PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Arlovski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Raul Hughes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Arlovski comes into the arena with IF I DIE TONIGHT blaring out of the sound system. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Arlovski
vs
Hughes

190 cm
23
214 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

192 cm
18
275 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Improved boxing
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Convicted
Convicted

Convicted

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 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ivan Arlovski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Raul Hughes!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hughes slips a jab from Arlovski.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hughes looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hughes lands a glancing blow to the side of Arlovski's head.
A telegraphed right hand from Arlovski misses the target.
Hughes attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Hughes tries to close the distance and clinch but Arlovski swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hughes tries a low kick but Arlovski avoids it.
Hughes tries to clinch up but Arlovski circles away and keeps his distance.
Hughes lands a nice leg kick that just misses Arlovski's sensitive parts.
Hughes misses with a low kick.
Arlovski shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hughes but Hughes pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Hughes shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Arlovski keeps the fight on the outside.

Hughes closes the distance and clinches.
Arlovski lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Hughes wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Arlovski breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hughes connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Arlovski checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Hughes fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Arlovski.
Arlovski changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hughes tries to avoid it but Arlovski manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hughes to the ground. Hughes escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Hughes avoids a kick to the body.
Arlovski throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Hughes on the side of the head.
Hughes attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Arlovski loads up on a big right hand but Hughes slips the punch.
Hughes misses with a low kick as Arlovski jumps back.
Ivan Arlovski seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hughes moves in looking to clinch but Arlovski pushes him off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arlovski shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hughes as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Arlovski. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Arlovski scores with the left hand. Hughes knows he should have avoided that one.
Hughes tries to clinch there but Arlovski circles away.
Arlovski doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Arlovski swings for the body but Hughes moves out of range.
Hughes is looking to clinch but Arlovski is avoiding it.
Hughes does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Arlovski loads up on a big right hand but Hughes slips the punch.
Hughes shoots in looking for a takedown. Arlovski tries to sprawl out of it but Hughes keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Arlovski manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Hughes moves out of range as Arlovski strikes.
Hughes cracks Arlovski with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Arlovski fails to land with a series of punches.
Arlovski uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hughes.
Arlovski avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Hughes avoids the body shot from Arlovski.
Arlovski keeps the fight on the outside.
Arlovski throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Arlovski scores with a takedown into Hughes's guard.
Hughes is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Hughes tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hughes is looking to sweep but instead, Arlovski has passed into half guard.
Hughes controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Arlovski is looking to advance position but Hughes won't allow it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hughes wants to get back to his feet.

Arlovski is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Hughes is trying to maintain the position but Arlovski is very close to passing his half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Arlovski blocks a low kick nicely.
Hughes walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Arlovski checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Hughes wants to clinch up but Arlovski keeps it at a distance.
Hughes tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arlovski misses with a straight right.
Hughes drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Arlovski has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Arlovski there as he acknowledges the shot.
Arlovski connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Arlovski shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hughes as he avoids it easily.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Arlovski.
Hughes is looking for a sweep.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Arlovski wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hughes keeps working.
Hughes is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Arlovski misses with the ground and pound.
Arlovski scoring with punches from side control.
Arlovski works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Hughes manages to work his way to half guard, despite Arlovski's best efforts.
Hughes tries to get to full guard but Arlovski has control of the leg.
Arlovski is thwarting Hughes's attempts to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arlovski missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Arlovski lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Hughes trying to control from the bottom.
Arlovski thows a huge punch but Hughes dodges it nicely.
Arlovski is tying to control. Hughes wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Arlovski is working for a kimura but Hughes is defending it quite comfortably.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Hughes fails in his attempt to clinch.
Arlovski throws a big shot that misses.
Arlovski throws a jab but it's blocked by Hughes.
Hughes tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.

Hughes closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Hughes breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Arlovski shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Arlovski dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Arlovski swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hughes tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Arlovski paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Arlovski misses with a takedown attempt - Hughes sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Arlovski tries for a takedown but Hughes sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Hughes misses with a low kick.
Hughes attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Hughes keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Hughes misses with a takedown attempt - Arlovski sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Nice takedown defense from Arlovski. No joy for Hughes on that attempt.
Arlovski sizes up Hughes with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
A jab from Arlovski does it's job there.
Arlovski changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hughes tries to avoid it but Arlovski manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hughes to the ground. Hughes escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Arlovski. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hughes fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Arlovski checks a leg kick.
Hughes shoots in but no luck this time.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Arlovski here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Arlovski throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Arlovski shoots for a double leg takedown but Hughes sprawls well. He's pushed Arlovski's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Hughes scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Hughes looks for a takedown but Arlovski sprawls well.
Hughes shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Arlovski but Arlovski pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arlovski throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hughes swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Arlovski checks a leg kick nicely.
Hughes throws a low kick, looking for Arlovski's leg but Arlovski calmly moves out of range.
Arlovski avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Arlovski drives through with a takedown into guard.
Arlovski wants to pass the guard but Hughes is keeping the position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hughes throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Arlovski passes Hughes's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Arlovski content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Arlovski trying to control the action but Hughes is working from the bottom.
Arlovski trying to pass the guard but Hughes defending well.
Arlovski is thwarting Hughes's attempts to control the position.
Arlovski has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hughes has hold of Arlovski's hands but Arlovski slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Hughes trying to get back to full guard but Arlovski takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Arlovski lands a heavy elbow.
Hughes wants to control but Arlovski is having none of it.
Hughes gets back to half guard.
Arlovski is thwarting Hughes's attempts to control the position.
Hughes is looking to improve his position.

