PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Roger Cantor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Soviet Russia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Cantor
vs
Russia

175 cm
18
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

177 cm
18
161 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Inexperienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Roger Cantor!
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, Soviet Russia!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Robert Douchet and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cantor takes a jab right on the kisser.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Cantor.
Cantor working the head with strikes.
Russia tries to control but Cantor manages to take his back.
Cantor biding his time, looking for the opening.
Cantor tries to get the hooks in deep but Russia pushed the leg off.
Cantor scores with a nice shot to the head of his opponent. Russia is looking for a way out.
Russia takes a big shot to the side of the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Cantor is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Cantor throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cantor lands with a hammerfist to the side of Russia's head.
Cantor not allowing Russia to control his hands.
Cantor scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cantor punishes Russia with strikes from the back mount.
Cantor trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.

Cantor tightening his grip on Russia, looking for the choke.
Cantor trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Russia doesn't escape.
Cantor throwing damaging strikes from the back! Russia could be in trouble here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cantor loading up with punches from the back mount - how long can Russia hold on?
Cantor 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.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cantor missing with punches from the back.
Cantor trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Russia wants to escape the position.
Russia is still trying to improve position.
Cantor is landing with strikes from the back.
Cantor wants to control but Russia is keeping busy.

Cantor is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Russia has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Cantor throwing wild punches that miss their target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
I really don't envy Russia right now.
Will Cantor go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Cantor connects with a series of strikes and the referee is calling for Russia to escape the position.
Cantor wants to control but Russia is keeping busy.
Russia is trying to remain composed but Cantor is hammering down strikes to the side of his head.

Russia preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Cantor.
Cantor punishes Russia with strikes from the back mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cantor is riding his opponent, not letting Russia buck him off.
Cantor lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Cantor struggling to keep hold of the position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cantor lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Cantor is working the ground and pound here and the referee is taking a close look at Russia. He must escape soon or this one will be stopped.
Cantor has Russia flattened out and is raining down punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roger Cantor dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Cantor shoots for a double leg takedown but Russia sprawls well. He's pushed Cantor's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Russia pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Cantor changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Russia tries to avoid it but Cantor manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Russia to the ground. Russia escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Russia fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Cantor, pushing him back against the cage.
Russia is trying to pull guard but Cantor has him pressed against the cage.

Russia pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Cantor misses with a double jab
and Russia finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Russia stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Russia wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roger Cantor. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Russia shoots for a takedown but Cantor saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Cantor stuffs the takedown attempt from Russia. Russia gets slowly back to his feet.
Cantor fails with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russia with a lazy takedown attempt

and Cantor counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Cantor trying to control the position from guard on top but Russia is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cantor 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.
Cantor passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Russia is not in a great position here, taking some shots.

Cantor tries for a kimura but Russia is defending well.
Cantor creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Cantor tries to score with some ground and pound. Russia controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Cantor scoring with punches from side control.
Cantor grinds an elbow into Russia's temple.
You can see the frustration on Russia's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Cantor wants to lay and pray for a moment but Russia keeps working.
Roger Cantor overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Cantor lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Russia down.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Russia can do anything to dispel that myth.
Russia takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cantor is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Russia's shoulder. That is not cool.
Russia is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Cantor scoring with punches and elbows.
Cantor is looking to take a break and control but Russia is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Check out the look on Cantor's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Russia takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Cantor passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Russia!
Cantor landing punches.

Russia is rocked!
Russia is breathing heavily.
Cantor connects with a bit shot that sees Russia covering up! More strikes from Cantor and the referee jumps in to stop the fight! Cantor is our winner by TKO!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:18 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Roger Cantor!
During a confident post fight interview, Roger Cantor thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.