PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Robbie Lawler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Manoel Candelabro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Candelabro is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Perfect. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Lawler
vs
Candelabro

177 cm
25
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

225 cm
25
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Big right hand

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Inexperienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Robbie Lawler!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Manoel Candelabro!
The judges for this bout are John Mangel, Eliza Hachem and Winston Howard.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Lawler has closed the distance and engaged Candelabro in a clinch.
Lawler could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Candelabro has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Lawler avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Lawler has hold of one of Candelabro's legs. Candelabro is fighting the takedown attempt but Lawler gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Lawler working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Lawler postures up in Candelabro's guard and throws a big left but Candelabro blocks it.

Candelabro is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Lawler loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Candelabro looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Candelabro is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Lawler accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Lawler is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Lawler postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Lawler throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lawler throwing strikes but missing.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Lawler accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Candelabro looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Lawler might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Lawler throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Candelabro avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Lawler postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
The fight stays on the outside here - Candelabro looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Lawler throws a combination. Candelabro tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Lawler avoids a punch combination nicely.
Lawler throws a right and a left that Candelabro avoids nicely.
Lawler is breathing heavily.

Lawler looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Lawler not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Lawler throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Candelabro is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Lawler pulls his head out easily.
Candelabro works his way to full guard. Good work.
Lawler landing some decent shots from guard.
Lawler loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lawler postures up in Candelabro's guard and throws a big left but Candelabro blocks it.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Candelabro utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Candelabro has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Lawler off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Candelabro lands a jab-cross combination.
Candelabro throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

Candelabro closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Candelabro is trying to work for a kimura but Lawler is defending well.
Lawler is refusing to be controlled, as Candelabro sits in half guard.
Lawler is trying to stand up here but Candelabro is controlling him well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Candelabro throwing shots but Lawler is blocking nicely.
Lawler is looking to escape.
Candelabro is looking to take a break and control but Lawler is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Lawler misses with a few strikes there.
Lawler displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Candelabro.
Lawler throws a combination that misses
and Candelabro counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Lawler shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Candelabro defends it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Candelabro lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Lawler misses with a combination

and Candelabro counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Candelabro is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Lawler doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Candelabro.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Candelabro wants to stand but Lawler has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Candelabro seems to be working for a kimura but Lawler defends the submission attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Manoel Candelabro dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Lawler misses with a double jab
and Candelabro connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Candelabro throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Lawler was covering up waiting for the punch and Candelabro finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Candelabro wants to control from the top but Lawler keeps moving.
Candelabro stands and throws Lawler's legs to the side, diving into side control.
The strikes coming from Candelabro are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Candelabro is working to tighten is grip on Lawler's neck. He's isolated an arm and is working for an arm triangle. Lawler has recognised the danger and is trying to turn with the submission but Candelabro is really squeezing tight and eventually Lawler passes out! Candelabro breaks the hold and jumps onto the cage to celebrate! Submission of the night, I'd say!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:05 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Manoel Candelabro!