PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Kobe Kanton (ranked 4669 p4p, 231 weight class) and Tahjet Davimenikov (ranked 5467 p4p, 259 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Kanton
vs
Davimenikov

175 cm
24
140 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

172 cm
21
142 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Good wrestler
Brawler
Enjoys gardening

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 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Kobe Kanton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Tahjet Davimenikov!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Eddie Farnsworth and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kanton feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Davimenikov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kanton. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Kanton has gone for a leg lock! Davimenikov slips out almost immediately though and dives into Kanton's guard.

Davimenikov's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Davimenikov content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Davimenikov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kanton is keeping the position for now.
Davimenikov postures up and lands a big shot to Kanton's brow.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Davimenikov controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Davimenikov is working Kanton over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Davimenikov slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Kanton had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Davimenikov defends it easily.
Kanton is breathing heavily.
Davimenikov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Kanton has his foot on Davimenikov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Davimenikov works his way back into a safe position though.
Davimenikov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Kanton's head.
Davimenikov works over Kanton with some ground and pound from guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two 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.
Davimenikov is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Davimenikov looking to pass the guard.
Davimenikov landing with the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kanton keeping full guard, as Davimenikov tries to pass.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kanton looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Davimenikov puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Davimenikov lands a nice short elbow.
Ground and pound from Davimenikov.
Davimenikov sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Davimenikov is pressing down on Kanton's thigh, looking to free his foot. Kanton is holding on for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Davimenikov wants to advance to full mount but Kanton doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Davimenikov is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Davimenikov working some strikes from top position.
Davimenikov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Davimenikov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Davimenikov wants to pass the guard but Kanton is keeping the position.
Davimenikov landing some decent shots from guard.

Kanton is rocked!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Kanton gets caught flat footed, as Davimenikov shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Oh Kanton is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Davimenikov is stalling in the full guard.
Tahjet Davimenikov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Davimenikov cracks Kanton with a solid left hand.
Kanton looking to control.
Davimenikov advances position into side control!
A lull in the action here as Davimenikov stalls from top position.
Kanton seems to have got his legs back now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Davimenikov tries to move to mount but Kanton blocks the move with his legs.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Davimenikov is chipping away with strikes.
Davimenikov happy to just control the position for now.

Davimenikov is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Kanton knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Davimenikov controls the position from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Kanton wants to control but Davimenikov postures up.
Kanton wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Davimenikov controlling the position from side mount.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kanton stops Davimenikov from passing to mount.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Davimenikov closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Kanton to the mat! Kanton manages to get full guard.
Davimenikov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kanton swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Davimenikov is stalling in the full guard.
Davimenikov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Davimenikov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kanton swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Davimenikov cracks Kanton with a solid left hand.
Davimenikov distracts Kanton with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Davimenikov lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Davimenikov sitting in guard here, content to control.
Davimenikov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kanton is keeping the position for now.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Davimenikov is pushing down on Kanton's leg trying to pass to half guard. Kanton is fighting to maintain full guard but Davimenikov has managed to sneak the leg through.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tahjet Davimenikov 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!

Davimenikov feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Kanton is wriggling around but Davimenikov manages to pass to half guard.

Davimenikov is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Kanton tries to kick Davimenikov off but Davimenikov keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Davimenikov sitting and controlling from the half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Davimenikov looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Davimenikov working the head and body with strikes.
Davimenikov working over Kanton with some ground and pound. Kanton looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Davimenikov is taking a breather. Kanton says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Kanton misses with some strikes from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Davimenikov is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Davimenikov looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Davimenikov is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Davimenikov is looking to advance position but Kanton won't allow it.

Davimenikov seems to be looking for submissions.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Davimenikov shoots in and bounces Kanton off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Kanton being controlled here, momentarily.
Davimenikov working some strikes from top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kanton can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Davimenikov controls the pace.
Davimenikov is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Davimenikov wants to pass the guard but Kanton is keeping the position.
Davimenikov is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Kobe Kanton has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tahjet Davimenikov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

And that's the end of the fight!
Tahjet Davimenikov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Davimenikov has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Jonathan Paton scores the fight 27:30
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tahjet Davimenikov!