|
|
PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between BJ Arnold (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Serge Ibaka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ibaka has chosen Eros Ramazzotti - Un'Emozione Per Sempre as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!
 |
|
 |
| 154 cm
28
134 lbs
14 - 1 - 0 |
|
170 cm
28
143 lbs
20 - 1 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin |
|
Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank |
|
| |
|
Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
14 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, BJ Arnold!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
20 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Serge Ibaka!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Daniel Bishop and James Ackerman.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ibaka fails to land with a series of punches.
Ibaka tries to bum rush Arnold with a series of wild strikes but Arnold uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
It looked like Arnold wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Arnold throws a shot to the body.
That kick from Arnold tenderised Ibaka's leg. Ibaka is trying to keep his angry face on.
Ibaka tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Arnold finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Ibaka digs a good hook to Arnold's body.
Arnold has been working on his boxing with his coaches at The Dog House in the buildup to the fight.
Arnold connects with a leg kick. Ibaka looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ibaka tries to clinch up.
Arnold throws a body shot but no joy.
A nice side step and Ibaka releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Arnold takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Ibaka tries to clinch
and Arnold counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Arnold misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ibaka.
Arnold misses with a body kick.
Arnold connects with a leg kick. Ibaka looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Ibaka moves into the clinch successfully.
Ibaka misses with the head strike.
Ibaka takes a shot to the head.
Arnold breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Arnold throws a nice outside leg kick.
Arnold throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Arnold jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Arnold gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Ibaka needs to keep his hands up - Arnold had a free shot at his head there.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Ibaka crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Arnold - the referee stops the clock and Ibaka gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Arnold. Ibaka manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Arnold is looking to chop away at Ibaka's legs.
Ibaka tries to close the distance and clinch up but Arnold swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Ibaka loads up on a big right hand but Arnold slips the punch.
Ibaka gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Arnold blocks a body shot from Ibaka.
Ibaka tries to throw a body punch but Arnold avoids it by throwing Ibaka back against the cage.
Arnold breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ibaka throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Good leg kick by Arnold there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Arnold scores with a shot to the body.
Ibaka moves away from the strike by Arnold.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arnold lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Arnold avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ibaka doesn't manage to clinch there - Arnold circles away.
Arnold 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.
Arnold on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Ibaka tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Arnold lands a nice looking kick to the body. Ibaka takes a step back to recover.
Arnold throws a half hearted mid kick.
A solid leg kick lands there for Arnold.
Arnold loads up on a big right hand but Ibaka slips the punch.
Arnold lands a nice looking kick to the body. Ibaka takes a step back to recover.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arnold takes a swing at Ibaka's ribcage but misses.
Arnold throws out a powerful jab.
Ibaka throws a shot from downtown. Arnold moves away and avoids it.
Ibaka avoids the head kick by Arnold.
A slapping leg kick lands for Arnold.
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!
Arnold lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Ibaka at a distance.
Ibaka rushes Arnold and presses him up against the cage.
Ibaka swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Arnold tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ibaka scores with a nice hook to the head.
A nice right hand lands inside from Ibaka.
Arnold misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Good body shot from Arnold.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
BJ Arnold dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.
Arnold dodges the punch combination from Ibaka.
Arnold jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Ibaka connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Arnold momentarily.
Arnold goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
It seemed like Ibaka was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Ibaka avoids the body shot from Arnold.
BJ Arnold is winning the standup battle so far.
Ibaka takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Arnold lands a leg kick that knocks Ibaka off balance momentarily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Good leg kick by Arnold there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Ibaka cracks Arnold with a right hand to the side of the head.
Arnold throws a hook but Ibaka blocks it.
Arnold throws a leg kick
and Ibaka cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
That's one minute gone in the round.
A combination from Ibaka does no damage.
Arnold is looking to wear down Ibaka with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Arnold swings away with a body shot that misses
and Ibaka connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Arnold lands with a nice body kick.
Arnold throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Ibaka's head.
Ibaka throws a poor cross that misses
and Arnold counters with a nice low kick that buckles Ibaka's knee momentarily.
Ibaka's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Arnold keeps the fight on the outside.
Arnold throws a nice inside leg kick.
A slow jab from Ibaka misses its intended target.
Ibaka tries to clinch but Arnold moves out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ibaka looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Arnold throwing a counter right hand but Ibaka manages to avoid it.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ibaka ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Arnold moves away.
Crunch! Arnold slams his shin into Ibaka's torso.
Arnold turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Arnold finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Arnold tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ibaka has taken the fight to the clinch.
Arnold doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ibaka lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Ibaka has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Ibaka misses with a short punch on the inside.
Arnold struggles to land a body shot inside as Ibaka controls his hands.
