PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jose Luis Cantero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shuuji Hanamoto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cantero comes to the cage accompanied by La mandanga. Shuuji Hanamoto told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Luis Cantero
vs
Hanamoto

183 cm
25
183 lbs
17 - 12 - 1

186 cm
24
195 lbs
13 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

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 17 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Jose Luis Cantero!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Shuuji Hanamoto!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Yukihiro Shimada and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cantero ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hanamoto moves away.

Cantero shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Hanamoto slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Hanamoto looking for a sweep. Not yet Hanamoto, not yet.
Hanamoto keeping moving, preventing Cantero from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cantero stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hanamoto swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hanamoto lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Cantero!
Hanamoto prevents Cantero from getting the reversal.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cantero is bucking up trying to escape but Hanamoto cracks him with another couple of good strikes.

Hanamoto working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Hanamoto tries to control but Cantero wriggling away.
Hanamoto looking to finish with strikes here!
Cantero keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Hanamoto looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hanamoto thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Hanamoto landing strikes from the mount and Cantero is in trouble!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hanamoto throws some wild stikes that Cantero manages to avoid easily.
Hanamoto landing strikes from the mount and Cantero is in trouble!
Cantero takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Hanamoto lands a heavy elbow.
Cantero is working to get back to half guard.
Hanamoto can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Cantero is looking to escape.
Cantero is bucking up trying to escape but Hanamoto cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Hanamoto postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Cantero looks a forlorn figure.
Hanamoto breaks from Cantero's wrist control and lands an elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hanamoto lands a big elbow.
Cantero is wriggling around trying to escape.
Hanamoto with the ground and pound from mount.
Hanamoto looking to finish Cantero with some ground and pound. This is bad for Cantero!
Hanamoto tries to control but Cantero wriggling away.
Hanamoto with a couple of short strikes.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hanamoto can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Cantero is looking to escape.
Cantero tries to lock up and control but Hanamoto gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Hanamoto in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hanamoto content just to control the position here.
Hanamoto wants to control the pace but Cantero is squirming around nicely.
Cantero really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Hanamoto can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Cantero is looking to escape.
Hanamoto is in the full mount, landing strikes.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Hanamoto tries to control but Cantero wriggling away.
Cantero takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Cantero is squirming around, avoiding Hanamoto's attempts to control the action.
Hanamoto is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Hanamoto has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Cantero's face.
Hanamoto tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Hanamoto wants to control the pace but Cantero is squirming around nicely.
Hanamoto looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Cantero tries to reverse the position but Hanamoto maintains control.
Hanamoto has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hanamoto working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Hanamoto lands a big elbow.
Cantero is bucking up trying to escape but Hanamoto cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Hanamoto takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Hanamoto cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Cantero is desperately trying to improve his position but Hanamoto has a good base and remains in mount.
Hanamoto with a couple of short strikes.
Hanamoto looking to control and managing it successfully.
Let's hope that Hanamoto has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Cantero blocking the ground and pound.
Hanamoto throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Cantero because Hanamoto loaded up on that one.
Cantero in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Cantero wants to hold on but Hanamoto pushes him away.
Hanamoto in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Hanamoto cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Hanamoto controlling the pace for now.
Hanamoto is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Cantero can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Hanamoto punishing his opponent with strikes.
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!
Cantero is working to get back to half guard.
Hanamoto tries to control but Cantero wriggling away.
Hanamoto unloading with bombs!
Cantero tries to reverse the position but Hanamoto maintains control.
A nice elbow there by Hanamoto.
Hanamoto putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Hanamoto with a couple of short strikes.
Hanamoto lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Cantero tries to reverse the position but Hanamoto maintains control.
Hanamoto has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Cantero's face.
Cantero is wriggling around trying to escape.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Hanamoto cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Hanamoto controlling his opponent.
Hanamoto cracks Cantero with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Cantero is squirming around, avoiding Hanamoto's attempts to control the action.
Hanamoto connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hanamoto can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Cantero is looking to escape.
Hanamoto looking to control and managing it successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shuuji Hanamoto dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Hanamoto misses with a leg kick.

Cantero shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Cantero was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Hanamoto has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Cantero looking to control but Hanamoto is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Cantero looking to secure an arm triangle but Hanamoto defends it well.
Hanamoto working to try and regain half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cantero looking to control but Hanamoto is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Cantero lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Hanamoto tries to control Cantero's body but Cantero pushes him off. Hanamoto squirms to his side and now Cantero has his back!
Hanamoto manages to reverse the position and now he's in Cantero's guard. Nice work there by Hanamoto.
Cantero working a defensive guard here.
Cantero keeping moving, preventing Hanamoto from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hanamoto stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Cantero swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Cantero wants to sweep here but Hanamoto controlling him for the moment.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Shuuji Hanamoto hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Cantero shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Hanamoto is trying to defend but Cantero finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Hanamoto has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Cantero is working away from the top position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hanamoto actively working from the bottom here.
Cantero working over Hanamoto with some ground and pound. Hanamoto looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Hanamoto works his way to full guard. Good work.
Hanamoto 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.
Hanamoto manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cantero tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Cantero is trying to stand up.
Hanamoto with the ground and pound from mount.
Hanamoto lands a nice shot to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hanamoto tries to control but Cantero wriggling away.
Cantero tries to hold on but Hanamoto postures up.
Hanamoto throws a wild left hand from mount and Cantero manages to wriggle his way back to half guard.
Hanamoto trying to control from half guard but Cantero is working away.

