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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Joe Belanger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jose Luis Cantero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cantero is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: La mandanga. Jose Luis Cantero is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.
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| 187 cm
26
193 lbs
11 - 3 - 0 |
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183 cm
22
183 lbs
11 - 5 - 1 |
Decent wrestler
Good knees
Very strong |
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BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
11 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Joe Belanger!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
11 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Jose Luis Cantero!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Taro Takaoka and Shigeki Fujiwara.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cantero checks the leg kick.
Belanger throws a head kick but Cantero moves out of range.
Belanger connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Belanger lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Belanger lands with a thumping leg kick.
Cantero thuds a left hand into Belanger's body.
Belanger throws a nice inside leg kick.
Cantero takes a swing at Belanger's ribcage but misses.
Cantero takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Cantero fails with the takedown.
Cantero looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Belanger is fending him off so far but Cantero persists. Nope, Belanger circles away and we're back to standing.
Cantero fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Belanger avoids it really well and circles away.
Joe Belanger has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jose Luis Cantero.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cantero stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Belanger.
Cantero looks gassed!
Belanger throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Joe Belanger seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Belanger misses with a kick to the body.
Cantero is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Belanger's half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Belanger is staying active underneath Cantero, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Cantero is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Belanger works his way to full guard. Good work.
Cantero postures up.
Belanger looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Belanger controlling the position.
Belanger keeping moving, preventing Cantero from controlling successfully.
Cantero trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Cantero lands a couple of elbows.
Belanger trying to control the position here.
Belanger lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Cantero!
Belanger can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Cantero is looking to escape.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cantero is in all sorts of trouble here.
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.
Belanger content just to control the position here.
Cantero holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Belanger tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Joe Belanger dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.
Belanger misses with a head kick.
Belanger lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Cantero circles away quickly and effectively.
Belanger throws a front kick aimed at Cantero's knee but Cantero avoids it well.
Belanger throws a leg kick but Cantero checks it.
A decent looking cross lands there for Belanger.
Cantero bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Belanger is looking to regain half guard here but Cantero keeps moving and retains side control.
Cantero tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Cantero has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Belanger is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Belanger manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Belanger is trying to maintain the position but Cantero is very close to passing his half guard.
Cantero missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Belanger is refusing to be controlled, as Cantero sits in half guard.
Cantero is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Belanger tries to get to full guard but Cantero has control of the leg.
Belanger is working hard here to advance position.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Cantero shoots in but Belanger avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Belanger throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Belanger dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Cantero. That did some damage!
Jab, jab by Belanger - just one landing.
Belanger thuds his right hand into Cantero's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Belanger cracks the inside of Cantero's front leg.
Cantero dives in and grabs Belanger's left leg, looking for a takedown. Belanger pushes down on Cantero's head and hops out.
Belanger pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Belanger tries a head kick but it misses.
Cantero shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Belanger as he jumps to the side.
Joe Belanger has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jose Luis Cantero.
Cantero is breathing heavily.
Belanger is looking to chop away at Cantero's legs.
Belanger fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Cantero on the side of the head.
Joe Belanger is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Belanger swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Cantero digs a good body shot into Belanger's ribs.
Cantero avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Cantero checks a low kick from Belanger.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cantero shoots in for a double leg but Belanger sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Belanger attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Belanger slaps away a takedown attempt from Cantero, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Belanger displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Cantero.
A solid leg kick lands there for Belanger.
Belanger throws a quick inside leg kick.
Cantero misses with a takedown attempt - Belanger sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Cantero stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Belanger.
Some bone on bone action there as Cantero checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Belanger displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Cantero.
Belanger throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Cantero ducks under a wild hook from Belanger.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Belanger does no damage.
Cantero shoots in looking for a takedown. Belanger tries to sprawl out of it but Cantero keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Belanger manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Cantero checks the leg kick nicely there.
Belanger lands with a slapping head kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Belanger catches Cantero with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Cantero throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Belanger swings away with a body shot that misses
and Cantero counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Belanger keeping moving, preventing Cantero from controlling successfully.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Belanger is on top in guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Belanger slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Joe Belanger dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!
Belanger throws a leg kick but Cantero sees it coming and moves out of range.
Cantero shoots in for a takedown but Belanger shows good takedown defense.
Cantero closes the distance and clinches up with Belanger, looking for a takedown. Cantero pushes Belanger against the cage but Belanger circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
An inside leg kick from Belanger misses.
Cantero's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Cantero avoids the head kick by Belanger.
Belanger thumps Cantero with a low kick.
Cantero avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Belanger - that will leave a mark!
Belanger throws a quick inside leg kick.
Cantero fails with the takedown.
Joe Belanger has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jose Luis Cantero.
Belanger throws a half hearted mid kick.
Cantero takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A head kick misses from Belanger.
Belanger misses with a leg kick
and Cantero counters with a shoot takedown. Belanger fights it but they end up in guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Cantero won't allow Belanger to sweep him here.
Belanger has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Cantero trying to control but Belanger is working from the bottom.
Belanger looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Cantero puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Belanger on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Belanger tries to get out of the position.
Belanger has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Cantero is working away from the top position though.
Belanger is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
That's two 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.
Belanger is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Cantero wants to work for an arm triangle but Belanger is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Cantero fails to land the takedown.
Cantero bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Cantero working away.
Cantero trying to control the action but Belanger is working from the bottom.
