PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Don Bassito (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kanoo Ifucan (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.

Bassito
vs
Ifucan

189 cm
22
215 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

187 cm
21
208 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Improved boxing
Big right hand

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Don Bassito!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kanoo Ifucan!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Chad Campbell and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bassito misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Bassito fails with the takedown.
Bassito keeps the fight on the outside.

Ifucan has taken the fight to the clinch.
Ifucan is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Bassito tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Don Bassito. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ifucan unloads a knee to the mid-section. Bassito lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Bassito is working for takedown but Ifucan is calmly controlling the position for now.
Bassito is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Ifucan with a knee to the head.

It looks like Don Bassito has been cut.

Ifucan gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Ifucan tries to stand but Bassito is controlling from the bottom.
Bassito is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Bassito looking for a guillotine here but Ifucan defends easily.
Bassito is breathing heavily.
Ifucan would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

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

Bassito is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Bassito is working an open guard so Ifucan takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Ifucan wants to clinch.
Bassito throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ifucan's waist but Ifucan gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Bassito off to one side.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ifucan gets a clinch.
Bassito tries to pull guard but Ifucan holds him up against the cage and eventually Bassito drops back down to his feet.
Bassito misses with the head strike.
Bassito has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Ifucan avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Ifucan wants to break free but Bassito has control.

Ifucan breaks from the clinch.
Ifucan is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ifucan tries to clinch but Bassito moves out of range.
Bassito will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Ifucan moves in looking to clinch but Bassito pushes him off.
Ifucan moves in looking to clinch but Bassito pushes him off.
Bassito circles away from the clinch attempt.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ifucan looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kanoo Ifucan is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Bassito shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Ifucan but Ifucan pushes him off and we're back to square one.
No luck for Bassito with that takedown attempt.
Ifucan tries to clinch up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ifucan tries to clinch there but Bassito circles away.
Ifucan tries to clinch up but Bassito circles away and keeps his distance.
Ifucan tries to clinch but Bassito is having none of it.
Ifucan tries to clinch but Bassito is having none of it.
Bassito shoots in but no luck this time.

Ifucan pushes Bassito up against the cage in a clinch.

Ifucan breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Bassito shoots in for a takedown but Ifucan shows good takedown defense.
Bassito shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ifucan as he avoids it easily.
Ifucan fails in his attempt to clinch.

Bassito drives through and clinches with Ifucan against the cage.
Bassito tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Ifucan smiles and moves away.
Kanoo Ifucan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ifucan tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Bassito tries for a takedown but Ifucan sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Bassito tries to close the distance and clinch but Ifucan swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Bassito shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ifucan pinned against the cage. Ifucan gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Bassito shoots in but no luck this time.
Bassito shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bassito fails with a takedown attempt.

Ifucan clinches up against the cage.
Ifucan is looking to break free of the clinch but Bassito has double underhooks.

Ifucan manages to break the clinch.
Bassito shoots in looking for a takedown. Ifucan tries to sprawl out of it but Bassito keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Ifucan manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Bassito circles away from the clinch attempt.
Bassito shoots in for a double leg but Ifucan sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Bassito fails with a takedown attempt.
Bassito tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Ifucan holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Ifucan escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Bassito with a lazy takedown attempt

and Ifucan moves into the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A short body shot lands from Ifucan as the two fighters clinch.

Ifucan escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Ifucan has closed the distance and engaged Bassito in a clinch.
Bassito drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ifucan scores with a hook to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kanoo Ifucan dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Don Bassito's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Bassito misses with a takedown attempt

and Ifucan counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Bassito has Ifucan pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Ifucan manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Ifucan is looking to break free of the clinch but Bassito has double underhooks.
Bassito has Ifucan pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Ifucan manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Don Bassito. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bassito blocks an elbow strike from Ifucan.
Ifucan using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Ifucan is trying to break the clinch but Bassito has him pressed against the cage.
Bassito tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Ifucan just stands there and leans against the cage.
Knees in the clinch landing for Ifucan.
Bassito trying to stall but Ifucan improves his position.
Ifucan lands a body punch.
Ifucan prevents the takedown attempt.
Ifucan landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Bassito tries for a takedown. No joy.

