PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Serge Ibaka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and BJ Arnold (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ibaka comes to the cage accompanied by Eros Ramazzotti - Un'Emozione Per Sempre . On his way into the cage it seems that Serge Ibaka has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Serge Ibaka seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Ibaka
vs
Arnold

170 cm
27
143 lbs
18 - 0 - 0

154 cm
27
134 lbs
13 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Alcatraz Apparel
Atlantis

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 18 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Serge Ibaka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, BJ Arnold!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, David Hoff and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Arnold keeps Ibaka at a distance using the push kick.
Arnold avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Arnold steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Arnold jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Ibaka has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Arnold.
Ibaka tries to clinch there but Arnold circles away.
Arnold turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Ibaka tries to close the distance and clinch but Arnold swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Arnold let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Ibaka has been working on his boxing with his coaches at The GYM (20 elite coaches on the Island !!!) in the buildup to the fight.
Arnold keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ibaka tries to clinch
and Arnold counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Arnold throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ibaka lands a jab to the nose.
Arnold throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ibaka doesn't manage to clinch there - Arnold circles away.
Arnold throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Ibaka takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Arnold's coach down at The GYM (20 elite coaches on the Island !!!) was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Arnold's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arnold fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ibaka manages to avoid it.
Arnold buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Serge Ibaka seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Arnold swats away the attempt to clinch by Ibaka.
Ibaka moves in looking to clinch but Arnold pushes him off.
Arnold now looks to counter with a shot at the body.

Ibaka has Arnold up against the cage in a clinch.
A short body shot lands from Arnold as the two fighters clinch.
Ibaka tries to work over Arnold's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Arnold gets through Ibaka's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Arnold can't find room to land a body shot as Ibaka controls the action.
Arnold can't find room to land a body shot as Ibaka controls the action.
Arnold tries a body shot but Ibaka blocks it.
Arnold working aggressively here.
Ibaka digs a right hand into Arnold's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Arnold's gas tank.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Arnold blocks a body shot from Ibaka.

Arnold's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Arnold scores with a nice body kick.
Some bone on bone action there as Ibaka checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ibaka. Arnold does a little dance to reset his feet.
Arnold uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ibaka.
Arnold is looking for the big counter here.
Arnold lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

Ibaka moves into range and clinches up with Arnold.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Arnold scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A head punch on the inside from Ibaka fails to land.
Ibaka will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Ibaka scores with a shot to the side of Arnold's head.
A left hand lands to the body for Ibaka.
Ibaka working aggressively here.
Ibaka lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Arnold pushes Ibaka back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ibaka tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Arnold tries to work over Ibaka's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ibaka fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ibaka.
Ibaka tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Arnold gets through Ibaka's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Arnold tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ibaka misses with a punch to the body.
Ibaka tries to work over Arnold's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ibaka misses with a body punch.
Ibaka misses with a punch to the body.
Arnold tries to work over Ibaka's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Arnold struggles to land a body shot inside as Ibaka controls his hands.
Arnold tries to throw a body punch but Ibaka avoids it by throwing Arnold back against the cage.

Arnold breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ibaka tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A nice side step and Arnold releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ibaka tries to clinch up.
Arnold defending well as Ibaka loads up on a big left hand.
Arnold wants to slow Ibaka down by chopping away at his legs.
Ibaka keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ibaka tries to close the distance and clinch up but Arnold swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A countering left hand to the body from Arnold misses.
Arnold avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ibaka doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Arnold delivers a nice body kick.
Arnold keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ibaka.
A nice side step and Arnold releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Arnold works Ibaka's body with a nice hook.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Arnold tries to keep at a distance but Ibaka has taken the fight into the clinch.
Ibaka tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Arnold's elbow.
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.

Ibaka looks to clinch
and Arnold counters with a body kick that stops Ibaka in his tracks momentarily.
Ibaka tries to clinch there but Arnold circles away.

Ibaka rushes Arnold and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
A right hook to the body lands for Ibaka.
Arnold lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Ibaka lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Ibaka makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Ibaka misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ibaka misses with a hook to the ribs.
Ibaka goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Arnold has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Ibaka throws a punch but it's blocked by Arnold.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Arnold throws a punch but it's blocked by Ibaka.
Arnold tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Arnold lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Ibaka backwards.
Ibaka lands with a short shot to the head.
Ibaka tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arnold trying to land knees to the body.
Ibaka tries a body shot but Arnold blocks it.
Arnold tries a body shot but Ibaka blocks it.
Arnold lands a body punch in the clinch.
Arnold fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Arnold misses with some punches.
Arnold tries to work over Ibaka's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Arnold blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Arnold tries to work over Ibaka's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ibaka lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Serge Ibaka has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Ibaka misses with a hook from the clinch.
Arnold tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ibaka stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Arnold doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ibaka fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ibaka throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Arnolds head.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Ibaka misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Arnold on the inside.
Ibaka tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ibaka blocking some punches.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Ibaka.
Ibaka misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ibaka misses with the head strike.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Arnold tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Arnold missing with knees to the body.
Ibaka misses with a body punch.
Arnold misses with a body punch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Ibaka creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Arnold can't break the clinch.
Arnold misses with the head strike.
Arnold tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Arnold cracks Ibaka with a nice body shot.
Arnold lands a right hand.

