PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Nikola Asanovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Louie Cane (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Asanovic comes to the cage accompanied by Rokeri S Moravi - Daj Ribu. Both these fighters are unbeaten, so somebody's 0 has got to go!Nikola Asanovic has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Asanovic
vs
Cane

185 cm
22
204 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

182 cm
20
200 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Great elbows
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

STEEL PENN NUTRITION - STEEL RESERVE 158+ ONLY$89

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 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nikola Asanovic!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Louie Cane!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, George Francis and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cane shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Good leg kick by Asanovic there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Cane.
Cane avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A slow jab from Asanovic misses its intended target.
Asanovic looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Cane takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Asanovic swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Asanovic.
Asanovic throws a body punch but Cane moves out of range.
A punch combination from Asanovic misses.
Asanovic bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Cane's head backwards.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Jab by Asanovic.
Asanovic thumps Cane with a low kick.
Cane looks gassed!
Cane stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Asanovic.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Asanovic throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Nikola Asanovic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Asanovic tries to clinch but Cane is having none of it.
Good leg kick by Asanovic there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Asanovic looks to throw the jab but Cane is out of range.
Cane takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Cane avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Asanovic misses with a two punch combination.
Cane blocks a head kick by Asanovic.
Asanovic tries to close the distance and clinch but Cane swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Asanovic looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Asanovic misses with a hook. Cane ducked under it nicely.
Nice sprawl there from Asanovic as Cane shoots in.
Nikola Asanovic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Louie Cane.
Asanovic takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Cane dives in and grabs Asanovic's left leg, looking for a takedown. Asanovic pushes down on Cane's head and hops out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Asanovic misses with a looping left.

Cane shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Asanovic manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Asanovic wants to stand but Cane is controlling the position.

Cane is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Asanovic striking from the bottom here.
Cane wants to control from the top but Asanovic keeps moving.

Asanovic is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

Asanovic breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Asanovic throws a head kick but Cane moves out of range.
Asanovic stuffs the takedown attempt from Cane. Cane gets slowly back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cane shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Asanovic moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Cane works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Asanovic is trying to stand back up but Cane is controlling him
Asanovic is trying to get back to full guard.
Cane is looking to take a break and control but Asanovic is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Asanovic keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Cane is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Asanovic is trying to stand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cane is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Asanovic sees it coming and defends easily.
Cane throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Asanovic scores with a head kick.
Asanovic throws a series of punches but Cane moves out of range.
Asanovic misses with a body shot.
Cane shoots in for a takedown but Asanovic shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Asanovic dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Asanovic misses with an uppercut.
Asanovic turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Asanovic throws a series of strikes that have Cane backpedaling.
Cane shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Asanovic pinned against the cage. Asanovic gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Cane shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Asanovic defends it nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Asanovic throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Asanovic slaps away a takedown attempt from Cane, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Asanovic moves into range and connects with a jab.
Cane shoots in looking for a takedown. Asanovic tries to sprawl out of it but Cane keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Asanovic manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Nikola Asanovic is winning the standup battle so far.
Asanovic connects with a nice looking jab.
Asanovic misses with a body shot.
Asanovic misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cane.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Asanovic throws a right hand that Cane ducks under and follows up with a left that Cane also avoids with ease.
Asanovic scores with a kick to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cane closes the distance and clinches up with Asanovic, looking for a takedown. Cane pushes Asanovic against the cage but Asanovic circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Nikola Asanovic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Louie Cane.
Asanovic connects with a body shot.
Asanovic lands with a good body shot.
A left and a right from Asanovic both land. Nice combination.
Asanovic scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A head kick from Asanovic lands but Cane takes it in his stride.
A leg kick checked by Cane.
A looping hook to the body misses from Asanovic. Cane does a little dance to reset his feet.

