PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bruno Aires (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and William Arrol (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Aires
vs
Arrol

188 cm
29
205 lbs
23 - 11 - 1

192 cm
35
218 lbs
27 - 3 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Hellbent
KAISER Nutrition - Q160/$250

Zenith Nutrition (160q/225$)
Lion Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 11 - 1, fighting out of New York, Bruno Aires!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, William Arrol!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Taro Takaoka and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Aires swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Arrol only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Arrol throws a low kick but it's checked well by Aires.
Arrol has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Aires finds it's way round the side to connect with Arrol's head.
Aires blocks a leg kick.
Arrol takes a swing at Aires's ribcage but misses.
Arrol tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Aires is able to avoid easily.
Aires uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Arrol.
Good leg kick by Arrol there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Aires swings away with a leg kick that misses.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Arrol! But no joy.
Arrol lands a nice shot that snaps Aires's head back.
William Arrol seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Arrol lands with a hook. Aires tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Arrol checks a leg kick.
Aires looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Arrol tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Aires is able to avoid easily.
Aires throwing a counter right hand but Arrol manages to avoid it.
Aires throws the left hand but Arrol avoids the punch easily.
Aires pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aires throws an off balance right hand
and Arrol counters with an outside leg kick.
Aires ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Arrol moves away.
Arrol throws out a counter right but Aires avoids it with no problem.
Arrol slips under a jab.
Aires bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Arrol thumps Aires with a low kick.
Horrible takedown attempt by Aires or perhaps it was just good defense by Arrol, which made it look bad.
Arrol slaps away a takedown attempt from Aires, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bruno Aires. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Arrol misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Aires.
Aires misses with a series of wild punches.
Aires throws a leg kick but Arrol moved away.
Arrol thuds a left hand into Aires's body.
Arrol lands a nice leg kick that just misses Aires's sensitive parts.
Arrol moves away from the strike by Aires.
It seemed like Arrol was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Arrol comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Aires slips under a jab.
Aires takes one to the chin there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Arrol missing with a left hand there. Aires was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Aires throwing a counter right hand but Arrol manages to avoid it.
Arrol connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
A big right from Aires misses.
Aires throws a shot from downtown. Arrol moves away and avoids it.

Aires is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Arrol's half guard.
Arrol is looking to improve his position.
Aires is trying to control the action in half guard but Arrol is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Arrol is positioning himself well to prevent Aires advancing to mount.
Nice strikes from Aires there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arrol wants to get back to full guard.
Aires is controlling the pace.
Aires not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Aires looks to land a strike but Arrol avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Arrol pulls Aires in to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Arrol is on top in guard.

Arrol slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Arrol is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Aires has escaped the position, nice work there.
Arrol working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aires tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Aires regains half guard.
Aires is looking for a sweep. Arrol is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Arrol wants to pass the guard but Aires is defending well.
Aires is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Renegade Training Center, so we'll see if he gets out of it.

Arrol is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Aires sees it coming and defends easily.
Aires controlling the position for now.
Arrol wants to lay and pray for a moment but Aires keeps working.
Aires moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

William Arrol dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Arrol displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Aires throws out the jab.
Arrol swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Arrol lands an overhand right.
Aires ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Aires pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Good leg kick by Arrol there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Good standup being displayed there by Aires as he connects with a hook.
William Arrol seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Arrol with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Aires checks a leg kick nicely.
Aires slips a jab and a cross from Arrol.
Aires is looking to counter punch.
Aires defending well as Arrol loads up on a big left hand.
A jab from Aires misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aires has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Aires there as he acknowledges the shot.
Aires lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
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!
Aires tries to land a front kick but Arrol steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
No joy there for Arrol, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Aires drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aires is in close to Arrol's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Aires is in close to Arrol's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Aires trying to control the position from guard on top but Arrol is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Arrol avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Aires scoring with punches to the head and body.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Arrol is on top in guard.

Arrol trying to control but Aires is working from the bottom.
Aires trying to control the position.
Bruno Aires overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Arrol wants to control from the top but Aires keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Arrol is looking to pass into half guard but Aires pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Aires is in guard.

Aires postures up.
Aires is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Arrol looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Aires is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Arrol 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.
Aires is in close to Arrol's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Arrol wants to sweep but no luck.
Aires scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arrol seems keen to control Aires's posture.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Aires's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Arrol controlling the position.
Aires chips away with some ground and pound.
Arrol pulls Aires in to control the position.
Aires landing some decent shots from guard.
Arrol is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Aires scoring with some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aires wants to control from the top but Arrol keeps moving.
Aires stands and throws Arrol's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Arrol is trying to control Aires's posture but Aires avoids it.
Aires scoring with punches from side control.
Arrol struggling a bit here.
Aires in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.

