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's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Rokeri S Moravi - Daj Ribu. Both these fighters are unbeaten, so somebody's 0 has got to go!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.

Asanovic
vs
Cane

185 cm
22
204 lbs
6 - 0 - 1

182 cm
20
200 lbs
5 - 0 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Great elbows
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

WAR Combat Gear

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 - 1, 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 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Louie Cane!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Chris Downing and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Asanovic misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Asanovic misses with a double jab.
Asanovic is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Cane.
Asanovic throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Asanovic looks to land a body kick but Cane moved away.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Asanovic, right into the meat.
Cane stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Asanovic.
The fighters circling - Asanovic throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Asanovic throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Asanovic has a takedown stuffed.
A nice combination there by Asanovic.
Asanovic doesn't manage to clinch there - Cane circles away.
Asanovic throws a quick inside leg kick.
Asanovic connects with a good right hand that stumbles Cane. Cane circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
A chopping leg kick lands by Asanovic.
Cane shoots in for a takedown but Asanovic shows good takedown defense.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cane shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Asanovic sprawls well. Asanovic wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Cane gets slowly back to his feet.
Cane looks gassed!
Asanovic throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Cane.
A solid leg kick lands there for Asanovic.
Asanovic lands a nice leg kick that just misses Cane's sensitive parts.
Cane fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Nikola Asanovic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Louie Cane.
Asanovic is looking to clinch.
Asanovic throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
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 lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Asanovic with a poor takedown

and Cane counters with a shoot takedown. Asanovic fights it but they end up in guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Asanovic looking to hit a scissor sweep but Cane is one step ahead there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cane prevents Asanovic from getting back to his feet.
Cane thows a big elbow that misses.
Cane with a flurry of punches that miss.
Asanovic looking to control.
Asanovic manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Cane manages to get himself to full guard.
Asanovic preventing the sweep.
Cane keeping moving, preventing Asanovic from controlling successfully.
Asanovic is fighting to break Cane's control of his arms but Cane is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

Cane had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Asanovic defends it easily.
Cane can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Asanovic controls the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Asanovic stands and steps away. Cane gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Asanovic scoring well with a low kick there.
Asanovic uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Cane has time to react.
Asanovic throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Cane.
Asanovic throws a low kick, looking for Cane's leg but Cane calmly moves out of range.
Asanovic looks to throw the jab but Cane is out of range.
Cane tries to land a leg kick but Asanovic saw it coming and moves away.
Asanovic fails with a takedown attempt.
Asanovic throws a head kick but Cane moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Asanovic looks to land a combination but Cane avoids it well.
Cane tests Asanovic's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Asanovic tries for a takedown but Cane circles away easily
and Cane connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Cane is defended easily by Asanovic.

Cane closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Cane is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Asanovic is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Asanovic is trying to get back to half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Asanovic can't do much from the bottom here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikola Asanovic dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Nice uppercut lands for Cane. That snapped Asanovic's head back.
Asanovic tries for a takedown but Cane circles away easily

and Cane counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Asanovic tries to get to full guard but Cane has control of the leg.
Cane seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Cane missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Cane is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Asanovic defends it well.

Asanovic has one foot on Cane's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Asanovic lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Asanovic throws a series of strikes that have Cane backpedaling.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Asanovic misses with a jab, cross combination.
Nikola Asanovic is winning the standup battle so far.
Asanovic tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Asanovic pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Asanovic with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Cane to score with a decent uppercut.
Some wild striking there from Asanovic.
Cane has a takedown stuffed.
Asanovic looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Asanovic leaves Cane with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Cane's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Asanovic tries to clinch but Cane moves out of range.
Asanovic bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Cane's head.

Cane scores a takedown into full mount!
Asanovic really wants to buck Cane off and get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cane tries to control but Asanovic wriggling away.

Cane looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Cane prevents Asanovic from getting the reversal.
Asanovic is working hard here to advance position.
Asanovic wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Asanovic working to try and regain half guard.
Asanovic is bucking up trying to escape but Cane cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Cane with the ground and pound from mount.

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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Asanovic wants to control but Cane is having none of it.
Asanovic is in all sorts of trouble here.
Cane landing strikes, looking to finish!
Asanovic working to try and regain half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Asanovic is in a horrible position here. Cane smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Asanovic is working to get back to half guard.
Cane breaks from Asanovic's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Asanovic sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Cane lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Asanovic is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Cane scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cane trying to control from half guard but Asanovic is working away.
Asanovic regains full guard. Nicely done.
Asanovic tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Asanovic wants to stand but Cane is controlling the position.
Cane advances to half guard.
Cane has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Cane is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

Cane jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Asanovic manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Cane working away.
Asanovic is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Cane cracks Asanovic with a big right hand but Asanovic just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Asanovic is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Louie Cane showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Cane misses with a takedown attempt - Asanovic sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Asanovic - that will leave a mark!
Cane takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Cane fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Asanovic avoids it really well and circles away.
Asanovic lands a head kick!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Asanovic throws a head kick that half lands.
Asanovic throws a series of punches but Cane moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cane throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Asanovic was covering up waiting for the punch and Cane finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Asanovic is pulling down on Cane's head to control his posture.
Asanovic wants to stand up but Cane is controlling him.
Cane pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Asanovic is keeping the position for now.
Cane cracks Asanovic with a solid left hand.
Asanovic is looking to stand up but Cane isn't so interested in that idea.
Asanovic looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Cane lands a really nice looking cross but Asanovic seems unphased.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Cane is defended easily by Asanovic.
Nikola Asanovic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Louie Cane.
Asanovic closes the distance but Cane moves to the side

and Cane counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Asanovic kicks Cane off and gets back to his feet.
Asanovic throws a combination. Cane tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

Cane shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Asanovic manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Asanovic looking to control.
Cane stopping the sweep attempt from Asanovic.
Asanovic is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Cane is controlling him.
Louie Cane has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cane in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Cane prevents Asanovic from getting back to his feet.

