PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Skillz Kneeland (ranked 1421 p4p, 813 weight class) and Joey Chandler (ranked 199 p4p, 121 weight class). Kneeland comes into the arena with Kung Fu FIghting blaring out of the sound system. 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.

Kneeland
vs
Chandler

175 cm
34
156
24 - 18 - 0

178 cm
25
160
13 - 12 - 1

BJJ Brown Belt
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Champion Apparel

Hoarse Pills
Bondi MMA 🏝️

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 24 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Skillz Kneeland!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Joey Chandler!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Trevor Gratis and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Chandler is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kneeland.
Kneeland tries to clinch but Chandler is having none of it.

Kneeland has Chandler up against the cage in a clinch.
A body shot lands from Chandler.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Kneeland takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Kneeland taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Chandler is working for takedown but Kneeland is calmly controlling the position for now.
Chandler has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Kneeland avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Kneeland slows down the pace here.
The referee is keeping an eye on Kneeland - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
The crowd are getting pretty annoyed with Kneeland for his constant stalling in the clinch and are voicing their displeasure.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kneeland displaying some good clinch control by pressing Chandler up against the cage.
Kneeland seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Skillz Kneeland.
A looping hook to the body misses from Chandler. Kneeland does a little dance to reset his feet.

Chandler shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Kneeland napping and manages to drive through into side control!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kneeland is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Chandler has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Kneeland is looking to regain half guard here but Chandler keeps moving and retains side control.
Chandler trying to control the action but Kneeland is working from the bottom.
Kneeland takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Chandler tries to score with some ground and pound. Kneeland controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Kneeland dodges the ground and pound from Chandler.
Kneeland struggling a bit here.
Sloppy strikes there by Chandler.
Kneeland wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Chandler sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Kneeland is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kneeland is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Kneeland is trying to buck Chandler off.
Kneeland takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Chandler scores with punches from side control.
Chandler in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Kneeland takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Kneeland is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Chandler's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Chandler working Kneeland over with strikes.
Kneeland regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Chandler.
Kneeland is looking to stand up but Chandler isn't so interested in that idea.
Chandler postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chandler working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Kneeland's head.
Chandler scoring with some ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Chandler trying to control but Kneeland is working from the bottom.
Chandler wants to pass the guard but Kneeland is keeping the position.
Kneeland is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Chandler trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Chandler throws an elbow that misses. Kneeland uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Chandler's guard. Nice move by Kneeland!

Chandler wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Kneeland is now in half guard.
Chandler manages to get to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kneeland looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Chandler manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Kneeland manages to get himself to full guard.

Chandler working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Kneeland's head.
Chandler with a flurry of punches that miss.
Chandler is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Chandler accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Chandler accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Joey Chandler dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Kneeland takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Chandler misses with a takedown
and Kneeland counters with a lovely straight right hand!

It looks like Joey Chandler has been cut.
Kneeland slips a straight right by Chandler.
Kneeland ducks under a wild hook from Chandler.
Kneeland keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Chandler swats away the attempt to clinch by Kneeland.

Chandler closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Chandler lands in his opponent's guard.

Kneeland scrambles and gets back to his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Chandler just misses with a punch to the body.
Chandler looks to throw the jab but Kneeland is out of range.
Kneeland throws a big counter combination but Chandler scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kneeland wants to clinch.
Kneeland is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Chandler has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kneeland fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kneeland throws a big shot that misses.
Kneeland tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Chandler was well out of range. Poor timing from Kneeland.
Chandler goes for a double leg but Kneeland avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Kneeland continues to drive forward.
Skillz Kneeland has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joey Chandler.
Kneeland displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Chandler.
Kneeland throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Skillz Kneeland is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kneeland slips under a jab from Chandler.
Chandler has his takedown stuffed