That's five minutes gone in the round.

Hanamoto is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Cantero is trying to maintain the position but Hanamoto is very close to passing his half guard.
Hanamoto scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Cantero is refusing to be controlled, as Hanamoto sits in half guard.
Hanamoto moves nicely into side control.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Hanamoto wants to lay and pray for a moment but Cantero keeps working.
Hanamoto working the ground and pound.
Cantero is not content to let Hanamoto control the position.
Hanamoto looks up at the clock and then as Cantero takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Hanamoto smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Hanamoto is looking to take a break and control but Cantero is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Cantero struggling a bit here.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Hanamoto is looking to take a break and control but Cantero is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Hanamoto looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Cantero tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Cantero is not content to let Hanamoto control the position.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Hanamoto throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Hanamoto working the head with strikes.
Cantero is looking for a sweep.
Hanamoto trying to control the action but Cantero is working from the bottom.
The strikes coming from Hanamoto are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Cantero takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Hanamoto trying to control the action but Cantero is working from the bottom.
Shuuji Hanamoto has got the better of the ground game so far.

Hanamoto goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Cantero rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Hanamoto's guard! Nice work there by Cantero!

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Hanamoto wants to sweep here but Cantero controlling him for the moment.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cantero stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hanamoto swivels though and keeps the full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shuuji Hanamoto showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Cantero throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Hanamoto was covering up waiting for the punch and Cantero finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Hanamoto wants to sweep here but Cantero controlling him for the moment.

Cantero postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Hanamoto is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Cantero, into his guard.
Hanamoto trying to control the position from guard on top but Cantero is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cantero 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.
Hanamoto pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Cantero is keeping the position for now.
Hanamoto content to stall in guard here.
Cantero is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Hanamoto stopping the sweep attempt from Cantero.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Hanamoto changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Cantero tries to avoid it but Hanamoto manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Cantero to the ground. Cantero escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cantero keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Cantero gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Hanamoto to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Hanamoto slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Hanamoto in side control lands a decent elbow.
Hanamoto lands a few punches from side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Hanamoto working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hanamoto working the strikes but Cantero uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Hanamoto thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Hanamoto thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Cantero blocking the ground and pound attempt from Hanamoto.
Hanamoto winds up and cracks Cantero with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Cantero wants to control but Hanamoto is keeping busy.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Hanamoto is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Cantero has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hanamoto not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Hanamoto seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Cantero does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Hanamoto not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Hanamoto is looking to take a break and control but Cantero is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Cantero is looking to control Hanamoto's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Cantero avoid being mounted?
Hanamoto is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

Hanamoto is looking for a kimura but Cantero is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Hanamoto to get the leverage.
Hanamoto is taking a breather. Cantero says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Hanamoto thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Cantero is looking for a sweep. Hanamoto is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Hanamoto looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Cantero is staying active underneath Hanamoto, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Hanamoto is looking to stall here but Cantero recovers full guard.
Hanamoto trying to control the position from guard on top but Cantero is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cantero looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hanamoto is one step ahead there.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Cantero trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Hanamoto throwing strikes but missing.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Cantero keeping moving, preventing Hanamoto from controlling successfully.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Shuuji Hanamoto wasn't active enough on the ground.
Hanamoto misses with a takedown attempt - Cantero sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Jose Luis Cantero has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shuuji Hanamoto.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Cantero looks to score with a jab to the body but Hanamoto is just out of range.
Jose Luis Cantero seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Cantero shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Hanamoto manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Cantero manages to get himself to full guard.
Cantero working a defensive guard here.
Hanamoto trying to control but Cantero is working from the bottom.
Hanamoto advances to half guard.
Cantero slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Hanamoto wants to control from the top but Cantero keeps moving.
Hanamoto is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Hanamoto is looking to work some ground and pound but Cantero has wrist control.
Hanamoto trying to control but Cantero is working from the bottom.
Cantero is trying to control the position from the bottom.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hanamoto wants to control from the top but Cantero keeps moving.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Shuuji Hanamoto wasn't active enough on the ground.

Cantero fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Hanamoto sprawls well initially but Cantero persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Hanamoto is staying active underneath Cantero, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Hanamoto is pressing down on Cantero's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Cantero preventing the sweep.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Hanamoto is on top in guard.
Hanamoto passes Cantero's left leg - he's now in half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hanamoto passes to side control.
Jose Luis Cantero has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Shuuji Hanamoto is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hanamoto just content to control the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shuuji Hanamoto comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Hanamoto 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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight for Shuuji Hanamoto!
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight for Shuuji Hanamoto!
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight for Shuuji Hanamoto!

Shuuji Hanamoto wins by unanimous decision!