch on the inside from Gambler fails to land.
Arkley blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Gambler misses with a punch on the inside.
Nice body punch from Arkley - that landed with a thud.
Arkley lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Gambler working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Gambler tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Arkley's elbow.
Arkley blocks a body shot from Gambler.
Gambler displaying some good clinch control by pressing Arkley up against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gambler misses with some punches.
Gambler trying to control the position but instead, Arkley has worked for underhooks and has pushed Gambler into the cage.
Gambler working aggressively here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Degen Gambler showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on James Arkley's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Nice shot by Gambler.
Arkley swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Gambler counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Arkley rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Gambler counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Gambler misses with a hook to the body
and Arkley counters with a nice leg kick.
Arkley throws a head kick but Gambler moves out of range.
A low kick from Arkley is predictable there
and Gambler counters with a head kick. That will keep Arkley thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Gambler misses with a series of wild punches.
Arkley wants to slow Gambler down by chopping away at his legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gambler tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Arkley was well out of range. Poor timing from Gambler.

Arkley moves into the clinch successfully.
Arkley blocking some punches.
Gambler stalling.
Arkley looking to slow down the pace here.
Gambler throws a head punch that misses.
Gambler struggles to land a body shot inside as Arkley controls his hands.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Gambler.
Gambler misses with some punches.
Arkley is working Gambler over against the cage.
Gambler lands with a short shot to the head.
Arkley blocks a body shot from Gambler.
Degen Gambler seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Gambler lands with a short punch from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gambler throws a punch but it's blocked by Arkley.
Arkley prevents a body shot from Gambler.
Arkley working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Gambler can't find room to land a body shot as Arkley controls the action.
Nice body punch from Gambler - that landed with a thud.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gambler tries a body shot but Arkley blocks it.
Arkley stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Gambler tries to stall but Arkley uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Arkley has Gambler pushed against the cage.
Gambler working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Arkley lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Arkley presses Gambler against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A left hand lands to the body for Gambler.
Gambler misses with a short punch on the inside.
Arkley is stalling here.
Arkley tries to stall but Gambler uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Gambler is looking to control Arkley's arms but Arkley gets an underhook and turns him. Now Gambler has his back to the cage.
Arkley misses with a body punch.
Good body shot from Gambler.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gambler misses with some punches.
Gambler misses with a punch on the inside.
Gambler lands a nice shot to the body.
Arkley takes a shot to the head.
Gambler misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Gambler misses with a punch to the body.
Gambler misses with a punch on the inside.
Gambler lands a shoulder strike.
Arkley misses with a hook from the clinch.
Gambler blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Arkley blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Arkley misses with a body punch.
Gambler misses with some punches.
Gambler misses with some punches.

Arkley pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Gambler misses with a body punch
and Arkley makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Gambler takes one on the chin but seems OK.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arkley ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gambler moves away.
Arkley misses with a body shot.

Arkley moves into range and clinches up with Gambler.
Gambler lands a nice uppercut.
Gambler blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Arkley blocking some punches.
Gambler throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Nice body punch from Gambler.
Gambler swings wildly with an uppercut but Arkley uses good head movement to avoid it.
A short left from Arkley.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Arkley misses with a hook to the ribs.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Arkley as Gambler tries to tie him up.
Arkley misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Gambler throws a punch but it's blocked by Arkley.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Degen Gambler really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on James Arkley's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Arkley scores with a nice strike.
Arkley blocks a head kick by Gambler.
Gambler throws out a loose jab but Arkley uses good head movement to avoid it.

Arkley fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Gambler, pushing him back against the cage.
Gambler lands a body punch.
A head punch on the inside from Arkley fails to land.
Gambler lands a hook to the side of the head.
A right handed body shot lands from Gambler.
Gambler gets through Arkley's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Gambler swings wildly with an uppercut but Arkley uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gambler pushes Arkley back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
A hook to the body from Gambler.
Gambler throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gambler pushes Arkley back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Gambler works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Gambler scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Gambler lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Gambler.
Gambler stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Gambler.
Arkley takes a shot to the head.
Gambler pushes Arkley back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Gambler stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Gambler pushes Arkley back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Gambler lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Gambler pushes Arkley back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Gambler lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Arkley.
Gambler taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Gambler misses with a punch to the body.
Gambler digs a right hand into Arkley's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Arkley's gas tank.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Arkley.
Arkley tries a body shot but Gambler blocks it.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Arkley as Gambler tries to tie him up.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Arkley.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gambler tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Arkley's elbow.
Arkley prevents a body shot from Gambler.
Gambler is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Gambler misses with the head strike.
Gambler has Arkley pressed against the cage, preventing Arkley from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Gambler throws a punch but it's blocked by Arkley.
Gambler throws a head punch that misses.
A short body shot lands from Arkley as the two fighters clinch.
Arkley tries a body shot but Gambler blocks it.
Arkley takes a shot to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gambler swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Gambler can't find room to land a body shot as Arkley controls the action.
Arkley tries a body shot but Gambler blocks it.
A short left from Arkley.
Gambler pushes Arkley back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Gambler misses with a punch to the body.
Gambler is struggling to control the position.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Arkley has closed the distance and engaged Gambler in a clinch.
Gambler swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Arkley presses Gambler against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Gambler is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Arkley is keeping busy.
A short body shot lands from Gambler as the two fighters clinch.
Nice body punch from Gambler - that landed with a thud.
Gambler throws a punch but it's blocked by Arkley.
Gambler tries to throw a body punch but Arkley avoids it by throwing Gambler back against the cage.
Gambler misses with a hook from the clinch.

