PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Norbert Schwager (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Saeng Arthit (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Saeng Arthit told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Schwager
vs
Arthit

175 cm
21
135 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

180 cm
28
147 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Solid chin

Resistance

Resistance
Wolfpack Threadz

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Norbert Schwager!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Saeng Arthit!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Vladimir Khabensky and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Arthit misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Schwager will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Schwager misses with a double jab

and Arthit counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Schwager keeping moving, preventing Arthit from controlling successfully.
Arthit tries to free his leg and advance position but Schwager is retaining full guard.
Schwager is looking to stand up but Arthit isn't so interested in that idea.

Arthit drops back looking for a leg! Schwager is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Schwager manages to kick Arthit off! Arthit jumps back into Schwager's guard.
Schwager is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Schwager knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Arthit on the ground.
Arthit showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arthit trying to control the position from guard on top but Schwager is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Schwager is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Arthit is controlling him.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Saeng Arthit.
Schwager misses with a two punch combination.
Schwager just misses with a punch to the body.
Schwager misses with a combination
and Arthit counters with a thumping low kick.
Schwager swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Schwager misses with a double jab

and Arthit counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Arthit.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Arthit stands and throws Schwager's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Arthit wants to control but Schwager is keeping him busy.
Schwager is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Arthit asserts his dominance and retains side control.
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!

Arthit decides to stand up, so the ref orders Schwager to his feet.
Schwager throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Schwager misses with the combination.
A punch combination from Schwager misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schwager misses with a combination

and Arthit counters by clinching up.
Schwager is trying to push Arthit away but Arthit has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Arthit looking to throw knees to the head but Schwager is blocking nicely.
Arthit is working for takedown but Schwager is calmly controlling the position for now.
Arthit keeps control of Schwager as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Arthit looking for a takedown.
Arthit has Schwager pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Schwager manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Norbert Schwager has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Saeng Arthit.
Schwager dodges an elbow strike from Arthit.
Arthit tries to score a body lock takedown but Schwager shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Schwager looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Schwager wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Arthit is working for takedown but Schwager is calmly controlling the position for now.
Arthit lands an elbow just above Schwager 's eye.
Arthit tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Schwager just stands there and leans against the cage.
Schwager wants to break the clinch but can't.
Arthit goes for a takedown in the clinch but Schwager prevents it.
Schwager can't break the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Arthit obliges.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Arthit tries for a takedown but Schwager manages to get underhooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Saeng Arthit dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Arthit.
Schwager misses with a few strikes there.
Schwager is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Arthit.
Schwager looks to land a combination but Arthit avoids it well.

Arthit closes the distance and clinches.
Arthit is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Schwager pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Arthit keeps control of Schwager as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Arthit wants to take the fight to the mat but Schwager manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Norbert Schwager has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Saeng Arthit.
Schwager is trying to break the clinch but Arthit is controlling him.

Arthit jumps guard and drags Schwager to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schwager trying to stand up but can't free himself from Arthit's guard.
Schwager has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Arthit is trying to keep Schwager in close.
Schwager has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Arthit is proving hard to escape from.

Schwager stands up from Arthit's guard - Schwager perhaps looking for a knockout.
Schwager with a nice cross.
Norbert Schwager seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Schwager throws a left and a right that both miss
and Arthit counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Schwager is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Arthit dodges the punch combination from Schwager.
Schwager misses with a two punch combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Schwager misses with the combination.
Arthit connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

Arthit changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Schwager looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Schwager is pushing Arthit's head away, looking to escape. Arthit manages to hold on to the position though.
Arthit is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Schwager's shoulder. That is not cool.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Schwager pushes Arthit away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Arthit gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Arthit tries for a kimura but Schwager is defending well.

Arthit is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Schwager knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Schwager is pushing Arthit's head away, looking to escape. Arthit manages to hold on to the position though.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arthit is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Schwager's shoulder. That is not cool.
Arthit trying to control the action but Schwager is working from the bottom.
Schwager is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Arthit working the body and head with strikes.
Arthit trying to control the action but Schwager is working from the bottom.
Schwager pushes Arthit away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Arthit gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arthit lands a few punches from side control.

Arthit tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Arthit has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Arthit is putting a hurting on Schwager here, landing some big shots from side control.
Schwager wants to get back to his feet.
Schwager on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Schwager tries to get out of the position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Arthit trying to control the position but Schwager is working away.
Schwager really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Arthit working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Schwager is trying to escape the position but Arthit is controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Saeng Arthit showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Arthit on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Schwager throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Arthit counters with a body kick.
Schwager misses with the combination.
Schwager tries to bum rush Arthit with a series of wild strikes but Arthit uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Schwager leaves Arthit with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Schwager throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Arthit moves away from the strike by Schwager.
Schwager throws a series of punches but Arthit moves out of range.
Schwager throws a right hand that Arthit ducks under and follows up with a left that Arthit also avoids with ease.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arthit is trying hard to land a takedown here. Schwager sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Arthit lands a head kick. Schwager smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Arthit tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Schwager swivels and escapes.
Norbert Schwager has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Saeng Arthit.
Arthit lands a high kick!
Norbert Schwager is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Schwager misses with the combination.
Schwager swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Arthit counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Schwager is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Schwager throws a right and a left that Arthit avoids nicely.
Horrible takedown by Arthit or perhaps it was just good defense by Schwager which made him look bad.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Arthit.
Arthit shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Schwager as he jumps to the side.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Schwager misses with a combination
and Arthit counters with a thumping low kick.
Schwager misses with the combination.
Schwager throws a series of punches but Arthit avoids them all with ease.
Schwager throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Arthit finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Schwager misses with a double jab
and Arthit counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Schwager is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Schwager misses with an uppercut
and Arthit counters with a head kick. That will keep Schwager thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Norbert Schwager is winning the standup battle so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schwager throws a series of strikes that have Arthit backpedaling.
Schwager lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Schwager.

Schwager tries to keep at a distance but Arthit has taken the fight into the clinch.
Schwager is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Schwager stops a takedown attempt from Arthit.
Arthit tries to score a body lock takedown but Schwager shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Arthit goes for a takedown attempt but Schwager pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Schwager misses with a wild combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Schwager misses with a wild combination.
Saeng Arthit is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Schwager throws a left and a right that both miss
and Arthit counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Schwager stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Schwager wants it to stay on the feet.
Norbert Schwager is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Schwager misses with a body shot.
Schwager misses with a double jab
and Arthit counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Norbert Schwager has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Schwager throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Schwager swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

And that's the end of the fight!
Norbert Schwager showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Arthit has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 28:29
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 28:29
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Saeng Arthit!
During a confident post fight interview, Saeng Arthit thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.