PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between bo Duke (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Charlie Candela (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.

Duke
vs
Candela

178 cm
19
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

170 cm
19
153 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, bo Duke!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Charlie Candela!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Albert Achterberg and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Duke gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Candela throwing strikes from guard but Duke blocks nicely.
Duke on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Duke tries to get out of the position.
Duke is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Candela is controlling him.
Candela lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Duke wants to stand but Candela is controlling the position.
Candela works over Duke with some ground and pound from guard.
Candela is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Duke wants to get back to his feet but Candela is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Candela is looking to work some ground and pound but Duke has wrist control.
Candela has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Candela accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Duke is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Candela is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Candela is working Duke over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Duke is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Candela is controlling him.
Duke knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Candela on the ground.
Candela connects with a couple of short punches.
Candela prevents Duke from getting back to his feet.
Candela postures up and lands a big shot to Duke's brow.
Duke preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Candela stands up over Duke, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Candela with a nice head shot there.
Duke wants to stand up but Candela is controlling him.
Candela throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Duke works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Duke wants to stand but Candela is controlling the position.
Candela lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Duke wants to stand but Candela is controlling the position.
Candela connects with a couple of short punches.
Duke is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Candela is controlling him.
Candela loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Duke utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Candela working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Duke's head.
Candela with a nice head shot there.
Candela cracks Duke with a solid left hand.
Duke wants to stand up but Candela is controlling him.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Duke trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Candela keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Duke's head.
Duke is looking to stand up but Candela isn't so interested in that idea.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Candela is in close to Duke's body, working some short punches and elbows.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Candela accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Candela lands a couple of digs.
Duke wants to stand and escape but Candela is having none of it.
Candela with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Candela is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Candela won't allow Duke to get back to his feet.
Candela lands a couple of digs.
Duke is looking to stand up but Candela isn't so interested in that idea.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Candela shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Candela showed some decent athleticism there.
Candela looks winded!
Candela prevents Duke from standing back up.
Candela scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Duke is trying to stand back up but Candela is controlling him
Ground and pound from Candela.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Candela lands a nice short elbow.
Duke is looking to escape.
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. Candela connects with a nice short shot to Duke's temple.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Candela working over Duke with some ground and pound. Duke looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Duke is looking to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Charlie Candela dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Candela drives through with a takedown into Duke's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Duke is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Candela working some strikes from top position.
Duke wants to stand and escape but Candela is having none of it.
Candela postures up and lands a big shot to Duke's brow.
Candela throws a big right hand that misses.
Duke wants to get back to his feet but Candela is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Candela distracts Duke with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Candela throws a big elbow that misses.
Candela won't allow Duke to get back to his feet.
Candela with a flurry of punches that miss.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Candela is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Candela with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Candela is breathing heavily.
Duke is looking to stand up but Candela isn't so interested in that idea.
Candela landing some decent shots from guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Candela accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Candela prevents Duke from getting back to his feet.
Candela working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Candela content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Duke is looking to stand up but Candela isn't so interested in that idea.
Candela throwing strikes but missing.
Duke wants to stand and escape but Candela is having none of it.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Candela displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Duke.
Candela has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Candela stuffs the takedown.

Candela looking to score a takedown here. Duke is defending well but Candela drives through and ends up in Duke's guard.
Duke wants to stand and escape but Candela is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Candela is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Candela is pushing down on Duke's leg trying to pass to half guard. Duke is fighting to maintain full guard but Candela has managed to sneak the leg through.
Duke blocking the ground and pound attempt from Candela.
Duke blocking the ground and pound attempt from Candela.
Candela throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Duke wants to get back to his feet.
Charlie Candela has got the better of the ground game so far.
Candela missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Duke looks like he's trying to stand up.
Candela thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Candela prevents Duke from standing back up.
Candela missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Candela sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Duke defending well though.
Duke is trying to stand back up but Candela is controlling him

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Duke fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for bo Duke. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Candela shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Duke but Duke pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Candela stuffs the takedown.
Duke shoots for a takedown but Candela saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Duke shoots in and drives through. Candela sprawls well.

Candela shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Duke tries to kick Candela off but Candela keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Candela seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Duke wants to get back to his feet.
Duke blocking the ground and pound attempt from Candela.
Duke pushes Candela off looking to stand but Candela dives back in and keeps control.
Candela missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Candela thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Duke's head.
Duke pushes Candela off looking to stand but Candela dives back in and keeps control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Duke fails to land the takedown.

Duke gets caught flat footed, as Candela shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Duke is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Candela lands a couple of elbows.
Candela prevents Duke from getting back to his feet.
Candela is looking to work some ground and pound but Duke has wrist control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Charlie Candela showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Duke gets caught napping as Candela dives in and scores a takedown. Duke manages to retain guard.
Duke is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Candela is controlling him.
Candela throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Candela working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Duke wants to stand and escape but Candela is having none of it.
Candela is in close to Duke's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Duke is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Candela is controlling him.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Candela takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Candela shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Duke wants to stand and escape but Candela is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Candela landing some decent shots from guard.
Duke wants to get back to his feet but Candela is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Candela distracts Duke with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Candela missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Duke wants to stand up but Candela is controlling him.
Candela throws a big right hand that misses.
Candela stops Duke from standing up.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Candela shoots in for a double leg but Duke sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Candela slaps away a takedown attempt from Duke, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Candela drives through with a takedown into guard.
Duke wants to stand up but Candela is controlling him.
Candela throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Candela trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Candela connects with a couple of short punches.
Candela won't allow Duke to get back to his feet.
Candela throws a big right hand that misses.
Duke is looking to stand up but Candela isn't so interested in that idea.
Candela throwing strikes from guard but Duke blocks nicely.
Candela stops Duke from standing up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Duke tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Candela swivels and escapes.

Duke manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Candela on his heels. He'll look to pass Candela's guard now, I'm sure.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Candela throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Candela will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Candela tries to strike from the bottom.
Candela looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Duke is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Candela wants to sweep but no luck.
Candela lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Duke wants to get back to his feet but Candela is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Candela throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Duke works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Candela accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Candela throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Duke works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Candela accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Candela postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Duke is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Candela is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Duke tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Candela defends well and Duke ends up having to push Candela into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for bo Duke. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice takedown defense from Candela. No joy for Duke on that attempt.

Candela decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Nice strikes from Candela there.
Candela throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Duke is trying to stand up here but Candela is controlling him well.
Candela lands with a punch from half guard.
Duke is trying to stand back up but Candela is controlling him
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Candela lands strikes from half guard.
Duke avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Candela.
bo Duke has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Charlie Candela is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Duke is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Candela pulls his head out easily.
Duke tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

And that's the end of the fight!
Charlie Candela comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Candela 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 Paul Aken scores the fight for Charlie Candela!
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight for Charlie Candela!
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight for Charlie Candela!

Charlie Candela wins by unanimous decision!