PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Riley Hatfield (ranked 1439 p4p, 548 weight class) and Mehdi Kanaani (ranked 195 p4p, 66 weight class). Hatfield comes into the arena with Alabama - Bishop Gunn blaring out of the sound system. Kanaani has chosen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1BNcSBApOU as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Hatfield
vs
Kanaani

174 cm
21
160
5 - 1 - 0

170 cm
22
166
10 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Brooklyn Apothecary
CHURCH OF ZOIDBERG - FEEBLE FIGHTWEAR

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 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Riley Hatfield!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mehdi Kanaani!
The judges for this bout are Percy O'Donnell, Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kanaani uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hatfield.
Hatfield ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kanaani moves away.
Kanaani dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kanaani digs a good hook to Hatfield's body.
Kanaani fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Kanaani throws a body punch but Hatfield moves out of range.
Kanaani swings widly with a right hand
letting Hatfield counter with a right hand.
Hatfield bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

It looks like Mehdi Kanaani has been cut.
Hatfield dips to his left and cracks Kanaani with an uppercut!
Hatfield throws a poor cross that misses
and Kanaani cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kanaani lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Kanaani misses the shot to the body.
Hatfield wants to clinch but Kanaani slips to the side

so Kanaani counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Hatfield avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hatfield is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Kanaani gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Kanaani slips under a jab from Hatfield.
Kanaani shoots in looking for a takedown but Hatfield manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Kanaani's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Kanaani misses with an uppercut
and Hatfield counters with a right hand to the body.
Kanaani throws a hook but Hatfield blocks it.
Kanaani uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hatfield.
Kanaani has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Hatfield darts in trying to clinch

and Kanaani counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Hatfield pushes Kanaani off and gets back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kanaani throws a jab but it's blocked by Hatfield.
Kanaani uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hatfield.
Hatfield blocks a head kick by Kanaani.
Hatfield throws a series of punches but Kanaani avoids them all with ease.
Kanaani feints the counter takedown.
Hatfield looks to score with a jab to the body but Kanaani is just out of range.
Kanaani connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Riley Hatfield is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hatfield lands with an uppercut that bounces Kanaani off the cage and back into range.
Kanaani bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Kanaani moves out of range of the body kick.
Kanaani misses the body punch
and Hatfield counters with a solid body kick.
Kanaani throws a head kick that misses
and Hatfield counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
No luck for Kanaani with that takedown attempt.
Hatfield was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hatfield thuds his right hand into Kanaani's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Hatfield wants to clinch

and Kanaani counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Kanaani missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Hatfield makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Hatfield throws a hook to the side of Kanaani's head but Kanaani sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kanaani looks to score with a jab to the body but Hatfield is just out of range.
Kanaani throws a sloppy body shot
and Hatfield counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kanaani chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Hatfield can pounce on him.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hatfield takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Hatfield misses with an uppercut.
Kanaani scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hatfield fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kanaani manages to avoid it.
Mehdi Kanaani seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hatfield scores with a nice head shot.
Hatfield listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

That has opened up Mehdi Kanaani's cut even more.
Kanaani lands a slapping body shot.
Kanaani throws a body shot but no joy.
Hatfield is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.

Kanaani gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Hatfield wants to stall.
Hatfield using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kanaani has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hatfield.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Hatfield's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kanaani doesn't manage to clinch there - Hatfield circles away.
Hatfield misses with a low kick.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Riley Hatfield dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mehdi Kanaani's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Hatfield takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Kanaani just misses with a punch to the body.
Hatfield looks to throw the jab but Kanaani is out of range.
Hatfield blocks a jab.

Hatfield fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kanaani, pushing him back against the cage.
Hatfield gets underhooks to prevent Kanaani's takedown attempt.
Hatfield misses with a punch on the inside.
Hatfield wants to stall.
Hatfield misses with a punch on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kanaani blocks an uppercut.
Hatfield creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Kanaani letting Hatfield take a breather here.
I was talking to Hatfield's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Hatfield misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kanaani blocking some punches.

Hatfield breaks the clinch.
Hatfield tries to clinch but Kanaani moves away

so Kanaani counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Hatfield has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Kanaani has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Hatfield has a couple of punches blocked by Kanaani.
Hatfield taking a breather.

