PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Robert Bruce (ranked 3270 p4p, 392 weight class) and Joshua Candelaria (ranked 3961 p4p, 437 weight class). Robert Bruce has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Bruce
vs
Candelaria

189 cm
22
202 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

188 cm
21
198 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)

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 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Robert Bruce!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Joshua Candelaria!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Yves DeLean and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bruce keeps the fight on the outside.

Candelaria takes the fight into the clinch.
Candelaria fails to pull guard.
Candelaria blocks a body shot from Bruce.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Candelaria as Bruce tries to tie him up.
Bruce lands a left hand that snaps the head of Candelaria backwards.
Candelaria is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Bruce is defending well for now.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Bruce.
Bruce tries to stall but Candelaria uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Bruce controlling the action here for a moment.
Bruce wants to stall.
Stalling in the clinch from Bruce.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bruce lands a right hand that snaps the head of Candelaria backwards.
Candelaria is trying to pull guard but Bruce has him pressed against the ropes.
Bruce trying to control the position but instead, Candelaria has worked for underhooks and has pushed Bruce into the ropes.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Robert Bruce.
Candelaria shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Bruce as he jumps to the side.
Robert Bruce has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joshua Candelaria.
Candelaria tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Bruce manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A decent looking cross lands there for Bruce.

It looks like Joshua Candelaria has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bruce misses with a low kick.
Bruce throws a body shot but no joy.
Bruce scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Bruce jabs Candelaria right on the nose. Candelaria blinks but takes it well.
Bruce circles away from the clinch attempt.
Candelaria takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Candelaria takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Candelaria fails with the takedown
and Bruce counters with a stiff right hand.
Candelaria takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Bruce scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Bruce is looking to chop away at Candelaria's legs.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Candelaria shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Bruce as he avoids it easily.
Candelaria on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Bruce seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Candelaria takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Bruce tests Candelaria's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Candelaria takes a shot to the body in his stride.
No joy there for Bruce, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Bruce darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Bruce throws out a leg kick but Candelaria moves out of range and Bruce only half commits.

Candelaria looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Bruce!
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Candelaria is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Bruce knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Candelaria is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Bruce knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Candelaria postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Bruce knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Candelaria on the ground.
Candelaria creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Bruce gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Bruce is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Candelaria is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Candelaria sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Bruce defending well though.
Bruce is looking to control Candelaria's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Bruce avoid being mounted?
Bruce preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.

Candelaria is looking for a kimura here.

Candelaria looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Candelaria seems to be working for a kimura but Bruce defends the submission attempt.

Candelaria is actively looking for submissions here but good counter grappling here from Bruce as he works his way to full guard.
Bruce on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Bruce tries to get out of the position.
Candelaria throws a big elbow that misses.
Bruce utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Candelaria accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robert Bruce dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Joshua Candelaria's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Candelaria looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Bruce is fending him off so far but Candelaria persists. Nope, Bruce circles away and we're back to standing.
A counter left hand to the body from Bruce misses its target.
Candelaria fails with the takedown.
Bruce feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Bruce goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Candelaria tries to clinch there but Bruce circles away.

Candelaria closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
Candelaria tries to score a body lock takedown but Bruce shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Robert Bruce has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joshua Candelaria.
Candelaria changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Bruce fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Bruce fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Candelaria has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Bruce will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
The fight stays on the outside here - Candelaria looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A quick step to the side and Bruce tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Candelaria is looking to clinch.
Bruce throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bruce. Candelaria does a little dance to reset his feet.
Candelaria takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Candelaria takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Candelaria looks for a takedown but Bruce sprawls well.
Bruce works the jab nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bruce slaps away a takedown attempt from Candelaria, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Candelaria shoots for a takedown but Bruce saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Bruce is looking to counter punch.
Bruce lands a nice shot to the body.
Candelaria has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Candelaria looks for a takedown but Bruce sprawls well.
Candelaria is breathing heavily.
Bruce misses with a body kick.
Robert Bruce is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Bruce paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Bruce scores with a sloppy right hand. Candelaria should have avoided that one.
Bruce moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Nice uppercut lands for Bruce. That snapped Candelaria's head back.
Bruce looks to score with a jab to the body but Candelaria is just out of range.
Candelaria misses with a takedown attempt - Bruce sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Bruce tries to keep at a distance but Candelaria has taken the fight into the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bruce lands a left hand that snaps the head of Candelaria backwards.
Candelaria tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Bruce cracks Candelaria with a nice body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bruce lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Come on Bruce - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Bruce is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Candelaria can do to turn this around?
Bruce misses with a body punch.
Bruce is looking to control Candelaria's arms but Candelaria gets an underhook and turns him. Now Bruce has his back to the ropes.
Bruce is looking to control Candelaria's arms but Candelaria gets an underhook and turns him. Now Bruce has his back to the ropes.
Bruce lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Candelaria trying to land knees to the body.
Candelaria drops down looking for an ankle pick but Bruce pulls his leg out and moves away.
Candelaria tries to clinch but Bruce is having none of it.
Candelaria tries to clinch but Bruce moves out of range.
Bruce appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Candelaria shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Bruce but Bruce pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Candelaria showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Bruce.
Candelaria doesn't manage to clinch there - Bruce circles away.
Joshua Candelaria is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Jab from Bruce.

