PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Aleksandr Candovski (ranked 2601 p4p, 282 weight class) and Motu Te Tai (ranked 4506 p4p, 425 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.

Candovski
vs
Te Tai

184 cm
25
158 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

178 cm
27
158 lbs
9 - 10 - 1

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

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 5 - 5 - 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 9 - 10 - 1, fighting out of New York, Motu Te Tai!
The judges for this bout are Topper Green, Winston Howard and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Candovski scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Te Tai moves away from the strike by Candovski.
Candovski throws an overhand right that lands on Te Tai's shoulder, as Te Tai tries to avoid the shot.
Candovski fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Te Tai on the side of the head.

It looks like Motu Te Tai has been cut.
Candovski throws a lazy right hand but Te Tai sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Candovski's corner calls for a 1-2. Candovski obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Te Tai moves away from the strike by Candovski.
Candovski throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Te Tai on the side of the head.
Candovski throws a hook but Te Tai avoids it easily.
A head kick misses from Te Tai.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Te Tai forces Candovski back against the cage and clinches.

Te Tai's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Candovski throws a lazy right hand but Te Tai sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Candovski misses with a looping left.
Candovski throws an overhand right that lands on Te Tai's shoulder, as Te Tai tries to avoid the shot.

Candovski gets tackled into the cage by Te Tai. Te Tai maintains the clinch.

Te Tai manages to break the clinch.
Te Tai tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Te Tai rushes Candovski and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Te Tai breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Te Tai throws a sloppy head kick and Candovski moves out of range easily.
Te Tai has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Te Tai there as he acknowledges the shot.
Ohhhhh! A huge head kick from Te Tai! Candovski is out on his feet! Te Tai rushes in and throws more strikes. The ref is looking closely - Candovski is covering up but the punishment is just too much and the ref steps in to stop the fight! Candovski is staring into space, just thankful that the beatdown has ended. Brutal finish.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Motu Te Tai!