PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mark Candle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vladimir Wong (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.

Candle
vs
Wong

178 cm
18
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

186 cm
19
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 London, Mark Candle!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Vladimir Wong!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Phil Schofield and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wong tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Candle manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Wong tries to clinch there but Candle circles away.
Wong fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Wong manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Candle on his heels. He'll look to pass Candle's guard now, I'm sure.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Candle wants to stand and escape but Wong is having none of it.
Wong loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Candle wants to stand but Wong is controlling the position.
Wong stands and throws Candle's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Candle is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Wong stands up.
Wong shoots for a double leg takedown but Candle sprawls well. He's pushed Wong's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A jab from Wong does it's job there.
Wong shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Candle defends it nicely.
Mark Candle has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vladimir Wong.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Candle fails with the takedown.
Vladimir Wong seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Wong with a lazy takedown attempt

and Candle counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Wong's guard now.
Candle showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Candle knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Wong on the ground.
This has been an exciting period of action!

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wong throws a couple of punches but he's in a bad position and they don't land.
Wong can't do much from the bottom here.
Candle moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Wong wants to control but Candle postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wong is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Wong seems a little lost for a moment, as Candle dominates the positioning.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Wong moves in looking to clinch but Candle pushes him off.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Wong shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Mark Candle will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Wong shoots in looking for a takedown. Candle tries to sprawl out of it but Wong keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Candle manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Wong swinging wildly here.
Wong tries to clinch but Candle moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice takedown defense from Wong. No joy for Candle on that attempt.
Wong moves in looking to clinch but Candle pushes him off.
Wong changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Candle tries to avoid it but Wong manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Candle to the ground. Candle escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wong has his takedown stuffed

and Candle counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Mark Candle has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vladimir Wong.
Wong tries to get to full guard but Candle has control of the leg.
Candle takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Candle seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Wong for as long as he can get away with.
Candle has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Mark Candle wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Wong moves in looking to clinch but Candle pushes him off.
Candle closes this distance looking for a takedown but Wong circles away.
Candle shoots in for a takedown but Wong shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Wong looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Candle is fending him off so far but Wong persists. Nope, Candle circles away and we're back to standing.
Wong goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Wong lands with a slapping head kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Wong.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Candle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wong scores with a jab to the body.
Wong shoots and misses

and Candle counters with a single leg into guard. Wong didn't expect that.
Wong being controlled here, momentarily.
Candle tries to free his leg and advance position but Wong is retaining full guard.
Candle slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Mark Candle has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Nice uppercut there from Wong.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Candle shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Wong sprawls well. Wong wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Candle gets slowly back to his feet.
Candle shoots in looking for a takedown but Wong manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Candle's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Candle dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. And we move into the final round!

Wong fails with a takedown attempt.
Candle fails to land the takedown.
Candle avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Candle looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Wong tries for a takedown but Candle sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Wong with a lazy takedown attempt

and Candle counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Mark Candle has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vladimir Wong.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Wong looking for a guillotine here but Candle defends easily.
Candle passes Wong's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Candle is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Candle tries to pass to full mount but Wong defends it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Candle is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Wong looks like he's trying to stand up.
Candle looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Vladimir Wong wasn't active enough on the ground.

Wong clinches up with Candle and pushes him back against the cage.
Wong is trying to force a seperation but Candle has the dominant position.
A shot in the inside from Wong.
Wong's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Wong stops a takedown attempt from Candle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Wong pulls Candle into guard.
Wong trying to control the position.
Candle tries to free his leg and advance position but Wong is retaining full guard.
Wong is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Candle is controlling him.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Mark Candle.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Candle, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Richard Clark scores the fight 30:28
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mark Candle!