PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Romega Vartanein (ranked 883 p4p, 1979 weight class) and Mehdi Kanaani (ranked 122 p4p, 260 weight class). Kanaani has chosen Dr. Dre ft. Snoop Dogg - Nuthin' But A G Thang as his entrance music. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Vartanein
vs
Kanaani

179 cm
30
130
16 - 21 - 1

170 cm
32
170
23 - 17 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Powerful

Bondi MMA 🏝️
NARCOS

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 16 - 21 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Romega Vartanein!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 17 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mehdi Kanaani!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Gregory Folan and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kanaani uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Vartanein has time to react.
Kanaani moves away from the strike by Vartanein.
Kanaani fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Vartanein looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Kanaani avoids the body shot from Vartanein.
A telegraphed right hand from Vartanein misses the target.
Vartanein lands with a straight right. Kanaani didn't see that one coming.
Vartanein works Kanaani's body with a nice hook.
Vartanein really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Nice uppercut there from Vartanein.
A big right from Kanaani misses.
Kanaani takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
A telegraphed right hand from Vartanein misses the target.
Kanaani misses with a looping right.
Kanaani slips under a jab.
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!
Vartanein looks to land a right hand but Kanaani moved out of range.
Nice shot lands for Vartanein.
Vartanein fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kanaani manages to avoid it.
Vartanein throws a body shot but no joy.
Vartanein swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kanaani looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Kanaani scores with a nice strike.

Vartanein is rocked!

It looks like Romega Vartanein has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kanaani chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Oh Vartanein is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Vartanein stuns Kanaani with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

Kanaani drops his shoulder and cracks Vartanein with a huge uppercut! Vartanein goes down! Can Kanaani finish him?
Vartanein managing to control the position.
Kanaani in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kanaani stopping the sweep attempt from Vartanein.
Vartanein pulls Kanaani in close to his closed guard and prevents Kanaani from doing any damage or advancing position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kanaani in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Vartanein looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kanaani is one step ahead there.
Kanaani slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Vartanein is pulling down on Kanaani's head to control his posture.
Vartanein seems to have got his legs back now.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Vartanein kicks Kanaani off and gets to his feet.
Kanaani will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Romega Vartanein is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kanaani takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.

Kanaani shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Vartanein's guard.
Kanaani being controlled here momentarily.
Vartanein continues to stall.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Vartanein is on top in guard.

Vartanein loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Vartanein trying to control the position from guard on top but Kanaani is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kanaani is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Vartanein controls from within his opponent's guard.
Vartanein throwing strikes from guard but Kanaani blocks nicely.
Vartanein throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kanaani works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Vartanein trying to control but Kanaani is working from the bottom.
Vartanein stopping the sweep attempt from Kanaani.
Vartanein has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Vartanein wants to control from the top but Kanaani keeps moving.
Vartanein is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at Canucks Combat Club that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kanaani preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's four 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.
Vartanein postures up and lands a big shot to Kanaani's brow.
Kanaani seems keen to control Vartanein's posture.
Kanaani looking for a sweep. Not yet Kanaani, not yet.
Kanaani keeping moving, preventing Vartanein from controlling successfully.

Vartanein gets to his feet - Kanaani follows without any prompting.
Kanaani tries to move into range but Vartanein moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Vartanein connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
A telegraphed right hand from Vartanein misses the target.
Kanaani looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Vartanein throws an overhand right that lands on Kanaani's shoulder, as Kanaani tries to avoid the shot.
Vartanein misses with a wild body shot.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Romega Vartanein will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Romega Vartanein's cut.
That's time! Vartanein's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Vartanein getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Vartanein fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kanaani manages to avoid it.
Kanaani displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Vartanein throws out the jab.
Kanaani looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Nice shot lands for Vartanein.
Vartanein punishes Kanaani's body with a nice straight punch.
Vartanein's jab looks to have found its range, popping Kanaani under the eye.
Kanaani walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Kanaani doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Vartanein looks to score with a jab to the body but Kanaani is just out of range.
Vartanein misses with a wild body shot.
Kanaani works Vartanein's body with a nice hook.
Vartanein misses with a wild body shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kanaani lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Vartanein circles away quickly and effectively.
Vartanein cracks Kanaani with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Kanaani blocks a leg kick.
Kanaani will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Vartanein has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vartanein moves into range and connects with a jab.
Kanaani lands a lovely overhand right.
Romega Vartanein is winning the standup battle so far.
Kanaani keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A shot to the body from Vartanein misses
and Kanaani counters with an outside leg kick.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Vartanein here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Kanaani avoids the body shot from Vartanein.
Vartanein takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Vartanein throws an overhand right that lands on Kanaani's shoulder, as Kanaani tries to avoid the shot.
Kanaani lands with a shot to the body.
Vartanein scores with a body shot.
Romega Vartanein seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kanaani tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Vartanein defends well and Kanaani ends up having to push Vartanein into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Vartanein tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kanaani was well out of range. Poor timing from Vartanein.
Vartanein tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kanaani was well out of range. Poor timing from Vartanein.
Kanaani has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Kanaani there as he acknowledges the shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Vartanein swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Vartanein is looking to score with low kicks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vartanein wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Vartanein is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kanaani can do to turn this around?
Vartanein tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kanaani was well out of range. Poor timing from Vartanein.
Kanaani throws a leg kick but Vartanein sees it coming and moves out of range.
Kanaani swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Vartanein fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Vartanein lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
The fighters circle momentarily. Vartanein darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Vartanein just misses with a punch to the body.
Vartanein misses with a wild body shot.
Vartanein misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kanaani.
Some bone on bone action there as Vartanein checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Vartanein is looking to counter punch.
Nice straight punches there by Vartanein. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Vartanein.
Vartanein takes one to the chin there.
Kanaani doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Vartanein dips to his left and cracks Kanaani with an uppercut!
Vartanein moves away from the strike by Kanaani.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Some bone on bone action there as Vartanein checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Kanaani scores with a jab to the head.
Vartanein avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Vartanein scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Vartanein ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kanaani moves away.
Vartanein throws a jab when Kanaani was well out of range.
A shot to the liver by Vartanein. Beautiful body shot.
Kanaani tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Vartanein defends well and Kanaani ends up having to push Vartanein into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Vartanein is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Vartanein swings for the body but Kanaani moves out of range.
Vartanein with a jab.
Vartanein cracks a nice hook into Kanaani's ribs.
Kanaani gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Kanaani throws a chopping leg kick but Vartanein manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Vartanein ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kanaani moves away.
Kanaani moves forwards but Vartanein connects with a nice, crisp jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Vartanein listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kanaani walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Kanaani takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Kanaani throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Vartanein.
Vartanein fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kanaani manages to avoid it.
Kanaani flicks out a counter leg kick but Vartanein steps away.
Nice shot lands for Vartanein.
Vartanein swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Vartanein takes a swing at Kanaani's ribcage but misses.
Vartanein lands a jab to the nose.
The crowd cheers as Vartanein lands an impressive looking overhand right. Kanaani doesn't seem phased though.
Kanaani swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kanaani throws a right hand that Vartanein ducks under and follows up with a left that Vartanein also avoids with ease.
A combination from Kanaani does no damage.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kanaani displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Vartanein throws out the jab.
Kanaani cracks Vartanein with an open hand slap.
Vartanein looks to throw the jab but Kanaani is out of range.
Vartanein misses with a body shot.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Romega Vartanein dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Romega Vartanein's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

