PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Steve Areeno (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joey De Andreas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). De Andreas comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Rocky kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Joey De Andreas has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Steve Areeno's chin.

Areeno
vs
De Andreas

175 cm
29
155 lbs
18 - 13 - 0

175 cm
32
155 lbs
15 - 15 - 1

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Cardio machine

ADCC Champion
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Steve Areeno!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 15 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Joey De Andreas!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Areeno moves into range and clinches up with De Andreas.
Areeno misses with a knee to the head.
Areeno misses with an elbow over the top.
De Andreas has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Areeno after a bit of a struggle.
De Andreas has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Areeno avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Areeno tries a knee to the head but De Andreas blocks it.
Areeno creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through De Andreas's defenses.
Areeno lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Areeno lands an elbow inside.
De Andreas changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Areeno fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Steve Areeno has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joey De Andreas.
De Andreas doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Areeno cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
De Andreas shoots and misses
and Areeno counters with a good low kick that De Andreas was not able to check.
De Andreas has his takedown stuffed
and Areeno counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Areeno defends well against a solid takedown attempt from De Andreas.
Areeno tries to close the distance and clinch but De Andreas swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
This has been an exciting period of action!
De Andreas fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Areeno connects with an inside leg kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Areeno.
Areeno looks to land a left hand but De Andreas moved out of range nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Areeno throws a leg kick but De Andreas moved away.
Areeno lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
De Andreas tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Areeno swivels and escapes.
Areeno walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. De Andreas checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
De Andreas with a poor takedown

and Areeno moves into the clinch.
Areeno unloads a knee to the mid-section.
De Andreas looks winded!
Areeno lands a good knee to the midsection. De Andreas won't want to take too many of those.
De Andreas is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Areeno pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Areeno tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Areeno landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Areeno lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Areeno lands an elbow just above De Andreas 's eye.
Areeno is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
De Andreas has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Areeno after a bit of a struggle.
Areeno with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Areeno with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Areeno with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Areeno gets underhooks to prevent De Andreas's takedown attempt.
Areeno lands an elbow just above De Andreas 's eye.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Areeno throws a knee to the head but misses.
Areeno creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through De Andreas's defenses.
Areeno misses with a knee to the head.
De Andreas goes for a takedown attempt but Areeno pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
De Andreas with a lazy takedown attempt

and Areeno holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Areeno lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Areeno looking to throw knees to the head but De Andreas is blocking nicely.
Areeno landing knees to the head.
De Andreas is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Areeno unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Areeno with a knee to the head.
Areeno comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Areeno with a knee to the head.
Areeno tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and De Andreas avoids it.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Areeno.
Areeno lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Areeno lands a nice elbow.
Areeno lands an elbow just above De Andreas 's eye.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
De Andreas has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Areeno is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Areeno looks to throw an elbow but misses.
De Andreas changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Areeno fights it off and pushes away nicely.
De Andreas avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Areeno tries to land a leg kick but De Andreas saw it coming and moves away.
Areeno defends well against a solid takedown attempt from De Andreas.
De Andreas shoots for a takedown but Areeno saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Areeno is looking to clinch.
Areeno fakes a jab and throws a low kick but De Andreas checks it well.

Areeno closes the distance and clinches.

De Andreas lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Areeno is concentrating on defense, preventing De Andreas from advancing position.
Areeno is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of De Andreas's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take De Andreas's back!
De Andreas can't escape the position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Areeno is looking for the choke from the back position but De Andreas is controlling his hands well.

Areeno is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. De Andreas is defending well though. Areeno let's go of the attempt for now.
De Andreas takes a big shot to the side of the head.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
De Andreas fending off the submission attempt from Areeno.
De Andreas can't escape the position.

Areeno is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but De Andreas has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Areeno is trying to stick to De Andreas's back but De Andreas is turning into Areeno. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Areeno's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by De Andreas.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Areeno looking to control.
Areeno keeping moving, preventing De Andreas from controlling successfully.

Areeno escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. De Andreas gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Areeno dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

De Andreas will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Areeno throws a low kick but De Andreas avoids it.
Areeno is looking to clinch but De Andreas is avoiding it.
Areeno looks to clinch

and De Andreas counters with a shoot takedown. Areeno fights it but they end up in guard.
De Andreas is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Areeno not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Areeno looking for a guillotine here but De Andreas defends easily.
De Andreas chips away with some ground and pound.
Steve Areeno overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Areeno keeping moving, preventing De Andreas from controlling successfully.
De Andreas scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De Andreas wants to control from the top but Areeno keeps moving.

