PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Arturo Cano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marko Versace (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cano comes to the cage accompanied by Disembodied. Versace has chosen Ave Maria as his entrance music. 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.

Cano
vs
Versace

187 cm
26
193 lbs
10 - 4 - 1

180 cm
25
162 lbs
14 - 8 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 4 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Arturo Cano!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 8 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Marko Versace!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Fedor Mirinova and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Versace throws a hook to the side of Cano's head but Cano sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Versace stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Versace wants it to stay on the feet.

Cano bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Versace managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Cano.

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

Cano tries for a kimura but Versace is defending well.
Versace prevents Cano from moving into mount.
Cano trying to control the position but Versace is working away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cano postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Cano happy to just control the position for now.

Cano swings around for an armbar but Versace sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Cano's guard.
Versace wants to pass the guard but Cano is keeping the position.
Versace throws a strike but Cano rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Versace working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Cano.

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.
Versace is looking to stand up but Cano isn't so interested in that idea.

Cano drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Versace dives on top into guard.
Versace content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Versace throws and elbow that misses. Cano uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Versace's guard. Nice move by Cano!
Versace wants to stand and escape but Cano is having none of it.
Cano trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
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.
Cano loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Cano trying to move into half guard but instead Versace has managed to sweep!
Versace wants to control from the top but Cano keeps moving.
Versace with a flurry of punches that miss.
Versace throws a big right hand that misses.
Cano keeping moving, preventing Versace from controlling successfully.

Cano working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Versace doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Versace manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Cano throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Cano looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Versace won't allow Cano to sweep him here.
Versace chips away with some ground and pound.
Versace stopping the sweep attempt from Cano.
Versace in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Cano is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Versace is aware though and is defending well.
Cano is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Versace throws a big right hand that misses.
Versace trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arturo Cano dominated that round.
That's time! Cano's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Cano misses with a head kick.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Versace.
Versace throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Cano tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Versace swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Versace displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Cano.
Versace thows a left - swing and a miss!
Cano shoots in and drives through. Versace sprawls well.
Versace throws a series of punches but Cano moves out of range.
Cano is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Horrible takedown by Cano or perhaps it was just good defense by Versace which made him look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Arturo Cano. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Versace misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cano.
Versace looks to score with a jab to the body but Cano is just out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cano ducks under a wild hook from Versace.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Versace. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Versace swinging wildly here.
Versace missing with a left hand there. Cano was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Versace loads up on a big right hand but Cano slips the punch.
Versace swinging wildly here.
Cano slips a straight right by Versace.
Cano fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Versace looks to throw the jab but Cano is out of range.
Versace takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Cano tries to work over Versace's front leg with a kick but Versace checks it.
Cano misses with a low kick as Versace jumps back.
A swing and a miss from Versace.

That's two 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.
Versace scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Versace throws a one two combo.
Cano shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Versace but Versace pushes him off and we're back to square one.
A jab from Versace misses.
Versace moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
A slow jab from Versace misses its intended target.
Cano takes one to the side of the head.
Cano fails with a takedown attempt.
Cano throws a leg kick but Versace sees it coming and moves out of range.
Cano takes one on the button.

Cano is rocked!
Versace rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Cano moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Oh Cano is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Versace dances in with a quick combination. Cano is being worked over with jabs and crosses. Oooh, a right straight from Versace snaps Cano's head back. Cano stumbles backwards against the cage. Versace steps forward and delivers a right cross that connects with Cano's jaw, simultaneously knocking him out and sending his mouthpiece into the crowd! There's a worthy souvenir for the fans. This one is over folks. Cano just didn't come prepared.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:05 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Marko Versace!