PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Lucas Candido (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joshua Hodges (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hodges has chosen Pantera-Walk as his entrance music. Joshua Hodges will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Candido
vs
Hodges

175 cm
18
171 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

185 cm
18
175 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Lucas Candido!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Joshua Hodges!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hodges bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Candido takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Hodges wants to control but Candido is keeping him busy.
Hodges working away.
Candido is trying to get back to his feet.
Hodges trying to control the position but Candido is working away.
Hodges really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Candido. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Hodges is staying tight to Candido's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Hodges working away.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Hodges scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hodges in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Candido manages to work his way to half guard, despite Hodges's best efforts.

Candido is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Hodges pulls his head out easily.
Candido won't allow Hodges to pass to mount.
Hodges performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Candido is trying to maintain the position but Hodges is very close to passing his half guard.
Candido might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Candido is pressing down on Hodges's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Candido is breathing heavily.

That's two 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.
Hodges trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Candido utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hodges wants to control from the top but Candido keeps moving.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Hodges would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Candido has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hodges can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Hodges slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Candido throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Hodges escapes and throws Candido's legs to the side, diving into side control!

Hodges stands up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hodges shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Candido is trying to defend but Hodges finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Hodges lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Hodges postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Candido to stand up.

Hodges shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Candido is looking to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Candido flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.

Candido actively working from the bottom here.
Hodges scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Candido has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Hodges is working away from the top position though.

Candido looking for submissions off his back.

Candido looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Candido flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joshua Hodges dominated that round.
That's time! Candido's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Hodges tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Candido paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hodges doesn't manage to clinch there - Candido circles away.

Candido gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Hodges lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Hodges tries to free his leg and advance position but Candido is retaining full guard.
Hodges wants to get up but he can't break Candido's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Candido has his feet on Hodges's thighs here. He's pushed Hodges off and worked for a very quick armbar from the bottom! He's flipped onto his stomach and he's cranking hard on the arm! Hodges screams in pain and taps out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:50 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Lucas Candido!