PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Romega Vartanein (ranked 2518 p4p, 2677 weight class) and Joey Chandler (ranked 287 p4p, 305 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Vartanein
vs
Chandler

179 cm
26
130
6 - 14 - 1

178 cm
22
160
6 - 7 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Bondi MMA 🏝️

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 6 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Romega Vartanein!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Joey Chandler!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Gregory Folan and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A shot to the body from Vartanein misses
and Chandler counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Chandler fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Vartanein sprawls well initially but Chandler persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Vartanein manages to get to full guard.
Vartanein trying to control the position here.
Chandler landing with the ground and pound.
Vartanein utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Vartanein managing to control the position.
Vartanein has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Chandler stopping the sweep attempt from Vartanein.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vartanein looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Chandler postures up in Vartanein's guard and throws a big left but Vartanein blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vartanein is pulling down on Chandler's head. It's preventing any offense from Chandler, at least for the moment.
Chandler postures up and lands a big shot to Vartanein's brow.
Chandler throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Chandler must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Vartanein is trying to control the position but Chandler postures up.
Vartanein 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.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Chandler accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Chandler trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Vartanein looking for a sweep. Not yet Vartanein, not yet.
Vartanein really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Chandler working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Chandler with a flurry of punches that miss.
Vartanein is adopting a defensive guard.

Vartanein has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Chandler is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Vartanein can't find room to land a body shot as Chandler controls the action.

Vartanein breaks from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chandler avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Vartanein with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Chandler dives in and grabs Vartanein's left leg, looking for a takedown. Vartanein pushes down on Chandler's head and hops out.
Vartanein lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Chandler at a distance.
Vartanein jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Romega Vartanein is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Vartanein misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Chandler.
Chandler slips under a jab.
Vartanein throws a body shot but no joy.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Chandler misses with a body punch
and Vartanein counters with a left to the body.
Vartanein scores with a nice head shot.
Vartanein with a nice cross.
Chandler wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Vartanein uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Chandler swings away with a body shot that misses
and Vartanein counters with a thumping low kick.
Vartanein lands a right hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chandler misses the jab.
Chandler looks to land a right hand but Vartanein moved out of range.
Chandler uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Vartanein.
Vartanein misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Chandler.
Vartanein tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Chandler was well out of range. Poor timing from Vartanein.
Chandler doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Vartanein throws a lazy uppercut

and Chandler counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Vartanein!
Vartanein manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Chandler is nestled in close to Vartanein, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Chandler throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Vartanein tries to roll over but Chandler keeps him under control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Vartanein wants to control but Chandler is keeping busy.
Chandler not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Chandler landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Vartanein tries to get to full guard but Chandler has control of the leg.
Vartanein makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Vartanein.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Vartanein is on top in guard.

This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Chandler trying to control the position.
Vartanein stands up over Chandler, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Vartanein controlling from the top position.
Chandler is trying to keep Vartanein in close.
Chandler keeping full guard, as Vartanein tries to pass.
Vartanein with a flurry of punches that miss.
Vartanein missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Vartanein trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Chandler manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Romega Vartanein dominated that round.
That's time! Vartanein's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Vartanein throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Vartanein connects with a good right hand that stumbles Chandler. Chandler circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Chandler throws a big shot that misses.
Vartanein looks to score with a jab to the body but Chandler is just out of range.
Vartanein throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Vartanein scores with a punch to the head.
Vartanein misses with a wild body shot.
Chandler drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Vartanein defends it well.
Chandler misses with a body shot.
Vartanein swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.

Chandler closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Chandler lands in his opponent's guard.

Vartanein has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Chandler off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Chandler displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Vartanein throws out the jab.
Chandler swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Romega Vartanein seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Vartanein looks to land a left hand but Chandler moved out of range nicely.
Chandler slips under a jab from Vartanein.
Vartanein throws out a loose jab but Chandler uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vartanein misses with a body shot.
A little jabbing left from Chandler on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Vartanein misses with a looping left.
Vartanein lands a nice hook to Chandler's body. Chandler takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Chandler on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
A cross from Vartanein lands.
Vartanein throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Chandler takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Vartanein scores with a hook to the body. Chandler takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Chandler misses with a straight right.
Romega Vartanein is winning the standup battle so far.
Vartanein misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Chandler.
Vartanein lands a right hook to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Vartanein. Chandler does a little dance to reset his feet.
Vartanein misses with a shot to the body
and Chandler counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Vartanein lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Chandler keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A little jabbing left from Chandler on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chandler moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Chandler connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Chandler getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
The fighters circling - Chandler throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Vartanein lands a right hook to the body.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Vartanein here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Vartanein misses with a head kick.
Chandler looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Chandler looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Vartanein misses with a body shot.
Vartanein throws out a loose jab but Chandler uses good head movement to avoid it.
Vartanein misses with a straight left.
Vartanein just misses with a punch to the body.
Chandler jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Chandler gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Vartanein counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vartanein throws an overhand right that lands on Chandler's shoulder, as Chandler tries to avoid the shot.
A countering left hand to the body from Chandler misses.
Chandler uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Vartanein.
Chandler moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Chandler looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Vartanein is fending him off so far but Chandler persists. Nope, Vartanein circles away and we're back to standing.
Romega Vartanein has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joey Chandler.
Vartanein fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Chandler manages to avoid it.

