Arona vs. Blaydes

[The Sandmen]

Ricardo Arona is calm in his corner. He looks convinced of his abilities.
Curtis Blaydes looks like he has been waiting for this fight forever.
This is the first time they meet inside the cage
It's hard to say who will be winning this fight. The specialized media doesn't have a favourite either.
The referee of the bout is Josh Rosenthal.

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Round 1
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Arona and Razor move forward as the bell signals the beginning of the fight!


Curtis Blaydes shoots for a double leg takedown!
He hits it! Ricardo Arona is taken off his feet, but he manages to pull Razor into his guard.
Arona ribs are getting hammered, they look bad!


Curtis Blaydes is in closed guard over Arona
Arona measures the resilience of Razor's ribs with a couple of big punches from guard.
Razor blocks the hits as he works on the ground.
Arona misses a step and Curtis Blaydes sees an opportunity to counter him!
Curtis Blaydes positions himself and launches a barrage of punches.
Curtis Blaydes is in full mount and his punches are hitting hard Arona's ribs
Ricardo Arona seems hurt! He stumbles backwards and he's an easy target for Curtis Blaydes!


Curtis Blaydes is in full mount over Ricardo Arona
Razor knows his opponent is groggy and begins a relentless rain of punches!
Ricardo Arona is having a nightmare! Josh Rosenthal watches for the moment he has to end this!
There is a small laceration on Ricardo Arona's Left eye
Arona seems a bit groggy... his movements are not very coordinated now.


The clock says 0:45 in the 1 round
Curtis Blaydes is in full mount over Ricardo Arona
Ricardo Arona tries to roll to his side and trap Curtis Blaydes in his guard...
Curtis Blaydes keeps good control and remains in full mount.


Curtis Blaydes is in full mount over Ricardo Arona
Razor positions himself for a round of ground and pound and tries to finish the fight with some precise elbows!
One, two, three! Arona's being punished here!


Curtis Blaydes is in full mount over Ricardo Arona
Arona is using some of his ground skills to escape from this...
Curtis Blaydes pushes Ricardo Arona down and prevents his attempts to escape


The clock says 1:15 in the 1 round
Curtis Blaydes is in full mount over Ricardo Arona
Ricardo Arona tries to roll to his side and trap Curtis Blaydes in his guard...
Curtis Blaydes keeps good control and remains in full mount.


Curtis Blaydes is in full mount over Ricardo Arona
Ricardo Arona doesn't want to continue the fight in this position and tries to get back on his feet
He moves fast and now he is standing
Josh Rosenthal halts the fight to stand up Ricardo Arona. The fight resumes with both fighters standing.
Both fighters continue the fight on their feet. You can hear how the people agree with that decision.


Arona moves forward looking for some action
Curtis Blaydes struggles a bit before breaking Arona's attemp of grappling


Good front kick from Arona!
Curtis Blaydes blocks


The clock says 1:45 in the 1 round
Ricardo Arona and Razor engage in a wild exchange of punches!
Curtis Blaydes is getting the best of the exchange as he lands a few blows.


Curtis Blaydes tries to take the fight to the ground with a one leg takedown...
Arona is unable to remain on his feet and falls to the ground


The clock says 2:05 in the 1 round
Curtis Blaydes is in open guard over Arona
Razor is moving on the ground...
Ouch! That was a headbutt! Did he do that intentionally?
Josh Rosenthal didn't see that!


Curtis Blaydes is in open guard over Arona
Razor delivers a few accurate elbows!
Arona is being hit hard and trys to escape! He has to give his back!
Arona's Right eye is bruised after the punishement he's received!
Arona has a small cut in his Right eye


Razor is in rear mount over Arona
Razor launches a barrage of elbows over Arona's face!
Those elbows may finish the fight soon if Arona doesn't fight back!


Razor is in rear mount over Arona
You can hear the excitement from the crowd. Curtis Blaydes can end the fight with his ground and pound.
Razor positions himself for a round of ground and pound and tries to finish the fight with some precise elbows!
One, two, three! Arona's being punished here!
Arona's Chin is beginning to swell


Razor is in rear mount over Arona
You can hear the excitement from the crowd. Ricardo Arona can end the fight with his ground and pound.
Arona has Razor controlling his back while on the ground. He tries to roll and find an escape...
Razor is unable to move under Arona control.


Curtis Blaydes is in closed guard over Arona
Razor is getting frustrated here.
Arona clumsily fails here and it's time for Curtis Blaydes to fight back!
Razor tries to escape from the closed guard
Razor succeeds and he's now in open guard... he takes a second to breathe


Curtis Blaydes is in open guard over Arona
Razor launches a barrage of elbows over Arona's face!
Those elbows may finish the fight soon if Arona doesn't fight back!
That brutal impact left Arona laid out on the mat! Curtis Blaydes's corner come in to congratulate him!
There is a small laceration on Ricardo Arona's Right cheek

Winner is Curtis Blaydes by KO (Elbows) at 3:15 Round 1

Statistics: Ricardo Arona
Punches 0/2 (0%)
Kicks 0/1 (0%)
Clinch strikes 0/0 (0%)
Takedowns 0/0 (0%)
GnP strikes 0/2 (0%)
Submissions 0/0 (0%)
Clinch Attempts 0/0 (0%)
Time on the ground 148 s

Statistics: Curtis Blaydes
Punches 3/4 (75%)
Kicks 0/0 (0%)
Clinch strikes 1/1 (100%)
Takedowns 2/2 (100%)
GnP strikes 22/32 (69%)
Submissions 0/0 (0%)
Clinch Attempts 0/0 (0%)
Time on the ground 148 s

Looks like Curtis did pretty much precisely what he was supposed to. ?