Aires is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Arrol is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Aires tries for a kimura but Arrol is defending well.
Arrol gets back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bruno Aires dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Aires throws the left hand but Arrol avoids the punch easily.
Arrol throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Arrol scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Aires lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Arrol slaps away a takedown attempt from Aires, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Arrol is looking to chop away at Aires's legs.
A telegraphed right hand from Arrol misses the target.
Aires misses with a wild body shot.
Aires avoids the head kick by Arrol.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Arrol tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Aires was well out of range. Poor timing from Arrol.
Aires throws a chopping leg kick but Arrol manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Arrol misses with an uppercut.
Aires tries to move into range but Arrol moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Aires avoids the head kick by Arrol.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aires scores with a hook to the body. Arrol takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Aires pushes Arrol away with a front kick.
Aires throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
A chopping leg kick lands by Arrol.
Arrol throws a leg kick that misses.
Arrol loads up on a big right hand but Aires slips the punch.
Aires slips a straight right by Arrol.
Decent striking displayed by Arrol there.
Arrol misses with a hook
and Aires counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Arrol thinking.
Aires throws a looping overhand right but Arrol ducks down to avoid it.
Aires moves out of range as Arrol strikes.
Aires tests Arrol's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Arrol throws a looping overhand right but Aires ducks down to avoid it.
Arrol throws a jab when Aires was well out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Arrol thuds a left hand into Aires's body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Aires throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Arrol sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Aires throws a jab when Arrol was well out of range.
Arrol swings for the body but Aires moves out of range.
Arrol throws a head kick but Aires moves out of range.
Arrol misses with an uppercut
and Aires counters with a two punch combo.
Aires chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Arrol can pounce on him.
Aires scores with a sloppy right hand. Arrol should have avoided that one.
Aires bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Arrol stuffs the takedown attempt from Aires. Aires gets slowly back to his feet.
Aires just misses with a punch to the body.
Arrol scores with a nice strike.
Arrol throws a leg kick but Aires sees it coming and moves out of range.
William Arrol is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aires shoots in looking for a takedown. Arrol tries to sprawl out of it but Aires keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Arrol manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bruno Aires. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Arrol takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Arrol throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
A jab from Aires misses.
Arrol lands with an overhand left.
Arrol throws a sloppy body shot
enabling Aires to counter with a crisp jab.
Aires gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Aires on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Arrol lands with a slapping head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A cross from Aires lands.
Arrol scores with a punch to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Arrol throws a low kick but Aires avoids it.
Arrol shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Aires darts in looking for a takedown but Arrol gets double underhooks and turns Aires into the cage.
Aires is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Arrol lands with a good body shot.
Aires misses with a hook.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Arrol.
Aires walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Arrol throws a leg kick but Aires checks it.
Aires misses the shot to the body.
Aires tries for a takedown but Arrol sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Good leg kick by Aires there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
The crowd cheers as Aires lands an impressive looking overhand right. Arrol doesn't seem phased though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

William Arrol really dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Aires tests Arrol's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Aires keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Aires smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Arrol drops his hands momentarily and Aires takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Aires throws an overhand right that lands on Arrol's shoulder, as Arrol tries to avoid the shot.
Arrol lands a lovely overhand right.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Arrol.
Aires closes this distance looking for a takedown but Arrol circles away.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Arrol checks a leg kick.
Aires avoids the body shot from Arrol.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aires shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Arrol as he jumps to the side.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Aires 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 Arrol has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Arrol and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Aires throws a shot from downtown. Arrol moves away and avoids it.
Arrol only half commits to the counter leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aires fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Arrol manages to avoid it.
Arrol moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Arrol fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Aires is out of range.
Aires looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Arrol works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Aires displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Arrol throws out the jab.
Aires blocks a head kick by Arrol.
Aires appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Arrol tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Aires was well out of range. Poor timing from Arrol.
Aires moves out of range as Arrol strikes.
Aires ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Arrol scores with a hook.

Aires shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Aires showed some decent athleticism there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Aires seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Arrol tries to get to full guard but Aires has control of the leg.
Arrol is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Aires's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Aires's back!
Arrol has the hooks in. Aires is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Arrol not allowing Aires to control his hands.
Aires is in bad spot here.

Arrol looking for the choke from the back.
Aires is in bad spot here.
Aires turns into Arrol and is now in his guard.
Aires scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Arrol is on top in guard.

Arrol trying to control but Aires is working from the bottom.
Arrol trying to stand up but can't free himself from Aires's guard.
Aires wants to sweep here but Arrol controlling him for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Aires controls Arrol momentarily but Arrol frees himself.
Arrol is looking to stand up but Aires won't let him.
Aires 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.
Arrol stands and throws Aires's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Aires wants to control but Arrol postures up.
Aires is looking for a sweep.
Arrol in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Arrol tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.

Arrol looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

William Arrol dominated that fourth round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Arrol walks into a left hand.
Aires throws a lazy right hand but Arrol sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Arrol looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Aires takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Arrol misses with a low kick.
Arrol slaps away a takedown attempt from Aires, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Aires connects with a crisp jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Arrol fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Aires manages to avoid it.
Aires is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Arrol.
Arrol throws a body punch but Aires moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arrol thuds a left hand into Aires's body.

Aires closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Arrol's guard.
Arrol managing to control the position.
Arrol controls Aires momentarily but Aires frees himself.
Arrol wants to sweep here but Aires controlling him for the moment.
Arrol bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Aires's guard.

Arrol controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Arrol wants to stand but Aires is controlling his posture from full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Aires is on top in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Arrol wants to sweep but no luck.
Arrol wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Arrol is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Aires wants to pass the guard but Arrol is keeping the position.
Bruno Aires has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aires throws a big elbow that misses.
Arrol controlling the position.
Aires connects with a couple of short punches.
Arrol looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Aires scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Arrol trying to control the position.
Arrol 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.
Aires landing with the ground and pound.
Arrol looking to control.
William Arrol is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Aires trying to control the position from guard on top but Arrol is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aires distracts Arrol with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Aires being controlled here momentarily.
Aires lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Arrol has momentary wrist control but Aires slips an elbow through the middle.
Aires connects with a couple of short punches.
Aires throws a big right hand that misses.
Arrol trying to control the position here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bruno Aires showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Arrol 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 47:48
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 47:48
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... William Arrol!
William Arrol is the new light heavyweight champion!
William Arrol took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, Zenith Nutrition (160q/225$) for their support in the buildup to the fight.