Arlovski wants to work for an arm triangle but Hughes is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arlovski landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Hughes wants to get back to full guard.
Arlovski not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Arlovski is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Hughes is just riding it out for now. Arlovski eventually gives up the hold.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Arlovski avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Hughes uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Arlovski.
A left lands for Arlovski.
Arlovski closes the distance and clinches up with Hughes, looking for a takedown. Arlovski pushes Hughes against the cage but Hughes circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Hughes connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Arlovski momentarily.
Hughes is looking to chop away at Arlovski's legs.
Hughes bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Hughes shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Arlovski as he jumps to the side.
Hughes throws a low kick but Arlovski avoids it.

Hughes drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arlovski thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Arlovski manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Hughes manages to get himself to full guard.
Hughes wants to stand up but Arlovski is controlling him.
Hughes not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Arlovski is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Hughes is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Hughes has escaped and now he's on top!
Hughes trying to control but Arlovski is working from the bottom.
Hughes 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.
Hughes trying to stand up but can't free himself from Arlovski's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Ivan Arlovski will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Hughes is looking to score with low kicks.
Arlovski gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Hughes takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Hughes walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Arlovski fails to land the takedown.
Hughes misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Hughes lands a nice shot to the body.
A bone on bone clash there as Arlovski blocks the leg kick.
Arlovski shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hughes pinned against the cage. Hughes gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A bone on bone clash there as Arlovski blocks the leg kick.
A combination from Arlovski does no damage.
Arlovski checks the leg kick nicely there.
Hughes slips a jab and a cross from Arlovski.
Arlovski lands a jab to Hughes's midsection.
Arlovski stuffs the takedown attempt from Hughes. Hughes gets slowly back to his feet.
Hughes keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Arlovski.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hughes tries for a takedown but Arlovski sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ivan Arlovski has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Raul Hughes.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Hughes.
Hughes takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Arlovski shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Arlovski throwing shots but Hughes is blocking nicely.
Arlovski is thwarting Hughes's attempts to control the position.
Hughes is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Hughes trying to control from the bottom.
Arlovski drops an elbow to the side of Hughes's head.
Arlovski tries to pass the half guard into mount. Hughes knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Arlovski sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Hughes defending well though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Arlovski wants to pass the guard but Hughes is defending well.
Hughes is trying to maintain the position but Arlovski is very close to passing his half guard.
Arlovski not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Arlovski throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Hughes bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Arlovski struggling a bit here.
Arlovski tries to improve position but can't.
Arlovski sneaks back into half guard.
Arlovski is staying active underneath Hughes, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Arlovski wants to get back to full guard.

Hughes seems to be looking for submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Arlovski manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Hughes throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Arlovski looking for a sweep. Not yet Arlovski, not yet.
Hughes trying to control but Arlovski is working from the bottom.
Hughes wants to pass the guard but Arlovski is keeping the position.
Ivan Arlovski overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Hughes gets caught flat footed, as Arlovski shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Raul Hughes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Arlovski in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hughes is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Hughes is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Arlovski is looking to work some ground and pound but Hughes has wrist control.
Arlovski postures up.
Hughes has control of Arlovski's left arm, preventing Arlovski from doing any damage.
Arlovski trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arlovski is in close to Hughes's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Hughes has Arlovski up against the cage in a clinch.
Hughes prevents the takedown attempt.
Hughes wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Arlovski fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Hughes avoids the elbow strike from Arlovski, against the cage.
Arlovski can't get the takedown.
Hughes tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Arlovski swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hughes has had enough of the clinch but Arlovski keeps him there for the moment.

Hughes breaks the clinch.
Hughes fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Arlovski is out of range.
Hughes throws a leg kick but Arlovski sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Hughes connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Hughes lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Arlovski throws a jab when Hughes was well out of range.
Hughes lands a nice hook to Arlovski's body. Arlovski takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Arlovski gets cracked there but stands up to it.
No luck for Hughes with that takedown attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ivan Arlovski showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Arlovski, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
Judge Suge Night scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ivan Arlovski!