PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Marcos Bowers (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Xiro Kandalino (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Bowers
vs
Kandalino

217 cm
18
193 lbs
3 - 5 - 0

180 cm
21
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

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 3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Marcos Bowers!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Xiro Kandalino!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Fedor Mirinova and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bowers tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kandalino swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Kandalino shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Bowers gets back to full guard.
Kandalino pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bowers is keeping the position for now.
Kandalino landing with the ground and pound.
Kandalino wanted to stand there but Bowers had control of the position.
Bowers wants to stand and escape but Kandalino is having none of it.
Kandalino wants to pass the guard but Bowers is keeping the position.
Kandalino trying to control but Bowers is working from the bottom.
Kandalino looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kandalino wanted to stand there but Bowers had control of the position.

Bowers has his foot on Kandalino's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kandalino works his way back into a safe position though.
Bowers trying to control the position here.
Kandalino content to stall in guard here.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Xiro Kandalino wasn't active enough on the ground.
Kandalino doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Bowers counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Kandalino shoots in for a takedown but Bowers shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Bowers shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Bowers showed some decent athleticism there.
Kandalino looks winded!
Kandalino wants to control but Bowers is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bowers really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Bowers will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Kandalino works his way to full guard. Good work.
Bowers not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Bowers stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Bowers scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Bowers is pressing down on Kandalino's thigh, looking to free his foot. Kandalino is holding on for now.
Still in half guard, Bowers seems content to control.
Kandalino gets full guard.
Kandalino keeping moving, preventing Bowers from controlling successfully.
Bowers stopping the sweep attempt from Kandalino.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bowers is stalling in the full guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Marcos Bowers wasn't doing enough on the ground.

Bowers drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Bowers is looking to take a break and control but Kandalino is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kandalino tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kandalino struggling a bit here.

Bowers tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Bowers has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bowers stands up and beckons Kandalino to his feet.
Bowers's jab looks to have found its range, popping Kandalino under the eye.

Bowers closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Kandalino to the mat! Kandalino manages to get full guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bowers controls from within his opponent's guard.
Bowers is in close to Kandalino's body, working some short punches and elbows.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kandalino looking to control.
Bowers trying to control but Kandalino is working from the bottom.
Kandalino throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcos Bowers dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Bowers wants to clinch up but Kandalino keeps it at a distance.

Bowers shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Kandalino is trying to defend but Bowers finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Bowers decides to stand up.
Kandalino misses with a takedown attempt

and Bowers decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Kandalino's guard.
Kandalino not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Kandalino working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Bowers doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Bowers manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Bowers has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Kandalino looking to control.
Bowers knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Kandalino on the ground.
Kandalino trying to strike off his back.
Kandalino is breathing heavily.
Kandalino wants to sweep but no luck.
Marcos Bowers overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Bowers wants to pass the guard but Kandalino is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kandalino can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Bowers controls the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Marcos Bowers wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Bowers fails to land with a series of punches.
Bowers scores with a three punch combo!
Bowers is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Bowers bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Bowers has control of an arm but Kandalino manages to advance to Bowers's back!
Kandalino wants to control the position but Bowers frees himself and scrambles - Kandalino manages to regain control in side control.
Bowers tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Kandalino wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Kandalino looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Bowers is avoiding damage well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bowers stuck in half guard on the bottom here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Kandalino swings around for an armbar but Bowers sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Kandalino's guard.
Kandalino is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Bowers controls from within his opponent's guard.
Kandalino tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Bowers pivots, looking for a leg kick but Kandalino is out of range and Bowers settles back down.
Kandalino tries for a takedown but Bowers circles away easily

and Bowers counters by clinching up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bowers is trying to trip Kandalino. He has hold of a leg but Kandalino is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Bowers persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Bowers trying to control but Kandalino is working from the bottom.
Kandalino is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Bowers landing some decent shots from guard.

Bowers stands up and waves to Kandalino to follow him.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kandalino.
Marcos Bowers has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Xiro Kandalino.
Kandalino misses with a takedown attempt
and Bowers counters with a three punch combo that has Kandalino backing up. Kandalino nods at Bowers to acknowledge the strikes.
Marcos Bowers is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bowers gets a double leg takedown into Kandalino's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kandalino is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Bowers wants to control from the top but Kandalino keeps moving.
Kandalino wants to control the position but Bowers says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Bowers landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Kandalino trying to get back to full guard but Bowers takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Kandalino wants to hold on but Bowers pushes him away.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Bowers wants to control the pace but Kandalino is squirming around nicely.
Bowers unloading with bombs!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Kandalino gets caught flat footed, as Bowers shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Kandalino not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Kandalino doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Kandalino trying to control the position.
Kandalino might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Bowers haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Kandalino has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Bowers has passed into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
You can see the frustration on Kandalino's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Bowers decides to stand back up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nice sprawl there from Bowers as Kandalino shoots in.
Bowers throws a head kick that misses.

Bowers shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Kandalino napping and manages to drive through into side control!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kandalino takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Bowers working away.
Kandalino is not content to let Bowers control the position.

Bowers is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Kandalino knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Kandalino can't do much from the bottom here.
Kandalino is not content to let Bowers control the position.

Bowers stands up and we're back to a striking position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bowers shoots in and gets a takedown into Kandalino's guard.
Bowers trying to control but Kandalino is working from the bottom.

Kandalino looking for a guillotine here but Bowers defends easily.

Bowers stands up and waves to Kandalino to follow him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kandalino tried to score with a low kick but Bowers checks it.
Kandalino is trying hard to land a takedown here. Bowers sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Bowers lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Kandalino tries for a takedown but Bowers circles away easily

and Bowers counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Bowers.
Marcos Bowers has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Xiro Kandalino.
Bowers preventing the sweep.
Bowers wants to pass the guard but Kandalino is keeping the position.

Kandalino is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Kandalino is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Bowers is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kandalino working a defensive guard here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bowers passes Kandalino's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Bowers stops Kandalino from getting back to his feet.
Well, if Bowers is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Kandalino trying to control here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bowers is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Xiro Kandalino has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Marcos Bowers is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Bowers is looking to advance position but Kandalino won't allow it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Marcos Bowers showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Bowers has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 30:27
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marcos Bowers!