PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ilander Runner (ranked 2741 p4p, 24571 weight class) and Mo Ganozri (ranked 295 p4p, 499 weight class). Mo Ganozri acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Runner
vs
Ganozri

185 cm
20
185
4 - 10 - 0

182 cm
20
185
4 - 8 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ilander Runner!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mo Ganozri!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Marco Blurström and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ganozri shoots in looking for a takedown but Runner manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ganozri's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Ganozri scores with a jab to the body.
Runner tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ganozri swinging wildly here.
Ganozri lands a head shot.
Ganozri misses with a takedown
and Runner counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Runner tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ganozri sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Runner somewhat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Runner staying out of range there.
As Ganozri looks to move away, Runner throws a big counter combo but Ganozri just gets out of the way.
Ganozri fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Ilander Runner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mo Ganozri.
Ganozri keeps the fight on the outside.
Ganozri avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Runner tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ganozri paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ganozri's coach down at Canucks Combat Club was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Ganozri's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ganozri throws a hook but Runner blocks it.
Ganozri avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Ganozri scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Runner sneaks out the side door and pushes Ganozri away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Runner lands a leg kick that knocks Ganozri off balance momentarily.
Ganozri jabs Runner to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Runner definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
That kick from Runner tenderised Ganozri's leg. Ganozri is trying to keep his angry face on.
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!

Ganozri gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Runner to score an easy takedown into full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Runner accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Runner throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Ganozri looking for a sweep. Not yet Ganozri, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ganozri controls Runner momentarily but Runner frees himself.
Runner 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.
Runner throws a big elbow that misses.
Runner looking to sit in guard and control but Ganozri gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Ganozri landing some decent shots from guard.
Ganozri postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Runner is trying to control the position but Ganozri postures up.
Ganozri trying to control the position from guard on top but Runner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ganozri might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Runner haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Runner working a defensive guard but Ganozri passes into half guard.
Ganozri slips a nice elbow through Runner's hands, connecting with Runner's forehead.
Runner is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Ganozri scores with a couple of nice shots.
Ground and pound from Ganozri.
Runner manages to get to full guard.
Ganozri trying to control but Runner is working from the bottom.
Runner is looking to sweep but instead, Ganozri has passed into half guard.
Ganozri looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Runner with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ganozri lands with a punch from half guard.
Nice strikes from Ganozri there.
Ganozri scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Ganozri lands strikes from half guard.
Ganozri slips a nice elbow through Runner's hands, connecting with Runner's forehead.
Ganozri is nestled in close to Runner, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Ground and pound from Ganozri.
Runner trying to get back to full guard but Ganozri takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Ganozri cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ganozri unloading with bombs!
Runner manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Ganozri winds up and cracks Runner with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Ganozri is controlling the pace.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mo Ganozri dominated that round.
That's time! Runner's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Ganozri changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Runner tries to avoid it but Ganozri manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Runner to the ground. Runner escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Runner thinks about countering with a body kick.
Mo Ganozri seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Ganozri shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Runner has his feet on Ganozri's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Runner misses with a double jab.
Runner shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Ilander Runner is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Runner digs a good hook to Ganozri's body.
Ganozri changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Runner works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Ganozri gets a takedown into half guard.

Runner manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Ganozri shoots for a double leg takedown but Runner sprawls well. He's pushed Ganozri's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Runner works over Ganozri's head and body with a nice combination.

It looks like Mo Ganozri has been cut.

Ganozri drives through with a takedown into Runner's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Runner wriggles free and stands up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ganozri throws an off balance right hand
enabling Runner to counter with a crisp jab.
Ganozri misses with a looping left.
Runner takes a shot right to the bread basket.

Runner gets caught flat footed, as Ganozri shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Ganozri is breathing heavily.

Runner had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Ganozri defends it easily.
Ganozri working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Ganozri must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Ganozri postures up and lands a big shot to Runner's brow.
Ilander Runner overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Runner wants to sweep here but Ganozri controlling him for the moment.
Ganozri lands a couple of digs.
Ganozri scoring with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Runner has his foot on Ganozri's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Ganozri works his way back into a safe position though.
Ganozri is working Runner over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Runner manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Ganozri manages to get himself to full guard.

The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Runner postures up in Ganozri's guard and throws a big left but Ganozri blocks it.
Ganozri 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.
Ganozri looking to control.
Runner throws a strike but Ganozri rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Runner is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Ganozri is controlling him.

Runner working for a triangle but Ganozri defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ganozri postures up and lands a big shot to Runner's brow.
Ganozri preventing the sweep.
Ganozri scoring with punches to the head and body.

Runner is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Ganozri lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Ganozri postures up and lands a big shot to Runner's brow.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Runner is working for submissions here. He's thrown up his legs looking for a triangle but Ganozri frees his head nicely. Oh but Runner has switched to an armbar! Ganozri is tapping furiously! Lovely submission there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Armbar). Ilander Runner!
An out of breath Ilander Runner thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.