PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kai Roe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Scott Cain (ranked 0 p4p, 0 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.

Roe
vs
Cain

164 cm
26
162 lbs
15 - 2 - 0

179 cm
25
160 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Control Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kai Roe!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Scott Cain!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Wesley Smith and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Roe throws a hook to the side of Cain's head but Cain sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Cain moves away from the strike by Roe.
Roe throws a big shot that misses.
Cain scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Cain connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Roe's hands.
Cain is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Roe avoids a kick to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Roe misses the target.
A nice leg kick lands there from Cain.
Cain lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Roe circles away quickly and effectively.
Roe misses with a looping left.
A big right from Roe misses.
Cain uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Cain avoids the body shot from Roe.
Roe throws out a loose jab but Cain uses good head movement to avoid it.
Roe throws a lazy right hand but Cain sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Roe tries for a takedown but Cain sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Cain fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Cain pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Cain uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Roe.

Roe gets the takedown into side control.
Cain tries to buck Roe off but Roe is having none of it.
Roe landing strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cain sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Cain is refusing to be controlled, as Roe sits in half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Cain is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Roe pulls his head out easily.
Roe lands with a punch from half guard.
Cain is not content to let Roe control the position.
Cain manages to get to full guard.
Cain utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Roe in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Roe landing with the ground and pound.
Cain 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.

Cain throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Roe working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Roe tries to free his leg and advance position but Cain is retaining full guard.
Cain keeping moving, preventing Roe from controlling successfully.

Roe got a little sloppy there for a moment and Cain has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Roe has managed to get both his arms back between Cain's legs - danger averted.
Roe chips away with some ground and pound.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Cain keeping full guard, as Roe tries to pass.
Roe wants to control from the top but Cain keeps moving.
Roe looking to pass the guard.
Cain controlling the position.
Roe preventing the sweep.
Cain keeping moving, preventing Roe from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Roe chips away with some ground and pound.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
A jab from Cain misses.

Roe closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Roe lands in his opponent's guard.

Roe avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Cain is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Roe chips away with some ground and pound.
Roe has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Cain working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Roe doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Roe manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Cain can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Roe controls the pace.

Cain looking for a guillotine here but Roe defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Roe trying to control the position from guard on top but Cain is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Roe slips nicely into half guard.
Roe trying to control the action but Cain is working from the bottom.
Cain is looking to improve his position.
Cain gets back to full guard.
Roe trying to control the position from guard on top but Cain is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Roe is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Cain is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Cain trying to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Scott Cain dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Cain misses with a body punch

and Roe counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Cain is trying to control but can't.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cain is staying active underneath Roe, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Roe trying to mount his opponent but Cain defends it.
Roe landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Roe is trying to control. Cain wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Cain trying to hold on to Roe's head to control him but Roe postures up.
Cain wants to get back to full guard.
Roe controlling the pace.

Cain actively working from the bottom here.
Roe slips a nice elbow through Cain's hands, connecting with Cain's forehead.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cain gets back to full guard.
Roe might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Roe throwing strikes from guard but Cain blocks nicely.
Roe wants to pass the guard but Cain is keeping the position.
Roe wants to control from the top but Cain keeps moving.
Roe lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Cain looking to control.
Cain 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.
Roe tries to free his leg and advance position but Cain is retaining full guard.

Cain working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Roe doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Roe manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Roe accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Roe wants to pass the guard but Cain is keeping the position.
Roe cracks Cain with a solid left hand.
Roe sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Cain's guard.
Roe wants to take a breather but Cain is having none of it.
Cain blocking the ground and pound attempt from Roe.
Cain is trying to get back to full guard.
Kai Roe overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Cain avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Roe.
Cain wants to improve his position but Roe is controlling well.
Cain on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Cain looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Cain gets full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cain throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Cain is breathing heavily.
Roe trying to control but Cain is working from the bottom.
Cain 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.
Roe wants to control from the top but Cain keeps moving.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Roe's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Cain escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Roe gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Roe trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Cain manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Roe managing to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cain postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Roe pulls Cain in close to prevent any damage.

Cain postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Roe is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Cain, into his guard.
Cain keeping moving, preventing Roe from controlling successfully.
Cain wants to sweep but no luck.
Roe working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Roe pushes down on Cain's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Roe is trying to control the action in half guard but Cain is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kai Roe dominated that second 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.

Cain punishes Roe's body with a nice straight punch.
Cain ducks under a wild hook from Roe.
Cain lands with a right hand.
Roe misses with a straight left.
Roe takes one on the button.
Roe fails to land the takedown.
Cain has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Roe misses with a looping left.
Roe is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Cain's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Cain scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Roe throws a shot from downtown. Cain moves away and avoids it.
Roe fails with the takedown.
Roe is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Cain scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Roe shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Cain pinned against the cage. Cain gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kai Roe. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cain jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Cain scores with a hook.
Cain slips under a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cain keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Roe.
Cain shoots and misses

