PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Renato Arbani (ranked 2980 p4p, 5487 weight class) and Jace Michaels (ranked 178 p4p, 269 weight class). Renato Arbani has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Arbani
vs
Michaels

152 cm
28
136
16 - 4 - 0

180 cm
18
135
5 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Experienced

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Knockout power

Dangerous Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Renato Arbani!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jace Michaels!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Bruno Hogan and Francis DeMontford.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Arbani closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Arbani misses with the head strike.

Michaels lands a takedown into guard.
Michaels is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Michaels thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Michaels drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Michaels jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Arbani wants to stand but Michaels is controlling the position.

Michaels drops back looking for a leg! Arbani is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Arbani manages to kick Michaels off! Michaels jumps back into Arbani's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Michaels drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Michaels jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Michaels is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Arbani might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Michaels won't allow Arbani to get back to his feet.

Michaels drops back looking for a leg! Arbani is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Arbani manages to kick Michaels off! Michaels jumps back into Arbani's guard.
Arbani is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Arbani moves into range and clinches up with Michaels.

Michaels has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Arbani regains guard immediately.

Arbani has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Michaels has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Arbani swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Arbani tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Michaels.

Michaels has hold of one of Arbani's legs. Arbani is fighting the takedown attempt but Michaels gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.

Arbani pushes Michaels off and gets back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Michaels shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Arbani napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Michaels is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Arbani knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Arbani is trying to buck Michaels off.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arbani trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

Michaels tries for a kimura but Arbani is defending well.

Michaels tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Michaels has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Arbani is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Michaels has just dragged him back down to the mat.

Michaels wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Arbani, who protects the arm well.
Arbani wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Michaels is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Arbani knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Arbani is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Michaels has just dragged him back down to the mat.

Michaels tries for a kimura but Arbani is defending well.
Arbani tries to escape but Michaels is in control.

Michaels wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Arbani, who protects the arm well.

Michaels is trying to get an arm triangle but Arbani is defending well.
Arbani is pushing Michaels's head away, looking to escape. Michaels manages to hold on to the position though.

Michaels thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jace Michaels will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Arbani has Michaels up against the cage in a clinch.

Michaels lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Michaels prevents Arbani from standing back up.

Michaels is looking for a kimura here.
Arbani looks like he's trying to stand up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Michaels is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Arbani defends it well.
Arbani is trying to stand back up but Michaels is controlling him

That's one minute gone in the round.

Michaels is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Michaels prevents Arbani from standing back up.

Michaels seems to be working for a kimura but Arbani defends the submission attempt.

Michaels is working for a submission of some sort.

Michaels is working for a kimura but Arbani is defending it quite comfortably.
Arbani is trying to stand back up but Michaels is controlling him

Michaels is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Michaels stops Arbani from getting back to his feet.
Jace Michaels has got the better of the ground game so far.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Arbani misses with the head strike.

Michaels has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Arbani is trying to keep an underhook but Michaels manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Arbani is trying to stand.

Michaels seems to be working for a kimura but Arbani defends the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Michaels is working for a kimura but Arbani is defending it quite comfortably.
Michaels prevents Arbani from standing back up.

Michaels is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Michaels is working for a kimura but Arbani is defending it quite comfortably.
Arbani wants to get back to his feet.

Michaels is trying to work for a kimura but Arbani is defending well.
Arbani is looking to escape.

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.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Michaels wants to free his trapped foot but Arbani is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Michaels is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Arbani pushes Michaels off looking to stand but Michaels dives back in and keeps control.

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

Arbani clinches up with Michaels and pushes him back against the cage.
Arbani throws a punch but it's blocked by Michaels.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Arbani swings wildly with an uppercut but Michaels uses good head movement to avoid it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jace Michaels showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Michaels drives through with a takedown into Arbani's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Arbani is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Michaels is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Michaels won't allow Arbani to get back to his feet.

Michaels is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Michaels drops back looking for a leg! Arbani is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Arbani manages to kick Michaels off! Michaels jumps back into Arbani's guard.

Arbani kicks Michaels off and gets to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Arbani moves into the clinch.

Michaels has Arbani pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Michaels pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Arbani tumbling to the mat - Michaels dives into Arbani's guard.
Michaels won't allow Arbani to get back to his feet.

Michaels is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Arbani pushes Michaels off and scrambles back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Arbani closes the distance and pushes Michaels back into the cage.

Michaels is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Arbani can't fight it off and eventually Michaels manages to take the fight to the floor. Arbani looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Arbani is looking to stand up but Michaels isn't so interested in that idea.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Arbani manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.

Michaels is trying to trip Arbani. He has hold of a leg but Arbani is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Michaels persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Michaels won't allow Arbani to get back to his feet.

Michaels is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Michaels prevents Arbani from getting back to his feet.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Michaels looking to pass the guard.
Michaels prevents Arbani from getting back to his feet.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Arbani rushes Michaels and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Arbani fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Michaels blocks an uppercut.

That's four 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.
Michaels blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Arbani swings wildly with an uppercut but Michaels uses good head movement to avoid it.

Michaels has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Arbani is trying to keep an underhook but Michaels manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Renato Arbani has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Michaels is trying to work for a kimura but Arbani is defending well.

Arbani is defending against the submission attempts here by Michaels.

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 Renato Arbani.
I think Michaels 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 29:28
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 29:29
Judge Francis DeMontford scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!