PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jun Arai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Blackhill (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jun Arai has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Arai
vs
Blackhill

185 cm
26
249 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

199 cm
26
246 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Good in bed

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

Dynamic Nutrition $35 159 Recovery

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jun Arai!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, James Blackhill!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Hirohito Nitta and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Blackhill slips a jab and a cross from Arai.
James Blackhill seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Blackhill throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

Blackhill shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Arai on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Arai tries to get out of the position.
Arai controls Blackhill momentarily but Blackhill frees himself.
Blackhill working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Arai controls Blackhill momentarily but Blackhill frees himself.
Blackhill is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Arai not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Blackhill postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Blackhill content to stall in guard here.
Blackhill pushing down on Arai's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blackhill is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Blackhill breaks from Arai's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Blackhill content just to control the position here.
Arai is working to get back to half guard.
Blackhill controlling from mount.
Blackhill landing strikes from the mount.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Blackhill unloading with bombs!
Blackhill prevents Arai from getting the reversal.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blackhill with the ground and pound from mount.
Blackhill looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Arai sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Blackhill thows a huge punch but Arai dodges it nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Blackhill not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Blackhill controlling the action here.
Let's hope that Blackhill has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Blackhill has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Arai blocking the ground and pound attempt from Blackhill.
Blackhill prevents Arai from improving his position.
Blackhill is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blackhill seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
It looks like Blackhill might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Blackhill looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Well, if Blackhill is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

Arai is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Blackhill pulls his head out easily.
Blackhill with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Blackhill is looking to take a break and control but Arai is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blackhill with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Arai is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Blackhill scores with a couple of nice shots.
Blackhill missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Arai might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

The ref stands the fighters back up. James Blackhill was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Good shot there by Blackhill.
Blackhill throws a right and a left that Arai avoids nicely.
A shot to the liver by Blackhill. Beautiful body shot.
Arai jabs at Blackhill's body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Blackhill dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Arai lands with an overhand left.
Nice jab there from Blackhill.
Blackhill slips under a jab.
Arai misses with an uppercut. Blackhill saw that one coming.
Blackhill avoids a punch combination nicely.
Arai looks to land a combination. Blackhill sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

Blackhill looking to score a takedown here. Arai is defending well but Blackhill drives through and ends up in Arai's guard.
Blackhill is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. James Blackhill was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Arai has managed to clinch.
Blackhill is trying to break the clinch but Arai has him pressed against the cage.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Blackhill takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Arai avoiding damage as Blackhill throws knees to the body.
Blackhill blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Arai can't find room to land a body shot as Blackhill controls the action.
Blackhill is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Arai is keeping busy.
Arai throws a head punch that misses.
Blackhill is trying to maintain a safe position but Arai gets an underhook and turns Blackhill into the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good body shot from Arai.
Arai avoids the elbow strike from Blackhill, against the cage.
Blackhill blocks a body shot from Arai.
Arai is trying to maintain a safe position but Blackhill gets an underhook and turns Arai into the cage.
Arai controlling the action here for a moment.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Arai swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Blackhill fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Blackhill trying to control the position but instead, Arai has worked for underhooks and has pushed Blackhill into the cage.
Arai lands with a light punch inside.
Arai lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Blackhill.
Blackhill wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Arai has him pressed against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Arai fails to land.
Arai lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Arai as Blackhill tries to tie him up.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Arai swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Arai as Blackhill tries to tie him up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arai works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Blackhill blocking some punches.
Arai throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Good body shot from Arai.
Arai working aggressively here.
Arai has a couple of punches blocked by Blackhill.
Arai just leaning against Blackhill, taking a breather.
Blackhill has had enough of the clinch but Arai keeps him there for the moment.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Arai scores with a shot to the side of Blackhill's head.
Blackhill is trying to stall.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jun Arai dominated that second round.
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. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Blackhill digs a good body shot into Arai's ribs.
Arai doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Arai avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Arai takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Blackhill stuns Arai with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Arai just misses with a punch to the body.
Arai avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Arai lands a lovely overhand right.
Blackhill lands a right hook to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Blackhill scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Blackhill looks to land a combination but Arai avoids it well.
Arai on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Arai takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Blackhill is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Arai rather than just go for the knockout.
Blackhill throws out a leg kick but Arai moves out of range and Blackhill only half commits.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blackhill scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Decent striking displayed by Arai there.
Arai swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Arai on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Blackhill dodges the punch combination from Arai.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Blackhill is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Arai's half guard.
Arai avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Blackhill.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Arai is trying to maintain the position but Blackhill is very close to passing his half guard.
Blackhill trying to control the pace.
Blackhill is looking to take a break and control but Arai is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blackhill takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Blackhill works his way into side control.
Blackhill is looking to take a break and control but Arai is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Arai knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Blackhill on the ground.
Check out the look on Blackhill's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Blackhill passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Arai!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blackhill avoids the attempt from Arai to control.
Blackhill controlling his opponent.
Blackhill is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Blackhill with a couple of short strikes.
Blackhill can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Arai is looking to escape.
Arai wants to hold on but Blackhill pushes him away.
Arai is bucking up trying to escape but Blackhill cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Blackhill content just to control the position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blackhill looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Blackhill looking to control and managing it successfully.
Blackhill has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Blackhill looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.

Arai is rocked!
James Blackhill has got the better of the ground game so far.
Blackhill lands a big shot there that rocks Arai but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Oh Arai is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Arai is trying to escape the mount.
Arai seems to have got his legs back now.
Blackhill controlling the pace for now.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Arai is squirming around, avoiding Blackhill's attempts to control the action.

And that's the end of the fight!
James Blackhill comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Blackhill 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 Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 28:29
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Blackhill!
A less than humble James Blackhill misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.