PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Matheus Cano (ranked 7129 p4p, 25042 weight class) and Ajay Dabeast (ranked 617 p4p, 661 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Cano
vs
Dabeast

180 cm
18
160
0 - 2 - 0

175 cm
20
160
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Tends to cut

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Matheus Cano!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ajay Dabeast!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Sandra Marshall and Bart Greer.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cano misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Dabeast closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Cano's guard.
Dabeast pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Cano is keeping the position for now.
Cano not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Cano striking off his back but it's not causing Dabeast any problems.

Cano is working an open guard so Dabeast takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cano is trying hard to land a takedown here. Dabeast sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
And Dabeast tries to counter it with a takedown but Cano pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Cano tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Cano shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Dabeast defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matheus Cano. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dabeast darts in and clinches Cano up against the cage.
Dabeast pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

Dabeast manages to pull guard.
Cano stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Dabeast swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dabeast is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Dabeast keeping full guard, as Cano tries to pass.

Dabeast looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cano postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Dabeast is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Cano trying to control the position from guard on top but Dabeast is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dabeast manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Cano manages to get himself to full guard.

Dabeast engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Cano working for a triangle but Dabeast defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Dabeast got a little sloppy there for a moment and Cano has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Dabeast has managed to get both his arms back between Cano's legs - danger averted.
Dabeast trying to control the position from guard on top but Cano is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Cano has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Dabeast can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Cano escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Dabeast gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Cano keeping moving, preventing Dabeast from controlling successfully.

Cano has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Dabeast can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Dabeast wants to pass the guard but Cano is keeping the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Cano is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ajay Dabeast dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Dabeast gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Cano is working for takedown but Dabeast is calmly controlling the position for now.
Cano is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Dabeast pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Cano tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matheus Cano. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cano tries to score a body lock takedown but Dabeast shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Cano tries to score a body lock takedown but Dabeast shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Dabeast is pressed up against the cage. Cano has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Dabeast down to the mat. Dabeast avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Dabeast has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Dabeast misses with a head kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cano shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Dabeast as he jumps to the side.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Dabeast clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dabeast breaks the clinch.
Dabeast throws a series of punches but Cano moves out of range.
Nice sprawl there from Dabeast as Cano shoots in.
Dabeast changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

Cano gets tackled into the cage by Dabeast. Dabeast maintains the clinch.
Cano has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Dabeast is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Cano is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Dabeast pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Dabeast jumps into guard, dragging Cano to the mat.
Dabeast looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

Dabeast is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Cano defends well.
Cano won't allow Dabeast to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dabeast wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Dabeast doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

Dabeast is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Cano is aware though and is defending well.
Cano postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Cano working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Cano sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Dabeast's guard.
Dabeast makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Dabeast.
Dabeast controls Cano momentarily but Cano frees himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cano is looking to stand up but Dabeast won't let him.

Dabeast looking for a guillotine here but Cano defends easily.
Dabeast working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Cano.
Cano wants to control from the top but Dabeast keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Dabeast drives through and clinches with Cano against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Cano is trying to drag Dabeast to the mat but Dabeast just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Cano tries to score a body lock takedown but Dabeast shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Dabeast jumps guard and drags Cano to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Cano looking to pass the guard.
Dabeast is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Dabeast pulls Cano in close to prevent any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Dabeast's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ajay Dabeast showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Cano is trying hard to land a takedown here. Dabeast sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Cano misses with a takedown attempt - Dabeast sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Dabeast lands with a nice combination. Cano backs away looking to recover.

Dabeast shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Cano has one foot on Dabeast's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
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!
Cano tries to land a front kick but Dabeast steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Dabeast unleashes a big counter combination but Cano bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.

Dabeast drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Cano throws Dabeast to one side and escapes!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cano shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matheus Cano. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Dabeast drives through and clinches with Cano against the cage.

Dabeast breaks from the clinch.
Cano shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Dabeast finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Dabeast lands a head kick!

Dabeast scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dabeast working the head and body with strikes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Dabeast stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Cano to get to his feet.

Dabeast drives through and clinches with Cano against the cage.

Dabeast jumps guard.
Cano trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Dabeast looking for subs off his back but Cano has passed one foot through into half guard.

Cano is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Dabeast sees it coming and defends easily.
Matheus Cano has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dabeast is looking to control Cano's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Dabeast avoid being mounted?
Dabeast taking some punishment here, with Cano in his half guard.
Dabeast works his way to full guard. Good work.
Cano trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Cano throws a big right hand that misses.

Dabeast looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Dabeast keeping full guard, as Cano tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Cano trying to control the position from guard on top but Dabeast is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Dabeast has an active guard here but Cano has managed to pass into half guard.
Cano tries to pass to full mount but Dabeast defends it.
Dabeast is trying to maintain the position but Cano is very close to passing his half guard.
Cano wants to control but Dabeast is keeping him busy.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ajay Dabeast.
I've got Dabeast winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Sandra Marshall scores the fight 27:30
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ajay Dabeast!