PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Robbie Owens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Charlie Xander (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Owens kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Justice - Gensis †. Xander has chosen Nice to Meet Me as his entrance music. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Owens
vs
Xander

165 cm
25
149 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

172 cm
25
155 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Very quick

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Determined

CBK Fury Nutrition Inc.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Robbie Owens!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Charlie Xander!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Aleksandr Martynov and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Owens dives in and scores a takedown into Xander's 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.
Owens trying to control but Xander is working from the bottom.
Owens sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Xander's guard.
Owens is looking to take a break and control but Xander is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Xander wants to improve his position but Owens is controlling well.
Xander has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Owens trying to control from Xander's half guard. Xander has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Owens preventing the sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Owens trying to control the position from guard on top but Xander is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Owens is really struggling to control Xander but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Owens tries to free his leg and advance position but Xander is retaining full guard.

Xander has his foot on Owens's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Owens works his way back into a safe position though.
Xander keeping moving, preventing Owens from controlling successfully.
Xander looking for a sweep. Not yet Xander, not yet.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Owens looking to pass the guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Owens changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Xander looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Owens is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Owens is looking to take a break and control but Xander is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Owens wants to control but Xander is keeping him busy.
Owens tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

That's four 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.
Owens has knee on belly momentarily but Xander bucks him off and regains half guard.
Owens wants to lay and pray for a moment but Xander keeps working.
Xander gets full guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Owens pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Xander is keeping the position for now.
Owens trying to control but Xander is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Xander swings for the body but Owens moves out of range.
Xander swings for the body but Owens moves out of range.

Owens shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Owens wants to pass the guard but Xander is keeping the position.
Xander keeping moving, preventing Owens from controlling successfully.
Owens is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Xander can do to turn this around?

Xander escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Owens gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Xander keeping moving, preventing Owens from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Owens wants to pass the guard but Xander is keeping the position.
Xander has control of Owens's left arm, preventing Owens from doing any damage.
Xander looking for a sweep. Not yet Xander, not yet.
Owens trying to control the position from guard on top but Xander is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Xander moves into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Xander holding his opponent close, against the cage.

Xander has Owens pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Xander pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Owens tumbling to the mat - Xander dives into Owens's guard.
Xander wants to pass the guard but Owens is keeping the position.
Xander sitting in guard here, content to control.
Owens looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xander throwing strikes but missing.
Owens is trying to control the position but Xander postures up.
Owens utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Owens working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Xander.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Xander trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Owens slips nicely into half guard.
Xander is controlling Owens's trapped leg to prevent Owens from advancing to side control.
Owens missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Owens trying to pass the guard but Xander defending well.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Xander tries to get to full guard but Owens has control of the leg.
Xander is still trying to improve position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Robbie Owens will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Owens looking to score a takedown here. Xander is defending well but Owens drives through and ends up in Xander's guard.
Xander controlling the position.
Owens trying to control the position from guard on top but Xander is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Owens is looking to advance position but Xander has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Xander with a couple of short strikes.
Owens is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Xander with the ground and pound from mount.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Xander cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Xander looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Xander has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Owens's face.
Owens is wriggling around trying to escape.
Owens sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Xander sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Owens defending well though.
Owens is not content to let Xander control the position.
Owens keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Xander seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Owens avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Xander.
Owens trying to control but Xander postures up.
Xander sitting and controlling from the half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Owens is trying to maintain the position but Xander is very close to passing his half guard.
Xander takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xander throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Owens to regain full guard.
Xander pushes down on Owens's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Xander stops Owens from getting back to his feet.
Owens avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Xander.
Xander working Owens over with strikes.
Xander working the head and body with strikes.
Xander is looking to take a break and control but Owens is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Xander controlling the action here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Owens manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Xander on his heels. He'll look to pass Xander's guard now, I'm sure.
Owens being controlled here momentarily.
Owens wants to control from the top but Xander keeps moving.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Xander looking to hit a scissor sweep but Owens is one step ahead there.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Xander is on top in guard.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Charlie Xander really dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Owens looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Xander!
Owens wants to lay and pray for a moment but Xander keeps working.
Robbie Owens overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Xander tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Owens wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Xander regains half guard there - taking advantage of Owens's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Owens wants to take a breather but Xander is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Owens wants to pass the guard but Xander is defending well.

Owens wants to work for an arm triangle but Xander is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Xander looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Xander is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Xander is holding on to half guard well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Owens wants to free his trapped foot but Xander is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Owens is looking to take a break and control but Xander is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Owens darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Xander holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xander tries to get to full guard but Owens has control of the leg.
Owens trying to pass the guard but Xander defending well.
Xander is refusing to be controlled, as Owens sits in half guard.
Xander keeping hold of Owens's head, controlling as best he can.
Owens is trying to control the action in half guard but Xander is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Owens manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Xander on his heels. He'll look to pass Xander's guard now, I'm sure.
Owens trying to control the position from guard on top but Xander is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Owens passes Xander's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Xander is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Owens wants to lay and pray for a moment but Xander keeps working.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Xander has his hands clasped together around Owens's back. He's all about the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robbie Owens had his way with Charlie Xander in that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Xander fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Owens looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Xander!
Owens is looking to take a break and control but Xander is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Xander is looking for a sweep.
Owens wants to lay and pray for a moment but Xander keeps working.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Xander manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Owens avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Xander.
Xander scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Owens on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Owens wants to get back to full guard.
Xander is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Xander throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Xander performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Owens is trying to maintain the position but Xander is very close to passing his half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xander content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Xander sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Owens defending well though.
Xander working Owens over with strikes.
Xander content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Owens trying to control here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Xander throws a body punch but Owens moves out of range.

Owens throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Xander tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Owens is in Xander's guard.
Charlie Xander has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Robbie Owens is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Owens wants to control from the top but Xander keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Xander is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Xander escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Owens gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Owens trying to control the position from guard on top but Xander is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Charlie Xander.
I think Owens 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 Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 48:47
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 48:47
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 49:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Robbie Owens!
Robbie Owens is the new featherweight champion!
Robbie Owens decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.
The defeated Charlie Xander had this to say: 'You know, Robbie's beaten me twice now so there's obviously huge holes I need to work on. I expect to see him in the future again but not anytime soon. '.