Cane drops back looking for a leg! Asanovic is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Asanovic manages to kick Cane off! Cane jumps back into Asanovic's guard.
Asanovic keeping full guard, as Cane tries to pass.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Some wild striking there from Asanovic.
Cane dodges the punch combination from Asanovic.
A punch combination from Asanovic misses.

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.
Nice cross by Cane.
Asanovic fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Nikola Asanovic is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Asanovic misses with a double jab

and Cane counters with a shoot takedown. Asanovic fights it but they end up in guard.
Cane preventing the sweep.
Cane pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Asanovic is keeping the position for now.
Cane in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cane preventing the sweep.
Asanovic working a defensive guard here.
Cane won't allow Asanovic to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Asanovic misses the jab.
Asanovic tries to clinch up
enabling Cane to counter with a crisp jab.
Cane fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Asanovic manages to avoid it.
Nikola Asanovic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Asanovic closes the distance looking to clinch

so Cane counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Asanovic looking for a sweep. Not yet Asanovic, not yet.
Cane scoring with some ground and pound.
Asanovic looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Cane tries to free his leg and advance position but Asanovic is retaining full guard.
Cane preventing the sweep.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cane wants to control from the top but Asanovic keeps moving.
Cane chips away with some ground and pound.
Asanovic keeping moving, preventing Cane from controlling successfully.
Asanovic is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Cane is pushing down on Asanovic's leg trying to pass to half guard. Asanovic is fighting to maintain full guard but Cane has managed to sneak the leg through.
Cane thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Asanovic pushes Cane off looking to stand but Cane dives back in and keeps control.
Asanovic on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Asanovic avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Cane.
Cane trying to mount his opponent but Asanovic defends it.
Cane stops Asanovic from getting back to his feet.
Cane thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Cane is thwarting Asanovic's attempts to control the position.

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.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Asanovic takes a jab right on the kisser.
Cane fails with a takedown attempt.
Asanovic misses with a body punch

and Cane counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Cane is working for a submission of some sort.
Cane tries to pass to full mount but Asanovic defends it.
Asanovic is looking to control Cane's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Asanovic avoid being mounted?
Cane wants to free his trapped foot but Asanovic is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Cane stops Asanovic from getting back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Asanovic manages to escape and get back to his feet!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Cane.
Asanovic lands with a thumping leg kick.
Asanovic lands a body shot.
Asanovic connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Asanovic tries to bum rush Cane with a series of wild strikes but Cane uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Cane throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Asanovic was covering up waiting for the punch and Cane finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Asanovic wants to stand but Cane is controlling the position.
Cane looking to pass the guard.
Cane trying to control but Asanovic is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cane prevents Asanovic from getting back to his feet.
Cane throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Asanovic works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Cane won't allow Asanovic to get back to his feet.
Cane postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Asanovic slaps away a takedown attempt from Cane, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Nikola Asanovic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Louie Cane.
Asanovic looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Cane throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Asanovic was covering up waiting for the punch and Cane finishes the takedown easily into guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Cane accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Asanovic looking for a sweep. Not yet Asanovic, not yet.
Cane pushing down on Asanovic's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Louie Cane dominated that fourth 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. And we move into the final round!

Asanovic misses with a jab, cross combination.
Cane dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Cane defending well as Asanovic loads up on a big left hand.
Cane shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Asanovic doesn't manage to clinch there - Cane circles away.
Cane misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Asanovic fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Asanovic throws a left and a right that both miss
and Cane counters with a series of strikes. Asanovic will be more careful next time no doubt.
Cane doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

Asanovic moves into the clinch.
Asanovic creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Cane's defenses.
Asanovic lands an elbow inside.
Asanovic creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Cane's defenses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cane wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Asanovic has him pressed against the cage.
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.
Nice body punch from Asanovic.

Asanovic breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Cane shoots in but no luck this time.
Nikola Asanovic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Louie Cane.
Asanovic throws a series of strikes that have Cane backpedaling.
Asanovic is looking to clinch.
Asanovic doesn't manage to clinch there - Cane circles away.
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.
Cane takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Asanovic throws a one two combo.
Asanovic uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Cane.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Asanovic connects with a solid leg kick.
Asanovic lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Cane circles away quickly and effectively.
Asanovic tries to clinch up.
Cane shoots in for a takedown but Asanovic shows good takedown defense.
Asanovic throws a jab but it's blocked by Cane.
Asanovic with a poor takedown
enabling Cane to counter with a crisp jab.
Asanovic misses with a wild combination.
Asanovic misses with a wild combination.
Asanovic swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Cane counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Cane.
Cane postures up.
Asanovic looking to hit a scissor sweep but Cane is one step ahead there.
Cane throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cane stopping the sweep attempt from Asanovic.
Cane loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Cane trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Cane in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Asanovic pushes Cane off and scrambles back to his feet.
Asanovic misses with a takedown attempt

and Cane counters with a nice double leg into side control. Asanovic won't be happy with that.
Asanovic wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

Cane wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Asanovic, who protects the arm well.

Cane tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Asanovic sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Nikola Asanovic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cane is pressing down on Asanovic's thigh, looking to free his foot. Asanovic is holding on for now.
Asanovic is positioning himself well to prevent Cane advancing to mount.
Cane thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Cane sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Asanovic defending well though.

Asanovic actively working from the bottom here.
Cane prevents Asanovic from standing back up.
Louie Cane is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Cane works his way into full mount!
Asanovic tries to reverse the position but Cane maintains control.
Cane sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 46:49
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 46:49
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Louie Cane!
Louie Cane is the new middleweight champion!