PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jonathan Courchesne (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jacques Hanningen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Courchesne kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Two Steps From Hell - To Glory. Hanningen comes into a darkened arena with his song building. 2Pac - My Life Be Like kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Jacques Hanningen will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Courchesne
vs
Hanningen

177 cm
20
148 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

172 cm
23
154 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very quick

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jonathan Courchesne!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jacques Hanningen!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Tiny Johnson and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Courchesne doesn't succeed with the takedown

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

Hanningen is trying to trip Courchesne. He has hold of a leg but Courchesne is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Hanningen persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Hanningen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hanningen has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Courchesne will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Courchesne keeping moving, preventing Hanningen from controlling successfully.
Hanningen looking to pass the guard.

Hanningen avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Courchesne keeping moving, preventing Hanningen from controlling successfully.
Courchesne trying to control the position.
Hanningen wants to pass the guard but Courchesne is keeping the position.
Hanningen with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Courchesne wants to sweep but no luck.
Hanningen throws a big elbow that misses.
Hanningen wants to control from the top but Courchesne keeps moving.
Courchesne is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Hanningen looking to pass the guard.
Hanningen postures up.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Courchesne shoots in for a double leg but Hanningen sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Hanningen closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Courchesne quickly recovers to half guard.
Hanningen is thwarting Courchesne's attempts to control the position.
Courchesne keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Hanningen thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Courchesne's head.
Hanningen trying to control from half guard but Courchesne is working away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Courchesne tries to get to full guard but Hanningen has control of the leg.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Courchesne is not content to let Hanningen control the position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Courchesne wants to get back to full guard.
Courchesne gets back to full guard.
Hanningen would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Courchesne striking off his back but it's not causing Hanningen any problems.
Hanningen connects with a couple of short punches.
Hanningen wants to control from the top but Courchesne keeps moving.
Courchesne wants to sweep here but Hanningen controlling him for the moment.
Courchesne is working hard here to advance position.
Hanningen is looking to work some ground and pound but Courchesne has wrist control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hanningen connects with a couple of short punches.
Hanningen postures up.
Hanningen scoring with punches to the head and body.
Courchesne preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Courchesne trying to control the position.
Courchesne trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Courchesne is trying to keep Hanningen in close.

Courchesne working for a triangle but Hanningen defends it easily.
Hanningen scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Courchesne looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Courchesne preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Hanningen scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Hanningen throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Courchesne works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Courchesne has momentary wrist control but Hanningen slips an elbow through the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Courchesne throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Hanningen trying to control the position from guard on top but Courchesne is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hanningen trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Courchesne wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Courchesne throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Courchesne is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Hanningen makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Courchesne looking for a sweep. Not yet Courchesne, not yet.
Courchesne has Hanningen pulled in close to control his posture.
Hanningen wants to stand but Courchesne has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Courchesne misses with a takedown attempt
and Hanningen counters with a lovely straight right hand!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jonathan Courchesne. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Courchesne shoots and misses

and Hanningen counters with a shoot takedown. Courchesne fights it but they end up in guard.
Courchesne looking for a sweep. Not yet Courchesne, not yet.
Courchesne not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jacques Hanningen dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Courchesne doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Hanningen counters with a straight right hand.
Hanningen scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Courchesne shoots and misses

and Hanningen counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Courchesne!
Hanningen lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Hanningen working the ground and pound effectively.
Hanningen breaks from Courchesne's wrist control and lands an elbow.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hanningen prevents Courchesne from getting the reversal.
Hanningen scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Hanningen pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Courchesne tries to hold on but Hanningen postures up.
Hanningen is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Courchesne can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Courchesne is in all sorts of trouble here.
Hanningen lands with some strikes.
Hanningen with the ground and pound from mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hanningen punishing his opponent with strikes.
Hanningen with good strikes from the mount here!
Hanningen takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Courchesne is looking to improve his position but Hanningen isn't that keen on the idea.
Hanningen lands a big shot there that rocks Courchesne but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Hanningen connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Hanningen with shots to the head and body - Courchesne looks very uncomfortable down there.

