PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Raymond Shabalala (ranked 3598 p4p, 0 weight class) and Goji Kano (ranked 3323 p4p, 0 weight class). Goji Kano has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Raymond Shabalala's chin.

Shabalala
vs
Kano

178 cm
25
158 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

177 cm
25
157 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Dangerous GnP
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

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 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Raymond Shabalala!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Goji Kano!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Columbo Gatti and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shabalala shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kano but Kano pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Shabalala changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kano tries to avoid it but Shabalala manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kano to the ground. Kano escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Shabalala gets caught flat footed, as Kano shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Shabalala keeping full guard, as Kano tries to pass.

Shabalala escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kano gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Kano drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Kano jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Kano tries to free his leg and advance position but Shabalala is retaining full guard.
Kano keeps trying to improve his position.

Kano thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Shabalala has his foot on Kano's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kano works his way back into a safe position though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kano is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Kano stands and throws Shabalala's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Shabalala is trying to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kano is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Shabalala has escaped the position, nice work there.

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

Kano is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Shabalala has escaped the position, nice work there.

Kano tries for a kimura but Shabalala is defending well.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kano tries for a kimura but Shabalala is defending well.
Shabalala manages to get back to half guard.

Shabalala actively working from the bottom here.

Kano is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Shabalala has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kano is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Shabalala actively working from the bottom here.

Shabalala looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Kano seems to be looking for submissions.

Shabalala looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Kano is working for a kimura but Shabalala is defending it quite comfortably.

Shabalala looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Kano wants to work for an arm triangle but Shabalala is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kano is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Shabalala looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Shabalala is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Kano is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Shabalala is just riding it out for now. Kano eventually gives up the hold.

Shabalala looking for submissions off his back.

Kano is working for a submission of some sort.

Kano is looking for a kimura but Shabalala is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Kano to get the leverage.

That's four 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.

Kano is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Shabalala is just riding it out for now. Kano eventually gives up the hold.

Shabalala looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Shabalala is pressing down on Kano's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Kano drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Kano jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Shabalala wants to sweep here but Kano controlling him for the moment.

Shabalala working for a triangle but Kano defends it easily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Kano thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Kano is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Goji Kano dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kano leaves Shabalala with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Kano looks for a takedown but Shabalala sprawls well.
Horrible takedown attempt by Shabalala or perhaps it was just good defense by Kano, which made it look bad.

Kano drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Kano is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Kano drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Kano jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Shabalala throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kano thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Shabalala looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Kano thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kano drops back looking for a leg! Shabalala is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Shabalala manages to kick Kano off! Kano jumps back into Shabalala's guard.

Shabalala looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Shabalala had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Kano defends it easily.

Kano thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Kano pushing down on Shabalala's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Shabalala looking for submissions off his back.

Kano seems to be working for a kimura but Shabalala defends the submission attempt.

Kano is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Shabalala looking for submissions off his back.

Kano wants to work for an arm triangle but Shabalala is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Kano moves nicely into side control.
Shabalala is looking to reverse the position.

Kano is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Shabalala has escaped the position, nice work there.
Kano tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

Kano thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shabalala tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Kano wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Shabalala is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Kano off and has taken his back!
Shabalala is hanging on to Kano's back as he tries to escape.
Shabalala has Kano flattened out and is raining down punches.
Shabalala is working the ground and pound. Can Kano escape?
Shabalala misses with a punch to the head.
Kano tries to roll but Shabalala sticks to his back.
Kano rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Kano keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The fighters are battling for position here. Kano manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Kano is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Shabalala defends well.
Kano is breathing heavily.
Shabalala is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Shabalala in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Shabalala throwing strikes from guard but Kano blocks nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shabalala content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Kano escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Shabalala gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Shabalala postures up in Kano's guard and throws a big left but Kano blocks it.
Shabalala with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Shabalala is looking to work some ground and pound but Kano has wrist control.

Kano is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Shabalala lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Kano looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Shabalala postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

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

Kano working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Shabalala doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Shabalala manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Goji Kano will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Shabalala drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Kano gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Kano is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Shabalala scores with a couple of nice shots.

Kano actively working from the bottom here.
Kano makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Kano.
Shabalala missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Kano working for a triangle but Shabalala defends it easily.
Shabalala content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shabalala lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Kano has his foot on Shabalala's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Shabalala works his way back into a safe position though.
Kano takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Shabalala is in close to Kano's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Kano is rocked!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shabalala working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Kano's head.
Kano is still in real trouble! Can Shabalala finish him?
Shabalala passes Kano's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Shabalala is trying to work for a kimura but Kano is defending well.

Kano looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Shabalala is working for a kimura but Kano is defending it quite comfortably.
Shabalala lands strikes from half guard.
Shabalala lands a massive shot from half guard that has rocked Kano! More strikes land and this one is all over! Shabalala jumps to his feet and is applauded loudly by the crowd!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:37 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Raymond Shabalala!