PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Barry Arroyo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hone Huia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hone Huia will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Arroyo
vs
Huia

180 cm
24
210 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

190 cm
25
205 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Barry Arroyo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Hone Huia!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Micheangelo Fripello and Jeff Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Arroyo is defended easily by Huia.
Arroyo tries to score a power double leg takedown but Huia sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Arroyo somewhat.

Arroyo shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Arroyo was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Arroyo tries to advance to mount but Huia denies him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Arroyo trying to control the position but Huia is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Huia can't do much from the bottom here.
Huia tries to bench press Arroyo off him but Arroyo keeps the position.
Arroyo has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Huia!
Huia is in all sorts of trouble here.

Arroyo looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Arroyo wants to control the pace but Huia is squirming around nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Arroyo swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Huia is now in Arroyo's guard. A big mistake from Arroyo there, giving up the dominant position!
Huia sitting in guard, not really doing much.

Arroyo is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Huia trying to control the position from guard on top but Arroyo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Arroyo is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Huia is aware though and is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Huia preventing the sweep.
Arroyo trying to control the position.
Huia trying to control the position from guard on top but Arroyo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Arroyo has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Huia can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Huia trying to control the position from guard on top but Arroyo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Arroyo throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Arroyo is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Arroyo looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Huia trying to control the position from guard on top but Arroyo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Arroyo gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
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 Barry Arroyo will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A nice combination there by Huia.
Huia throws a right hand that Arroyo ducks under and follows up with a left that Arroyo also avoids with ease.
Barry Arroyo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Huia throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Arroyo was covering up waiting for the punch and Huia finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Huia won't allow Arroyo to sweep him here.

Huia avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Arroyo is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Huia is looking to stand up but Arroyo won't let him.

Arroyo looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Huia has picked Arroyo up and slammed him! Arroyo can't keep hold of the triangle and Huia manages to pass to side control!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arroyo tries to improve position but can't.
Arroyo manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Arroyo looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Arroyo is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Huia pulls his head out easily.
Arroyo wants to improve his position but Huia is controlling well.
Huia wants to pass the guard but Arroyo is defending well.
Arroyo wants to improve his position but Huia is controlling well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Arroyo won't allow Huia to pass to mount.
Arroyo trying to control here.
Arroyo is staying active underneath Huia, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Arroyo is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Huia gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Arroyo to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Huia trying to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Huia throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Arroyo is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Arroyo wants to control from the top but Huia keeps moving.
Arroyo pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Huia is keeping the position for now.
Huia trying to control the position.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

Huia looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Arroyo passes into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Arroyo trying to control the action but Huia is working from the bottom.
Huia manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Arroyo is trying to control but can't.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Arroyo is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Huia is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

Arroyo looking for submissions off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hone Huia showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Arroyo is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Arroyo looks for a takedown but Huia sprawls well.
Huia's coach down at Steel Penn/Heavy Hands Gym was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Huia's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Arroyo fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Huia avoids it really well and circles away.
Arroyo gets caught by a brutal right hook which buckles his knees! Arroyo tries to backpedal with his spaghettilegs but Huia is headhunting and goes for the kill. A jab and a right hook connect and Arroyo buckles badly as his eyes roll back. The referee steps in and saves Arroyo!! Arroyo is complaining but he was clearly out on his feet. Huia throws his mouthpiece into the crowd. Mmmm spit-tastic.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:25 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Hone Huia!
Barry Arroyo spoke after the fight, saying 'O you didn't know, I want to go again and next time I'm going to gator roll you and not let you come back up for air.'.