PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between DJ Cannonier (ranked 7450 p4p, 5949 weight class) and The Mass (ranked 537 p4p, 468 weight class). 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.

Cannonier
vs
Mass

170 cm
25
147
2 - 2 - 0

169 cm
25
136
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, DJ Cannonier!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, The Mass!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Jack Bonds and Percy O'Donnell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cannonier gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Mass is trying to pull guard but Cannonier has him pressed against the cage.
Cannonier tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Mass just stands there and leans against the cage.
Cannonier is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Mass is defending well.
Mass is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
I was talking to Cannonier's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Cannonier fails to pull the fight into his guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for DJ Cannonier. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mass wants a takedown but no success here.

Mass ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Mass no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Mass is pulling down on Cannonier's head to control his posture.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mass throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Mass being controlled here, momentarily.
Cannonier trying to control the position from guard on top but Mass is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cannonier stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Mass swivels though and keeps the full guard.

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.

Mass throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Mass shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Cannonier but Cannonier pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Mass shoots for a takedown but Cannonier saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
As Mass tries to get set, Cannonier tries to push him back and clinch up but Mass manages to avoid the attempt.
Cannonier looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Mass shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Cannonier but Cannonier pushes him off and we're back to square one.
A head kick misses from Mass.
Cannonier is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Mass.
A combination from Cannonier does no damage.
Mass tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Mass shoots in but no luck this time.
Mass tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Cannonier paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cannonier will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Mass shoots in for a takedown but Cannonier shows good takedown defense.
Mass fails with a takedown attempt.
Cannonier is trying hard to land a takedown here. Mass sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Mass misses with a low kick.
We've been informed that Mass has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Cannonier tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Mass was well out of range. Poor timing from Cannonier.
Mass tries for a takedown but Cannonier circles away easily

and Cannonier counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Mass jumps guard but Cannonier turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Cannonier lands an elbow that stopped Mass in his tracks for a moment.

It looks like The Mass has been cut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cannonier pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Mass leaves Cannonier with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Mass shoots for a double leg takedown but Cannonier sprawls well. He's pushed Mass's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Cannonier looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Cannonier with a poor takedown
and Mass counters with a left to the body.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Mass is defended easily by Cannonier.
Cannonier swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Cannonier lands with an uppercut that bounces Mass off the cage and back into range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

DJ Cannonier dominated that round.
The cut man is working on The Mass's cut.
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.

Cannonier fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Mass throws a counter combo.
Cannonier shoots in looking for a takedown but Mass manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Cannonier's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Cannonier shoots in looking for a takedown. Mass tries to sprawl out of it but Cannonier keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Mass manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for DJ Cannonier. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mass avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Mass tries to score a power double leg takedown but Cannonier sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Mass somewhat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Cannonier moves into the clinch successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mass gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Cannonier.
Cannonier tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Mass just stands there and leans against the cage.
Mass is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Cannonier gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Cannonier breaks the clinch.
Mass misses with a takedown attempt - Cannonier sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Cannonier is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Cannonier is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Mass can do to turn this around?
Mass doesn't manage to clinch there - Cannonier circles away.

Cannonier has closed the distance and engaged Mass in a clinch.
Mass has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Cannonier takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

Cannonier breaks from the clinch.
Mass closes the distance and clinches up with Cannonier, looking for a takedown. Mass pushes Cannonier against the cage but Cannonier circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Cannonier tries to counter with a takedown but Mass is quick to defend against it.

Cannonier moves into the clinch.
Mass is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Cannonier is defending well.
Mass jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Cannonier walks away with a smile on his face. Mass gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Cannonier displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

Cannonier moves into the clinch successfully.
Cannonier stops a takedown attempt from Mass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cannonier has Mass pressed against the cage.

Cannonier pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Mass wants to clinch.
Mass tries to clinch up but Cannonier circles away and keeps his distance.
Cannonier looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Mass misses with a takedown
letting Cannonier counter with a right hand.
Mass with a poor takedown
and Cannonier counters with a right hand to the body.
Mass closes this distance looking for a takedown but Cannonier circles away.
Mass is breathing heavily.
Mass shoots in but Cannonier avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cannonier shoots in for a double leg but Mass sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Cannonier tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

Cannonier rushes Mass and presses him up against the cage.
Mass creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Mass pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Cannonier misses with a head kick.
Cannonier tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Cannonier wants to clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cannonier stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Cannonier wants it to stay on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

DJ Cannonier dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on The Mass's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Mass shoots for a takedown but Cannonier saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Cannonier doesn't manage to clinch there - Mass circles away.
Cannonier tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Cannonier tries for a takedown but Mass circles away easily
and Mass counters with a three punch combo that has Cannonier backing up. Cannonier nods at Mass to acknowledge the strikes.
Cannonier lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Cannonier.

Cannonier closes the distance and pushes Mass back into the cage.
Cannonier prevents a takedown attempt there.

Cannonier breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
DJ Cannonier is winning the standup battle so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Cannonier drives through and clinches with Mass against the cage.

Mass has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Cannonier uses from the top position.
Mass is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Cannonier is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mass is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Cannonier tries to kick Mass off but Mass keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Cannonier wants to get back to full guard.
Mass takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

Cannonier is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Mass pulls his head out easily.
Mass tries to pass to full mount but Cannonier defends it.
Cannonier knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Mass on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cannonier looks like he's trying to stand up.
Cannonier is looking to improve his position.

Mass looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Mass slips a nice elbow through Cannonier's hands, connecting with Cannonier's forehead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mass stalling.
Mass working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Cannonier's thigh. Cannonier counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Mass throwing strikes from guard but Cannonier blocks nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Cannonier is trying to hold Mass in close to prevent damage but Mass has managed to pass into half guard.
Mass is taking a breather. Cannonier 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.
Cannonier trying to control from the bottom.
Mass takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Mass shoots in but no luck this time.
DJ Cannonier has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of The Mass.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Cannonier moves into range and clinches up with Mass.
Mass drops down looking for an ankle pick but Cannonier pulls his leg out and moves away.
The Mass has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
DJ Cannonier is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Cannonier throws a right and a left that Mass avoids nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to DJ Cannonier.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Cannonier, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... DJ Cannonier!