PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Merari Bakannustus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dave Dance (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bakannustus's entrance music is Godzilla vs King Ghidorah Theme . A fine choice. Dance has chosen Motorhead - The Game as his entrance music. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Bakannustus
vs
Dance

177 cm
25
189 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

190 cm
24
204 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Polar Bear

Sinister Nutrition
Merciless Gladiators

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Merari Bakannustus!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Dave Dance!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Richard Clark and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Dance feints and as Bakannustus raises his hands in defense, Dance changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Dance postures up.
Dance looking to pass the guard.
Dance throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Bakannustus works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Bakannustus pulls Dance in close to prevent any damage.
Bakannustus might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Bakannustus looking to control.
Bakannustus is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Dance is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

Merari Bakannustus has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Bakannustus doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Dance counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Bakannustus!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bakannustus is not content to let Dance control the position.
Dance working away.
Bakannustus is trying to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
You can see the frustration on Bakannustus's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Bakannustus is trying to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bakannustus is not content to let Dance control the position.
Dance just content to control the position.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Bakannustus is not content to let Dance control the position.

Dave Dance has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Dance gets a double leg takedown into Bakannustus's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bakannustus wants to sweep here but Dance controlling him for the moment.
Dance must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Dance got a little sloppy there for a moment and Bakannustus has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Dance has managed to get both his arms back between Bakannustus's legs - danger averted.
Dance is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Dance throws a big elbow that misses.
Bakannustus seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Bakannustus trying to control the position.

Bakannustus is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Dance defends well.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Dance controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Bakannustus trying to keep a closed guard but Dance is proving a slippery customer.

Bakannustus had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Dance defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bakannustus looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Dance seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Bakannustus looking to control.
Dance is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Merari Bakannustus just wasn't active enough.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Bakannustus.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Dance closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Bakannustus's guard.
Dance stopping the sweep attempt from Bakannustus.
Dance sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Dance pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bakannustus is keeping the position for now.
Bakannustus being controlled here, momentarily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Bakannustus manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Dance manages to get himself to full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bakannustus trying to control but Dance is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Dave Dance will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Dance tries to sprawl but Bakannustus drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Dance is refusing to be controlled, as Bakannustus sits in half guard.
Dance is trying to stand back up but Bakannustus is controlling him
Dave Dance has got the better of the ground game so far.
Bakannustus wants to control but Dance is keeping him busy.
Bakannustus with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Bakannustus has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Merari Bakannustus just wasn't active enough.

Dance darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Bakannustus is holding on to half guard well.
Bakannustus has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Dance is working away from the top position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bakannustus wants to improve his position but Dance is controlling well.
Bakannustus moves into full guard.
Dance wants to control from the top but Bakannustus keeps moving.
Dance stopping the sweep attempt from Bakannustus.
Bakannustus trying to control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Dance drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bakannustus has Dance pulled in close to control his posture.

Bakannustus is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Dance looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Bakannustus looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
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!
Dance won't allow Bakannustus to sweep him here.
Bakannustus trying to keep a closed guard but Dance is proving a slippery customer.
Dance advances to half guard.
Bakannustus tries to get to full guard but Dance has control of the leg.
Dance passes to side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dance taking a breather here.
Bakannustus struggling a bit here.
The referee asks Dance politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Dance prefers to stall for the moment though.
Dance is putting a hurting on Bakannustus here, landing some big shots from side control.
Bakannustus tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Dance wants to control but Bakannustus is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bakannustus is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
You can see the frustration on Bakannustus's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Bakannustus closes this distance looking for a takedown but Dance circles away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bakannustus misses with a takedown attempt
and Dance counters with a three punch combo that has Bakannustus backing up. Bakannustus nods at Dance to acknowledge the strikes.
Dave Dance seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Dance looking to score a takedown here. Bakannustus is defending well but Dance drives through and ends up in Bakannustus's guard.
Dance is in close to Bakannustus's body, working some short punches and elbows.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Dave Dance will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Dance drives through with a takedown into guard.
Dance controlling from the top position.
Bakannustus manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Dance's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.

Dance defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Bakannustus.
Dance's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Bakannustus tries to control but Dance wriggling away.

Bakannustus working for a guillotine from mount but Dance is in no mood to give up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bakannustus looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Bakannustus trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Dance is controlling an arm, preventing Bakannustus from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.
Bakannustus can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Dance is looking to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dance really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Bakannustus. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

Bakannustus working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Bakannustus tries to control but Dance wriggling away.
Bakannustus wants to control but instead Dance manages to regain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bakannustus trying to control the action but Dance is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Merari Bakannustus.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Bakannustus.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bakannustus shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Dance counters with a lovely shot to the body.

Dance clinches with his opponent.
Bakannustus tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Dance smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Merari Bakannustus. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bakannustus with a lazy takedown attempt
and Dance counters with a series of strikes. Bakannustus will be more careful next time no doubt.

Bakannustus gets a takedown into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dance is trying to stand up here but Bakannustus is controlling him well.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Dance won't allow Bakannustus to pass to mount.

Bakannustus is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Bakannustus is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Dance is just riding it out for now. Bakannustus eventually gives up the hold.
Merari Bakannustus has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Dave Dance is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Dance 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.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Bakannustus is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Dance sees it coming and defends easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Merari Bakannustus showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Dance has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 James Atkins scores the fight 29:28
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Merari Bakannustus!