PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Justina Vanovcan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jose Cronos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vanovcan comes to the cage accompanied by Moskau. Cronos is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Sandstorm. Jose Cronos will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Vanovcan
vs
Cronos

153 cm
38
130 lbs
28 - 15 - 0

178 cm
25
145 lbs
10 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Sex Panther! (160q recovery $149)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 28 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Justina Vanovcan!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jose Cronos!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, William Peck and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cronos looks to score with a jab to the body but Vanovcan is just out of range.
Cronos throws a combination. Vanovcan tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Cronos throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Vanovcan lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Vanovcan tries to clinch up but Cronos circles away and keeps his distance.
Justina Vanovcan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Vanovcan thuds his shin into the meat of Cronos's side.
A good leg kick by Vanovcan.
Vanovcan walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Cronos checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Cronos avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Cronos scores with a body shot.
A left and a right from Cronos both land. Nice combination.
A combination from Cronos does no damage.
Cronos misses with an uppercut

and Vanovcan counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Cronos is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Vanovcan defends well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cronos working a defensive guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vanovcan trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Vanovcan throwing strikes but missing.
Cronos is adopting a defensive guard.
Vanovcan trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Vanovcan got a little sloppy there for a moment and Cronos has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Vanovcan has managed to get both his arms back between Cronos's legs - danger averted.
Vanovcan throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Cronos works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Vanovcan trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Vanovcan is looking to work some ground and pound but Cronos has wrist control.
Vanovcan stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Cronos swivels though and keeps the full guard.
We've been hearing good reports from Vanovcan's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Vanovcan 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.
Cronos wants to sweep here but Vanovcan controlling him for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vanovcan wants to control from the top but Cronos keeps moving.
Cronos working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Vanovcan.
Vanovcan throws a big elbow that misses.
Vanovcan trying to control the position from guard on top but Cronos is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Vanovcan stopping the sweep attempt from Cronos.
Cronos keeping moving, preventing Vanovcan from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Justina Vanovcan wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Cronos gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Cronos swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vanovcan misses with a body kick.
Cronos looks to score with a jab to the body but Vanovcan is just out of range.
Vanovcan tries to bum rush Cronos with a series of wild strikes but Cronos uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Vanovcan doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Cronos counters with a two punch combo.
Cronos cracks Vanovcan with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Cronos rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Vanovcan moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Cronos waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Vanovcan.
Vanovcan shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Cronos counters with a right hand to the body.
Cronos is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Vanovcan rather than just go for the knockout.
Vanovcan throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Cronos counters with a series of strikes. Vanovcan will be more careful next time no doubt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cronos connects with a crisp jab.
Cronos loads up on a big right hand but Vanovcan slips the punch.
Cronos falls off balance throwing a combination

and Vanovcan counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Vanovcan controlling the action here.
Vanovcan prevents Cronos from improving his position.
Vanovcan passes to side control.
Cronos trying to remain calm as Vanovcan controls from the top position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Vanovcan wants to control but Cronos is keeping him busy.
Cronos tries to improve position but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Justina Vanovcan will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Cronos throws a series of punches but Vanovcan moves out of range.
Vanovcan looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Vanovcan will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Cronos scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Vanovcan dives in for a single leg takedown but Cronos sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Vanovcan misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Cronos tries to break the clinch but Vanovcan is controlling the position.
Vanovcan throws a knee to the head but misses.
Vanovcan throws a knee to the head but misses.

Cronos breaks the clinch.
Cronos checks the leg kick nicely there.
Cronos keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Vanovcan.
Vanovcan keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Cronos throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cronos blocks the body kick.
Vanovcan takes one to the chin there.
A jab from Cronos does it's job there.
Cronos misses with a two punch combination.
Vanovcan misses with a low kick.
Cronos throws a hook to the side of Vanovcan's head but Vanovcan sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Vanovcan pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Jose Cronos is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Vanovcan swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A punch combination from Cronos misses.
Jose Cronos seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Vanovcan connects with the punch.
Cronos just misses with a punch to the body.
Cronos lands the left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vanovcan misses with a body shot.
Vanovcan tries to land a front kick but Cronos steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Vanovcan looks to land a left hand but Cronos moved out of range nicely.
Some bone on bone action there as Cronos checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
A big right from Cronos misses.
Vanovcan misses with a low kick.
Left hook, right uppercut from Vanovcan.
Cronos misses with a wild combination.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Vanovcan drives through with a takedown into Cronos's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Cronos wants to control the position but Vanovcan says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Cronos manages to get to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vanovcan trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Vanovcan wants to get up but he can't break Cronos's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Vanovcan trying to control the position from guard on top but Cronos is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cronos wants to sweep here but Vanovcan controlling him for the moment.
Cronos has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Vanovcan has passed into side control.
Vanovcan is looking to take a break and control but Cronos is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Vanovcan is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Cronos knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Vanovcan working the head with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vanovcan wants to lay and pray for a moment but Cronos keeps working.

