PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Caidal Cain (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Seamus John James Given (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Cain
vs
John James Given

190 cm
24
215 lbs
7 - 2 - 1

185 cm
23
205 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Powerful

MADE IN GERMANY

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 1, fighting out of London, Caidal Cain!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Seamus John James Given!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, William Gold and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cain throws a body punch but Given moves out of range.
Cain lands with a nice combination. Given backs away looking to recover.
Cain misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Given.
Cain with a jab.
Given dodges the punch combination from Cain.
A combination from Cain does no damage.
Given lands with a nice body kick.
Caidal Cain seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cain throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Given's waist but Given gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Cain off to one side.
Cain moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Cain crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Given - the referee stops the clock and Cain gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Given. Cain manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Cain is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Given. No joy for Cain on that attempt.
Cain shoots in looking for a takedown. Given tries to sprawl out of it but Cain keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Given manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Caidal Cain. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Given misses with a double jab

and Cain counters with a shoot takedown. Given fights it but they end up in guard.
Cain throws a strike but Given rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Given trying to stand up but can't free himself from Cain's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cain had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Given defends it easily.
Cain is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Given tries to stand but Cain is controlling from the bottom.

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.
Cain tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Given would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Cain thows a body shot but no joy.

That's five minutes gone in the round.

Cain scores a takedown into full mount!
Given is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Cain lands with some strikes.

Cain goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Given turns into him and now he's in Cain's guard.

Cain is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Given is aware though and is defending well.

That's six minutes gone in the round.

Cain is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Cain has a closed guard, preventing Given from standing up.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Given is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Given preventing the sweep.
Cain trying to keep a closed guard but Given is proving a slippery customer.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Cain is on top in guard.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Cain stands and throws Given's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Cain throwing strikes but Given manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Cain can't do much from the bottom here.
Cain is looking to regain half guard here but Given keeps moving and retains side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Seamus John James Given will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Cain misses the shot to the body.
Cain falls off balance throwing a combination
and Given counters with a good low kick that Cain was not able to check.
Cain uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Given.
Cain will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Given throws a left and a right that both miss
and Cain counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Given throws a body kick the misses
and Cain counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cain throws a right and a left that Given avoids nicely.

Cain shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Cain was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Cain thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Given wants to control but Cain is having none of it.

Cain jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Given is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Given and Cain has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

Cain tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cain goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Given rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Cain's guard! Nice work there by Given!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cain working for a triangle but Given defends it easily.
Given tries to stand but Cain is controlling from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Cain wants to sweep here but Given controlling him for the moment.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Cain is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Cain is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Given prevents Cain from getting back to his feet.

Cain is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Given is aware though and is defending well.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Given scores with a hook to the body. Cain takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Cain shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Given is trying to defend but Cain finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Cain tries to pass to full mount but Given defends it.

That's eight 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.
Cain is working hard here to advance position.
Given trying to hold on to Cain's head to control him but Cain postures up.

Cain is working for a submission of some sort.

Cain seems to be looking for submissions.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Cain throws a predictable looking body shot
and Given counters with a lovely straight right hand!

It looks like Caidal Cain has been cut.
Given swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Cain shoots in looking for a takedown. Given tries to sprawl out of it but Cain keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Given manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Given!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Seamus John James Given showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Caidal Cain's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Cain throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Given counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Cain is looking to wear down Given with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Cain keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Given.
Cain ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Given moves away.
Cain walks forward, straight into a front kick from Given.
Given works Cain's body with a nice hook.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cain takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Given slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Given looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Given fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Cain on the side of the head.
Crunch! Given slams his shin into Cain's torso.
Given swinging wildly here.
Given lands a head shot.

Caidal Cain's cut is getting worse.
Given looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Cain misses with a double jab
and Given counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Given defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Cain.
Given thumps Cain with a low kick.
Given fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Cain.
Given fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Given scores with a three punch combo!
Given swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Cain decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Given's guard.
Cain looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Given is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Given is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Cain pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Given is keeping the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Cain throws a left and a right that both miss
and Given counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Seamus John James Given seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Given misses with a jab, cross combination.
Given throws a left and a right that both miss

and Cain counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Given!

That's five minutes gone in the round.

Cain goes for an armbar but Given turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Given.
Given must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Cain has a closed guard, preventing Given from standing up.

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

Cain throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Cain has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Given can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Cain is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Given has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Cain looking for a sweep. Not yet Cain, not yet.
Cain will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Given won't allow Cain to get back to his feet.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

Cain is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Given is aware though and is defending well.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Given throws a nice outside leg kick.
Cain swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Given counters with a thumping low kick.
Given lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Given throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Cain.
Caidal Cain is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Given connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Cain momentarily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Seamus John James Given really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Caidal Cain's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Given misses with a double jab

and Cain counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Cain.

Caidal Cain's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Given is trying to control the position but Cain postures up.
Cain pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Given is keeping the position for now.
Given controlling Cain's posture.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Cain missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cain tries to free his leg and advance position but Given is retaining full guard.
Given is trying to control the position but Cain postures up.
Cain throwing strikes from guard but Given blocks nicely.
Cain stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Given swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Cain throws a predictable looking body shot
and Given counters with a low kick, right behind Cain 's knee.
Given takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Given fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Given defending well as Cain loads up on a big left hand.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Given - that will leave a mark!
Given with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Given misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Given connects with a solid leg kick.
Given throws a shot to the body.
Cain stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Given.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice body kick there by Given.
Given stuffs the takedown.
Given misses with a wild combination.

Cain changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Given looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Cain goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Given rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Cain's guard! Nice work there by Given!

Cain is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Given is aware though and is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Given wants to stand but Cain has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Given preventing the sweep.

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

Cain looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Cain is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Cain had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Given defends it easily.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Cain shoots in but no luck this time.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Cain throws a predictable looking body shot
and Given counters with a nice uppercut.

Cain shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Given is trying to defend but Cain finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Cain works his foot free and advances to mount.
Given manages to regain half guard. Good work.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

Cain is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Cain is looking for a kimura here.
The fighters are battling for position here. Given manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Seamus John James Given dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Caidal Cain's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Cain throws a series of strikes that have Given backpedaling.
Given scores with a leg kick.
Given goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Given throws a series of punches but Cain avoids them all with ease.
Cain is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Given lands a nice leg kick that just misses Cain's sensitive parts.
Given tries to land a front kick but Cain steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Cain throws a left and a right that both miss
and Given counters with a body kick.
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.
Given misses with a combination

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Given looking for a sweep. Not yet Given, not yet.
Cain trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Given working a defensive guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Cain stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Given swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Given not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Given throws a right and a left that Cain avoids nicely.

Cain looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cain drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Given manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Cain has Given in his guard.
Given preventing the sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

That's five minutes gone in the round.

Given avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's six 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.
Cain looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Given got a little sloppy there for a moment and Cain has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Given has managed to get both his arms back between Cain's legs - danger averted.
Seamus John James Given is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Given wants to stand and escape but instead Cain has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Cain looking to pass the guard.
Cain forces his way into half guard.

That's eight 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.

Cain is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Cain is working for a kimura but Given is defending it quite comfortably.
Caidal Cain has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Cain is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Given doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Cain.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Cain with the ground and pound but Given uses the opportunity to regain guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cain throws a strike but Given rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

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 Caidal Cain.
I think Given 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 Chris Edwards scores the fight 46:50
Judge William Gold scores the fight 45:50
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Seamus John James Given! Seamus John James Given retains his light heavyweight title!