Candelaria instigates a clinch.
Candelaria trying to stall but Bruce improves his position.
Bruce lands a hook that snaps the head of Candelaria backwards.
Candelaria tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Bruce just stands there and leans against the ropes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Bruce.
Bruce tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Candelaria's elbow.
Bruce is leaning against Candelaria and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Bruce.
Bruce trying to control the position but instead, Candelaria has worked for underhooks and has pushed Bruce into the ropes.
Bruce blocks an elbow strike from Candelaria.
Bruce cracks Candelaria with a nice body shot.
Candelaria is trying to pull guard but Bruce turns him against the ropes and we stay in the clinch.
Bruce stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Bruce looking to stall.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Bruce.
Robert Bruce has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Candelaria is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Bruce wants to stall.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Candelaria is trying to pull guard but Bruce turns him against the ropes and we stay in the clinch.
Bruce slowing the pace effectively.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A hook to the body from Bruce.
Candelaria tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Bruce avoids it.
Bruce scores with a shoulder strike.
Bruce lands a nice uppercut.
Bruce slows down the pace here.
Bruce lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Candelaria or not.
Bruce blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Bruce manages to break the clinch.
Candelaria takes a body punch but keeps moving.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Candelaria has taken the fight to the clinch.
Bruce digs a right hand into Candelaria's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Candelaria's gas tank.
Bruce tries to stall but Candelaria uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Bruce lands a body punch in the clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Bruce cracks Candelaria with a nice body shot.
A short right from Bruce.
Bruce is leaning against Candelaria and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Candelaria's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Bruce is looking to control Candelaria's arms but Candelaria gets an underhook and turns him. Now Bruce has his back to the ropes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robert Bruce dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Joshua Candelaria's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Bruce listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Bruce connects with a jab.
Candelaria tries to clinch there but Bruce circles away.
Bruce slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Candelaria shoots in looking for a takedown but Bruce manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Candelaria's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Bruce connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Candelaria takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Candelaria has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

Candelaria has Bruce up against the ropes in a clinch.
Bruce lands a shot to the body.
Bruce lands with a left to the head.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Bruce lands with a right to the head.
Candelaria takes a shot to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Candelaria goes for a takedown attempt but Bruce pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Candelaria checks a low kick from Bruce.
Candelaria takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Bruce throws a nice inside leg kick.
Bruce connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

Candelaria clinches up against the ropes.
Bruce avoiding damage as Candelaria throws knees to the body.
A short right from Bruce.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Bruce takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Candelaria changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Bruce fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Robert Bruce has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joshua Candelaria.
Candelaria wants to clinch.
Bruce lands with an uppercut that bounces Candelaria off the ropes and back into range.
Candelaria tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Bruce defends well and Candelaria ends up having to push Bruce into the ropes where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Candelaria on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Bruce!
Bruce works the jab nicely.
A punch lands to the side of Candelaria 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Candelaria misses with a takedown attempt - Bruce sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
A decent looking cross lands there for Bruce.
Candelaria moves out of range as Bruce throws a body kick.
Candelaria wants to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Candelaria shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Bruce defends it nicely.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Candelaria tries to close the distance and clinch up but Bruce swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Candelaria will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Bruce.
Candelaria tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Bruce throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Candelaria misses with a takedown attempt - Bruce sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Candelaria on the wrong end of a nice jab.
A jab lands there for Bruce.
Candelaria takes a jab right on the kisser.
Robert Bruce is winning the standup battle so far.
Candelaria misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Candelaria takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Bruce scores with a punch to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Candelaria takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Bruce scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Bruce smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

Candelaria is rocked!
Candelaria takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Bruce lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Candelaria at a distance.
Candelaria moves out of range of the leg kick from Bruce.
Bruce scores with a three punch combo!
Candelaria is still on wobbly legs! Can Bruce finish him?
Bruce throws a right and a left that both miss.
Bruce throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Candelaria tries to counter with a clinch but Bruce shakes him off and moves away.
Candelaria seems to have recovered his senses.
Bruce misses with a looping left.
Bruce scores with a jab.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The fight stays on the outside here - Candelaria looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Bruce throws a wild body kick that Candelaria sees coming a mile off.
Bruce scores with a crisp jab that stopped Candelaria in his tracks.
Candelaria is looking to clinch.
Bruce cracks Candelaria with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Bruce throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Candelaria shoots in but no luck this time.
Bruce lands a lovely overhand right.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Candelaria walks into a straight right hand from Bruce.
Bruce connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Candelaria momentarily.

Candelaria moves into the clinch.
Stalling in the clinch from Candelaria.
Bruce is looking to control Candelaria's arms but Candelaria gets an underhook and turns him. Now Bruce has his back to the ropes.
Candelaria tries to pull guard but Bruce holds him up against the ropes and eventually Candelaria drops back down to his feet.
Bruce stalling in the clinch but Candelaria improves position.
Candelaria wants to take the fight to the mat but Bruce manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Bruce scores with a shot to the side of Candelaria's head.
Bruce blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Bruce holding his opponent close, against the ropes.
Bruce wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Candelaria wants to take the fight to the mat but Bruce manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Candelaria looking for a takedown.
Candelaria throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Joshua Candelaria has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
Bruce works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

And that's the end of the fight!
Robert Bruce showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Bruce, 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight for Robert Bruce!
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight for Robert Bruce!
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight for Robert Bruce!

Robert Bruce wins by unanimous decision!
Robert Bruce decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.