PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jonathan Courchesne (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jacques Hanningen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Courchesne comes to the cage accompanied by Two Steps From Hell - To Glory. Hanningen has chosen 2Pac - My Life Be Like as his entrance music. Jacques Hanningen will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Courchesne
vs
Hanningen

177 cm
20
148 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

172 cm
23
154 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very quick

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jonathan Courchesne!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jacques Hanningen!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Stewart Dunkirk and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Courchesne takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Courchesne gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Hanningen counters with a straight right hand.
Courchesne fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Courchesne with a lazy takedown attempt
and Hanningen counters with a good low kick that Courchesne was not able to check.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jonathan Courchesne. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hanningen throws a shot to the body.
Courchesne displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hanningen throws out the jab.
Hanningen lands a lovely overhand right.

Hanningen moves into the clinch.
Courchesne prevents the takedown attempt.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Courchesne is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Hanningen is defending well.
Hanningen has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Courchesne after a bit of a struggle.
Courchesne drops down looking for an ankle pick but Hanningen pulls his leg out and moves away.
Jonathan Courchesne seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Courchesne shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Hanningen cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Hanningen fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Courchesne scores with a takedown into Hanningen's guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Courchesne in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Courchesne throwing strikes from guard but Hanningen blocks nicely.
Courchesne postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Courchesne trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Hanningen is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Courchesne is controlling him.
Courchesne connects with a couple of short punches.
Courchesne trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Courchesne cracks Hanningen with a solid left hand.
Hanningen wants to get back to his feet but Courchesne is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Courchesne wants to control from the top but Hanningen keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hanningen not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Courchesne makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Courchesne missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Courchesne looking to pass the guard.
Courchesne connects with a couple of short punches.
Courchesne trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Courchesne throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hanningen works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hanningen wants to sweep here but Courchesne controlling him for the moment.
Courchesne throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Courchesne throws a big elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hanningen keeping moving, preventing Courchesne from controlling successfully.
Courchesne stands up over Hanningen, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Courchesne won't allow Hanningen to sweep him here.
Courchesne throws a big elbow that misses.
Hanningen is trying to control the position but Courchesne postures up.
Hanningen keeping moving, preventing Courchesne from controlling successfully.
Courchesne is looking to work some ground and pound but Hanningen has wrist control.
Courchesne throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hanningen works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hanningen looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Courchesne lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Courchesne postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Courchesne is looking to work some ground and pound but Hanningen has wrist control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hanningen is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Courchesne has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Hanningen after a bit of a struggle.
Courchesne has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Hanningen after a bit of a struggle.
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!
Courchesne wants a takedown but no success here.
Courchesne drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Courchesne can't get the takedown.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hanningen gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Courchesne.
Courchesne goes for a takedown in the clinch but Hanningen prevents it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jonathan Courchesne dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Courchesne shoots in looking for a takedown but Hanningen manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Courchesne's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Hanningen is looking to clinch.
Hanningen throws a left and a right that both miss

and Courchesne counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Hanningen is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Courchesne looking to sit in guard and control but Hanningen gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Courchesne tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Hanningen lands a couple of elbows.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hanningen accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Courchesne had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Hanningen defends it easily.
Hanningen missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Hanningen's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hanningen lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Courchesne looking to control.
Courchesne looking for a sweep. Not yet Courchesne, not yet.
Hanningen missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hanningen lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Courchesne throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Hanningen landing some decent shots from guard.
Hanningen is working Courchesne over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Courchesne looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Courchesne looking to control.
Hanningen content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Hanningen stopping the sweep attempt from Courchesne.
Hanningen trying to control the position from guard on top but Courchesne is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hanningen scoring with punches to the head and body.
Hanningen is working Courchesne over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Courchesne keeping moving, preventing Hanningen from controlling successfully.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Courchesne throws some shots to the body, keeping his opponent honest.
Hanningen preventing the sweep.
Courchesne is working hard here to advance position.
Hanningen trying to control the position from guard on top but Courchesne is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Courchesne looking to control.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Hanningen won't allow Courchesne to sweep him here.
Hanningen passes into half guard.
Hanningen missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Hanningen seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Courchesne is trying to get back to full guard.
Hanningen trying to pass the guard but Courchesne defending well.
Hanningen not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Courchesne keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Hanningen is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Courchesne tries to get to full guard but Hanningen has control of the leg.
Courchesne on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Hanningen wants to free his trapped foot but Courchesne is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Courchesne throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Courchesne is trying to control but Hanningen passes into side control!
Hanningen connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Courchesne some visible discomfort.
Hanningen cracks Courchesne with a big right hand but Courchesne just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Jonathan Courchesne overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Courchesne tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Hanningen wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Hanningen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Courchesne keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Courchesne tries to buck Hanningen off but Hanningen is having none of it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hanningen is looking to take a break and control but Courchesne is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Hanningen creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Courchesne sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Courchesne manages to get back to half guard.
Courchesne manages to get to full guard.
Courchesne tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Hanningen stays in close to Courchesne's body and controls the position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hanningen wants to control from the top but Courchesne keeps moving.
Hanningen wants to pass the guard but Courchesne is keeping the position.
Courchesne 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.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jacques Hanningen 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. This is the final round!

Courchesne scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Courchesne lands a nice forearm strike.
Hanningen is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Courchesne advances to full mount.
Hanningen has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Courchesne in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Courchesne with the ground and pound from mount.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Courchesne working Hanningen over with strikes here.
Courchesne lands a big shot there that rocks Hanningen but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Courchesne with shots to the head and body - Hanningen looks very uncomfortable down there.
Hanningen is desperately trying to improve his position but Courchesne has a good base and remains in mount.
Hanningen holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Courchesne tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Courchesne with good strikes from the mount here!
Hanningen is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Hanningen regains half guard.
Courchesne winds up and cracks Hanningen with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Courchesne prevents Hanningen from improving his position.
Courchesne missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Courchesne is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Hanningen is trying to stand back up but Courchesne is controlling him
Hanningen is looking for a sweep. Courchesne is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Courchesne sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Hanningen defending well though.
Courchesne wants to control but Hanningen is keeping him busy.
Courchesne tries to pass to full mount but Hanningen defends it.
Courchesne throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hanningen is looking to improve his position.
Hanningen keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Courchesne working over Hanningen with some ground and pound. Hanningen looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Courchesne passes to side control.
Hanningen sneaks back into half guard.
Courchesne lands with a punch from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hanningen is trying to stand back up but Courchesne is controlling him
Courchesne lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Courchesne throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Hanningen works his way to full guard. Good work.
Courchesne stops Hanningen from standing up.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Hanningen is on top in guard.
Hanningen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hanningen advances position into side control!
The strikes coming from Hanningen are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Hanningen working away.
Courchesne manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Courchesne tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Courchesne is trying to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Courchesne works his way to full guard. Good work.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Courchesne manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Courchesne looking to ground and pound but Hanningen is blocking nicely.
Hanningen is in all sorts of trouble here.
Courchesne working Hanningen over with strikes here.
Hanningen avoids a series of strikes thrown by Courchesne.
Courchesne raining down hammerfists from mount.
Courchesne with the ground and pound from mount.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Courchesne is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Courchesne fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Hanningen is trying to stand up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jonathan Courchesne showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Courchesne 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:28
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jonathan Courchesne!
Jonathan Courchesne retains his featherweight title!
Jonathan Courchesne decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.