PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Suneet Chandler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Frankie Russo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chandler comes to the cage accompanied by Trendy. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Chandler
vs
Russo

170 cm
36
157 lbs
14 - 12 - 0

169 cm
41
165 lbs
22 - 20 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Very quick

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

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 14 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Suneet Chandler!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 20 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Frankie Russo!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, Ron Honeybunn and John Mangel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Chandler throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Chandler misses with a wild combination.
Chandler fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Chandler throws a series of punches but Russo moves out of range.

Chandler shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Russo is defending against the submission attempts here by Chandler.

Chandler is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Chandler is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Russo defends it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Chandler is looking for a kimura but Russo is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Chandler to get the leverage.

Chandler is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Chandler is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Chandler is trying to work for a kimura but Russo is defending well.
Chandler passes the guard and advances to mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Chandler with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

Russo defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Chandler.

Chandler is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Russo has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Russo!
Russo must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Chandler is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Russo defends well.
Chandler keeping moving, preventing Russo from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Chandler looking for a guillotine here but Russo defends easily.
Russo cracks Chandler with a solid left hand.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Chandler is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Russo is aware though and is defending well.
Chandler keeping moving, preventing Russo from controlling successfully.

Chandler is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Russo defends well.

Chandler looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Russo passes into side control.
Chandler tries to buck Russo off but Russo is having none of it.
Chandler takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Russo lands a decent elbow from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chandler is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Russo's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
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. Russo connects with a nice short shot to Chandler's temple.
Russo is nestled in close to Chandler, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

Chandler looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Chandler is refusing to be controlled, as Russo sits in half guard.

Chandler actively working from the bottom here.

Chandler looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Russo working his ground and pound in the gym. So far it seems to be working well.
Russo seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Chandler is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Chandler regains full guard. Nicely done.
Russo lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Russo takes a swing at Chandler's ribcage but misses.
Russo scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Russo slips under a jab from Chandler.
Chandler falls off balance throwing a combination
and Russo counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Chandler dodges the punch combination from Russo.
Russo throws a left and a right that both miss

and Chandler counters with a takedown into side control.

Chandler swings around for an armbar but Russo sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Chandler's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Chandler looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Russo works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Russo seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Suneet Chandler overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Chandler makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Chandler.
Russo wants to control from the top but Chandler keeps moving.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Chandler is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Chandler keeping moving, preventing Russo from controlling successfully.

Russo got a little sloppy there for a moment and Chandler has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Russo has managed to get both his arms back between Chandler's legs - danger averted.
Chandler utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Russo is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Chandler throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Russo escapes and throws Chandler's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Chandler manages to work his way to half guard, despite Russo's best efforts.
Russo thows a huge punch but Chandler dodges it nicely.

Chandler looking for submissions off his back.
Russo is pressing down on Chandler's thigh, looking to free his foot. Chandler is holding on for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Chandler looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Nice strikes from Russo there.

Chandler looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Chandler actively working from the bottom here.

Chandler looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Chandler looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Russo passes to full mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russo fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Chandler is trying desperately to improve position.
Russo landing strikes, looking to finish!
Russo controlling from the full mount.
Russo putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Chandler is wriggling around trying to escape.
Russo connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Russo lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
BOOM! Russo connects with a massive shot to the dome!

Chandler is rocked!
Chandler is working to get back to half guard.
Oh Chandler is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Russo landing strikes, looking to finish!
Russo landing strikes from the mount and Chandler is in trouble!
Russo cracks Chandler with a big head shot that has him covering up instantly! He's rolled onto his side and the referee has seen enough - this one is aaaaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Frankie Russo!