PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Crown Virus (ranked 7717 p4p, 523 weight class) and Hal Robson Kanu (ranked 23435 p4p, 581 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Virus
vs
Robson Kanu

175 cm
25
150 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

225 cm
26
130 lbs
6 - 6 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid 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 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Crown Virus!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Hal Robson Kanu!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Frank Dennis and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Virus lands with a good body shot.
Robson Kanu rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Virus counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Virus comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
A frustrated look appears on Robson Kanu's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Virus tries to throw a body punch but Robson Kanu avoids it by throwing Virus back against the cage.
Robson Kanu wants to break free but Virus has control.
Virus slows down the pace here.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Virus.
Robson Kanu is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
A shot in the inside from Virus.
Robson Kanu blocking some punches.
Virus leaning his opponent against the cage.
Virus creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Robson Kanu's defenses.

Virus breaks the clinch.
A combination from Robson Kanu does no damage.
Robson Kanu slips a jab from Virus.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Virus tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Robson Kanu throws a counter combo.

Virus fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Robson Kanu, pushing him back against the cage.
Robson Kanu looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Virus tries a body shot but Robson Kanu blocks it.
Nice body punch from Virus.
Robson Kanu is looking to break free of the clinch but Virus has double underhooks.
Robson Kanu is trying to force a seperation but Virus has the dominant position.

Virus's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Robson Kanu connects with a good right hand that stumbles Virus. Virus circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
A big left from Virus misses.
Robson Kanu digs a good body shot into Virus's ribs.
Robson Kanu misses with a series of wild punches.
Robson Kanu misses with a body shot.
Robson Kanu throws a right hand that Virus ducks under and follows up with a left that Virus also avoids with ease.
Jab from Virus.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Robson Kanu throws a combination that misses
and Robson Kanu takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Virus tries to move into range but Robson Kanu moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Robson Kanu with a nice cross.

It looks like Crown Virus has been cut.
Robson Kanu misses with a two punch combination.
Virus has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Robson Kanu throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Virus counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Robson Kanu thinking.
Robson Kanu looks to score with a jab to the body but Virus is just out of range.
Robson Kanu lands a slapping body shot.
Robson Kanu throws a shot to the body.
Robson Kanu throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Virus looks to land a left hand but Robson Kanu moved out of range nicely.
A slow jab from Virus misses its intended target.
No joy there for Robson Kanu, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Robson Kanu defending well as Virus loads up on a big left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Virus missing with a left hand there. Robson Kanu was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Virus is breathing heavily.
Virus tries to clinch but Robson Kanu is having none of it.
Robson Kanu dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Robson Kanu misses with a two punch combination.
Robson Kanu lands with a straight right. Virus didn't see that one coming.
Robson Kanu throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Robson Kanu cracks Virus with a good jab.
Robson Kanu misses with a series of wild punches.
Robson Kanu throws a right hand that Virus ducks under and follows up with a left that Virus also avoids with ease.
Robson Kanu tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Virus was well out of range. Poor timing from Robson Kanu.
Robson Kanu moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Robson Kanu looks to score with a jab to the body but Virus is just out of range.
Virus swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Virus misses the target.
Robson Kanu looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Robson Kanu moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Robson Kanu is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Robson Kanu connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Virus moves forwards but Robson Kanu connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Virus uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Robson Kanu.
Virus misses with a hook. Robson Kanu ducked under it nicely.
Robson Kanu lands with a nice body punch.
Robson Kanu lands with an overhand left.
Robson Kanu scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

Virus is rocked!
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Robson Kanu throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Virus.
Virus takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Robson Kanu rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Virus moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hal Robson Kanu dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Crown Virus's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Robson Kanu scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Robson Kanu misses with an uppercut.

Oooooh!!! Robson Kanu has knocked Virus down with a huge combo! Robson Kanu steps away and waves a wobbly Virus back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!
Oh Virus is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

Virus pushes Robson Kanu up against the cage in a clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Robson Kanu takes an elbow to the temple.
Virus lands a right hand.
Virus throws a punch but it's blocked by Robson Kanu.
Robson Kanu wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Virus misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Virus has Robson Kanu pressed against the cage, preventing Robson Kanu from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Robson Kanu looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Virus seems to have got his legs back now.
Virus presses Robson Kanu against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Virus gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Virus throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Robson Kanu wants to break the clinch but can't.
Virus scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Robson Kanu tries to break free but Virus pushes him back against the cage.
Robson Kanu can't break the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Robson Kanu's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Virus misses with a punch to the body.
Virus goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Robson Kanu is looking to break free of the clinch but Virus has double underhooks.
Virus keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Robson Kanu's efforts to push away.
Crown Virus has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Robson Kanu takes an elbow to the forehead.

Robson Kanu escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Robson Kanu is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Virus rather than just go for the knockout.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Robson Kanu!
Robson Kanu lands a jab to Virus's midsection.
Robson Kanu has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Robson Kanu rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Virus moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Virus looks to throw the jab but Robson Kanu is out of range.
A big left from Virus misses.
As Virus backs off Robson Kanu throws a huge counter combo but Virus manages to avoid it all.