Areeno throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
De Andreas working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
De Andreas trying to control the position from guard on top but Areeno is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
De Andreas won't allow Areeno to sweep him here.
De Andreas trying to control the position from guard on top but Areeno is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Areeno not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
De Andreas throws a big right hand that misses.
De Andreas with a flurry of punches that miss.
Areeno preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Areeno wants to control the position but De Andreas says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Areeno taking some punishment here, with De Andreas in his half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Areeno works his way to full guard. Good work.
De Andreas throws a big elbow that misses.
De Andreas trying to control but Areeno is working from the bottom.

Areeno throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
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!
De Andreas chips away with some ground and pound.
De Andreas trying to control but Areeno is working from the bottom.
De Andreas working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Areeno's head.
De Andreas wants to control from the top but Areeno keeps moving.
De Andreas working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Areeno's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
De Andreas with a flurry of punches that miss.
De Andreas distracts Areeno with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Areeno working a defensive guard here.

De Andreas avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
De Andreas distracts Areeno with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Areeno looking to hit a scissor sweep but De Andreas is one step ahead there.
Areeno avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
De Andreas lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
De Andreas won't allow Areeno to sweep him here.
Areeno preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

De Andreas drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Areeno manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now De Andreas has Areeno in his guard.
Areeno wants to pass the guard but De Andreas is keeping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
De Andreas wants to sweep here but Areeno controlling him for the moment.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

De Andreas looking for subs off his back but Areeno has passed one foot through into half guard.
De Andreas tries to roll over but Areeno keeps him under control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Areeno is working for a kimura but De Andreas is defending it quite comfortably.
De Andreas wants to control but Areeno is keeping busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joey De Andreas 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!

De Andreas shoots for a double leg takedown but Areeno sprawls well. He's pushed De Andreas's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
The fight stays on the outside here - Areeno looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from De Andreas is defended easily by Areeno.
Areeno fails in his attempt to clinch.
De Andreas shoots in but no luck this time.
Steve Areeno has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joey De Andreas.
Areeno throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
De Andreas uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Areeno.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Areeno lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and De Andreas has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from De Andreas and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Areeno throws a shot to the body.
Areeno fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
De Andreas fails with the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De Andreas tries for a takedown but Areeno circles away easily

and Areeno holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
De Andreas takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
De Andreas avoids the elbow strike from Areeno, against the cage.
De Andreas managing to block the knees to the body from Areeno.
Areeno landing some nice looking knees to the body.
De Andreas blocks the elbow strike.
De Andreas drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Areeno gets the underhooks and prevents it.
De Andreas is working for takedown but Areeno is calmly controlling the position for now.
Areeno connects with a knee to the head.
Areeno lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Areeno gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from De Andreas.
De Andreas wants a takedown but no success here.
Areeno misses with a knee to the head.

De Andreas lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Areeno has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. De Andreas is working away from the top position though.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Areeno is trying to stand up here but De Andreas is controlling him well.
Areeno makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Areeno.
De Andreas prevents Areeno from getting back to his feet.
De Andreas postures up in Areeno's guard and throws a big left but Areeno blocks it.
Areeno looking to hit a scissor sweep but De Andreas is one step ahead there.

Areeno working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. De Andreas doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. De Andreas manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
De Andreas is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
De Andreas scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Areeno wants to sweep here but De Andreas controlling him for the moment.
De Andreas has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Areeno wants to stand up but De Andreas is controlling him.

Areeno has his foot on De Andreas's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. De Andreas works his way back into a safe position though.
De Andreas trying to control but Areeno is working from the bottom.
De Andreas working some strikes from top position.
De Andreas postures up and lands a big shot to Areeno's brow.
De Andreas scoring with punches to the head and body.

Areeno working for a triangle but De Andreas defends it easily.
De Andreas connects with a couple of short punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
De Andreas trying to control the position from guard on top but Areeno is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells De Andreas's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
De Andreas forces his way into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Areeno looking for submissions off his back.
Areeno is looking to escape.

De Andreas is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Areeno sees it coming and defends easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
De Andreas is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Areeno wants to control but De Andreas is keeping busy and won't allow it.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Joey De Andreas.
I think De Andreas 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joey De Andreas!
A relieved looking Joey De Andreas thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.