Ifucan escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ifucan is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Ifucan pushes Bassito up against the cage in a clinch.
Bassito has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Ifucan is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Ifucan breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Bassito shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ifucan pinned against the cage. Ifucan gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Bassito fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Ifucan darts in trying to clinch

and Bassito holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bassito tries to pull guard but Ifucan won't allow it.
Bassito has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Ifucan avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Ifucan breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Bassito has a takedown stuffed.

Ifucan moves into the clinch successfully.
Knees to the body from Ifucan.
Bassito drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nice body punch from Bassito.

Ifucan breaks the clinch.
Bassito with a poor takedown

and Ifucan counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Ifucan.

Ifucan breaks the clinch.
Nice sprawl there from Ifucan as Bassito shoots in.
Bassito shoots in and drives through. Ifucan sprawls well.
Bassito shoots in looking for a takedown. Ifucan tries to sprawl out of it but Bassito keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Ifucan manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Ifucan tries to close the distance and clinch up but Bassito swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Bassito shoots and misses

and Ifucan counters by clinching up.
Ifucan is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bassito drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Ifucan gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Bassito is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Ifucan gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Ifucan escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ifucan stuffs the takedown.

Ifucan instigates a clinch.
Ifucan is trying to break free.
Ifucan wants to stall.
Ifucan is trying to slow the pace down but that's a couple of times in a row that he's tried to get underhooks and Bassito has denied him.
Kanoo Ifucan seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Ifucan wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Bassito has him pressed against the cage.

Ifucan escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Ifucan darts in and clinches Bassito up against the cage.
Ifucan just leaning against Bassito, taking a breather.
Bassito goes for a takedown in the clinch but Ifucan prevents it.
Bassito dodges an elbow strike from Ifucan.
Bassito is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Ifucan connects with a nasty looking knee right to Bassito's face.

Ifucan breaks from the clinch.
Ifucan tries to close the distance and clinch but Bassito swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Ifucan doesn't manage to clinch there - Bassito circles away.
Bassito fails to land the takedown.
Bassito fails with a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bassito shoots for a takedown but Ifucan saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Ifucan tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Bassito paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Bassito.

Ifucan closes the distance and clinches.
Bassito fails to pull guard.
Bassito tries for a takedown. No joy.

Ifucan breaks from the clinch.
Ifucan wants to clinch up but Bassito keeps it at a distance.
Ifucan tries to clinch

and Bassito counters by moving into the clinch.
Ifucan misses with an elbow over the top.

Ifucan breaks from the clinch.
Ifucan tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Ifucan closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Ifucan lands with a short shot to the head.
Ifucan lands a knee to the body.
Bassito wants a takedown.

Ifucan manages to break the clinch.
Ifucan doesn't manage to clinch there - Bassito circles away.

Ifucan instigates a clinch.

Ifucan breaks from the clinch.
Ifucan keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bassito misses with a takedown attempt - Ifucan sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Ifucan is looking to clinch but Bassito is avoiding it.

Ifucan moves into range and clinches up with Bassito.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Ifucan takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Bassito tries for a takedown. No joy.
Bassito fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Ifucan escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Ifucan pushes Bassito up against the cage in a clinch.
Bassito tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Ifucan smiles and moves away.

Ifucan closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Bassito has a couple of punches blocked by Ifucan.
Bassito changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Ifucan fights it off and pushes away nicely.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Ifucan takes the fight into the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Ifucan.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kanoo Ifucan showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Don Bassito's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Ifucan wants to clinch.
Bassito misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Ifucan tries to clinch up

and Bassito counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Ifucan breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Bassito shoots and misses

and Ifucan moves into the clinch.
Ifucan is working Bassito over against the cage.

Ifucan breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Bassito looks for a takedown but Ifucan sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Don Bassito. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bassito circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ifucan tries to clinch there but Bassito circles away.

Ifucan gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Ifucan breaks from the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bassito avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ifucan moves in looking to clinch but Bassito pushes him off.
Ifucan closes the distance but Bassito moves to the side

and Bassito counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Bassito thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bassito won't allow Ifucan to get back to his feet.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Bassito forces his way into half guard.

Bassito is working for a submission of some sort.
Ifucan wants to get back to his feet.
Bassito moves into full mount! Ifucan won't be happy about that!
Bassito working the ground and pound effectively.

Ifucan is flailing around, obviously not happy about being mounted. Bassito locks hold of one of his arms and spins for an armbar. He's got it! Ifucan is forced to tap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:04 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Don Bassito!