PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Aleksandr Candovski (ranked 7280 p4p, 0 weight class) and Petchboonchu Aumkatongchiangmai (ranked 3386 p4p, 388 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Candovski
vs
Aumkatongchiangmai

184 cm
25
158 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

173 cm
25
157 lbs
4 - 4 - 3

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Aleksandr Candovski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 3, fighting out of New York, Petchboonchu Aumkatongchiangmai!
The judges for this bout are Alyssa Summers, Chad Campbell and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Candovski throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Aumkatongchiangmai's waist but Aumkatongchiangmai gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Candovski off to one side.
Aumkatongchiangmai shoots in but no luck this time.
Candovski lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Aumkatongchiangmai circles away quickly and effectively.
Aumkatongchiangmai misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Candovski misses with the body kick

and Aumkatongchiangmai counters by clinching up.
Candovski jumps guard but Aumkatongchiangmai turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Candovski pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Candovski changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Aumkatongchiangmai tries to avoid it but Candovski manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Aumkatongchiangmai to the ground. Aumkatongchiangmai escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aleksandr Candovski. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Candovski shoots in for a takedown but Aumkatongchiangmai shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aumkatongchiangmai falls off balance throwing a combination

and Candovski counters by moving into the clinch.
Candovski wants a takedown.

Aumkatongchiangmai jumps into guard, dragging Candovski to the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aumkatongchiangmai is pulling down on Candovski's head to control his posture.
Candovski looking to sit in guard and control but Aumkatongchiangmai gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Aumkatongchiangmai wanted to stand there but Candovski had control of the position.
Candovski is looking to stand up but Aumkatongchiangmai isn't so interested in that idea.
Candovski knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Aumkatongchiangmai on the ground.
Candovski looking for a sweep. Not yet Candovski, not yet.
Aumkatongchiangmai stays in close to Candovski's body and controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Candovski 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.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Aumkatongchiangmai is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Aumkatongchiangmai is in close to Candovski's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Candovski throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Aumkatongchiangmai slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aumkatongchiangmai prevents Candovski from getting back to his feet.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Candovski closes the distance and clinches up with Aumkatongchiangmai, looking for a takedown. Candovski pushes Aumkatongchiangmai against the cage but Aumkatongchiangmai circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Candovski clinches with his opponent.

Candovski's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Aumkatongchiangmai gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Aumkatongchiangmai tries for a takedown. No joy.

Aumkatongchiangmai pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Candovski.
Candovski shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Aumkatongchiangmai sprawls well. Aumkatongchiangmai wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Candovski gets slowly back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Aumkatongchiangmai is defended easily by Candovski.
Candovski looks for a takedown but Aumkatongchiangmai sprawls well.
Aumkatongchiangmai shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Candovski as he jumps to the side.
Candovski tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A nice leg kick lands there from Aumkatongchiangmai.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Aumkatongchiangmai misses with a takedown attempt - Candovski sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Aumkatongchiangmai looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Petchboonchu Aumkatongchiangmai dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Aumkatongchiangmai misses with a takedown attempt - Candovski sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Aumkatongchiangmai shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Candovski as he jumps to the side.

Candovski closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Candovski is trying to break the clinch but Aumkatongchiangmai has him pressed against the cage.
Aumkatongchiangmai goes for a takedown attempt but Candovski pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Aleksandr Candovski has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Petchboonchu Aumkatongchiangmai.
Aumkatongchiangmai fails with a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Candovski scores with a three punch combo!
Candovski closes this distance looking for a takedown but Aumkatongchiangmai circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aumkatongchiangmai avoids a punch combination nicely.
Candovski stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Candovski wants it to stay on the feet.
Aumkatongchiangmai uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Candovski.
As Candovski backs off Aumkatongchiangmai throws a huge counter combo but Candovski manages to avoid it all.
Candovski thumps Aumkatongchiangmai with a low kick.
Candovski lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Candovski slaps away a takedown attempt from Aumkatongchiangmai, before circling back to the center of the mat.
No joy there for Candovski, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Aumkatongchiangmai will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Candovski seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Aumkatongchiangmai avoids the head kick by Candovski.
Candovski shoots in for a takedown but Aumkatongchiangmai shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aumkatongchiangmai throws a head kick that misses.
Aleksandr Candovski is winning the standup battle so far.

