PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Gianpaolo Cassano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Erin Dolor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Erin Dolor has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Cassano
vs
Dolor

167 cm
21
153 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

178 cm
24
162 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Gianpaolo Cassano!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Erin Dolor!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Tarja Halkonen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cassano moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Gianpaolo Cassano seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dolor tries to close the distance and clinch but Cassano swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Dolor slips a straight right by Cassano.
Cassano falls off balance throwing a combination
and Dolor counters with a two punch combo.
Cassano takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Cassano misses with a combination
and Dolor counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Dolor is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Dolor tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Cassano paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Cassano sizes up Dolor with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Dolor is looking to clinch but Cassano is avoiding it.
Dolor takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Dolor showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Cassano.
Cassano scores with a sloppy right hand. Dolor should have avoided that one.
Cassano throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cassano throws a series of punches but Dolor avoids them all with ease.
Dolor takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Cassano throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A combination from Cassano does no damage.
Cassano throws a series of punches but Dolor avoids them all with ease.
Cassano walks into a stiff left hand from Dolor.
Dolor wants to clinch.

Dolor gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Cassano is trying to push Dolor away but Dolor has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Cassano is fighting off a takedown attempt but Dolor is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Cassano to the mat. Cassano regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Dolor postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Cassano wants to stand but Dolor is controlling the position.
Dolor must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Dolor controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Doloris looking to pass into half guard but Cassano pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Cassano is in guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Dolor wants to stand up but Cassano is controlling him.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Cassano gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Dolor tries to close the distance and clinch but Cassano swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Cassano gets tackled into the cage by Dolor. Dolor maintains the clinch.
Cassano has had enough of the clinch but Dolor keeps him there for the moment.
Dolor makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Cassano prevents the takedown attempt.
Dolor drops down looking for an ankle pick but Cassano pulls his leg out and moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dolor uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Cassano.
Dolor fails in his attempt to clinch.
Cassano looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Dolor bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Dolor is looking to clinch.
Cassano swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Dolor counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Dolor throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A swing and a miss from Cassano.
Cassano moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Dolor doesn't manage to clinch there - Cassano circles away.
Dolor showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Cassano.

Dolor has managed to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Dolor gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Dolor postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Cassano is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Cassano has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Dolor off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Cassano falls off balance throwing a combination

and Dolor counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Dolor.
Dolor is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Cassano is defending well.
Gianpaolo Cassano has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Erin Dolor.
Cassano can't break the clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Cassano is trying to break the clinch but Dolor is controlling him.
Dolor is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Cassano pulls him back up using the underhooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Erin Dolor will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Dolor takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Cassano scores with a decent looking hook.
Dolor avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Dolor is looking to clinch.

Dolor closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Cassano wants to break free but Dolor has control.
Cassano wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Dolor has Cassano pressed against the cage, preventing Cassano from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Dolor drops down looking for an ankle pick but Cassano pulls his leg out and moves away.
Dolor tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Cassano manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Cassano misses with a series of wild punches.
Cassano misses with a few strikes there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cassano pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Cassano fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Dolor tries to clinch there but Cassano circles away.
Dolor tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Cassano paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Cassano pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Dolor back to the cage. Cassano follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Cassano throws a lazy right hand but Dolor sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Cassano misses with the combination.
Dolor looks to clinch
letting Cassano counter with a right hand.
Dolor ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Cassano lands a jab.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Cassano throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Dolor tries to close the distance and clinch but Cassano swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Dolor slips a straight right by Cassano.
Dolor tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Cassano tests Dolor's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Some bone on bone action there as Dolor checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Cassano throws a series of punches but Dolor moves out of range.
Dolor tries to close the distance and clinch up but Cassano swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Dolor tries to close the distance and clinch up but Cassano swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Dolor tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Cassano throws a right and a left that both miss.
Cassano tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Cassano misses with a looping left.
Cassano is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Dolor tries to clinch but Cassano is having none of it.
Gianpaolo Cassano is winning the standup battle so far.
Dolor slips under a jab.
Gianpaolo Cassano is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Dolor has taken the fight to the clinch.
Dolor is trying to drag Cassano to the mat but Cassano just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Dolor drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Cassano gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Gianpaolo Cassano has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Erin Dolor.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dolor tries for a takedown. No joy.
Dolor lands an elbow inside.
Cassano tries to circle away but Dolor has him pinned against the cage.
Cassano is looking to break free of the clinch but Dolor has double underhooks.
Dolor is looking to take this one to the mat.
Cassano tries to circle away but Dolor has him pinned against the cage.

Cassano escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Cassano throws a hook to the side of Dolor's head but Dolor sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dolor fails to land with a series of punches.
Cassano throws a combination that misses

and Dolor moves into the clinch.
Dolor prevents Cassano from breaking the clinch.
Dolor keeps control of Cassano as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Dolor drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Cassano is trying to break free.
Dolor keeps control of Cassano as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cassano has had enough of the clinch but Dolor keeps him there for the moment.
Cassano has had enough of the clinch but Dolor keeps him there for the moment.
Cassano looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gianpaolo Cassano dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Cassano misses with a combination
and Dolor counters with a straight right hand.
Cassano throws a head kick but Dolor moves out of range.
Cassano pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Cassano takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Dolor tries to clinch up.
Dolor tries to clinch up.
Cassano takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Dolor wants to clinch.
Dolor tries to clinch up.
Dolor keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Cassano.
Dolor tries to clinch up.
Dolor slips a straight right by Cassano.
Cassano lands with a nice combination. Dolor backs away looking to recover.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cassano misses with an uppercut. Dolor saw that one coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cassano rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Dolor moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Cassano throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cassano throws a series of punches but Dolor moves out of range.
Dolor is looking to clinch but Cassano is avoiding it.

Dolor forces Cassano back against the cage and clinches.
Cassano is trying to force a seperation but Dolor has the dominant position.
Dolor is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Cassano is defending well.
Dolor is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Cassano gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Cassano tries a knee to the head but Dolor blocks it.

Dolor drags the fight down to the ground.
Dolor has a closed guard, preventing Cassano from standing up.

Cassano gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Cassano.
Dolor tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Cassano manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Cassano throws a lazy right hand but Dolor sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Cassano throws a series of punches but Dolor moves out of range.
Dolor keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Cassano.
Cassano throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Dolor tries to clinch but Cassano moves out of range.

Dolor closes the distance and pushes Cassano back into the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cassano tries to break free but Dolor pushes him back against the cage.

Dolor has Cassano pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Dolor pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Cassano tumbling to the mat - Dolor dives into Cassano's guard.
Dolor is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cassano is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Dolor is controlling him.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dolor not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Dolor trying to control the position from guard on top but Cassano is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dolor is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Erin Dolor.
Cassano throws a right and a left that Dolor avoids nicely.
Dolor throws a series of punches but Cassano avoids them all with ease.
Dolor has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dolor is looking to clinch.
Dolor avoids the head kick by Cassano.
Dolor doesn't manage to clinch there - Cassano circles away.
Dolor showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Cassano.
Dolor tries to close the distance and clinch up but Cassano swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Cassano lands with a cross.
Dolor tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Cassano manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Cassano scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

Dolor closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Dolor tries for a takedown but Cassano manages to get underhooks.
Gianpaolo Cassano has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Erin Dolor.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cassano managing to block the knees to the body from Dolor.
Cassano has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Erin Dolor.
I think Dolor 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Erin Dolor!
Erin Dolor took his opportunity to call for a title shot in his post fight interview.