Arnold pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ibaka tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Arnold counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Ibaka wants to clinch up but Arnold keeps it at a distance.
Ibaka is looking to clinch but Arnold is avoiding it.
Arnold unleashes a big counter combination but Ibaka bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Arnold misses with a wild body shot.
Ibaka scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Arnold looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Arnold tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ibaka was well out of range. Poor timing from Arnold.
Ibaka tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Arnold counters with a nice low kick that buckles Ibaka's knee momentarily.
Arnold misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Arnold takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ibaka tries to close the distance and clinch but Arnold swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arnold fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ibaka manages to avoid it.
Arnold tries to land a front kick but Ibaka steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Arnold circles away from the clinch attempt.
BJ Arnold seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ibaka tries to clinch but Arnold moves out of range.
Arnold tries a quick counter leg kick but Ibaka is wise to it.
Crunch! Arnold slams his shin into Ibaka's torso.
A slapping leg kick lands for Arnold.
Ibaka doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A jab lands there for Ibaka.
Ibaka is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ibaka looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ibaka moves away from the strike by Arnold.
Arnold cracks the inside of Ibaka's front leg.
Arnold circles away from the clinch attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but BJ Arnold will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Arnold ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Arnold flicks out a counter leg kick but Ibaka steps away.
Ibaka tries to clinch but Arnold is having none of it.
Ibaka throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Arnold counters with a slapping leg kick.
Arnold looks for the body kick but Ibaka saw that one coming.

Ibaka drives through and clinches with Arnold against the cage.
Ibaka misses with some punches.
Arnold tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ibaka misses with a shot to the kidneys.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Arnold.

Arnold manages to break the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Arnold looks to land a body kick but Ibaka moved away.
Ibaka swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Ibaka moves out of range of the body kick from Arnold.
Ibaka was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Arnold is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Ibaka rather than just go for the knockout.
Ibaka connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Arnold misses with a looping right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arnold circles away from the clinch attempt.
Arnold throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Ibaka counters with a right hand to the body.
Arnold throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Arnold lands a nice leg kick that just misses Ibaka's sensitive parts.
Ibaka closes the distance but Arnold moves to the side
and Arnold counters with a right hand to the body.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ibaka looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ibaka is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Arnold tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ibaka was well out of range. Poor timing from Arnold.
Ibaka tries to clinch up.
Arnold replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Ibaka blocks it well.
Ibaka throws a right hand that Arnold ducks under and follows up with a left that Arnold also avoids with ease.
Arnold pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Serge Ibaka has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
BJ Arnold is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Arnold misses with a body kick.
Arnold tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ibaka was well out of range. Poor timing from Arnold.
A slapping leg kick lands for Arnold.
Ibaka tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ibaka is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Arnold.
Arnold looks to throw a body kick
enabling Ibaka to counter with a crisp jab.
Arnold avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ibaka wants to clinch
and Arnold counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Arnold scores with a nice strike.
Arnold lands a nice looking kick to the body. Ibaka takes a step back to recover.
Ibaka on the wrong end of a kick to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ibaka sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
A thudding body kick lands there by Arnold!

Ibaka has closed the distance and engaged Arnold in a clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Arnold.
Ibaka throws a punch but it's blocked by Arnold.
Ibaka tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Arnold's elbow.
Ibaka stalling in the clinch but Arnold improves position.
Arnold tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Arnold lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Ibaka or not.
A short uppercut from Arnold.
Arnold misses with an elbow over the top.

Arnold pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Ibaka doesn't manage to clinch there - Arnold circles away.
Ibaka tries to clinch but Arnold is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arnold throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Arnold.
Ibaka misses with a body shot.
Arnold scores with a leg kick.
Ibaka is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Arnold thumps Ibaka with a low kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Arnold bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Ibaka gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
A solid body kick from Arnold.
Ibaka closes the distance looking to clinch
and Arnold counters with a lovely straight right hand!

And that's the end of the fight!
BJ Arnold comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Arnold winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Santiago Holmes scores the fight for BJ Arnold!
Judge David Hoff scores the fight for BJ Arnold!
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight for BJ Arnold!

BJ Arnold wins by unanimous decision!
After winning the bout, BJ Arnold thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.