PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ryan Cardenas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ben Cola (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ben Cola has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Cardenas
vs
Cola

222 cm
20
214 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

191 cm
18
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Likes comics

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Inexperienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ryan Cardenas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ben Cola!
The judges for this bout are , Timothy Bukovac and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cardenas throws a sloppy head kick and Cola moves out of range easily.
Cardenas really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Cola tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Cardenas counters with a three punch combo that has Cola backing up. Cola nods at Cardenas to acknowledge the strikes.
Cardenas tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Cola throws a push kick but Cardenas slaps the foot to one side.
A head kick by Cola misses
and Cardenas counters with a left to the body.
Cardenas tries a head kick but it misses.
Cola is looking to clinch.

Cola throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Cardenas was covering up waiting for the punch and Cola finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Cola tries to free his leg and advance position but Cardenas is retaining full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cola postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Cola controlling from the top position.

Cardenas is looking for a triangle but Cola pushes his legs off easily.
Cardenas will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Cola trying to control but Cardenas is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Ben Cola was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Cola closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Cardenas to the mat! Cardenas manages to get full guard.
Cola 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.
Cola trying to control but Cardenas is working from the bottom.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Ben Cola.
Cola misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Cola lands an overhand right.

It looks like Ryan Cardenas has been cut.

Cola rushes Cardenas and presses him up against the cage.

Cola has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Cardenas regains guard immediately.
Cola slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Cardenas working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Cola.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cola drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Cardenas dives on top into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cardenas prevents Cola from getting back to his feet.
Cola trying to control the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

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

Cola gets a double leg takedown into Cardenas's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ben Cola dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ryan Cardenas's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Cola gets a double leg takedown into Cardenas's guard.
Cardenas avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Ben Cola has got the better of the ground game so far.
Cardenas working a defensive guard here.
Cardenas keeping moving, preventing Cola from controlling successfully.

Ben Cola has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Cola lands a front kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cola lands a lovely overhand right.
Cola avoids the head kick by Cardenas.

Cardenas gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Cola to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Cola gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Cardenas gets tackled into the cage by Cola. Cola maintains the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cola has Cardenas pressed against the cage.
Cardenas tries to break the clinch but Cola is controlling the position.
Cardenas blocks a body shot from Cola.
Cola lands with a light punch inside.

Cola breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Cola.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cardenas is trying to control Cola's posture but Cola avoids it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The ground and pound from Cola seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Cardenas is looking to regain half guard here but Cola keeps moving and retains side control.
Cola fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Cola in side control, throwing shots but Cardenas defends.
Cola wants to lay and pray for a moment but Cardenas keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cardenas managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Cola.
Cola tries to advance position but instead Cardenas slips a leg back in to half guard.

Cola is trying to work for a kimura but Cardenas is defending well.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cardenas is staying active underneath Cola, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ben Cola showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Ryan Cardenas's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Cola shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Cola was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Cola is staying tight to Cardenas's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Cardenas stops Cola from passing to mount.
Cola creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Cardenas sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

Cola decides to stand up, so the ref orders Cardenas to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cardenas gets caught napping as Cola dives in and scores a takedown. Cardenas manages to retain guard.
Cola has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Cardenas is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Cola is aware though and is defending well.
Cola sitting in guard here, content to control.
Cola wants to pass the guard but Cardenas is keeping the position.
Cola is still trying to improve position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

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

Cardenas gets caught flat footed, as Cola shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Cardenas preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Cola won't allow Cardenas to get back to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cola 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 ref stands the fighters back up. Ben Cola was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Cola closes the distance but Cardenas moves to the side
and Cardenas counters with a head kick. That will keep Cola thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cola shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Cola decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Ben Cola seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Cola feints and as Cardenas raises his hands in defense, Cola changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Cola wants to control from the top but Cardenas keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Ben Cola wasn't active enough on the ground.
Cardenas throws a head kick that misses.

Cola closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Cardenas did well to prevent Cola getting side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cola stalling away here and it's allowed Cardenas to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Ryan Cardenas has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ben Cola is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Cola controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ben Cola comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Cola 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ben Cola!