PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Mark Canton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Passacantando Passalaqua (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Passalaqua has chosen Bunch of Soldiers as his entrance music. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Passacantando Passalaqua was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Canton
vs
Passalaqua

175 cm
18
140 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

180 cm
22
140 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mark Canton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Passacantando Passalaqua!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Wesley Smith and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Canton misses with a straight left.
Canton throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Passalaqua wants to clinch.
Nice defenses there by Passalaqua.
Passalaqua throws a front kick that sends Canton stumbling back into the cage.
Passalaqua tries to clinch but Canton moves out of range.
Canton throws a series of punches but Passalaqua moves out of range.
Canton tries to bum rush Passalaqua with a series of wild strikes but Passalaqua uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Passalaqua fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
A combination from Canton does no damage.
Canton swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Canton misses with a two punch combination.
Passalaqua shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Canton pinned against the cage. Canton gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Passalaqua shoots for a takedown but Canton saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Mark Canton has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Passacantando Passalaqua.
Canton misses with a series of wild punches.
Canton misses with a jab, cross combination.
Canton is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Passalaqua.
Passalaqua fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Passalaqua ducks under a wild hook from Canton.
Canton throws a series of punches but Passalaqua moves out of range.
Passalaqua tries for a takedown but Canton sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Passalaqua fails in his attempt to clinch.
Canton throws a right and a left that Passalaqua avoids nicely.
Passalaqua tries to clinch up.
Passalaqua bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Canton keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
A punch combination from Canton misses.
Canton keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Canton has closed the distance and engaged Passalaqua in a clinch.

Canton ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Canton no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Passalaqua thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Canton keeping moving, preventing Passalaqua from controlling successfully.
Canton tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Canton keeping moving, preventing Passalaqua from controlling successfully.
Canton is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Passalaqua wants to pass the guard but Canton is keeping the position.
Canton is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Canton throws a lazy right hand but Passalaqua sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Canton tries to clinch but Passalaqua moves out of range.
Passalaqua shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Canton sprawls well. Canton wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Passalaqua gets slowly back to his feet.
Canton looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Passalaqua tries to clinch but Canton is having none of it.
Canton rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Passalaqua moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Passalaqua tries to close the distance and clinch up but Canton swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Passalaqua shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Canton defends it nicely.
Passalaqua throws a leg kick which misses Canton's front leg but catches the back leg as Canton tries to avoid it.
Passalaqua is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Canton throws a right and a left that both miss.
Canton looks to land a combination but Passalaqua avoids it well.
Passalaqua is looking to clinch.
Passalaqua shoots in for a takedown but Canton shows good takedown defense.
Canton throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Passalaqua lunges at Canton with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Canton's hand.
Passalaqua moves out of range of the leg kick from Canton.
Passalaqua shoots in for a takedown but Canton shows good takedown defense.
Canton misses with a jab, cross combination.
Passalaqua moves out of range of the body kick from Canton.
Passalaqua shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Canton but Canton pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Passalaqua throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Canton's waist but Canton gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Passalaqua off to one side.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Passalaqua closes this distance looking for a takedown but Canton circles away.
Canton displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Canton circles away from the clinch attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Canton dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Canton misses the jab.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Canton, right into the meat.

Canton moves into the clinch.
Canton tries to break the clinch but Passalaqua is controlling the position.
Passalaqua tries for a takedown. No joy.
Canton prevents the takedown attempt.

Canton jumps guard.
Canton knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Passalaqua on the ground.
Canton is adopting a defensive guard.

Canton has his feet on Passalaqua's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Canton throws a series of punches but Passalaqua moves out of range.
Nice sprawl there from Canton as Passalaqua shoots in.
Mark Canton has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Passacantando Passalaqua.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Passalaqua tries to clinch there but Canton circles away.
Passalaqua fails with a takedown attempt.
Passalaqua dodges the punch combination from Canton.
Passalaqua misses with a takedown attempt - Canton sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Passalaqua displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Canton throws out the jab.
Canton displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Passalaqua.
Passalaqua looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Canton swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Canton swats away the attempt to clinch by Passalaqua.
Canton tries to bum rush Passalaqua with a series of wild strikes but Passalaqua uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Canton takes a head kick and keeps coming.

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.
Canton throws a right hand that Passalaqua ducks under and follows up with a left that Passalaqua also avoids with ease.
Canton throws a series of punches but Passalaqua moves out of range.
Canton throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Passalaqua shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Canton sprawls well. Canton wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Passalaqua gets slowly back to his feet.
Canton looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Passalaqua looks for a takedown but Canton sprawls well.
Canton swats away the attempt to clinch by Passalaqua.
Canton misses the shot to the body.
Passalaqua tries to clinch there but Canton circles away.
Passalaqua uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Canton.
Passalaqua shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Canton sprawls well. Canton wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Passalaqua gets slowly back to his feet.
Passalaqua defending well as Canton loads up on a big left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Passalaqua shoots in but no luck this time.
Passalaqua uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Canton.
Passalaqua looks to clinch

and Canton counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Canton wants to control from the top but Passalaqua keeps moving.
Canton pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Passalaqua is keeping the position for now.
Canton thows a big elbow that misses.
Canton pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Passalaqua is keeping the position for now.
Passalaqua manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Canton is looking to get to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Canton tries to hold on but Passalaqua pushes him away.

Passalaqua is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Canton can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Canton can't escape the position.
Passalaqua looking to control but Canton is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Canton is desperately trying to improve his position but Passalaqua has a good base and remains in mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Canton dominated that second round.
That's time! Canton's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!

Passalaqua misses with a takedown attempt
and Canton counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Canton throws an overhand right that lands on Passalaqua's shoulder, as Passalaqua tries to avoid the shot.
Passalaqua slips under a jab.
Canton throws a nice looking combination but Passalaqua bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Canton throws a leg kick but Passalaqua moved away.
Passalaqua moves in looking to clinch but Canton pushes him off.
Passalaqua shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Canton holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Canton wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Passalaqua has him pressed against the cage.
Passalaqua tries to pull guard but Canton holds him up against the cage and eventually Passalaqua drops back down to his feet.
Mark Canton has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Passacantando Passalaqua.
Passalaqua wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Canton escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Passalaqua fails with the takedown

and Canton counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Passalaqua is defending against the submission attempts here by Canton.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Passalaqua won't allow Canton to pass to mount.
Canton works his way into full mount!

Canton looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Passalaqua tries to hold on but Canton postures up.
Canton lands a big elbow.

That's two 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.
Canton avoids the attempt from Passalaqua to control.
Passalaqua tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Canton sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Canton can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Passalaqua is looking to escape.
Canton putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Passalaqua is trying to escape the mount.
Passacantando Passalaqua has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice elbow there by Canton.
Passalaqua taking shots to the head.
Passalaqua keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Canton trying to control but Passalaqua is having none of it.
A nice elbow there by Canton.
Passalaqua throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Canton is trying to control here but Passalaqua has managed to regain half guard.
Passalaqua is trying to maintain the position but Canton is very close to passing his half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Canton throws a series of punches but Passalaqua moves out of range.
Passalaqua wants to clinch

and Canton counters with a takedown into side control.
Canton in side control, just content to control the action for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Canton tries for a kimura but Passalaqua is defending well.
Passalaqua sneaks back into half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mark Canton showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Canton 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mark Canton!