Hatfield breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kanaani throws a big shot that misses.
Kanaani misses with a wild body shot.
Kanaani digs a good hook to Hatfield's body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Kanaani shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Hatfield manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Kanaani wants to control from the top but Hatfield keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Hatfield has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Kanaani off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Kanaani is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Hatfield rather than just go for the knockout.
Kanaani is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hatfield.
Kanaani lands a nice shot to the body.
Kanaani misses the shot to the body.
Hatfield appears to be looking for a big counter.
Hatfield on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Some wild striking there from Hatfield.
Hatfield throws out a loose jab but Kanaani uses good head movement to avoid it.
Riley Hatfield is winning the standup battle so far.
Kanaani throws a head kick that misses
and Hatfield counters with a slapping leg kick.
Hatfield jabs Kanaani to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Hatfield tries to clinch but Kanaani is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kanaani fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Hatfield to the ground. Kanaani is now in Hatfield's guard.

Hatfield scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Hatfield misses the shot to the body.
Kanaani throws a lazy right hand but Hatfield sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Hatfield walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Kanaani lands a jab to Hatfield's midsection.
Kanaani throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Kanaani scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Hatfield doesn't seem bothered though.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kanaani throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kanaani throws a body punch but Hatfield moves out of range.
Kanaani misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hatfield.
Kanaani throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Hatfield's head.

It looks like Riley Hatfield has been cut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kanaani moves away from the strike by Hatfield.
Kanaani misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Kanaani swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hatfield clobbers Kanaani with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Hatfield tries to clinch
enabling Kanaani to counter with a crisp jab.
Hatfield looks to land a left hand but Kanaani moved out of range nicely.
Hatfield sets himself, and Kanaani steps forward looking for the clinch! Hatfield avoids it this time.
Hatfield tries to clinch up.
Kanaani feints the counter takedown.
Kanaani uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hatfield.
Kanaani on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Kanaani throws a body shot but no joy.
Hatfield throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Riley Hatfield will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Hatfield scores with a hook to the body. Kanaani takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Hatfield connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Kanaani momentarily.
Kanaani connects with a crisp jab.
Kanaani looks to score with a jab to the body but Hatfield is just out of range.
Kanaani misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hatfield.
Hatfield throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Kanaani's head.
Hatfield fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kanaani manages to avoid it.
Kanaani lunges at Hatfield with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Hatfield's hand.
Kanaani throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kanaani misses with a straight left.
Hatfield avoids the body shot from Kanaani.
Kanaani throws an overhand right that lands on Hatfield's shoulder, as Hatfield tries to avoid the shot.
Kanaani darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kanaani cracks Hatfield with a right hand to the side of the head.
Hatfield swings widly with a right hand
and Kanaani counters with a nice uppercut.
Hatfield moves away from the strike by Kanaani.
Kanaani misses with a wild body shot.
It looked like Hatfield wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Kanaani pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hatfield throws a right hand that Kanaani ducks under and follows up with a left that Kanaani also avoids with ease.
The fighters circle momentarily. Kanaani darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Kanaani jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Hatfield appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Hatfield takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Nice shot by Hatfield.
Hatfield scores with a spinning back kick!
A good leg kick by Hatfield.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kanaani lands a jab to Hatfield's midsection.
Kanaani misses the body punch
and Hatfield counters with a left to the body.
Kanaani takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hatfield throws a predictable looking body shot
enabling Kanaani to counter with a crisp jab.
Hatfield lands a nice looking body shot.
Hatfield swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kanaani misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hatfield.
Kanaani pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Hatfield with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Kanaani doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Hatfield connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Kanaani moves out of range as Hatfield strikes.
Hatfield lands with a good body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hatfield doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Kanaani scores with a jab to the body.
Hatfield leaves Kanaani with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Hatfield throws a quick counter head kick but Kanaani was just out of range.
The fighters circle momentarily. Kanaani darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
A jab from Hatfield does it's job there.

The cut above Mehdi Kanaani's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Kanaani dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Hatfield looks to land a right hand but Kanaani moved out of range.
Hatfield misses with a hook.
Hatfield missing with a left hand there. Kanaani was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hatfield throws a body punch but Kanaani moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kanaani shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hatfield but Hatfield pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Kanaani blocks a head kick by Hatfield.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kanaani. Hatfield does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kanaani dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Hatfield throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kanaani tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hatfield was well out of range. Poor timing from Kanaani.
Mehdi Kanaani has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kanaani lands with a nice body punch.
Hatfield defending well as Kanaani loads up on a big left hand.
Hatfield throwing a counter right hand but Kanaani manages to avoid it.
Hatfield stuns Kanaani with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Hatfield fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kanaani manages to avoid it.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mehdi Kanaani.
Well Hatfield has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 28:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:28
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Mehdi Kanaani!
Our winner, Mehdi Kanaani, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.