Courchesne is rocked!
Courchesne is looking to get to half guard.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Hanningen cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Oh Courchesne is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Jacques Hanningen has got the better of the ground game so far.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hanningen scoring with strikes but Courchesne is staying in there.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Hanningen cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Hanningen is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Courchesne can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Courchesne can't escape the position.
Courchesne is in a horrible position here. Hanningen smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hanningen thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Courchesne is looking to improve his position but Hanningen isn't that keen on the idea.
Courchesne seems to have got his legs back now.
Hanningen lands a big elbow.
Hanningen controlling from mount.
Hanningen lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Courchesne hang on?
Courchesne tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Hanningen looking to finish Courchesne with some ground and pound. This is bad for Courchesne!
Courchesne slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Hanningen winds up and cracks Courchesne with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Hanningen is thwarting Courchesne's attempts to control the position.
Courchesne is refusing to be controlled, as Hanningen sits in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hanningen might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Courchesne kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Hanningen scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Hanningen landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Hanningen looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Courchesne trying to hold on to Hanningen's head to control him but Hanningen postures up.
Hanningen winds up and cracks Courchesne with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Hanningen not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Courchesne wants to control but Hanningen is keeping busy.
Courchesne wants to get back to full guard.
Courchesne trying to control but Hanningen postures up.
Courchesne blocking the ground and pound attempt from Hanningen.
Hanningen perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Courchesne is refusing to be controlled, as Hanningen sits in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hanningen not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Hanningen not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Courchesne on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Courchesne landing rabbit punches to the side of Hanningen's head. Not doing much damage but still scoring a few points.
Courchesne gets full guard.
Courchesne controls Hanningen momentarily but Hanningen frees himself.
Hanningen is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Hanningen postures up and lands a big shot to Courchesne's brow.
Hanningen passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Hanningen trying to control the position but Courchesne is working away.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Courchesne gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Courchesne wants to control but Hanningen is keeping busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jacques Hanningen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Hanningen misses with a wild combination.
Courchesne shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Courchesne tries for a takedown but Hanningen circles away easily
and Hanningen counters with a stiff right hand.
Courchesne tries for a takedown but Hanningen circles away easily

and Hanningen counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jonathan Courchesne. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hanningen working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Hanningen is nestled in close to Courchesne, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Hanningen seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Courchesne does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Courchesne tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Courchesne trying to control here.
Courchesne is looking for a sweep. Hanningen is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Courchesne trying to hold on to Hanningen's head to control him but Hanningen postures up.
Hanningen sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Courchesne defending well though.
Hanningen is trying to control. Courchesne wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Courchesne regains full guard. Nicely done.

Courchesne throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Courchesne manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Hanningen manages to get himself to full guard.
Courchesne connects with a couple of short punches.
Hanningen wants to stand up but Courchesne is controlling him.
Hanningen looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hanningen wriggles free and stands up.
Hanningen leaves Courchesne with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Courchesne shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hanningen pinned against the cage. Hanningen gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Courchesne shoots and misses
and Hanningen finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Courchesne with a poor takedown

and Hanningen counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Hanningen not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Courchesne is pressing down on Hanningen's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Courchesne looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hanningen is one step ahead there.
Hanningen cracks Courchesne with a solid left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hanningen is stalling in the full guard.
Courchesne keeping moving, preventing Hanningen from controlling successfully.
Hanningen seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Jacques Hanningen was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Hanningen stuffs the takedown attempt from Courchesne. Courchesne gets slowly back to his feet.
Courchesne misses with a takedown attempt
and Hanningen counters with an outside leg kick.
Courchesne with a lazy takedown attempt

and Hanningen counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Hanningen content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Courchesne is trying to keep Hanningen in close.
Hanningen landing with the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hanningen content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Hanningen wants to control from the top but Courchesne keeps moving.
Courchesne wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Hanningen wants to control from the top but Courchesne keeps moving.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Jacques Hanningen hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Courchesne with a poor takedown
and Hanningen counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Courchesne shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Hanningen defends it nicely.
Jonathan Courchesne seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Courchesne has his takedown stuffed
and Hanningen counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jacques Hanningen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Hanningen has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jacques Hanningen!
Jacques Hanningen decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.