Arnold blocking some punches.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Arnold swings wildly with an uppercut but Ibaka uses good head movement to avoid it.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ibaka blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Arnold struggles to land a body shot inside as Ibaka controls his hands.
Ibaka blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ibaka can't find room to land a body shot as Arnold controls the action.
Ibaka tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ibaka misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ibaka swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Arnold doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Arnold blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Arnold lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Ibaka struggles to land a body shot inside as Arnold controls his hands.
Arnold lands a shot to the body.
Serge Ibaka seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Arnold tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ibaka's elbow.
Ibaka misses with some punches.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arnold misses with a hook to the ribs.
Arnold goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Arnold tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A head punch on the inside from Arnold fails to land.
Ibaka pushes Arnold back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Ibaka tries to throw a body punch but Arnold avoids it by throwing Ibaka back against the cage.
Arnold throws a punch but it's blocked by Ibaka.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Arnold.
Arnold tries to land knees in the clinch but Ibaka avoids the damage to the body.
Arnold breaks from the clinch.
Arnold 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.
Arnold throws a push kick but Ibaka slaps the foot to one side.
Ibaka tries to clinch up but Arnold circles away and keeps his distance.
Ibaka misses with a looping right.
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 BJ Arnold will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!
Ibaka moves out of range of the body kick.
Arnold scores with a leg kick.
Good leg kick by Arnold there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Ibaka wants to clinch up but Arnold keeps it at a distance.
Arnold misses with a leg kick.
Arnold misses with a wild body shot.
Ibaka lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
A nice leg kick lands there from Arnold.
The fighters circle momentarily. Ibaka darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ibaka tries to clinch up.
Arnold lands with a nice body kick.
Ibaka is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Ibaka is looking to clinch but Arnold is avoiding it.
Arnold misses with a wild body shot.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Ibaka displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Arnold throws out the jab.
A solid leg kick lands there for Arnold.
Ibaka pushes Arnold up against the cage in a clinch.
Nice body punch from Ibaka - that landed with a thud.
Arnold blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ibaka prevents a body shot from Arnold.
Ibaka presses Arnold against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Ibaka lands with a light punch inside.
Arnold blocks a body shot from Ibaka.
Ibaka misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ibaka has a couple of punches blocked by Arnold.
Arnold misses with a short punch on the inside.
Arnold misses with the head strike.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Arnold lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Ibaka or not.
Arnold throws a punch but it's blocked by Ibaka.
Ibaka lands with a short shot to the head.
Ibaka on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Arnold lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Ibaka has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Arnold.
A shot in the inside from Ibaka.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Arnold tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ibaka misses with a hook to the ribs.
A right hook to the body lands for Ibaka.
Ibaka doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Arnold blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Arnold fails to land.
Ibaka misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ibaka lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Ibaka works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Arnold tries a body shot but Ibaka blocks it.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ibaka doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ibaka displaying some good clinch control by pressing Arnold up against the cage.
Arnold misses with a hook to the ribs.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Arnold.
Ibaka lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Arnold or not.
Arnold goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ibaka misses with some punches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Arnold.
Ibaka works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Arnold tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Arnold throws a punch but it's blocked by Ibaka.
Ibaka tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ibaka prevents a body shot from Arnold.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arnold is working Ibaka over against the cage.
Arnold blocks a body shot from Ibaka.
Arnold misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ibaka lands a body shot in the clinch.
Arnold tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ibaka's elbow.
Ibaka softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Ibaka scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Arnold lands a hook to the side of the head.
Arnold blocks an uppercut.
Ibaka lands a shot to the body.
Ibaka can't find room to land a body shot as Arnold controls the action.
Ibaka has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Arnold seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Ibaka can turn it around.
Arnold misses with a short punch on the inside.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Arnold misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ibaka tries to work over Arnold's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ibaka is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close third round but Serge Ibaka just about did enough to take it.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.
Ibaka moves in looking to clinch but Arnold pushes him off.
Arnold turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Arnold looks to score with a jab to the body but Ibaka is just out of range.
Ibaka fails to land with a series of punches.
Ibaka checks the leg kick nicely there.
It seemed like Ibaka was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Arnold throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Ibaka tests Arnold's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Ibaka takes the fight into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Arnold misses with a punch to the body.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Ibaka misses with some punches.
Ibaka throws a punch but it's blocked by Arnold.
Ibaka prevents a body shot from Arnold.
Ibaka misses with a hook to the ribs.
A shot in the inside from Ibaka.
Ibaka throws a head punch that misses.
Ibaka throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Arnolds head.
Arnold swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Arnold digs a right hand underneath Ibaka's ribcage. Ibaka let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Arnold can't find room to land a body shot as Ibaka controls the action.
