PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Danny Rand (ranked 2994 p4p, 3214 weight class) and Mehdi Kanaani (ranked 310 p4p, 172 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Rand might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Wu Tang-Protect Ya Neck. Danny Rand has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Rand
vs
Kanaani

176 cm
28
155
6 - 5 - 0

170 cm
20
147
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Experienced

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

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 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Danny Rand!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mehdi Kanaani!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Daniel Cesar and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kanaani scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Rand doesn't seem bothered though.
Rand takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Rand tries to land a front kick but Kanaani steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Kanaani lands with a right hand.
Kanaani scores with a shot to the body.
Rand takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Rand tries a head kick but it misses.
Rand jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kanaani thuds a left hand into Rand's body.
Danny Rand seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rand uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kanaani.
A punch lands to the side of Rand 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Kanaani ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Rand gets cracked there but stands up to it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kanaani slips a jab from Rand.
Kanaani punishes Rand's body with a nice straight punch.
Kanaani works Rand's body with a nice hook.
Kanaani fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Kanaani lands a jab.
Kanaani with a nice cross.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big left from Rand misses.
Kanaani fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Kanaani lands a jab.
Rand throws a jab when Kanaani was well out of range.
Some wild striking there from Kanaani.
Kanaani scores with a punch to the head.
Danny Rand is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rand throws a body kick that misses.
Rand misses with a hook. Kanaani ducked under it nicely.
Both fighters circling a little - Rand finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Kanaani lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Kanaani is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Rand rather than just go for the knockout.
Rand scores with a head kick. Kanaani tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Rand throws a looping overhand right but Kanaani ducks down to avoid it.
Rand throws a lazy right hand but Kanaani sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A little jabbing left from Kanaani on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
A jab from Kanaani finds it's way through Rand's defenses.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kanaani scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Kanaani scores with a nice head shot.
A slow jab from Rand misses its intended target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rand tries to clinch but Kanaani moves out of range.
Rand misses with a looping left.
Kanaani throws out a powerful jab.
Kanaani scores with a sloppy right hand. Rand should have avoided that one.
Kanaani scores with a jab.
Rand throws a leg kick that misses.
Rand looks to throw the jab but Kanaani is out of range.
Rand misses with a body kick.
Kanaani scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Rand drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Kanaani scores with a body shot.
Kanaani is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Rand had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
A slow jab from Rand misses its intended target.
Rand takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Kanaani staying out of range there.
Rand throws a half hearted mid kick.
Kanaani appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Kanaani avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A cross from Kanaani lands.
Kanaani avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kanaani swats away the attempt to clinch by Rand.
Kanaani scores with a nice strike.
Rand has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Rand there as he acknowledges the shot.
Rand tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kanaani takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Kanaani lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Kanaani misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rand.
Rand half committed to a counter leg kick.
Rand tries to clinch there but Kanaani circles away.
Kanaani throws a body shot but no joy.
Kanaani lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Rand misses with an uppercut.
Rand takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Rand just misses with a punch to the body.
Rand tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kanaani misses the shot to the body.
Rand lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kanaani tries to clinch but Rand moves out of range.
Kanaani avoids the head kick by Rand.
Kanaani misses with an uppercut. Rand saw that one coming.
Rand gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Kanaani uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rand.
Kanaani scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Rand plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Kanaani misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kanaani keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Rand.
Kanaani works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Rand misses with a series of wild punches.
A cross from Kanaani lands.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kanaani steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Rand.
Rand looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Rand lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Kanaani has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Kanaani and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Rand has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Rand there as he acknowledges the shot.
Kanaani scores with a nice head shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mehdi Kanaani dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Rand looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Rand throws a sloppy body shot
and Kanaani counters with a straight right hand.
Rand throws a shot from downtown. Kanaani moves away and avoids it.
Rand tests Kanaani's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kanaani ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Rand looks to throw the jab but Kanaani is out of range.

Kanaani shoots in and bounces Rand off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Rand throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
We've been hearing good reports from Rand'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.
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!
Rand wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Rand has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Kanaani makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kanaani with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's one minute gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Rand is on top in guard.

Kanaani keeping moving, preventing Rand from controlling successfully.
Rand throws a big right hand that misses.
Rand content to stall in guard here.
Kanaani keeping full guard, as Rand tries to pass.
Rand wants to control from the top but Kanaani keeps moving.
Rand tries to free his leg and advance position but Kanaani is retaining full guard.

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.
Kanaani wants to stand up but Rand is controlling him.
Rand trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kanaani wants to stand up but Rand is controlling him.
Rand slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Rand takes a little break here. Kanaani wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.

Rand is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Kanaani is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Rand is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Kanaani knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rand is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Kanaani's shoulder. That is not cool.
Kanaani is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Rand is controlling him well.
Rand wants to control but Kanaani is keeping him busy.
Rand throws a strike aimed at the side of Kanaani's head but Kanaani avoids it well.
Rand scores with a couple of short elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Kanaani wants to get back to his feet.
Rand in side control lands a decent elbow.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rand controls the position from side control.
Rand wants to control but Kanaani is keeping him busy.

Rand thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rand prevents Kanaani from escaping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Danny Rand dominated that second 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. This is the final round!

Kanaani jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Rand misses with a hook.
A jab from Rand misses.
Kanaani looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Kanaani, as that shot connected.

Kanaani bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Kanaani really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Rand. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Kanaani landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Rand manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Rand missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Rand wants to work for an arm triangle but Kanaani is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kanaani wants to stand back up but Rand manages to pass into side control.

Rand thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Rand trying to control the action but Kanaani is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rand misses with the ground and pound.
Rand wants to control but Kanaani is keeping him busy.
Rand throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Rand is staying tight to Kanaani's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Rand trying to control the position but Kanaani is working away.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Kanaani can do anything to dispel that myth.
Rand is staying tight to Kanaani's torso, preventing him from escaping.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Rand goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Kanaani has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Rand but great work by Kanaani.
You can see the frustration on Rand's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Rand manages to work his way to half guard, despite Kanaani's best efforts.
Rand trying to control here.
Rand is doing well to control the position and prevent Kanaani from advancing to side control.
Rand is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kanaani drops an elbow to the side of Rand's head.

Rand actively working from the bottom here.
Rand trying to control from the bottom.
Danny Rand overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kanaani looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Rand with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Rand makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Rand.
Kanaani landing with the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kanaani is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Kanaani postures up and lands a big shot to Rand's brow.
Kanaani stands up over Rand, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Kanaani postures up.
Rand wants to sweep but no luck.
Kanaani scoring with punches to the head and body.
Kanaani throws a big elbow that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kanaani with a nice head shot there.
Kanaani stopping the sweep attempt from Rand.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Kanaani working his ground and pound in the gym. So far it seems to be working well.
Kanaani working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Rand's head.

Kanaani stands up over his opponent, looking to dive in with a big punch. Here he comes, superman style! Oh, the punch misses and Rand has got him in a triangle choke for good measure! Oh no! Kanaani manages to get his head free but now Rand has transitioned to an armbar! Kanaani grimaces and is forced to tap! Beautiful Jiu Jitsu from Rand! I'd be surprised if that didn't end up as submission of the night!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:30 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Danny Rand!
After the fight, Danny Rand was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.