Aumkatongchiangmai has managed to clinch.
Candovski tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Aumkatongchiangmai avoids it.
Candovski drops down looking for an ankle pick but Aumkatongchiangmai pulls his leg out and moves away.

Aumkatongchiangmai closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Aumkatongchiangmai drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Aumkatongchiangmai tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Aumkatongchiangmai displaying some good clinch control by pressing Candovski up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Aumkatongchiangmai manages to pull guard.

Aumkatongchiangmai working for a triangle but Candovski defends it easily.
Candovski throws a big right hand that misses.
Aumkatongchiangmai is trying to control the position but Candovski postures up.
Candovski has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Aumkatongchiangmai is proving hard to escape from.
Aumkatongchiangmai looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Aumkatongchiangmai controlling the position.
Aumkatongchiangmai looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Candovski engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Candovski will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Aumkatongchiangmai looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Candovski is fending him off so far but Aumkatongchiangmai persists. Nope, Candovski circles away and we're back to standing.
A chopping leg kick lands by Candovski.
Aumkatongchiangmai dives in for a single leg takedown but Candovski sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Aumkatongchiangmai swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Candovski seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Aumkatongchiangmai defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Candovski.

Aumkatongchiangmai closes the distance and clinches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aleksandr Candovski dominated that second 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. This is the final round!

Aumkatongchiangmai fails with the takedown.

Aumkatongchiangmai tries to keep at a distance but Candovski has taken the fight into the clinch.
Candovski is pushing Aumkatongchiangmai up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Candovski lands a nice uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Candovski escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Candovski has Aumkatongchiangmai up against the cage in a clinch.
Candovski wants to get back to striking at distance but Aumkatongchiangmai won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aumkatongchiangmai leaning against his opponent.
Candovski has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Aumkatongchiangmai is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Candovski fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Aumkatongchiangmai is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Candovski is defending well.
Candovski missing with knees to the body.
Aumkatongchiangmai stops a takedown attempt from Candovski.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aleksandr Candovski. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Candovski wants to break free but Aumkatongchiangmai has control.
A head punch on the inside from Candovski fails to land.
Candovski is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Aumkatongchiangmai is defending well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Candovski tries to pull guard but Aumkatongchiangmai holds him up against the cage and eventually Candovski drops back down to his feet.
Candovski tries to pull guard but Aumkatongchiangmai won't allow it.
Aleksandr Candovski has scored more points in the clinch so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Candovski tries to break the clinch but Aumkatongchiangmai is controlling the position.
Candovski tries to pull guard but Aumkatongchiangmai forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Candovski jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Aumkatongchiangmai walks away with a smile on his face. Candovski gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Candovski looks for a takedown but Aumkatongchiangmai sprawls well.
Aumkatongchiangmai changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Aumkatongchiangmai has a takedown stuffed.
Candovski is looking to counter with head kicks.

Aumkatongchiangmai clinches up against the cage.

Aumkatongchiangmai escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Aumkatongchiangmai is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Candovski's half guard.
Candovski flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Candovski avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Aumkatongchiangmai.
Aumkatongchiangmai controlling the action here.
Candovski trying to control but Aumkatongchiangmai postures up.
Aumkatongchiangmai takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Aumkatongchiangmai tries to pass the half guard into mount. Candovski knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

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

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
No luck for Aumkatongchiangmai with that takedown attempt.
Candovski has his takedown stuffed
and Aumkatongchiangmai counters with a three punch combo that has Candovski backing up. Candovski nods at Aumkatongchiangmai to acknowledge the strikes.
Candovski tries to close the distance and clinch up but Aumkatongchiangmai swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Candovski misses with a shot to the body
and Aumkatongchiangmai counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Aumkatongchiangmai clinches up against the cage.

Aumkatongchiangmai breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

And that's the end of the fight!
Petchboonchu Aumkatongchiangmai comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Aumkatongchiangmai has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Alyssa Summers scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Petchboonchu Aumkatongchiangmai!