PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Big Norm (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Troy Cantwin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cantwin has chosen Whispers In The Dark as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Troy Cantwin has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Big Norm's chin.

Norm
vs
Cantwin

185 cm
26
195 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

174 cm
26
192 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Good in bed

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Determined

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Big Norm!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Troy Cantwin!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Robert Twigg and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cantwin darts in and clinches Norm up against the cage.

Cantwin decides to pull guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Norm throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Norm trying to control the position from guard on top but Cantwin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cantwin is trying to keep Norm in close.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Norm accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Norm pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Cantwin is keeping the position for now.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Norm accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Norm looking to pass the guard.
Cantwin avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Cantwin utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Cantwin tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Norm works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Norm stalling.
Norm looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Norm thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Cantwin to regain full guard.
Norm prevents Cantwin from getting back to his feet.

Norm gets to his feet - Cantwin follows without any prompting.
Cantwin scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Norm.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
An elbow from Norm crashes against the mat.

Norm working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Norm working the ground and pound but Cantwin is defending the strikes.
Norm moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Cantwin wants to control but Norm postures up.
Norm with the ground and pound but Cantwin regains half guard under the barage of strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Norm wants to lay and pray for a moment but Cantwin keeps working.

Norm is looking for a kimura here.
Norm is looking to pass Cantwin's guard but actually Cantwin recovers to full guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cantwin avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Big Norm dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Cantwin throws a leg kick but Norm moved away.
Norm closes the distance and clinches up with Cantwin, looking for a takedown. Norm pushes Cantwin against the cage but Cantwin circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Norm shoots in for a double leg but Cantwin sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Cantwin just misses with a punch to the body.
Norm throws a big shot that misses.
Norm misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Big Norm. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cantwin comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Cantwin throws a sloppy head kick and Norm moves out of range easily.
Norm gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Cantwin holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Norm fails to pull guard.
Cantwin is working for takedown but Norm is calmly controlling the position for now.

Cantwin gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Norm tries to roll over but Cantwin keeps him under control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cantwin not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Norm wants to get back to full guard.
Norm is refusing to be controlled, as Cantwin sits in half guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Cantwin wants to work for an arm triangle but Norm is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Norm tries to get to full guard but Cantwin has control of the leg.
Cantwin controlling the pace.
Norm is not content to let Cantwin control the position.
Norm is looking for a sweep. Cantwin is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cantwin missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Cantwin passes the guard and advances to mount!
Cantwin working Norm over with strikes here.
Norm keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Big Norm overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Norm is working hard here to advance position.
Cantwin unloads with some shots from mount but Norm bucks and avoids them well.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cantwin misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Cantwin looking to ground and pound but Norm is blocking nicely.
Cantwin trying to control but Norm is having none of it.
Poor strikes thrown by Cantwin there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Cantwin dominating with strikes here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Norm is looking to improve his position but Cantwin isn't that keen on the idea.
Cantwin landing strikes, looking to finish!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Cantwin is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Norm is surviving well by controlling Cantwin's body position as best he can.
Cantwin prevents Norm from getting the reversal.
Cantwin scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Norm is looking to improve his position but Cantwin isn't that keen on the idea.

Cantwin jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Norm is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Norm and Cantwin has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Norm manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Norm makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Norm.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cantwin throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Norm keeping full guard, as Cantwin tries to pass.
Cantwin preventing the sweep.
Norm will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Cantwin trying to control but Norm is working from the bottom.
Cantwin is breathing heavily.
Cantwin keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Norm's head.
Norm is trying to keep Cantwin in close.
Cantwin trying to control but Norm is working from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Norm looking for a sweep. Not yet Norm, not yet.

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

Cantwin gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Troy Cantwin showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Cantwin bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Norm's head backwards.
Cantwin looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Norm looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Cantwin tries to clinch there but Norm circles away.

Norm gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Cantwin is looking to work some ground and pound but Norm has wrist control.
Cantwin trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Norm is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Norm throwing shots but Cantwin is blocking nicely.
Norm is stalling here. Cantwin is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Norm seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Cantwin has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.

Cantwin is trying to get an arm triangle but Norm is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Norm's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Norm tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Cantwin wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Norm taking a bit of punishment here - Cantwin scoring with strikes.
Cantwin landing strikes.
Norm is looking for a sweep.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Norm tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Cantwin presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Cantwin throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Norm is trying to reverse the position but instead Cantwin has taken his back - oops!
Norm trying to control but not successfully.
Cantwin tries to keep control of the position but Norm is staying busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cantwin looking for the rear naked choke. And he's got it! Norm taps!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:22 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Troy Cantwin!