PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Sergey Vermenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ryan Chandler (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.

Vermenko
vs
Chandler

174 cm
23
159 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
23
162 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Big right hand

Good wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

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 Helsinki, Sergey Vermenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ryan Chandler!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Anni Minnemäki and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Chandler gets a takedown into half guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Chandler decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Vermenko shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Chandler defends it nicely.

Chandler feints and as Vermenko raises his hands in defense, Chandler changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Chandler controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Chandler stands up from Vermenko's guard - Chandler perhaps looking for a knockout.

Chandler closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Vermenko to the mat! Vermenko manages to get full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chandler is stalling in the full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Vermenko trying to control the position.
Vermenko is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Vermenko is trying to control the position but Chandler postures up.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Chandler decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Vermenko, up you get!

Chandler shoots in and bounces Vermenko off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Vermenko being controlled here, momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chandler postures up.
Chandler sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Chandler scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Vermenko trying to control the position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Chandler controlling from the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ryan Chandler has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Chandler closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Chandler is staying tight to Vermenko's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Vermenko wants to control but Chandler postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vermenko taking a bit of punishment here - Chandler scoring with strikes.

Chandler decides to stand back up.

Chandler fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Vermenko to the ground. Chandler is now in Vermenko's guard.
Vermenko is breathing heavily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Chandler pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Vermenko is keeping the position for now.
Chandler controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Chandler working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Chandler controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

The fight stays on the outside here - Chandler looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Vermenko misses with a jab, cross combination.

Chandler closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Vermenko to the mat! Vermenko manages to get full guard.
Chandler scoring with some ground and pound.

Vermenko is working an open guard so Chandler takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Vermenko moves in looking to clinch but Chandler pushes him off.
Vermenko wants to clinch up but Chandler keeps it at a distance.
Vermenko tries to score a power double leg takedown but Chandler sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Vermenko somewhat.
Vermenko has his takedown stuffed

and Chandler counters with a single leg into guard. Vermenko didn't expect that.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chandler is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Chandler has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Chandler's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

Chandler stands and steps away. Vermenko gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Vermenko lands a high kick!
Vermenko fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Chandler avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sergey Vermenko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Chandler wants to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vermenko misses with a series of wild punches.
Chandler pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Vermenko shoots and misses

and Chandler counters with a takedown into side control.
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!

Chandler has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

Chandler bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Vermenko being controlled for a moment.

Chandler thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here.
Vermenko is trying to improve his position.
Ryan Chandler has got the better of the ground game so far.
Chandler taking a breather here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Let's hope that Chandler has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Ryan Chandler wasn't active enough on the ground.
Chandler throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan Chandler showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Vermenko has his takedown stuffed

and Chandler counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Chandler.
Chandler seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Chandler postures up and lands a big shot to Vermenko's brow.
Chandler landing some decent shots from guard.
Vermenko preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Chandler prevents Vermenko from getting back to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Chandler pushes down on Vermenko's leg and manages to get into half guard.
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!
Chandler controlling the action here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Chandler is trying to work for a kimura but Vermenko is defending well.

Chandler decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vermenko swats away the attempt to clinch by Chandler.
Chandler throws a head kick but Vermenko moves out of range.
Chandler fails with an attempt to clinch.
Vermenko tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Chandler defends well and Vermenko ends up having to push Chandler into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Chandler is looking for a takedown.
Chandler missing with knees to the body.
Vermenko has Chandler pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Chandler manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sergey Vermenko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Vermenko gets underhooks to prevent Chandler's takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vermenko tries to pull guard but Chandler holds him up against the cage and eventually Vermenko drops back down to his feet.
Chandler looking to stall.
Vermenko looking to stall.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Chandler just misses with a elbow thrown towards Vermenko's brow.
Chandler has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Vermenko avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Vermenko tries to pull guard but Chandler holds him up against the cage and eventually Vermenko drops back down to his feet.
Chandler taking a breather.
Chandler fails to pull the fight into his guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chandler is trying to pull guard but Vermenko turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Vermenko creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Vermenko is trying to break the clinch but Chandler has him pressed against the cage.
Vermenko tries to pull guard but Chandler holds him up against the cage and eventually Vermenko drops back down to his feet.
Vermenko is trying to break free.
Vermenko wants a takedown.
Vermenko gets underhooks to prevent Chandler's takedown attempt.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Chandler manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Chandler has his hands on Vermenko's head, controlling the position.
Sergey Vermenko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ryan Chandler is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ryan Chandler comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Chandler 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight for Ryan Chandler!
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight for Ryan Chandler!
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight for Ryan Chandler!

Ryan Chandler wins by unanimous decision!