Chandler fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Vartanein sprawls well initially but Chandler persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Vartanein manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Chandler keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Chandler misses with a short punch on the inside.
Vartanein is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Chandler can do to turn this around?
Chandler swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Vartanein blocks a body shot from Chandler.
A right handed body shot lands from Vartanein.
Vartanein digs a right hand underneath Chandler's ribcage. Chandler let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Chandler fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Vartanein blocking some punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chandler lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A short right from Vartanein on the inside.
Vartanein lands a shoulder strike.
Chandler swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Chandler throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Vartaneins head.
Chandler swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Chandler tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Chandler misses with some punches.
Vartanein blocking some punches.
Chandler tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Chandler doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Vartanein doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Chandler swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Chandler misses with a punch on the inside.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Romega Vartanein dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Chandler manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Vartanein on his heels. He'll look to pass Vartanein's guard now, I'm sure.
Chandler stopping the sweep attempt from Vartanein.
Vartanein manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Chandler manages to get himself to full guard.

Vartanein throws a big elbow that misses.
Vartanein throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Romega Vartanein overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Vartanein trying to control the position from guard on top but Chandler is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Vartanein throwing strikes from guard but Chandler blocks nicely.
Vartanein advances to half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vartanein is trying to control. Chandler wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Vartanein is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Vartanein missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Vartanein escapes and gets back to his feet.
Vartanein throws an off balance right hand
and Chandler counters with a nice uppercut.
Vartanein just misses with a punch to the body.
Vartanein tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Chandler was well out of range. Poor timing from Vartanein.
Vartanein throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
It seemed like Chandler was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Chandler slips under a jab.
Vartanein blocks a jab.
Vartanein feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Chandlers jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Vartanein looks to land a right hand but Chandler moved out of range.
Chandler lunges at Vartanein with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Vartanein's hand.
Vartanein with a jab.
Vartanein throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Vartanein pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Chandler fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Joey Chandler has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vartanein misses with a hook.
Chandler has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Chandler there as he acknowledges the shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Chandler scores with a body shot.
Vartanein is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Vartanein uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Chandler.
Chandler fails with a takedown attempt.
Chandler swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Vartanein lands a nice looking body shot.
Vartanein connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Chandler momentarily.
Chandler takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Chandler takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vartanein swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Chandler.
Vartanein connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Vartanein swings away with a body shot that misses
letting Chandler counter with a right hand.
Vartanein throws a body shot but no joy.
Chandler throws out a counter right but Vartanein avoids it with no problem.
Vartanein connects with a body shot that sends Chandler's belly button to the back.
Vartanein moves out of range of the strikes.
Vartanein works Chandler's body with a nice hook.
Chandler takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Vartanein fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Chandler manages to avoid it.
A telegraphed right hand from Chandler misses the target.
It looked like Vartanein wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Vartanein connects with a good right hand that stumbles Chandler. Chandler circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Vartanein lands a jab to the nose.
Vartanein ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Vartanein scores with the left hand. Chandler knows he should have avoided that one.
A jab from Chandler does it's job there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vartanein throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Vartanein swings for the body but Chandler moves out of range.
Chandler changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Chandler keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Vartanein misses with a body shot.
Chandler now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Vartanein bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Chandler ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Vartanein moves away.
Vartanein fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Vartanein throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Chandler.
Romega Vartanein is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

It looks like Joey Chandler has been cut.
Vartanein scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
A shot to the body from Vartanein misses

and Chandler counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Vartanein kicks Chandler off and gets back to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Chandler takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Chandler misses with a wild body shot.
Vartanein scores with a jab to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Romega Vartanein showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Vartanein, 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 Robert Douchet scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Romega Vartanein!
A very excited looking Romega Vartanein made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.