PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mehdi Kanaani (ranked 954 p4p, 1305 weight class) and Riley Hatfield (ranked 130 p4p, 177 weight class). Kanaani comes to the cage accompanied by Dr. Dre ft. Snoop Dogg - Nuthin' But A G Thang. Hatfield has chosen Cruel World- Willie Nelson as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kanaani
vs
Hatfield

170 cm
25
170
13 - 7 - 0

174 cm
24
160
9 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Brooklyn Threads
Brooklyn Apothecary

Groove Gear

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 13 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mehdi Kanaani!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Riley Hatfield!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Dillan Fox and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hatfield scores with the left hand. Kanaani knows he should have avoided that one.
Kanaani changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hatfield tries to avoid it but Kanaani manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hatfield to the ground. Hatfield escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Hatfield moves into range and connects with a jab.
Kanaani uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hatfield.
Kanaani changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hatfield tries to avoid it but Kanaani manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hatfield to the ground. Hatfield escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Hatfield doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Hatfield scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
A chopping leg kick lands by Hatfield.
Hatfield misses with a straight left.
Kanaani throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Hatfield's waist but Hatfield gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kanaani off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mehdi Kanaani. That's going to take a lot out of him.
That kick from Hatfield tenderised Kanaani's leg. Kanaani is trying to keep his angry face on.
Kanaani gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Hatfield.

Kanaani 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.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Kanaani trying to control the position from guard on top but Hatfield is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kanaani is looking to work some ground and pound but Hatfield has wrist control.

Hatfield has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Kanaani has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Kanaani goes for a takedown in the clinch but Hatfield prevents it.

Hatfield's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hatfield moves out of range of the strikes.
Kanaani lands with a good body shot.
Hatfield throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hatfield looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Kanaani with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Hatfield to score with a decent uppercut.
Hatfield scores with a leg kick.
Kanaani comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Hatfield connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Kanaani's hands.
Kanaani stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Hatfield.
Hatfield bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Kanaani's head backwards.

Kanaani gets the takedown into side control.

Hatfield explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hatfield gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Kanaani.

Kanaani gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Hatfield is trying to stall.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hatfield throws a hook to the side of Kanaani's head but Kanaani sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hatfield throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Kanaani on the side of the head.
Kanaani tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Hatfield defends well and Kanaani ends up having to push Hatfield into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Hatfield is pushing Kanaani up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Hatfield lands a right hand that snaps the head of Kanaani backwards.

Hatfield breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hatfield throws a right hand that Kanaani ducks under and follows up with a left that Kanaani also avoids with ease.
Kanaani jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Kanaani uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hatfield.
Hatfield waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kanaani.
Hatfield will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Kanaani throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Hatfield's waist but Hatfield gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kanaani off to one side.
A big left from Hatfield misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kanaani slips a straight right by Hatfield.
Hatfield lands a right hook to the body.
Hatfield thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kanaani feinted with a counter takedown.
Kanaani throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Riley Hatfield seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A cross from Hatfield lands.
Hatfield is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Kanaani had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into mush.
Nice defenses there by Kanaani.
Hatfield with the inside leg kick.
Kanaani bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Hatfield fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Kanaani on the side of the head.
Hatfield throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kanaani sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Hatfield swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Hatfield throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kanaani sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A punch combination from Hatfield misses.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Kanaani.
Hatfield throws a leg kick but Kanaani checks it.
Kanaani was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Hatfield looks to land a left hand but Kanaani moved out of range nicely.
Kanaani is looking to counter punch.
Kanaani takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Hatfield throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hatfield throws a head kick but Kanaani moves out of range.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hatfield throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hatfield thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kanaani swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kanaani takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Kanaani is trying hard to land a takedown here. Hatfield sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Kanaani on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Hatfield misses the jab.
Hatfield takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Kanaani displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hatfield throws out the jab.
Hatfield with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kanaani tries to clinch there but Hatfield circles away.

Kanaani clinches.
Kanaani has Hatfield pressed against the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Hatfield.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Riley Hatfield dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Hatfield leaves Kanaani with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Hatfield keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Hatfield circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kanaani avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Kanaani moves into the clinch.
Hatfield lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Kanaani backwards.
A short right from Hatfield.
Hatfield stops a takedown attempt from Kanaani.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mehdi Kanaani. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hatfield softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

Hatfield breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kanaani takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Kanaani fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Hatfield loads up on a big right hand but Kanaani slips the punch.
Kanaani tries to close the distance and clinch but Hatfield swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hatfield throws a low kick but Kanaani moves out of range easily.
Riley Hatfield seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hatfield misses with an uppercut. Kanaani saw that one coming.
Kanaani drops down looking for a counter takedown but Hatfield sprawls and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hatfield swings away with a body shot that misses

and Kanaani counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Kanaani.

Hatfield has his feet on Kanaani's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Kanaani is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Kanaani slips a jab from Hatfield.
Hatfield is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kanaani.
Kanaani looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
The fighters circle momentarily. Hatfield darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
A nice leg kick lands there from Hatfield.
Kanaani tries to move into range but Hatfield moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Hatfield misses with an uppercut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hatfield misses with a straight right.
Hatfield misses with a double jab.
Hatfield feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Kanaanis jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!

Kanaani closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Hatfield's guard.
Kanaani working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Hatfield manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kanaani has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Hatfield after a bit of a struggle.
Hatfield working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Hatfield misses with a punch on the inside.

