PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Michael Chandler (ranked 3988 p4p, 5810 weight class) and Benjamin Strasser (ranked 414 p4p, 545 weight class). Michael Chandler has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Chandler
vs
Strasser

175 cm
25
165
1 - 0 - 0

185 cm
25
155
0 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Michael Chandler!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Benjamin Strasser!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Alexandre Firmino and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Chandler with a lazy takedown attempt
and Strasser counters with a one-two to the body.
Danga de danga de dang - Strasser scores with a four punch combination!
Strasser throws a combination. Chandler tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Chandler with a poor takedown
and Strasser counters with a right hand to the body.

Chandler drives through with a takedown into guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Chandler with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Chandler is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chandler looking to pass the guard.
Chandler is stalling in the full guard.
Chandler content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Strasser looking to hit a scissor sweep but Chandler is one step ahead there.

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.
Chandler's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Strasser wants to stand but Chandler is controlling the position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Chandler takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Strasser lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

Chandler looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Strasser!
Chandler just content to control the position.
Chandler looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Chandler goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Strasser has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Chandler but great work by Strasser.
Chandler is looking to reverse the position.
Strasser wants to stand but Chandler is controlling his arm.
Chandler gets back to half guard.
Chandler is doing well to control the position and prevent Strasser from advancing to side control.
Chandler wants to control but Strasser is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Chandler moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Chandler pulls Strasser in close to his closed guard and prevents Strasser from doing any damage or advancing position.
We've been informed that Strasser has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Strasser throws a big elbow that misses.
Chandler seems keen to control Strasser's posture.
Strasser in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Benjamin Strasser dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Strasser uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Chandler has time to react.

Strasser gets caught flat footed, as Chandler shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Chandler sitting in guard here, content to control.
Chandler has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Michael Chandler overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chandler sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Strasser's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chandler works his way into full mount!
Chandler is landing with some decent strikes but Strasser is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Chandler tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Chandler lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Strasser hang on?

Strasser is rocked!
Chandler postures up and lands a whopping elbow - oh that's hurt Strasser bigstyle! Two more strikes land for Chandler and the fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Michael Chandler!