Cane shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Asanovic napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Asanovic is trying to control Cane's posture but Cane avoids it.
Asanovic tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Cane wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cane throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Asanovic manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Cane missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Asanovic looks like he's trying to stand up.
Asanovic wants to control but Cane is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Asanovic tries to kick Cane off but Cane keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Cane is looking for a kimura here.
Cane looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Asanovic looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Asanovic.
Asanovic looks to throw the jab but Cane is out of range.
Asanovic lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Cane scores with a jab.
Cane lands a jab to the head.
Asanovic misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Cane shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Asanovic slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Cane postures up.
Asanovic wants to stand but Cane is controlling the position.
Asanovic keeping moving, preventing Cane from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Asanovic is looking to stand up but Cane isn't so interested in that idea.
Cane has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Cane advances to half guard.
Cane throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Asanovic trying to control here.
Cane sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Asanovic defending well though.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Asanovic misses with a body shot.
Asanovic throws a leg kick that misses.
Cane looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Asanovic is fending him off so far but Cane persists. Nope, Asanovic circles away and we're back to standing.
A punch combination from Asanovic misses.
Good exchange - Cane coming out on top.
Cane's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Cane fails with the takedown.
Asanovic lands a front kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Nikola Asanovic will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Asanovic connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Cane momentarily.
Asanovic lands a high kick!
Asanovic tries to clinch but Cane is having none of it.
Asanovic scoring well with a low kick there.
Asanovic throws a lazy right hand but Cane sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Asanovic misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cane.
Cane slips a straight right by Asanovic.

Cane shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Asanovic is trying to defend but Cane finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Cane is pressing down on Asanovic's thigh, looking to free his foot. Asanovic is holding on for now.
Asanovic is trying to stand back up but Cane is controlling him
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cane working the head and body with strikes.
Asanovic taking some punishment here, with Cane in his half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Asanovic manages to escape and get back to his feet!
A bone on bone clash there as Cane blocks the leg kick.
Cane fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Asanovic throws a head kick that misses.
Asanovic throws a low kick but it's checked well by Cane.
Cane fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Asanovic lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Asanovic looks to land a combination but Cane avoids it well.
Asanovic missing with a left hand there. Cane was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Asanovic throws an overhand right that lands on Cane's shoulder, as Cane tries to avoid the shot.
Cane misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Nikola Asanovic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Louie Cane.
Asanovic jabs Cane right on the nose. Cane blinks but takes it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Asanovic throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Asanovic tries to close the distance and clinch but Cane swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A punch combination from Asanovic misses.
Cane shoots in for a double leg but Asanovic sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Asanovic throws a hook to the side of Cane's head but Cane sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Cane avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A combination from Asanovic does no damage.
No luck for Cane with that takedown attempt.
Asanovic fails with an attempt to clinch.
Asanovic throws a nice inside leg kick.
Cane tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Asanovic gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Cane works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Cane sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Asanovic defending well though.
Asanovic moves into full guard.
Cane prevents Asanovic from getting back to his feet.
Cane trying to control but Asanovic is working from the bottom.

Asanovic pushes Cane off and gets back to his feet.
Asanovic lands a high kick!
Cane closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Asanovic throws a combination. Cane tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Asanovic ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cane moves away.

Cane looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Cane slips a nice elbow through Asanovic's hands, connecting with Asanovic's forehead.
Cane stops Asanovic from getting back to his feet.
Cane throwing shots but Asanovic is blocking nicely.

Cane seems to be working for a kimura but Asanovic defends the submission attempt.
Cane is thwarting Asanovic's attempts to control the position.

Cane looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Asanovic blocking the ground and pound attempt from Cane.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Louie Cane just about did enough to take it.
That's time! Back to the action!