Arkley breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Arkley looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Arkley throws a right hand that misses
and Gambler counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Arkley is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Gambler fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Arkley manages to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gambler misses with an uppercut. Arkley saw that one coming.
Gambler swings for the body but Arkley moves out of range.
Arkley waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Gambler.
Arkley blocks a head kick by Gambler.
Gambler blocks a leg kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Arkley ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gambler moves away.
Gambler throws a poor cross that misses
and Arkley counters with a straight right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Degen Gambler dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on James Arkley's cut.
That's time! Arkley's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Arkley ducks under a wild hook from Gambler.
Arkley moves away from the strike by Gambler.
Arkley misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Arkley darts in and clinches Gambler up against the cage.
Arkley throws a punch but it's blocked by Gambler.
Arkley being controlled against the cage.
Gambler digs a right hand underneath Arkley's ribcage. Arkley let out a lung full of air as it connected.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A right hand to the body from Gambler.
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.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
A hook to the body from Gambler.
Gambler avoiding damage as Arkley throws knees to the body.
Good body shot from Gambler.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gambler works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Gambler softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Arkley blocking some punches.
Arkley is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Gambler stalling against the cage.
A hook to the body from Gambler.
Gambler is stalling here.
Gambler misses with a hook from the clinch.
Gambler swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Gambler lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Arkley.
Gambler effectively controlling the action here.
Gambler lands a left hand.
Gambler struggles to land a body shot inside as Arkley controls his hands.
Gambler doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A right handed body shot lands from Gambler.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gambler lands a body shot in the clinch.
Gambler lands a right hand.
Arkley blocking some punches.
Gambler lands a left hand.
Gambler scores with a hook to the body.
Arkley takes a shot to the head.
Nice body punch from Gambler - that landed with a thud.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A head punch on the inside from Arkley fails to land.
Gambler has a couple of punches blocked by Arkley.
Arkley tries a knee to the head but Gambler blocks it.
Nice body punch from Gambler - that landed with a thud.
Arkley wants to break free but Gambler has control.
Gambler lands with a left to the head.
Gambler has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A body shot lands from Gambler.
A head punch on the inside from Gambler fails to land.
Gambler lands with a short shot to the head.
A short body shot lands from Gambler as the two fighters clinch.
Gambler lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Arkley backwards.
A left hand lands to the body for Gambler.
Gambler pushes Arkley back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gambler misses with a hook from the clinch.
Gambler lands a nice shot to the body.
A body shot lands from Gambler.
Gambler throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
A shot in the inside from Gambler.
Gambler working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Gambler lands an uppercut.
Arkley blocking some punches.
Nice body punch from Gambler.
Gambler misses with the head strike.
Arkley throws a punch but it's blocked by Gambler.
Gambler swings wildly with an uppercut but Arkley uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gambler lands a hook that snaps the head of Arkley backwards.
Gambler misses with a hook to the ribs.
Gambler doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Gambler misses with a hook to the ribs.
Gambler misses with a short punch on the inside.
Gambler lands a hook to the side of the head.
Arkley throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Gambler misses with a body punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gambler digs a right hand into Arkley's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Arkley's gas tank.
Arkley missing with knees to the body.
Arkley tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Gambler.
Arkley blocking some punches.
Arkley misses with a punch to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Gambler.
Gambler is leaning against Arkley and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Arkley blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A right handed body shot lands from Gambler.
Arkley blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Gambler misses with some punches.
Gambler blocks an uppercut.
Nice body punch from Gambler.
Gambler lands a right hand that snaps the head of Arkley backwards.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A head punch on the inside from Arkley fails to land.
Gambler tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Gambler effectively controlling the action here.
Degen Gambler is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A head punch on the inside from Arkley fails to land.

And that's the end of the fight!
Degen Gambler comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Gambler 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 45:49
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 45:49
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 45:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Degen Gambler!
Degen Gambler is the new light heavyweight champion!