PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Justina Vanovcan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Justus Sheehan Jr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vanovcan comes to the cage accompanied by Moskau. Sheehan Jr has chosen Go Get it 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.

Vanovcan
vs
Sheehan Jr

153 cm
37
130 lbs
26 - 15 - 0

168 cm
25
145 lbs
13 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Merciless Gladiators
Sex Panther! (160q recovery $149)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 26 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Justina Vanovcan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Justus Sheehan Jr!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Elvis Blanc and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A low kick from Sheehan Jr misses
and Vanovcan counters with a nice body kick.

Vanovcan shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Sheehan Jr's guard.
Vanovcan throws a strike but Sheehan Jr rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Vanovcan working for a triangle but Sheehan Jr defends it easily.

Vanovcan is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Sheehan Jr must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Vanovcan is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Sheehan Jr defends well.

Vanovcan is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Sheehan Jr is aware though and is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Vanovcan had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Sheehan Jr defends it easily.

Vanovcan is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Sheehan Jr defends well.
Vanovcan is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Sheehan Jr stays in close to Vanovcan's body and controls the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Vanovcan working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Sheehan Jr doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Sheehan Jr manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Sheehan Jr wanted to stand there but Vanovcan had control of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sheehan Jr is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Sheehan Jr trying to control but Vanovcan is working from the bottom.
Sheehan Jr tries to stand but Vanovcan is controlling from the bottom.

Vanovcan had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Sheehan Jr defends it easily.
Vanovcan seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.

Vanovcan is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Sheehan Jr is aware though and is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sheehan Jr wants to get up but he can't break Vanovcan's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Vanovcan working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Sheehan Jr doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Sheehan Jr manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Sheehan Jr wants to get up but he can't break Vanovcan's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Vanovcan is trying to control the position but Sheehan Jr postures up.

Sheehan Jr got a little sloppy there for a moment and Vanovcan has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Sheehan Jr has managed to get both his arms back between Vanovcan's legs - danger averted.
Vanovcan looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Sheehan Jr showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Sheehan Jr won't allow Vanovcan to get back to his feet.
Sheehan Jr engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Vanovcan might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sheehan Jr wants to stand but Vanovcan has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Sheehan Jr is pushing down on Vanovcan's leg trying to pass to half guard. Vanovcan is fighting to maintain full guard but Sheehan Jr has managed to sneak the leg through.
Vanovcan works his way to full guard. Good work.

Vanovcan has his foot on Sheehan Jr's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sheehan Jr works his way back into a safe position though.
Vanovcan looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sheehan Jr is one step ahead there.
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!

Vanovcan working for a triangle but Sheehan Jr defends it easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Sheehan Jr got a little sloppy there for a moment and Vanovcan has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Sheehan Jr has managed to get both his arms back between Vanovcan's legs - danger averted.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Justina Vanovcan dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Sheehan Jr misses with a looping right.
Sheehan Jr buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Sheehan Jr throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Sheehan Jr throws a right and a left that Vanovcan avoids nicely.
Vanovcan slips a jab and a cross from Sheehan Jr.
That kick from Sheehan Jr tenderised Vanovcan's leg. Vanovcan is trying to keep his angry face on.
Sheehan Jr thows a left - swing and a miss!
Vanovcan checks a leg kick nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vanovcan lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Sheehan Jr does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Sheehan Jr swats away the attempt to clinch by Vanovcan.
Vanovcan fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sheehan Jr manages to avoid it.
Sheehan Jr rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Vanovcan moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Vanovcan dodges the punch combination from Sheehan Jr.
Sheehan Jr connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Vanovcan's hands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sheehan Jr darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Sheehan Jr throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sheehan Jr jabs Vanovcan to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Sheehan Jr tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Vanovcan was well out of range. Poor timing from Sheehan Jr.
Vanovcan will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Sheehan Jr lands the left hand.
Sheehan Jr cracks the inside of Vanovcan's front leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sheehan Jr throws a lazy right hand but Vanovcan sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Vanovcan checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Vanovcan tries to clinch up but Sheehan Jr circles away and keeps his distance.
Sheehan Jr connects with a body shot.
Sheehan Jr throws a low kick but it's checked well by Vanovcan.
Sheehan Jr fails to land with a series of punches.
Sheehan Jr chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Decent striking displayed by Sheehan Jr there.
Vanovcan steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Sheehan Jr.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sheehan Jr just misses with a punch to the body.
Sheehan Jr takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Sheehan Jr scores with a leg kick.
Sheehan Jr misses with a body punch

and Vanovcan counters by moving into the clinch.
Sheehan Jr has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Vanovcan connects with a nasty looking knee right to Sheehan Jr's face.

Sheehan Jr breaks from the clinch.
Justus Sheehan Jr seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A punch combination from Sheehan Jr misses.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Vanovcan closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Sheehan Jr quickly recovers to half guard.
Vanovcan tries to pass the half guard into mount. Sheehan Jr knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Justus Sheehan Jr 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!

Sheehan Jr works Vanovcan's body with a nice hook.
Vanovcan throws a shot to the body.
A chopping leg kick lands by Sheehan Jr.
Sheehan Jr misses with a double jab

and Vanovcan counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Vanovcan sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Sheehan Jr defending well though.
Sheehan Jr is trying to stand up here but Vanovcan is controlling him well.
Sheehan Jr is refusing to be controlled, as Vanovcan sits in half guard.
Vanovcan working over Sheehan Jr with some ground and pound. Sheehan Jr looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sheehan Jr blocking the ground and pound attempt from Vanovcan.
Sheehan Jr tries to roll over but Vanovcan keeps him under control.

Vanovcan is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Sheehan Jr is looking for a sweep. Vanovcan is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Vanovcan is working for a kimura but Sheehan Jr is defending it quite comfortably.
Vanovcan is trying to control the action in half guard but Sheehan Jr is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vanovcan tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Sheehan Jr.
Sheehan Jr is trying to stand up here but Vanovcan is controlling him well.
Vanovcan tries to stand but can't do so whilst Sheehan Jr controls his leg.
Justina Vanovcan overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Sheehan Jr is trying to stand up here but Vanovcan is controlling him well.
Vanovcan is trying to control the action in half guard but Sheehan Jr is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Sheehan Jr trying to hold on to Vanovcan's head to control him but Vanovcan postures up.
Sheehan Jr pushes Vanovcan off looking to stand but Vanovcan dives back in and keeps control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Sheehan Jr swings widly with a right hand
and Vanovcan counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Justus Sheehan Jr seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sheehan Jr misses with an uppercut

and Vanovcan counters by moving into the clinch.
Sheehan Jr blocks the elbow strike.
Sheehan Jr avoiding damage as Vanovcan throws knees to the body.
Sheehan Jr on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Vanovcan lands a knee to the body.
Vanovcan tries to land knees in the clinch but Sheehan Jr avoids the damage to the body.
Vanovcan trying to land knees to the body.
Vanovcan using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Sheehan Jr has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Vanovcan tries to land a knee to the head but Sheehan Jr blocks with his arms.
Sheehan Jr tries to break free but Vanovcan pushes him back against the cage.

Sheehan Jr manages to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sheehan Jr throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Sheehan Jr fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Vanovcan is out of range.
Vanovcan tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sheehan Jr swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Sheehan Jr throws a right and a left that Vanovcan avoids nicely.
Vanovcan walks into a jab.
Vanovcan gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
No joy there for Sheehan Jr, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

And that's the end of the fight!
Justina Vanovcan showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Vanovcan has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Robert Douchet scores the fight 29:28
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Justina Vanovcan!
During a confident post fight interview, Justina Vanovcan thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.