Asanovic scores with a one two! Cane had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Asanovic is looking to clinch.
Asanovic misses with a series of wild punches.
Asanovic throws a series of punches but Cane avoids them all with ease.
Asanovic misses with a wild combination.
Cane misses with a takedown attempt - Asanovic sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Cane moves out of range of the leg kick from Asanovic.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Asanovic connects with a nice looking jab.
Cane fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Asanovic avoids it really well and circles away.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Cane dodges the punch combination from Asanovic.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cane lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Asanovic circles away quickly and effectively.
Asanovic misses with a looping left.
Cane blocks the body kick.
Asanovic jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Asanovic swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Cane counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Cane shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Cane showed some decent athleticism there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Cane is working for a submission of some sort.
Asanovic moves into full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Asanovic controls Cane momentarily but Cane frees himself.
Asanovic controlling the position.
Asanovic keeping full guard, as Cane tries to pass.
Cane throwing strikes from guard but Asanovic blocks nicely.
Asanovic has control of Cane's left arm, preventing Cane from doing any damage.
Asanovic tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Cane stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Asanovic swivels though and keeps the full guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Cane fails with a takedown attempt.
Nikola Asanovic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Louie Cane.
Asanovic lands with a nice combination. Cane backs away looking to recover.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Asanovic looks to clinch
and Cane counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Asanovic swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Cane counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Cane.
Asanovic is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Cane is controlling him.
Asanovic is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Cane prevents Asanovic from getting back to his feet.
Asanovic keeping moving, preventing Cane from controlling successfully.
Cane loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Asanovic has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Cane off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
A big right from Asanovic misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cane keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Cane shoots in for a double leg but Asanovic sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Asanovic throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
A bone on bone clash there as Cane blocks the leg kick.
Cane shoots in and drives through. Asanovic sprawls well.
Asanovic scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Asanovic swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Cane decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cane is pressing down on Asanovic's thigh, looking to free his foot. Asanovic is holding on for now.
Cane stops Asanovic from getting back to his feet.
Cane is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Asanovic!
Asanovic tries to hold on but Cane pushes him away.
Cane punching from mount but Asanovic doing a good job of avoiding damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Louie Cane dominated that fourth round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Asanovic throws a leg kick which misses Cane's front leg but catches the back leg as Cane tries to avoid it.
Asanovic throws a right and a left that Cane avoids nicely.
Asanovic falls off balance throwing a combination
and Cane counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Horrible takedown by Cane or perhaps it was just good defense by Asanovic which made him look bad.
Cane takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Nikola Asanovic is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cane shoots in but no luck this time.
Asanovic looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Asanovic misses with a series of wild punches.
No joy there for Asanovic, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Cane avoids the head kick by Asanovic.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cane shoots in but Asanovic avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Nikola Asanovic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Louie Cane.
Asanovic misses with a shot to the body
enabling Cane to counter with a crisp jab.

Asanovic gets a clinch.
Cane wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Asanovic has him pressed against the cage.

Asanovic pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Cane shoots in for a takedown but Asanovic shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Asanovic cracks Cane with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Asanovic thows a left - swing and a miss!
Cane swinging wildly here.
Asanovic lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Asanovic lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Asanovic misses with a head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cane fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Asanovic avoids it really well and circles away.
Asanovic throws a quick inside leg kick.
Cane takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Cane moves out of range as Asanovic throws a body kick.
Asanovic misses with a double jab

and Cane counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Asanovic!
Louie Cane has got the better of the ground game so far.
Asanovic is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Asanovic holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Cane tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Asanovic tries to lock up and control but Cane gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Cane cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Cane controlling from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cane throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Asanovic tries to hold on but Cane postures up.

Asanovic defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Cane.
Cane throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Asanovic tries to hold on but Cane pushes him away.

Asanovic defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Cane.

Cane has hold of Asanovic's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Asanovic manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Asanovic wants to control but Cane is having none of it.
Asanovic is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Cane punching from mount but Asanovic doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Asanovic is trying to stand up.

Cane is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Asanovic is surviving well by controlling Cane's body position as best he can.
Asanovic tries to hold on but Cane postures up.

Cane is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Asanovic is surviving well by controlling Cane's body position as best he can.
Asanovic looks out of his depth in this position - he's holding on tight.

And that's the end of the fight!
Louie Cane comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Cane 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 48:48
Judge George Francis scores the fight 48:48
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 48:47

The fight is ruled a majority draw!
Nikola Asanovic retains his title. It's always disappointing when a championship fight ends as a draw but that's what happens when you leave the fight in the judges hands!