PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between King Hippo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ara Givi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ara Givi is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Hippo
vs
Givi

200 cm
22
285 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

225 cm
28
300 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Solid chin

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, King Hippo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ara Givi!
The judges for this bout are Ron Honeybunn, Steve Erwin and Winston Howard.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Givi misses with a two punch combination.
A slow jab from Givi misses its intended target.
Givi throws a leg kick but Hippo sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Givi throws a body punch but Hippo moves out of range.
Givi works over Hippo's head and body with a nice combination.

It looks like King Hippo has been cut.
Givi misses with a looping right.
Givi fails with the takedown
and Hippo counters with a left and a right that stings Givi.
Givi fails with an attempt to clinch.
No joy there for Givi, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Givi shoots in looking for a takedown but Hippo manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Givi's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Hippo appears to be looking for a big counter.
Hippo slaps away a takedown attempt from Givi, before circling back to the center of the mat.
King Hippo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ara Givi.
Givi fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Givi tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hippo throwing a counter right hand but Givi manages to avoid it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A low kick from Givi is predictable there
and Hippo counters with a left and a right that stings Givi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hippo keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hippo tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Givi manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Givi throws out a counter right but Hippo avoids it with no problem.
Hippo stalks Givi and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Givi's face. Givi staggers backwards, shaken.

It looks like Ara Givi has been cut.
Givi tries to score a power double leg takedown but Hippo sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Givi somewhat.
Givi looks winded!
Givi looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Hippo throws a body shot but no joy.
Jab by Hippo.
Hippo misses with the combination.
Hippo looks to land a combination but Givi avoids it well.
Hippo blocks a head kick by Givi.
It looked like Hippo was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hippo swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Givi tries a head kick but it misses.
Givi fails to land the takedown.
Hippo throws a counter high kick but Givi was just alert enough to avoid it.
Ara Givi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Givi fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Hippo avoids it really well and circles away.
Hippo scores with a one two! Givi had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Givi avoids a kick to the body.
Givi shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hippo as he avoids it easily.
As Givi looks to move away, Hippo throws a big counter combo bu Givi just gets out of the way.
Hippo looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Givi shoots for a takedown but Hippo saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Hippo throws a push kick but Givi slaps the foot to one side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hippo is looking to land body kicks.
Givi shoots in looking for a takedown but Hippo manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Givi's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Hippo swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Givi darts in looking for a takedown but Hippo gets double underhooks and turns Givi into the cage.

Hippo shoots in and bounces Givi off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Givi is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Hippo keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Givi's head.
Hippo cracks Givi with a solid left hand.
Hippo is looking to stand up but Givi won't let him.

Givi escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hippo gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Givi had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Hippo defends it easily.
Our spies down at at The Iron Works $500 Elite Coaches inform us that Givi has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Givi trying to strike off his back.
Hippo postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Givi is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! Hippo rolls with it to try and escape but Givi cranks on the arm and Hippo is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:47 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Ara Givi!
A victorious Ara Givi thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.