and Roe decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Cain's guard.
Cain is trying to control the position but Roe postures up.
Roe being controlled here momentarily.
Roe trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Roe got a little sloppy there for a moment and Cain has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Roe has managed to get both his arms back between Cain's legs - danger averted.
Roe content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Roe trying to control the position from guard on top but Cain is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Roe passes Cain's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Roe wants to take a breather but Cain is having none of it.
Roe thows a huge punch but Cain dodges it nicely.
Roe winds up and cracks Cain with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Roe is thwarting Cain's attempts to control the position.
Roe lands strikes from half guard.
Roe performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Cain wants to improve his position but Roe is controlling well.
Roe thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Cain's head.
Roe wants to pass the guard but Cain is defending well.
Cain regains full guard. Nicely done.
Cain is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Cain wants to work for an arm triangle but Roe is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Roe tries to get to full guard but Cain has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cain wants to pass the guard but Roe is defending well.
Roe wants to control but Cain is keeping busy.
Cain prevents Roe from improving his position.
Cain is keen to just control but Roe is a slippery customer.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Roe moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Roe closes the distance and clinches up with Cain, looking for a takedown. Roe pushes Cain against the cage but Cain circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Roe uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cain.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Roe misses the body punch
enabling Cain to counter with a crisp jab.
Roe slips a jab and a cross from Cain.

Roe gets the takedown into side control.
Cain is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Cain slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Cain is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Roe trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Cain throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Roe lands a couple of digs.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Cain is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Roe trying to control but Cain is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Scott Cain really dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Roe scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Cain on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Cain has hold of Roe's hands but Roe slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Roe thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Cain's head.
Cain is looking for a sweep. Roe is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Roe lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Cain is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Roe is pressing down on Cain's thigh, looking to free his foot. Cain is holding on for now.
Cain is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Roe's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Roe's back!

Roe fending off the submission attempt from Cain.
Cain not allowing Roe to control his hands.
Well, with Cain on his back, surely it's only a matter of time before Roe is tapping out... Can he escape the position?
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cain has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Roe has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Roe's corner are yelling at him, telling him to just focus on controlling Cain's hands.
Cain wants to control but Roe is keeping busy.

Cain is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Roe is defending well though. Cain let's go of the attempt for now.
Roe rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Roe wants to improve his position but Cain is controlling well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Roe gets full guard.
Roe wants to sweep here but Cain controlling him for the moment.
Roe is working hard here to advance position.
Roe not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Roe working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Cain.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Roe shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Cain tries to reverse the position but Roe maintains control.
Roe trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Cain tries to lock up and control but Roe gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice elbow there by Roe.
Cain regains half guard.
Nice strikes from Roe there.
Cain slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Cain looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Cain keeping moving, preventing Roe from controlling successfully.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Roe accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Roe trying to control the position from guard on top but Cain is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Roe looking to pass the guard.
Roe working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cain keeping moving, preventing Roe from controlling successfully.
Roe is looking to advance position but Cain has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Cain is working for a guillotine from mount but Roe frees his head quite easily.
Roe is squirming around, avoiding Cain's attempts to control the action.
Roe is looking to get to half guard.
Roe wants to control but Cain is having none of it.
Cain punching from mount but Roe doing a good job of avoiding damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Kai Roe will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Roe ducks under a wild hook from Cain.
Roe uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cain.
Cain throws a jab when Roe was well out of range.
A big right from Cain misses.
A jab from Cain misses.
Cain looks to land a right hand but Roe moved out of range.
Roe paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Roe tries for a takedown but Cain circles away easily
and Cain counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Roe thinking.

Roe closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Roe scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Roe prevents Cain from improving his position.
Cain regains full guard. Nicely done.

Cain is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Roe is aware though and is defending well.

Cain has his foot on Roe's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Roe works his way back into a safe position though.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Roe wants to control from the top but Cain keeps moving.
Roe postures up and lands a big shot to Cain's brow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roe trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Cain throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Roe advances position into side control!
Roe is working Cain over with some ground and pound from side control.
Cain takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Roe scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Cain to see if he's OK.
Cain is working to avoid the ground and pound but Roe connects with a decent elbow.
Roe tries to score with some ground and pound. Cain controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Roe throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
You can see the frustration on Cain's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Roe is trying to ground and pound but Cain uses the momentary lack of control by Roe to regain half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Roe is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Roe thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Roe not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A telegraphed right hand from Roe misses the target.

Cain gets caught flat footed, as Roe shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Cain bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Roe's guard.
Cain advances to half guard.
Roe is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Roe taking some punishment here, with Cain in his half guard.
Cain moves into full mount! Roe won't be happy about that!
Cain wants to take Roe's back here but Roe is holding on to an arm, himself looking to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Roe wants to hold on but Cain pushes him away.
Cain trying to control but Roe is having none of it.
Roe is looking to get to half guard.
Roe gets back to half guard.
Roe tries to roll over but Cain keeps him under control.
Cain tries to pass the half guard into mount. Roe knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Cain uses his free foot to push down on Roe's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Roe.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Cain is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Roe to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Roe shrugs it off.
Cain looking to ground and pound but Roe is blocking nicely.

Cain has hold of Roe's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Roe manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Cain avoids the attempt from Roe to control.
Roe sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Roe makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Roe.
Roe trying to control the position.
Roe keeping full guard, as Cain tries to pass.

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 Kai Roe.
I think Roe has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 48:48
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 48:48
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 48:48

The fight is ruled a draw!
Kai Roe retains his title. It's always disappointing when a championship fight ends as a draw but that's what happens when you leave the fight in the judges hands!