PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between John Blasko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hiro Kanada (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kanada has a niggling injury. He would have liked to come in 100% fit but that's not always possible. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Blasko
vs
Kanada

180 cm
20
195 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

190 cm
18
187 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Solid 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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Blasko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Hiro Kanada!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Robert Twigg and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Blasko stuffs the takedown attempt from Kanada. Kanada gets slowly back to his feet.
Kanada looks gassed!

Blasko has taken the fight to the clinch.
Blasko content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Blasko prevents Kanada from breaking the clinch.
Kanada drops down looking for an ankle pick but Blasko pulls his leg out and moves away.
Blasko throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Kanada's head.

It looks like Hiro Kanada has been cut.
Blasko tests Kanada's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Blasko changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

Blasko clinches.
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!
Kanada is trying to stall.

Blasko drags the fight down to the ground.
Kanada stops Blasko from standing up.
Blasko working a defensive guard here.
Kanada stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Blasko swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blasko seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Blasko knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Kanada on the ground.
Blasko is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Blasko pushes Kanada off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Blasko scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Blasko lunges at Kanada with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Kanada's hand.
Nice uppercut there from Blasko.

Blasko clinches up against the cage.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Blasko.

Blasko breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nice takedown defense from Blasko. No joy for Kanada on that attempt.
John Blasko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hiro Kanada.

Blasko forces Kanada back against the cage and clinches.
Kanada has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Blasko avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blasko lands with a left to the head.

Blasko manages to break the clinch.
Kanada closes the distance looking to clinch

and Blasko counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Blasko.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
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!
Kanada is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Blasko wants to control but Kanada is keeping busy.
Blasko is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kanada looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Kanada prevents Blasko from standing back up.
Blasko is looking to control Kanada's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Blasko avoid being mounted?

Kanada decides to stand and escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Blasko gets a takedown into half guard.
Kanada on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Blasko performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Kanada is pressing down on Blasko's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Blasko throwing strikes but missing.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Blasko makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Blasko cracks Kanada with a solid left hand.
Blasko scoring with punches to the head and body.

Kanada looking for a guillotine here but Blasko defends easily.
Blasko stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kanada swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Blasko decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Blasko with a hook.
A jab lands there for Blasko.
Blasko thows a body kick. Kanada tries to catch it but that hurt him.

Blasko takes the fight into the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Blasko tightens his grip and picks Kanada up, before dumping him to the ground. Kanada manages to land in guard.
Blasko looking to pass the guard.
Blasko wants to control from the top but Kanada keeps moving.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Blasko wants to pass the guard but Kanada is keeping the position.
Kanada looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Blasko dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Hiro Kanada's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Blasko bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Kanada gets back to half guard.
Kanada is looking to improve his position.
Kanada is trying to stand back up but Blasko is controlling him
John Blasko overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Blasko is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Kanada doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Blasko.
Blasko throwing shots but Kanada is blocking nicely.

Kanada looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Kanada is breathing heavily.
Blasko trying to control the action but Kanada is working from the bottom.
Blasko scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blasko misses with a head shot. Kanada uses the momentum to regain guard.
Blasko keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Kanada's head.
Kanada wants to sweep here but Blasko controlling him for the moment.
Blasko landing some decent shots from guard.

Blasko gets to his feet. Kanada looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
John Blasko is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Blasko closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Blasko lands in his opponent's guard.
Blasko works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Kanada tries to roll over but Blasko keeps him under control.
Kanada looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blasko scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Kanada flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Blasko lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Blasko lands a nice short elbow.
Blasko drops an elbow to the side of Kanada's head.
Kanada won't allow Blasko to pass to mount.
Blasko wants to stand up but Kanada is controlling the position.
Kanada is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Blasko's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Blasko's back!

Kanada working for the choke.

Kanada working for the choke.
Blasko avoids the strikes from Kanada.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blasko tries to roll but Kanada sticks to his back.

Kanada has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Blasko has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Kanada is controlling the position but Blasko somehow manages to roll and ends up with half guard.
Blasko wants to control but Kanada is keeping busy.
Kanada prevents Blasko from standing back up.

Blasko kicks off Kanada and gets to his feet.
Blasko lands with a kick to the temple. Kanada shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Blasko scores with a sloppy right hand. Kanada should have avoided that one.

Kanada is rocked!
Kanada tries to clinch but Blasko moves out of range.
Kanada is still on wobbly legs! Can Blasko finish him?
Kanada thows a body shot but no joy.
Kanada seems to have recovered his senses.
Blasko stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blasko tries a head kick but it misses.
Kanada closes the distance looking to clinch
and Blasko counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kanada with a lazy takedown attempt

and Blasko holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Blasko manages to break the clinch.

Blasko drives through with a takedown into guard.
Blasko stops Kanada from standing up.
Blasko would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Kanada is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Blasko is looking to escape.
Blasko is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kanada can do to turn this around?
Blasko has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kanada is working away from the top position though.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Blasko dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Hiro Kanada's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Blasko clinches up with Kanada and pushes him back against the cage.

Blasko gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Blasko is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Kanada is just riding it out for now. Blasko eventually gives up the hold.
Kanada tries to roll over but Blasko keeps him under control.
Kanada is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Blasko has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Blasko trying to control but Kanada is having none of it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Blasko is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Kanada has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Kanada!

Kanada 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.

Blasko manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Kanada on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Blasko. Blasko obviously looking to wear him down.
Blasko connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Kanada momentarily.
Blasko knocks Kanada to the floor with a head kick! Can he finish him!?

Blasko decides to stand back up. Blasko steps back and let's Kanada get back to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nice straight punches there by Blasko. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Blasko.
Blasko connects with a body shot.

Blasko darts in and clinches Kanada up against the cage.

Blasko breaks the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blasko connects with a good right hand that stumbles Kanada. Kanada circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

Blasko shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Blasko showed some decent athleticism there.
Kanada is staying active underneath Blasko, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Kanada trying to control but Blasko postures up.
Blasko tries to stand but can't do so whilst Kanada controls his leg.
Blasko is looking to advance position but Kanada won't allow it.
Blasko not doing much here.
Blasko prevents Kanada from improving his position.
Blasko is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blasko slips a nice elbow through Kanada's hands, connecting with Kanada's forehead.
Blasko prevents Kanada from improving his position.
Blasko trying to control the action but Kanada is working from the bottom.
Blasko content to control rather than advance.
Blasko throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Blasko stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.

Kanada closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Kanada lands in his opponent's guard.
Blasko looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blasko is working hard here to advance position.
Kanada working some strikes from top position.
Blasko trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Blasko looking for a sweep. Not yet Blasko, not yet.
Blasko is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Kanada is controlling him.
Blasko is trying to keep Kanada in close.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Blasko lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Kanada doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Blasko counters with a single leg into guard. Kanada didn't expect that.
Hiro Kanada has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Kanada looking for a guillotine here but Blasko defends easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Blasko showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Blasko has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight for John Blasko!
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight for John Blasko!
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight for John Blasko!

John Blasko wins by unanimous decision!