and Kneeland counters by clinching up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chandler misses with a hook from the clinch.
Chandler misses with a hook to the ribs.
Chandler misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kneeland lands a shot to the body.
Chandler tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Chandler can't get the takedown.
Chandler wants a takedown but no success here.
Chandler wants to take the fight to the mat but Kneeland manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Chandler misses with a hook to the ribs.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kneeland.
Kneeland stalling against the cage.
Chandler tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kneeland blocks a body shot from Chandler.
Kneeland is pressed up against the cage. Chandler has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kneeland down to the mat. Kneeland avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Kneeland clinches up with Chandler and pushes him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chandler tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Chandler misses with a punch on the inside.
I was talking to Kneeland's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Chandler is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Kneeland gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Chandler goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Chandler misses with a short punch on the inside.
Chandler misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Chandler being controlled against the cage.
Kneeland looking to throw knees to the head but Chandler is blocking nicely.
Kneeland lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Chandler backwards.
Kneeland lands a nice elbow.
Chandler throws a head punch that misses.
Chandler doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kneeland blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Chandler misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Chandler tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kneeland makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chandler has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Kneeland is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Kneeland lands a knee to the head.
Chandler is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Chandler wants the takedown. Kneeland is fighting it off but Chandler persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Kneeland's guard against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kneeland wants to stand and escape but Chandler is having none of it.
Chandler throwing strikes from guard but Kneeland blocks nicely.
Kneeland pulls Chandler in to control the position.
Kneeland keeping moving, preventing Chandler from controlling successfully.
Kneeland is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Chandler dives into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kneeland is looking to reverse the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Skillz Kneeland dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Joey Chandler's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Chandler lands a glancing blow to the side of Kneeland's head.
Chandler shoots in for a takedown but Kneeland shows good takedown defense.
Chandler connects with a nice looking jab.
Kneeland lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Skillz Kneeland is winning the standup battle so far.

Kneeland has closed the distance and engaged Chandler in a clinch.
Chandler tries a body shot but Kneeland blocks it.
Chandler wants to take the fight to the mat but Kneeland manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Chandler misses with a punch on the inside.
A short right from Chandler.
Chandler tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kneeland's elbow.
Kneeland is pressed up against the cage. Chandler has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kneeland down to the mat. Kneeland avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Skillz Kneeland has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joey Chandler.
Kneeland fails with an attempt to clinch.
Chandler changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Chandler blocks a head kick by Kneeland.
Chandler drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Kneeland defends it well.
Kneeland defending well as Chandler loads up on a big left hand.
Kneeland swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Chandler throws an overhand right that lands on Kneeland's shoulder, as Kneeland tries to avoid the shot.
Kneeland feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Kneeland slips a straight right by Chandler.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chandler throws an overhand right that lands on Kneeland's shoulder, as Kneeland tries to avoid the shot.
Chandler changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Kneeland doesn't manage to clinch there - Chandler circles away.
Chandler drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Kneeland defends it well.
Kneeland takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Kneeland fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Chandler swats away the attempt to clinch by Kneeland.
Kneeland avoids the body shot from Chandler.
Kneeland swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Kneeland blocks a body shot from Chandler.
Kneeland manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Kneeland stalling in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chandler lands a left hand.
Kneeland throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Chandlers head.

That has opened up Joey Chandler's cut even more.

Chandler lands a takedown into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Chandler prevents Kneeland from getting back to his feet.
Chandler trying to control but Kneeland is working from the bottom.
Chandler missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kneeland has his hands on Chandler's head, controlling the position.
Chandler wants to pass the guard but Kneeland is keeping the position.
Chandler preventing the sweep.
Chandler forces his way into half guard.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Chandler working his ground and pound in the gym.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kneeland is staying active underneath Chandler, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Chandler throws a strike but Kneeland avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Kneeland looking to control.
Chandler trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kneeland working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Chandler.
Chandler tries to free his leg and advance position but Kneeland is retaining full guard.
Chandler stands up over Kneeland, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Joey Chandler has got the better of the ground game so far.
Chandler throws a big right hand that misses.
Kneeland looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Chandler is looking to work some ground and pound but Kneeland has wrist control.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Kneeland is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Chandler is controlling him.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Kneeland scores with a punch to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chandler with a hook.
Chandler jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kneeland tries to clinch but Chandler moves out of range.
Kneeland lands a jab to the nose.

Kneeland throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Chandler was covering up waiting for the punch and Kneeland finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Chandler looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kneeland seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Chandler looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Kneeland puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Joey Chandler.
I think Chandler 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 William Peck scores the fight 28:29
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Skillz Kneeland!
After the big win, Skillz Kneeland made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors Waste of Money Nutrition lol and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.