Vanovcan working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Cronos is looking to reverse the position.
Vanovcan lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Cronos down.
Justina Vanovcan overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Vanovcan landing strikes.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Vanovcan wants to control but Cronos is keeping him busy.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Vanovcan working the ground and pound but Cronos is defending the strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Justina Vanovcan dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Vanovcan takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Left hook, right uppercut from Cronos.
Vanovcan lands a glancing blow to the side of Cronos's head.
Cronos has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Cronos lands a nice shot to the body.
Cronos throws a series of punches but Vanovcan avoids them all with ease.
Vanovcan tries for a takedown but Cronos sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Cronos blocks a jab.
Cronos steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Vanovcan.
Cronos moves out of range of the body kick.
Vanovcan changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Cronos tries to avoid it but Vanovcan manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Cronos to the ground. Cronos escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Nice defenses there by Vanovcan.
Good standup being displayed there by Vanovcan as he connects with a hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vanovcan tries to score a power double leg takedown but Cronos sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Vanovcan somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Justina Vanovcan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Vanovcan throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Cronos uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Vanovcan.
Vanovcan takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
A bone on bone clash there as Cronos blocks the leg kick.
Vanovcan is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Cronos scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Cronos wants to control but Vanovcan is keeping him busy.
Vanovcan trying to control here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cronos is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Vanovcan!
Vanovcan is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.

Vanovcan defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Cronos.

Cronos with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Vanovcan is working to get back to half guard.
Cronos avoids the attempt from Vanovcan to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vanovcan tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Cronos is working for a guillotine from mount but Vanovcan frees his head quite easily.
Cronos avoids the attempt from Vanovcan to control.
Cronos trying to control but he's not successful this time.

Vanovcan defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Cronos.
Vanovcan swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Vanovcan is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Vanovcan is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cronos avoids the attempt from Vanovcan to control.
Cronos can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Vanovcan is looking to escape.

Cronos get's back to his feet.
Horrible takedown by Vanovcan or perhaps it was just good defense by Cronos which made him look bad.
Cronos on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Vanovcan throws a lazy right hand but Cronos sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Vanovcan closes this distance looking for a takedown but Cronos circles away.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cronos lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Vanovcan circles away quickly and effectively.
Vanovcan is looking to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Vanovcan dodges the punch combination from Cronos.
Vanovcan throws a push kick but Cronos slaps the foot to one side.
Nice takedown defense from Cronos. No joy for Vanovcan on that attempt.
Cronos throws a nice looking combination but Vanovcan bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Vanovcan scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Nice takedown defense from Cronos. No joy for Vanovcan on that attempt.
Cronos fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Vanovcan manages to avoid it.
Vanovcan throws a wild body kick that Cronos sees coming a mile off.
Cronos circles away from the clinch attempt.
Vanovcan throws a nice outside leg kick.
Vanovcan lands a nice hook to Cronos's body. Cronos takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Cronos. Vanovcan does a little dance to reset his feet.
Vanovcan scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Cronos manages to break the clinch.
Vanovcan with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Vanovcan is looking to clinch but Cronos is avoiding it.
Vanovcan fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Justina Vanovcan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cronos misses with a wild combination.
Jab, jab by Cronos - just one landing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cronos keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Vanovcan takes a swing at Cronos's ribcage but misses.
Cronos fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Cronos.
Cronos misses the shot to the body.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Vanovcan.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Vanovcan.
Cronos is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Vanovcan tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cronos was well out of range. Poor timing from Vanovcan.
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!
Cronos misses the jab.
Vanovcan misses with a double jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vanovcan connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Vanovcan gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

Vanovcan shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Vanovcan wants to control from the top but Cronos keeps moving.
Vanovcan with a flurry of punches that miss.
Cronos lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Vanovcan!

Cronos working for a submission but Vanovcan is keeping him at bay.
Vanovcan tries to lock up and control but Cronos gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cronos controlling from mount.
Vanovcan tries to hold on but Cronos pushes him away.
Vanovcan tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Cronos can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Vanovcan is looking to escape.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Vanovcan sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Cronos is thwarting Vanovcan's attempts to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Justina Vanovcan will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Cronos throws a shot from downtown. Vanovcan moves away and avoids it.
Vanovcan misses with an attempted mid kick.
Vanovcan lets loose with a powerful body kick. Cronos will feel that in the morning.
A bone on bone clash there as Cronos blocks the leg kick.
Cronos steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Vanovcan.

Vanovcan takes the fight into the clinch.

Cronos breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Vanovcan swinging wildly here.
Cronos throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cronos misses with the combination.
Vanovcan tries to clinch up but Cronos circles away and keeps his distance.

Vanovcan forces Cronos back against the cage and clinches.
Vanovcan drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Cronos gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Cronos working hard to break the clinch.
Vanovcan keeps control of Cronos as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Cronos's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Vanovcan misses with a low kick.
Vanovcan misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cronos.
Nice jab there from Cronos.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cronos scores with a nice right hand.
Cronos misses with a few strikes there.
Vanovcan shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Cronos pinned against the cage. Cronos gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Vanovcan tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cronos was well out of range. Poor timing from Vanovcan.
Vanovcan throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Vanovcan closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Vanovcan is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

Vanovcan is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Vanovcan trying to control the action but Cronos is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vanovcan missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Cronos looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Justina Vanovcan is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Vanovcan is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Cronos defends it well.

Cronos actively working from the bottom here.
Cronos is trying to get back to full guard.
Vanovcan takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cronos is trying to stand up here but Vanovcan is controlling him well.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Vanovcan in particular looking to stall.
Cronos tries to roll over but Vanovcan keeps him under control.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Justina Vanovcan just wasn't active enough.
Vanovcan wants to clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Vanovcan darts in trying to clinch
and Cronos connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

And that's the end of the fight!
Justina Vanovcan showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Vanovcan has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 49:46
Judge William Peck scores the fight 49:46
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Justina Vanovcan!
Justina Vanovcan retains his bantamweight title!
A less than humble Justina Vanovcan misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.