PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Pritong Kandule (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alez Monko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Kandule
vs
Monko

173 cm
18
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

200 cm
25
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Pritong Kandule!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Alez Monko!
The judges for this bout are Roger Salmon, Colin Fray and Micheangelo Fripello.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Monko looks to clinch

and Kandule counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Kandule.

Monko breaks from the clinch.
Kandule connects with a single shot there.
Monko tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kandule sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Monko somewhat.

Kandule has managed to clinch.

Monko breaks from the clinch.
Kandule fails with a takedown attempt.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Monko is defended easily by Kandule.
Kandule fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Monko clinches up against the cage.

Monko escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Monko shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Kandule is trying to defend but Monko finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Kandule is trying to control but can't.
Monko missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Monko is keen to just control but Kandule is a slippery customer.
Kandule is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Kandule knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Monko on the ground.
Kandule controlling the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Monko with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Monko shoots in looking for a takedown. Kandule tries to sprawl out of it but Monko keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kandule manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Pritong Kandule has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alez Monko.
Monko fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Kandule checks it well.
Kandule fails with the takedown.
Nice sprawl there from Kandule as Monko shoots in.
Monko shoots in for a double leg but Kandule sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Monko stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Monko wants it to stay on the feet.
Kandule avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kandule shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Monko sprawls well. Monko wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kandule gets slowly back to his feet.
Kandule is breathing heavily.
Monko is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kandule shoots in but Monko avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Horrible takedown by Monko or perhaps it was just good defense by Kandule which made him look bad.
Kandule takes a body punch but keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Monko tries to clinch there but Kandule circles away.
Kandule steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Monko. That one must have hurt.
Monko misses with a hook. Kandule ducked under it nicely.

Monko scores with a takedown into Kandule's guard.

Monko decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
That kick from Monko tenderised Kandule's leg. Kandule is trying to keep his angry face on.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Monko shoots in but no luck this time.
Kandule shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Monko counters with a nice leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alez Monko dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Monko shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Kandule napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Monko landing strikes.
Kandule tries to control but end up mounted... ooooh, that's bad.
Monko wants to control the pace but Kandule is squirming around nicely.
Kandule tries to control the position but Monko now has his back.
Kandule staying busy and making it hard for Monko to control.

Monko tightening his grip on Kandule, looking for the choke.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kandule prevents Monko from getting a body triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Monko might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Kandule haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Monko looking to soften up his opponent with punches.

Monko is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Kandule defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Monko is breathing heavily.
Kandule is really stuck here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Monko patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

Monko patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Alez Monko has got the better of the ground game so far.
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!
Monko controlling well, preventing Kandule from escaping the position.
Will Monko go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
What can Kandule do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!
Kandule might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Monko tries to keep control of the position but Kandule is staying busy.
Kandule just trying to survive but Monko is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Kandule's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

Monko looking to break Kandule's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Kandule remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Monko will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!

Kandule defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Monko's arms.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kandule rolls, trying to escape but Monko keeps control of the position.
Monko trying to control.
Kandule wants to escape the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Monko wants to control but Kandule is keeping busy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kandule is trying to break free.
Kandule just trying to survive but Monko is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Monko connects with a series of strikes and the referee is calling for Kandule to escape the position.
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!
Kandule is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Monko.
Monko tries to get the hooks in deep but Kandule pushed the leg off.
Monko scores with punches from the back.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kandule is keeping busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alez Monko showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Monko wants to clinch.
Monko misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Monko keeps the fight on the outside.
Monko tries for a takedown but Kandule sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Kandule stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kandule wants it to stay on the feet.
Monko throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Kandule throws a head kick but Monko moves out of range.
Kandule tries to close the distance and clinch up but Monko swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kandule fails with an attempt to clinch.
Monko takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Monko fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Pritong Kandule has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alez Monko.
Some bone on bone action there as Monko checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Kandule tries to score a power double leg takedown but Monko sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kandule somewhat.
Kandule pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Monko shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Kandule manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Kandule wants to sweep but no luck.
Monko lands a couple of digs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Monko wants to control from the top but Kandule keeps moving.
Monko with a flurry of punches that miss.
Monko won't allow Kandule to get back to his feet.
Monko passes Kandule's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Monko is trying to control the action in half guard but Kandule is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Monko decides to return to a standing position.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Monko shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Monko throwing shots but Kandule is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Monko prevents Kandule from improving his position.
Kandule is looking to escape.
Kandule trying to control but Monko postures up.
Monko working the head and body with strikes.
Monko working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Monko prevents Kandule from improving his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Monko moves nicely into side control.

Monko decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Monko has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Monko fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Kandule to the ground. Monko is now in Kandule's guard.
Kandule is looking to stand up but Monko isn't so interested in that idea.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Monko controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Pritong Kandule has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Alez Monko is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Kandule throws his legs up looking for a submission but Monko uses it to pass to side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alez Monko comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Monko has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Roger Salmon scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 27:30
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alez Monko!