Virus clinches up against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Robson Kanu's face as he tries to break the clinch.
A right hand to the body from Virus.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Robson Kanu takes an elbow to the forehead.
Virus swings wildly with an uppercut but Robson Kanu uses good head movement to avoid it.
Virus cracks Robson Kanu with a nice body shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Robson Kanu blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Robson Kanu wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Virus swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Virus is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Robson Kanu's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Robson Kanu is trying to break the clinch but Virus is controlling him.
Virus has Robson Kanu pressed against the cage, preventing Robson Kanu from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Virus creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Robson Kanu is trying to push Virus away but Virus has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Virus tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Virus keeps control of Robson Kanu as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Robson Kanu blocks an uppercut.
Robson Kanu wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Virus has him pressed against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Robson Kanu is trying to push Virus away but Virus has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Robson Kanu wants to break the clinch but can't.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Robson Kanu. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Virus lands a body punch.
Robson Kanu working hard to break the clinch.
Virus keeps control of Robson Kanu as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Virus tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Virus goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Virus keeps control of Robson Kanu as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Virus struggles to land a body shot inside as Robson Kanu controls his hands.
Virus fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Virus lands an elbow just above Robson Kanu 's eye.
Robson Kanu has had enough of the clinch but Virus keeps him there for the moment.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Robson Kanu.
Robson Kanu is trying to break the clinch but Virus is controlling him.
Virus looks to throw an elbow but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Virus misses with a hook to the ribs.
Virus tries a body shot but Robson Kanu blocks it.
Virus throws an elbow but it misses.
Virus struggles to land a body shot inside as Robson Kanu controls his hands.
Robson Kanu is trying to break free.
Virus manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Robson Kanu tries to break free but Virus pushes him back against the cage.
Robson Kanu is trying to break free.
Robson Kanu tries to break free but Virus pushes him back against the cage.
Robson Kanu wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Virus has him pressed against the cage.
Virus lands an elbow that stopped Robson Kanu in his tracks for a moment.
A shot in the inside from Virus.
Virus lands an elbow just above Robson Kanu 's eye.
Robson Kanu wants to get back to striking at distance but Virus won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Crown Virus dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Crown Virus's cut.
That's time! Virus's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Nice shot by Robson Kanu.
Robson Kanu scores with a crisp jab that stopped Virus in his tracks.
Robson Kanu throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Virus stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Robson Kanu thuds a left hand into Virus's body.
Virus throws an overhand right that lands on Robson Kanu's shoulder, as Robson Kanu tries to avoid the shot.
Hal Robson Kanu seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Virus throws an overhand right that lands on Robson Kanu's shoulder, as Robson Kanu tries to avoid the shot.
Robson Kanu fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Robson Kanu throws a series of punches but Virus avoids them all with ease.
Virus is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Virus misses with an uppercut
and Robson Kanu counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Robson Kanu wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Robson Kanu scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Virus slips a jab and a cross from Robson Kanu.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Robson Kanu dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Virus takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Robson Kanu lands with a nice body punch.
Virus takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Robson Kanu looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Virus is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Robson Kanu scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Robson Kanu fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Virus on the side of the head.
Virus looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Virus is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Robson Kanu misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
An attempted straight right counter from Virus misses the target.
Virus takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Robson Kanu lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Robson Kanu scores with a jab. Virus acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Robson Kanu throws a series of punches but Virus avoids them all with ease.
Robson Kanu lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Virus looks to land a right hand but Robson Kanu moved out of range.
Sloppy strikes from Robson Kanu. Those never looked like landing.
A little feinted left hand from Virus on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

Virus moves into the clinch.
Virus has Robson Kanu pressed against the cage, preventing Robson Kanu from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Virus tries to throw a body punch but Robson Kanu avoids it by throwing Virus back against the cage.
Robson Kanu is trying to push Virus away but Virus has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Robson Kanu is trying to break the clinch but Virus is controlling him.
Robson Kanu looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Virus prevents Robson Kanu from breaking the clinch.
Robson Kanu tries to break free but Virus pushes him back against the cage.
Robson Kanu is looking to break free of the clinch but Virus has double underhooks.

Virus pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Robson Kanu displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Virus throws a hook to the side of Robson Kanu's head but Robson Kanu sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Virus shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Virus misses with a looping right.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Robson Kanu, as that shot connected.
Some wild striking there from Robson Kanu.
Robson Kanu lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Robson Kanu tries to bum rush Virus with a series of wild strikes but Virus uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A big left from Virus misses.
Virus moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Robson Kanu lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Robson Kanu lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Virus needs to keep his hands up - Robson Kanu had a free shot at his head there.
Robson Kanu works over Virus's head and body with a nice combination.
Robson Kanu connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Virus misses with a looping left.
Robson Kanu has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Robson Kanu throws a combination. Virus tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Virus throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Robson Kanu bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Robson Kanu lands a jab to the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Robson Kanu lands a nice shot to the body.
Virus avoids a punch combination nicely.
Virus wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hal Robson Kanu comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Robson Kanu has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 27:29
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 27:29
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hal Robson Kanu!