Belanger is trying to control Cantero's posture but Cantero avoids it.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belanger is looking for a sweep.
Belanger wants to control but Cantero postures up.
Cantero cracks Belanger with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Belanger defending against the ground and pound.
Cantero is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Belanger has escaped the position, nice work there.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Belanger leaves Cantero with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
An inside leg kick lands from Belanger.
Belanger thows a body kick. Cantero tries to catch it but that hurt him.
A nice leg kick lands there from Belanger.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Belanger throws a head kick that half lands.
Cantero on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Belanger shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
A chopping leg kick lands by Belanger.
A nice leg kick lands there from Belanger.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Belanger lands a nice leg kick that just misses Cantero's sensitive parts.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Belanger, right into the meat.
Belanger throws and low kick but Cantero moves out of range easily.
Belanger scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Belanger motions for Cantero to come forward. Belanger throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Belanger moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cantero chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Belanger can pounce on him.
Cantero has a takedown stuffed.
Belanger throws a nice outside leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Joe Belanger clearly takes that round.
That's time! Belanger's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.
Belanger pushes Cantero away with a front kick.
Cantero dives in and grabs Belanger's left leg, looking for a takedown. Belanger pushes down on Cantero's head and hops out.
Joe Belanger is winning the standup battle so far.
Belanger scoring well with a low kick there.
Belanger lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Belanger misses with an uppercut.
Belanger goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Belanger throws a leg kick but Cantero moved away.
Belanger tries a low kick but Cantero avoids it.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Cantero is defended easily by Belanger.
Cantero uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Belanger.
Cantero is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Belanger pivots, looking for a leg kick but Cantero is out of range and Belanger settles back down.
Belanger displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Cantero.
Joe Belanger has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jose Luis Cantero.
No luck for Cantero with that takedown attempt.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Belanger lands a nice leg kick that just misses Cantero's sensitive parts.
Cantero blocks a head kick by Belanger.
Belanger throws a front kick that sends Cantero stumbling back into the cage.
Belanger fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Cantero.
Belanger buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Belanger misses with a hook. Cantero ducked under it nicely.
Belanger misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cantero.
Belanger lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Belanger misses with a low kick as Cantero jumps back.
Belanger fakes the leg kick and cracks Cantero in the body.
Cantero avoids the head kick by Belanger.
Belanger is looking to chop away at Cantero's legs.
Belanger rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Cantero moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A bone on bone clash there as Cantero blocks the leg kick.
Cantero scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Belanger doesn't seem bothered though.
Belanger punishes Cantero's body with a nice straight punch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cantero walks into a jab.
Belanger throws a leg kick but Cantero sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Belanger throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Cantero has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Belanger.
A bone on bone clash there as Cantero blocks the leg kick.
Belanger thuds his shin into the meat of Cantero's side.
Some wild striking there from Belanger.
Cantero jabs at Belanger's body.
Belanger attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Belanger throws a leg kick that is checked
so Cantero counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Belanger trying to control the position.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cantero controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Cantero trying to control but Belanger is working from the bottom.
Belanger controls Cantero momentarily but Cantero frees himself.
Belanger is adopting a defensive guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Belanger is on top in guard.
Cantero is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Belanger is aware though and is defending well.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Belanger trying to control the position from guard on top but Cantero is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Cantero is on top in guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cantero is fighting to break Belanger's control of his arms but Belanger is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Belanger looking for a sweep. Not yet Belanger, not yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Joe Belanger had his way with Jose Luis Cantero in that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!
Cantero shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Belanger as he jumps to the side.
Belanger fakes the leg kick and cracks Cantero in the body.
No luck for Cantero with that takedown attempt.
Belanger throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Belanger throws a leg kick that is checked
and Cantero counters with a shoot takedown. Belanger fights it but they end up in guard.
Belanger pulls Cantero in close to his closed guard and prevents Cantero from doing any damage or advancing position.
Cantero won't allow Belanger to sweep him here.
Cantero drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Cantero jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Belanger is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Cantero sitting in guard, not really doing much.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Belanger trying to control the position here.
Cantero is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Cantero sitting in guard here, content to control.
Belanger bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Cantero's guard.
Cantero wants to sweep here but Belanger controlling him for the moment.
Cantero is controlling Belanger's posture.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Belanger looking to sit in guard and control but Cantero gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Belanger trying to control the position here.
Belanger keeping moving, preventing Cantero from controlling successfully.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belanger is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Joe Belanger.
Belanger lands a head kick. Cantero smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Cantero shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Belanger as he jumps to the side.
Joe Belanger has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jose Luis Cantero.
Belanger swings away with a leg kick that misses.
A slapping leg kick lands for Belanger.
A head kick misses from Belanger.
Cantero throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Belanger pivots, looking for a leg kick but Cantero is out of range and Belanger settles back down.
Belanger pulls out of a head kick attempt.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Belanger wants to land a leg kick but Cantero is out of range.
Cantero checks a leg kick.
Cantero lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Belanger circles away quickly and effectively.
Cantero shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Cantero was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Cantero looking to control but Belanger is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Joe Belanger is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Belanger is looking to get to half guard.
Belanger tries to hold on but Cantero pushes him away.
Jose Luis Cantero has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cantero punching from mount but Belanger doing a good job of avoiding damage.
And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Joe Belanger.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Belanger, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 50:46
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 50:45
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 50:45
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joe Belanger!
Joe Belanger retains his middleweight title!
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
100% |
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