PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ezequiel Canizares (ranked 2884 p4p, 2532 weight class) and Rico Van-Plant (ranked 359 p4p, 315 weight class). Canizares comes to the cage accompanied by El Loco. 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.

Canizares
vs
Van-Plant

183 cm
24
182
3 - 2 - 0

183 cm
23
174
4 - 2 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Ezequiel Canizares!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rico Van-Plant!
The judges for this bout are Alyssa Summers, Reed Andrews and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Van-Plant looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Canizares is fending him off so far but Van-Plant persists. Nope, Canizares circles away and we're back to standing.
Canizares connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Van-Plant shoots for a takedown but Canizares saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
As Van-Plant backs away, Canizares returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Van-Plant moves out of range of the strikes.
Canizares looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Van-Plant has a takedown stuffed.
We've been told by Canizares's head coaches at Dr Hatsumi's Clinic that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Ezequiel Canizares has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rico Van-Plant.
Canizares stuffs the takedown attempt from Van-Plant. Van-Plant gets slowly back to his feet.
Canizares was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Canizares throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Canizares throws a big shot that misses.
Canizares swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Canizares throws a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Canizares.
Van-Plant looks for a takedown but Canizares sprawls well.
Van-Plant shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Canizares as he avoids it easily.
Van-Plant takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Canizares jabs Van-Plant right on the nose. Van-Plant blinks but takes it well.
Van-Plant shoots for a double leg takedown but Canizares sprawls well. He's pushed Van-Plant's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Canizares throws a body kick that misses

and Van-Plant counters with a single leg into guard. Canizares didn't expect that.
Van-Plant stopping the sweep attempt from Canizares.
Van-Plant is fighting to break Canizares's control of his arms but Canizares is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Canizares manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Van-Plant manages to get himself to full guard.

Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Canizares engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Canizares stopping the sweep attempt from Van-Plant.
Canizares pushing down on Van-Plant's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Canizares is controlling the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Canizares prevents Van-Plant from improving his position.
Van-Plant is pressing down on Canizares's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Van-Plant wants to get back to his feet but Canizares is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Canizares is stalling in the full guard.
Van-Plant seems keen to control Canizares's posture.
Canizares wants to control from the top but Van-Plant keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Van-Plant looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Canizares tries to free his leg and advance position but Van-Plant is retaining full guard.

Van-Plant working for a triangle but Canizares defends it easily.
Canizares slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Canizares sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Van-Plant's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Van-Plant is looking to improve his position.

Van-Plant looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ezequiel Canizares dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Canizares looks to throw the jab but Van-Plant is out of range.
And Van-Plant tries to counter it with a takedown but Canizares pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Van-Plant fails with a takedown attempt.
Canizares with a nice cross.
Canizares throws a jab but it's blocked by Van-Plant.
Canizares misses with a leg kick.
Van-Plant with a poor takedown
and Canizares counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Van-Plant is defended easily by Canizares.
Canizares throwing a counter right hand but Van-Plant manages to avoid it.
Ezequiel Canizares has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rico Van-Plant.
Van-Plant shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Canizares counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Canizares is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Van-Plant can do to turn this around?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van-Plant shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Canizares pinned against the cage. Canizares gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Canizares delivers a nice body kick.
Van-Plant changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Canizares tries to avoid it but Van-Plant manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Canizares to the ground. Canizares escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Canizares waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Van-Plant.

Van-Plant shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Canizares manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Canizares pulls Van-Plant in close to his closed guard and prevents Van-Plant from doing any damage or advancing position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van-Plant trying to control the position from guard on top but Canizares is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Canizares on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Canizares tries to get out of the position.
Canizares seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Canizares knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Van-Plant on the ground.
Van-Plant looking to pass the guard.

Van-Plant 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.
Canizares controlling the position.
Canizares looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Canizares keeping full guard, as Van-Plant tries to pass.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Canizares wants to sweep but no luck.
Van-Plant passes Canizares's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Canizares makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Canizares.
Van-Plant trying to control the position from guard on top but Canizares is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Van-Plant accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Canizares looking to hit a scissor sweep but Van-Plant is one step ahead there.

Van-Plant postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Canizares is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Van-Plant, into his guard.

Van-Plant looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Canizares has picked Van-Plant up and slammed him! Van-Plant can't keep hold of the triangle and Canizares manages to pass to side control!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van-Plant is trying to improve his position.
Canizares is looking to take a break and control but Van-Plant is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Canizares is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Van-Plant will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Canizares has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ezequiel Canizares dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Van-Plant shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Canizares tries to roll over but Van-Plant keeps him under control.
Van-Plant missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Van-Plant is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Canizares has managed to free his arm - good work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Canizares tries to roll over but Van-Plant keeps him under control.
Van-Plant is stalling here. Canizares is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Van-Plant seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Canizares has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Canizares controls the position from side control.
Van-Plant is looking for a sweep.
Van-Plant misses with an elbow from the bottom.
The referee asks Canizares politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Canizares prefers to stall for the moment though.
Van-Plant is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Canizares's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Canizares sitting and controlling from the half guard.

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.
Canizares is keen to just control but Van-Plant is a slippery customer.

Canizares gets to his feet - back to striking we go!

Van-Plant feints and as Canizares raises his hands in defense, Van-Plant changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Van-Plant stands and throws Canizares's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Canizares's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Canizares stuck in half guard on the bottom here.
Rico Van-Plant has got the better of the ground game so far.
Canizares dodges the ground and pound from Van-Plant.
Canizares is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Van-Plant off and has taken his back!
Van-Plant felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
Van-Plant is trying to get back to his feet but Canizares has full control of the position and if anything, Van-Plant has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Rico Van-Plant has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Canizares controlling the position well here. Van-Plant rolled but Canizares kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Canizares trying to control.
Canizares has the hooks in. Van-Plant is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Ezequiel Canizares is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Van-Plant is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Van-Plant breaks Canizares's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Canizares has Van-Plant pulled in close to control his posture.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Canizares working a defensive guard here.
Van-Plant won't allow Canizares to sweep him here.

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 Ezequiel Canizares.
Well Canizares has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Alyssa Summers scores the fight 30:27
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 30:27
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ezequiel Canizares!
An out of breath Ezequiel Canizares thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.