A big left from Vartanein misses.
Kanaani slips a straight right by Vartanein.
Kanaani staying out of range there.
Vartanein moves out of range of the strikes.
A little feinted left hand from Vartanein on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Vartanein lands a head kick. Kanaani smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Kanaani has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Kanaani shoots in looking for a takedown. Vartanein tries to sprawl out of it but Kanaani keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Vartanein manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Kanaani takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vartanein scores with a hook.
Kanaani ducks under a wild hook from Vartanein.
Vartanein swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Vartanein scores with a body shot.
Vartanein throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Vartanein swings away with a body shot that misses
and Kanaani connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kanaani on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Kanaani throws a combination. Vartanein tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Vartanein dips to his left and cracks Kanaani with an uppercut!
Vartanein bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Vartanein ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kanaani moves away.
Kanaani swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Kanaani avoids the body shot from Vartanein.
Kanaani feints a counter leg kick.
Vartanein connects with a nice looking jab.
A looping hook to the body misses from Vartanein. Kanaani does a little dance to reset his feet.
Vartanein digs a good hook to Kanaani's body.
Vartanein misses with a body shot.
Vartanein throws a body punch but Kanaani moves out of range.
Kanaani swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Kanaani misses with a looping left.
Kanaani takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Kanaani has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Vartanein throws a sloppy body shot
and Kanaani counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Vartanein misses with a jab to the body
and Kanaani counters with a nice leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vartanein ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kanaani moves away.
Vartanein jabs Kanaani to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Kanaani throws a hook but Vartanein avoids it easily.
Vartanein swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Kanaani is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Vartanein.
Vartanein takes a swing at Kanaani's ribcage but misses.
Vartanein connects with a right hand. Kanaani shakes it off.
Kanaani misses with a low kick.
Vartanein misses the shot to the body.
Kanaani takes one to the side of the head.
Kanaani throws a shot from downtown. Vartanein moves away and avoids it.
Nice body punch from Vartanein.
A slow jab from Vartanein misses its intended target.
Kanaani swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Kanaani pivots, looking for a leg kick but Vartanein is out of range and Kanaani settles back down.
Vartanein is looking to wear down Kanaani with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Kanaani lands a nice shot that snaps Vartanein's head back.
Vartanein just misses with a punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vartanein throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kanaani rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Vartanein moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Kanaani misses with a body shot.
Kanaani takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Vartanein scores with a punch to the head.
Kanaani throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Vartanein. Kanaani does a little dance to reset his feet.
Vartanein throws a shot to the body.
Kanaani takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Vartanein throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Vartanein scores with a body shot.
Vartanein looks to score with a jab to the body but Kanaani is just out of range.
Vartanein keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Vartanein throws a nice inside leg kick.
Vartanein fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kanaani looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vartanein misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kanaani.
Kanaani gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Vartanein.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Vartanein showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kanaani.
Vartanein misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Vartanein scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Vartanein takes a swing at Kanaani's ribcage but misses.
Kanaani looks to land a combination but Vartanein avoids it well.
Kanaani lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Vartanein at a distance.
Mehdi Kanaani has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Romega Vartanein is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Vartanein uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kanaani.
Vartanein waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kanaani.
Vartanein ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Vartanein moves out of range of the strikes.
Vartanein scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Vartanein moves away from the strike by Kanaani.

And that's the end of the fight!
Romega Vartanein showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Vartanein 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Romega Vartanein!
Romega Vartanein decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.