PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Garth Cantu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Daved Hassan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Daved Hassan has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Cantu
vs
Hassan

158 cm
18
150 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

150 cm
19
148 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Garth Cantu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Daved Hassan!
The judges for this bout are Ron Honeybunn, Chris Dean and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cantu fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Hassan looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Cantu is fending him off so far but Hassan persists. Nope, Cantu circles away and we're back to standing.
Cantu looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Cantu keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hassan gets a double leg takedown into Cantu's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hassan would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Cantu pulls Hassan in close to prevent any damage.

Hassan is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Cantu is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Cantu has escaped and now he's on top!

Cantu wants to stand but Hassan is controlling his posture from full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Hassan has his foot on Cantu's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Cantu works his way back into a safe position though.

Hassan throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Hassan looks winded!
Cantu not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cantu lands a couple of elbows.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cantu wants to stand but Hassan is controlling his posture from full guard.

Hassan working for a triangle but Cantu defends it easily.
Cantu controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Hassan is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Cantu defends well.

Cantu decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Hassan, up you get!
Hassan shoots in for a takedown but Cantu shows good takedown defense.
Garth Cantu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Daved Hassan.
Cantu shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hassan is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hassan feints and as Cantu raises his hands in defense, Hassan changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Cantu wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

Hassan drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Cantu dives on top into guard.

Cantu controls from within his opponent's guard.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Hassan has eaten all the pies!

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Hassan is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Cantu is aware though and is defending well.

Hassan had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Cantu defends it easily.
Cantu stands up over Hassan, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Hassan has his foot on Cantu's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Cantu works his way back into a safe position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cantu lands a couple of decent looking shots.
We've been informed that Hassan has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

Cantu decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Hassan, up you get!
Cantu misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hassan.
Hassan steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Cantu.

Cantu closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Hassan quickly recovers to half guard.
Hassan on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

Hassan actively working from the bottom here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nice strikes from Cantu there.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!

Cantu is working for a submission of some sort.
Cantu trying to control the pace.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Hassan is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Cantu pulls his head out easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Garth Cantu dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Cantu keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Hassan is trying hard to land a takedown here. Cantu sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Cantu throws a body shot but no joy.
Hassan tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Hassan blocks a head kick by Cantu.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Cantu moves into the clinch.
Hassan is breathing heavily.

Cantu pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Cantu tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hassan paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Cantu. No joy for Hassan on that attempt.
Garth Cantu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Daved Hassan.

Cantu forces Hassan back against the cage and clinches.

Cantu's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Cantu is defended easily by Hassan.
Hassan goes for a double leg but Cantu avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Cantu continues to drive forward.
Hassan tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cantu was well out of range. Poor timing from Hassan.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Horrible takedown attempt by Cantu or perhaps it was just good defense by Hassan, which made it look bad.
Hassan changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Cantu darts in trying to clinch

and Hassan counters with a nice double leg into side control. Cantu won't be happy with that.

Hassan tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Hassan swings around for an armbar but Cantu sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Hassan's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cantu stands up from Hassan's guard - Cantu perhaps looking for a knockout.

Cantu clinches up with Hassan and pushes him back against the cage.
Cantu is trying to break free.
Hassan fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Cantu breaks from the clinch.

That's four 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.

Cantu fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Hassan, pushing him back against the cage.
Cantu manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Hassan jumps guard but Cantu turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Cantu wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

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

Cantu gets a clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Cantu breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Cantu moves into the clinch successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Garth Cantu dominated that second 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. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Cantu closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Hassan's guard.

Hassan is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Cantu is aware though and is defending well.

Cantu stands and steps away. Hassan gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Hassan stuffs the takedown.
Cantu tries to clinch but Hassan is having none of it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Cantu looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hassan takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cantu fails in his attempt to clinch.
Hassan shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Cantu counters by clinching up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hassan has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Cantu is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Cantu lands with a left to the head.
Cantu swings wildly with an uppercut but Hassan uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hassan has Cantu pressed against the cage, preventing Cantu from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Hassan drags the fight down to the ground.
Cantu wants to stand but Hassan is controlling his posture from full guard.

Cantu gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Hassan slaps away a takedown attempt from Cantu, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cantu shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Hassan defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Garth Cantu. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cantu throws a head kick that misses

and Hassan counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Cantu is working an open guard so Hassan takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Cantu tries to clinch there but Hassan circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cantu fails with the takedown.
Hassan misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Hassan scores with a takedown into Cantu's guard.

Hassan drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Cantu manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Hassan has Cantu in his guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cantu wants to get up but he can't break Hassan's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Cantu has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Cantu gets to his feet - Hassan follows without any prompting.

Cantu rushes Hassan and presses him up against the cage.

Cantu breaks from the clinch.

Hassan moves into range and clinches up with Cantu.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cantu swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Daved Hassan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Garth Cantu is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Cantu breaks the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Daved Hassan.
I think Cantu 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 Ron Honeybunn scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Dean scores the fight 29:28
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Garth Cantu!