PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between James McQueen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Candy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McQueen kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Edguy - Ministry of Saints. The crowd seem to be enjoying Candy's choice of entrance music: zZzz. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

McQueen
vs
Candy

198 cm
29
271 lbs
14 - 14 - 0

191 cm
31
276 lbs
17 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, James McQueen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, John Candy!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Marco Blurström and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Candy showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from McQueen.

McQueen shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. McQueen showed some decent athleticism there.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Candy is trying to get back to full guard.
Candy blocking the ground and pound attempt from McQueen.
McQueen lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Candy keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
McQueen is taking a breather. Candy says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's one minute gone in the round.

McQueen is looking for a kimura but Candy is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for McQueen to get the leverage.
McQueen is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Candy is refusing to be controlled, as McQueen sits in half guard.
McQueen tries to stand but can't do so whilst Candy controls his leg.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McQueen is trying to control the action in half guard but Candy is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
McQueen trying to control the pace.
Candy gets back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McQueen trying to control but Candy is working from the bottom.

James McQueen has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
McQueen wants to clinch.
Candy throws an overhand right that lands on McQueen's shoulder, as McQueen tries to avoid the shot.
Horrible takedown by McQueen or perhaps it was just good defense by Candy which made him look bad.

McQueen shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
McQueen trying to control but he's not successful this time.
McQueen looking to finish with strikes here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McQueen working the ground and pound effectively.

It looks like John Candy has been cut.
McQueen throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.

McQueen jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Candy is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Candy and McQueen has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

McQueen working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Candy is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Candy can't do much from the bottom here.
McQueen trying to control the position but Candy is working away.

McQueen is trying to get an arm triangle but Candy is defending well.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Candy is trying to control McQueen's posture but McQueen avoids it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James McQueen dominated that round.
The cut man is working on John Candy's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

McQueen tries to clinch but Candy is having none of it.
McQueen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Candy.
Candy swats away the attempt to clinch by McQueen.
McQueen shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Candy sprawls well. Candy wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. McQueen gets slowly back to his feet.
McQueen tries to close the distance and clinch up but Candy swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Nice shot by McQueen.
McQueen is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Candy rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but McQueen moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
McQueen fails in his attempt to clinch.
McQueen tries to clinch but Candy is having none of it.
James McQueen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.

McQueen darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
McQueen throws a strike but Candy avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
McQueen working some strikes from top position.
McQueen missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
McQueen postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
McQueen trying to control but Candy is working from the bottom.
McQueen cracks Candy with a solid left hand.
Candy keeping full guard, as McQueen tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McQueen throws a big elbow that misses.
McQueen tries to stand but Candy is controlling from the bottom.
McQueen trying to control but Candy is working from the bottom.
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!
McQueen throws a big right hand that misses.
McQueen missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
McQueen loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Candy can't keep his opponent in guard - McQueen advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
McQueen has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. McQueen connects with a nice short shot to Candy's temple.

That has opened up John Candy's cut even more.
McQueen is keen to just control but Candy is a slippery customer.
Candy wants to improve his position but McQueen is controlling well.
Candy is staying active underneath McQueen, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
McQueen controlling the action here.
McQueen missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McQueen is trying to control. Candy wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

James McQueen has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
McQueen tries to score a power double leg takedown but Candy sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten McQueen somewhat.
McQueen moves in looking to clinch but Candy pushes him off.
McQueen shoots in for a double leg but Candy sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James McQueen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A decent looking cross lands there for Candy.

It looks like James McQueen has been cut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Candy misses with a jab, cross combination.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McQueen is looking to clinch but Candy is avoiding it.
McQueen tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Candy manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

McQueen pushes Candy up against the cage in a clinch.
McQueen is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James McQueen dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

McQueen throws a series of punches but Candy avoids them all with ease.
Candy leaves McQueen with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
McQueen shoots in for a takedown but Candy shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
McQueen changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Candy tries to avoid it but McQueen manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Candy to the ground. Candy escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James McQueen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Candy throws a series of punches but McQueen moves out of range.
Candy scores with a body shot.
Candy checks a low kick from McQueen.
Candy swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
McQueen tries to clinch but Candy moves out of range.
Candy changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Candy misses with a few strikes there.
Candy lands with a straight right. McQueen didn't see that one coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McQueen doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
McQueen tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Candy counters with a left and a right that stings McQueen.
Candy keeps the fight on the outside.
Candy swats away the attempt to clinch by McQueen.
Candy swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
McQueen misses with a jab, cross combination.
Candy ducks down and throws a hook to the body but McQueen moves away.
John Candy seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Candy swats away the attempt to clinch by McQueen.
Candy throws a right and a left that both miss.
No luck with that takedown attempt from McQueen.
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!
McQueen shoots in for a takedown but Candy shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McQueen looks to clinch
and Candy counters with a series of strikes. McQueen will be more careful next time no doubt.
Candy throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent McQueen stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Candy looks to score with a jab to the body but McQueen is just out of range.
Candy misses with a series of wild punches.
McQueen avoids the body shot from Candy.
McQueen is looking to clinch but Candy is avoiding it.
Candy keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Candy displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Candy throws the left hand but McQueen avoids the punch easily.
James McQueen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Candy gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
McQueen won't allow Candy to sweep him here.
McQueen has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Candy is proving hard to escape from.
Candy 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.
McQueen trying to control but Candy is working from the bottom.
McQueen 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.
John Candy has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up because James McQueen just wasn't active enough.
McQueen shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Candy as he avoids it easily.
Donk. Candy catches McQueen right on the button with a cross.
McQueen tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

McQueen shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
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!
Candy trying to control here.
James McQueen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McQueen content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Candy comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think McQueen 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 29:28
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James McQueen!
During a confident post fight interview, James McQueen thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.