Ibaka misses with a body punch.
Ibaka lands a hook that snaps the head of Arnold backwards.
Ibaka blocks a body shot from Arnold.
Arnold wants to break the clinch but can't.
Ibaka misses with a punch to the body.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ibaka swings wildly with an uppercut but Arnold uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ibaka lands a shoulder strike.
Ibaka lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Arnold backwards.
Arnold tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ibaka's elbow.
Ibaka blocks an elbow strike from Arnold.
Arnold scores with a shoulder strike.
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!
Arnold is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Ibaka is defending well for now.
Ibaka fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ibaka misses with a punch to the body.
Arnold tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Arnold misses with some punches.
Arnold lands with a short shot to the head.
Ibaka tries to throw a body punch but Arnold avoids it by throwing Ibaka back against the cage.
A left hand lands to the body for Ibaka.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ibaka tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Arnold's elbow.
Arnold misses with a body punch.
Ibaka tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Arnold's elbow.
Ibaka doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Arnold prevents a body shot from Ibaka.
Ibaka misses with some punches.
Ibaka misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ibaka swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ibaka misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ibaka tries a body shot but Arnold blocks it.
A nice left hand lands by Arnold.
Ibaka tries to work over Arnold's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Arnold blocks a body shot from Ibaka.
Ibaka doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ibaka blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ibaka has a couple of punches blocked by Arnold.
Ibaka is trying to stall.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Arnold creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Ibaka lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Arnold backwards.
Ibaka misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ibaka leaning against his opponent.
A short right from Ibaka.
Arnold lands a nice uppercut.
Ibaka throws a head punch that misses.
Ibaka goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ibaka misses with a shot to the kidneys.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ibaka misses with a hook to the ribs.
Arnold prevents a body shot from Ibaka.
Arnold doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Serge Ibaka dominated that fourth round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Arnold.
Arnold lands with a nice body kick.
Ibaka tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Ibaka looks to land a combination but Arnold avoids it well.
Ibaka is looking to clinch.
Arnold swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ibaka moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Arnold swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Ibaka.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Arnold throws a front kick that sends Ibaka stumbling back into the cage.
Arnold misses with a jab to the body
and Ibaka counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ibaka takes one on the button.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Ibaka darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Ibaka tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Arnold paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Arnold thumps Ibaka with a low kick.
Ibaka tries to close the distance and clinch up but Arnold swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Arnold keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Arnold tries to keep at a distance but Ibaka has taken the fight into the clinch.
Arnold struggles to land a body shot inside as Ibaka controls his hands.
Arnold blocks a body shot from Ibaka.
Arnold's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Arnold throws a leg kick but Ibaka moved away.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ibaka has Arnold up against the cage in a clinch.
Ibaka scores with a nice hook to the head.
Ibaka swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ibaka taking a breather.
Arnold swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ibaka tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A right hook to the body lands for Arnold.
Arnold lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Ibaka or not.
Ibaka throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Arnolds head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ibaka misses with a punch on the inside.
Arnold misses with a punch on the inside.
Arnold blocks an uppercut.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Ibaka.
Ibaka throws a head punch that misses.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ibaka tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A right hand to the body from Arnold.
Ibaka misses with a hook from the clinch.
Arnold doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
With the fighters up against the cage, Arnold throws an elbow but misses.
Ibaka tries to throw a body punch but Arnold avoids it by throwing Ibaka back against the cage.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Ibaka tries a body shot but Arnold blocks it.
Ibaka misses with a punch to the body.
Arnold tries to land a knee to the head but Ibaka blocks with his arms.
Ibaka prevents a body shot from Arnold.
Arnold digs a right hand into Ibaka's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Ibaka's gas tank.
Ibaka misses with the head strike.
Ibaka blocks a body shot from Arnold.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Arnold.
Ibaka lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Arnold escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Arnold scores with a sloppy right hand. Ibaka should have avoided that one.
Ibaka lands a lovely overhand right.
Ibaka fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Arnold manages to avoid it.
Arnold tries to land a leg kick but Ibaka saw it coming and moves away.
Ibaka looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Ibaka moves out of range as Arnold throws a body kick.
Ibaka moves in looking to clinch but Arnold pushes him off.
Ibaka is looking to clinch but Arnold is avoiding it.
Arnold throws a push kick but Ibaka slaps the foot to one side.
And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to BJ Arnold.
I think Arnold has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.
Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 48:47
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 48:47
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 48:47
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... BJ Arnold!
BJ Arnold is the new bantamweight champion!
BJ Arnold seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
|
S |
C |
G |
|
energy
A | B |
|
hype
A | B |
|
pop
A | B |
|
mgr
A | B |
|
FIGHT
RATING
53% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
