MMANIAK 26 Dos Santos vs Em PBP Commentary

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ling Manchu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Carl Williamson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Manchu kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Bodies. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Manchu
vs
Williamson

208 cm
27
245 lbs
10 - 29 - 0

190 cm
20
240 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Experienced

Good wrestler
Brawler
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 29 - 0, fighting out of London, Ling Manchu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Carl Williamson!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, William Gold and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Williamson shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Manchu manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Williamson chips away with some ground and pound.
Manchu has momentary wrist control but Williamson slips an elbow through the middle.
Williamson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Williamson is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Williamson lands a couple of digs.

Manchu is rocked!
Williamson postures up in Manchu's guard and throws a big left but Manchu blocks it.
Oh Manchu is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Williamson gets to his feet and stands over Manchu, holding his ankles. He dives in with a big left hand that connects! Manchu felt that one! Williamson unloads more punches and elbows and this one is over! The ref has dived in to save Manchu from any more punishment!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:45 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Carl Williamson!
Carl Williamson made sure to mention his sponsor, Versus in his post fight interview.

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
100%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between David McCarthy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tiago Mendez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McCarthy comes into the arena with Chamillionaire - Ridin' ft. Krayzie Bone blaring out of the sound system. Mendez has chosen Trap Door as his entrance music. David McCarthy has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

McCarthy
vs
Mendez

180 cm
31
166 lbs
16 - 5 - 0

184 cm
50
180 lbs
38 - 34 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

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 16 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, David McCarthy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 38 - 34 - 0, fighting out of London, Tiago Mendez!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Andrew Berry and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McCarthy lands an overhand right.

McCarthy closes the distance and clinches.
Mendez throws a knee to the head but misses.
Mendez wants to break free but McCarthy has control.
Mendez is trying to break free.

Mendez is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. McCarthy can't fight it off and eventually Mendez manages to take the fight to the floor. McCarthy looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Mendez looking to pass the guard.
Mendez won't allow McCarthy to get back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mendez with a nice head shot there.
Mendez prevents McCarthy from getting back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Mendez accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Mendez missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

McCarthy looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
McCarthy is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Mendez throwing strikes but missing.
Mendez trying to control but McCarthy is working from the bottom.
McCarthy wants to stand and escape but Mendez is having none of it.
Mendez slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
McCarthy wants to control but Mendez postures up.
McCarthy is pushing Mendez's head away, looking to escape. Mendez manages to hold on to the position though.

Mendez has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

McCarthy clinches up against the cage.

Mendez jumps guard.

Mendez is working an open guard so McCarthy takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

McCarthy rushes Mendez and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Mendez drags the fight down to the ground.
McCarthy postures up.
McCarthy wanted to stand there but Mendez had control of the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McCarthy throwing strikes but missing.

McCarthy drops back, looking for a kneebar! Mendez looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Mendez looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Mendez!

This has been an exciting period of action!
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
McCarthy pushes Mendez away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Mendez gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mendez is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. McCarthy knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
My spies in London MMA Club inform me that Mendez has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!

Mendez is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. McCarthy knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
McCarthy tries to improve position but can't.

Mendez is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, McCarthy has escaped the position, nice work there.
McCarthy is looking for a sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Mendez tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Mendez has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
McCarthy is trying to improve his position.
McCarthy wants to get back to his feet but Mendez drags him back down.
McCarthy taking a bit of punishment here - Mendez scoring with strikes.
McCarthy gets back to half guard.
McCarthy is trying to stand back up but Mendez is controlling him
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
McCarthy throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Mendez moves into full mount! McCarthy won't be happy about that!
Mendez blocks McCarthy's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tiago Mendez dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Mendez rushes McCarthy and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Mendez tries to break free but McCarthy pushes him back against the cage.

Mendez ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Mendez no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
McCarthy missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Mendez is working actively from the bottom, looking for submissions. He's escaped his hips to the side and he's going for an armbar! McCarthy has his hands clasped together but Mendez extends and breaks McCarthy's desperate grasp, forcing a tap out due to armbar! Nice BJJ displayed there by Mendez.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:38 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Tiago Mendez!
Tiago Mendez seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
34%

Co-main event

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Robert Sullivan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thomas Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johnson has chosen Voodoo People as his entrance music. Robert Sullivan had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Sullivan
vs
Johnson

215 cm
35
292 lbs
23 - 15 - 0

202 cm
52
250 lbs
45 - 44 - 1

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Robert Sullivan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 45 - 44 - 1, fighting out of London, Thomas Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Paul Tew and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sullivan gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Sullivan looking to throw knees to the head but Johnson is blocking nicely.

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

Johnson changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Sullivan looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
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.
Johnson tries to score with some ground and pound. Sullivan controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
A control attempt from Sullivan but he's now mounted!
Johnson has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at London MMA Club. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Sullivan tries to hold on but Johnson postures up.

Johnson stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
Johnson misses with a few strikes there.
The fight stays on the outside here - Johnson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Sullivan moves into the clinch.

Sullivan breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Sullivan closes the distance and clinches.
Sullivan is defending well against a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sullivan comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

It looks like Thomas Johnson has been cut.
Johnson takes a knee right on the jaw!
Johnson drops down looking for an ankle pick but Sullivan pulls his leg out and moves away.
Johnson shoots in looking for a takedown. Sullivan tries to sprawl out of it but Johnson keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Sullivan manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Robert Sullivan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thomas Johnson.
Johnson misses with a head kick.
Sullivan is looking for a counter combo.

Sullivan pushes Johnson up against the cage in a clinch.
Johnson jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Sullivan walks away with a smile on his face. Johnson gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Sullivan avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Sullivan lands with a big right hook that stumbles Johnson - he's out on his feet here! Sullivan follows up with another monster hook that separates Johnson from consciousness! Johnson falls, almost in slow motion to the canvas! Sullivan stands and admires his work as the crowd go wild.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:45 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Robert Sullivan!
A relieved looking Robert Sullivan thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
58%

Main event

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Junior Dos Santos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Boris Em (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Dos Santos
vs
Em

196 cm
22
172 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

175 cm
21
161 lbs
7 - 14 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Counter fighter
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Junior Dos Santos!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Boris Em!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Richard Clark and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
We've got one fighter who appears to only be looking to counter and the other not looking particularly aggressive either, so we could be in for a dull fight.

Dos Santos drives through with a takedown into guard.

Em looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Dos Santos will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Em trying to strike off his back.
Dos Santos trying to control but Em is working from the bottom.

Dos Santos is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Dos Santos accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Dos Santos is pushing down on Em's leg trying to pass to half guard. Em is fighting to maintain full guard but Dos Santos has managed to sneak the leg through.

Dos Santos is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Em doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Dos Santos.

Em looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dos Santos is pressing down on Em's thigh, looking to free his foot. Em is holding on for now.

Em actively working from the bottom here.
Em tries to roll over but Dos Santos keeps him under control.
Em felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dos Santos moves nicely into side control.
Em is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Em wings away with a couple of strikes but they don't land.
Em really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Dos Santos. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Dos Santos working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Dos Santos is working to tighten his grip on Em's neck. He's isolated an arm and is working for an arm triangle. Em has recognised the danger and is trying to turn with the submission but Dos Santos is really squeezing tight and eventually Em passes out! Dos Santos breaks the hold and jumps onto the cage to celebrate! Submission of the night, I'd say!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:48 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Junior Dos Santos!
Junior Dos Santos was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.