PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Willy Vargas (ranked 23969 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kobe Kanton (ranked 7175 p4p, 0 weight class). Willy Vargas has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Vargas
vs
Kanton

163 cm
25
140 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

175 cm
24
140 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Good in bed

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Willy Vargas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Kobe Kanton!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Colin Fray and Jeff Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kanton throws a head kick that misses
and Vargas counters with a nice body kick.

Vargas shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Kanton's guard.

Kanton wriggles free and stands up.
Kanton fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Kanton misses with a takedown
and Vargas makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.

Vargas scores with a takedown into Kanton's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!

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

Vargas can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Kanton controls the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vargas is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Kanton trying to control the position from guard on top but Vargas is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kanton controlling from the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Vargas managing to control the position.
Kanton trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kanton wants to control from the top but Vargas keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kanton looking to sit in guard and control but Vargas gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Vargas is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Vargas throws an elbow that misses. Kanton uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Vargas's guard. Nice move by Kanton!

Kanton wants to control from the top but Vargas keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vargas avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kanton trying to control but Vargas is working from the bottom.
Vargas knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Kanton on the ground.
Kanton is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Vargas is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Kanton is aware though and is defending well.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Kanton fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Vargas, pushing him back against the cage.

Vargas pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Kobe Kanton will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kanton will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Kanton rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Vargas moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Vargas keeps the fight on the outside.
Kanton shoots in but Vargas avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Vargas scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Vargas wants to work for an arm triangle but Kanton is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Kanton is looking to control Vargas's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kanton avoid being mounted?
Vargas keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kanton is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Vargas's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Vargas's back!

Kanton has the hooks in and he's looking for a rear naked choke here. Vargas is defending well but eventually Kanton manages to get an arm under the chin and he's locked on the RNC! Vargas has no choice but to tap now! He does! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:31 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Kobe Kanton!