Hatfield pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hatfield throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kanaani was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Riley Hatfield is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hatfield moves out of range of the body kick.
Hatfield swings for the body but Kanaani moves out of range.
Kanaani appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Kanaani uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hatfield.
Some bone on bone action there as Hatfield checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Hatfield keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kanaani keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hatfield.
The fighters circling - Hatfield throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kanaani tries to counter with a takedown but Hatfield is quick to defend against it.
Hatfield just misses with a punch to the body.
A good leg kick by Hatfield.
Kanaani dives in and grabs Hatfield's left leg, looking for a takedown. Hatfield pushes down on Kanaani's head and hops out.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Hatfield! But no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kanaani is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Hatfield throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Kanaani counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Kanaani.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Kanaani's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kanaani is stalling in the full guard.

Hatfield has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Kanaani off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
A jab lands there for Kanaani.
Hatfield with a nice calf kick.
Hatfield pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kanaani connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Hatfield fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Kanaani has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kanaani shoots in looking for a takedown. Hatfield tries to sprawl out of it but Kanaani keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hatfield manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kanaani lands a lovely overhand right.
Hatfield scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Kanaani shoots in looking for a takedown but Hatfield manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Kanaani's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Kanaani throws a body shot but no joy.
Kanaani gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Hatfield looks to land a left hand but Kanaani moved out of range nicely.
A jab lands there for Kanaani.
Kanaani slips under a jab.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nice shot by Hatfield.
Hatfield fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Kanaani misses with a hook.
Kanaani fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Hatfield avoids it really well and circles away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Riley Hatfield showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Hatfield connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Kanaani blocks a jab.
A lazy left from Hatfield finds it's target.
Kanaani shoots in looking for a takedown. Hatfield tries to sprawl out of it but Kanaani keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hatfield manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Hatfield! But no joy.
A slow jab from Hatfield misses its intended target.
Hatfield looks to land a right hand but Kanaani moved out of range.
Kanaani throws a lazy uppercut
and Hatfield counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hatfield throws a body punch but Kanaani moves out of range.
Hatfield tests Kanaani's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kanaani moves in looking to clinch but Hatfield pushes him off.
Kanaani tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Hatfield getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Hatfield throws a jab but it's blocked by Kanaani.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kanaani is looking to clinch but Hatfield is avoiding it.
Kanaani dives in and grabs Hatfield's left leg, looking for a takedown. Hatfield pushes down on Kanaani's head and hops out.
Kanaani uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hatfield.
Hatfield tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kanaani was well out of range. Poor timing from Hatfield.
A head kick misses from Hatfield.
Hatfield swats away the attempt to clinch by Kanaani.
Kanaani throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hatfield connects with a leg kick.
Kanaani keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hatfield.
Hatfield is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kanaani.
Hatfield throws a leg kick

and Kanaani counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Hatfield kicks off Kanaani and gets to his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hatfield lands the left hand.
Hatfield with a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kanaani throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Hatfield throws the left hand but Kanaani avoids the punch easily.
Hatfield lands a leg kick that knocks Kanaani off balance momentarily.
Hatfield pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kanaani avoids the body shot from Hatfield.
Kanaani moves out of range as Hatfield strikes.
Hatfield throws a right hand that misses
and Kanaani counters with a straight right hand.
Hatfield throws a good cross that connects.
Hatfield scores with a head kick.
Hatfield with a nice cross.
Kanaani shoots in and drives through. Hatfield sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mehdi Kanaani. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hatfield. Kanaani does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hatfield misses with a hook. Kanaani ducked under it nicely.
Kanaani on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Hatfield. Hatfield obviously looking to wear him down.
Hatfield loads up on a big right hand but Kanaani slips the punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hatfield thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kanaani drops down looking for a counter takedown but Hatfield sprawls and moves away.
Hatfield swings widly with a right hand
letting Kanaani counter with a right hand.
Kanaani shoots for a takedown but Hatfield saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Kanaani slips a jab from Hatfield.
Well,Kanaani is on his way to losing a decision here. Can he use his experience to pull something off in the closing minutes?
Hatfield lands with a shot to the body.
Kanaani fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kanaani ducks under a wild hook from Hatfield.
Hatfield has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kanaani slips under a jab.
Hatfield lands with a straight right. Kanaani didn't see that one coming.
Kanaani moves out of range as Hatfield strikes.
Kanaani misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hatfield.
Hatfield throws a right hand that misses

and Kanaani counters with a takedown into side control.

Hatfield throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kanaani blocks a low kick nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kanaani pushes Hatfield up against the cage in a clinch.

Kanaani has picked Hatfield up - he's going for a ride! Kanaani dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

Hatfield has one foot on Kanaani's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Hatfield scores with a jab to the head.

Kanaani feints and as Hatfield raises his hands in defense, Kanaani changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Hatfield pushes Kanaani off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Kanaani misses with a body punch
and Hatfield cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kanaani checks the leg kick.
Hatfield connects with a solid leg kick.
Mehdi Kanaani has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kanaani lands a slapping body shot.
Kanaani walks into a straight right hand from Hatfield.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hatfield scores with a leg kick.
Kanaani is looking to clinch but Hatfield is avoiding it.
Riley Hatfield is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hatfield connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Riley Hatfield comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Hatfield 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight for Riley Hatfield!
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight for Riley Hatfield!
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight for Riley Hatfield!

Riley Hatfield wins by unanimous decision!
A very excited looking Riley Hatfield made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.