PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sidiki Diabate (ranked 4994 p4p, 5017 weight class) and Danny Mann (ranked 478 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Diabate
vs
Mann

199 cm
21
220
0 - 0 - 0

205 cm
25
275
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sidiki Diabate!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Danny Mann!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Chris Downing and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Diabate takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
A head kick misses from Mann.

Mann cracks Diabate with an uppercut from hell and Diabate crumples to the canvas, he's out! Oh no, he's recovered and he's grabbed one of Mann's legs and pulled him into guard. The ref thought about stopping it there but he's let it go - good reffing!

It looks like Sidiki Diabate has been cut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Diabate pulls Mann in close to prevent any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Diabate uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Mann scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Diabate feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Diabate loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Diabate is in close to Mann's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Mann really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Diabate. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Mann 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.
Diabate scoring with some ground and pound.
Diabate stays in close to Mann's body and controls the position.
Diabate keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Mann's head.
Diabate won't allow Mann to get back to his feet.
Diabate is in close to Mann's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Diabate controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Diabate working some strikes from top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Diabate drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Diabate jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Mann striking off his back but it's not causing Diabate any problems.
Mann being controlled here, momentarily.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Diabate is working Mann over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Diabate works over Mann with some ground and pound from guard.
Diabate looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Diabate connects with a couple of short punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diabate is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Diabate landing some decent shots from guard.
Diabate has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Diabate passes into half guard under a barage of strikes.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Diabate connects with a nice short shot to Mann's temple.
Mann looks winded!
Diabate working the head and body with strikes.
Diabate controlling the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diabate passes to side control.
Diabate works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Diabate is putting a hurting on Mann here, landing some big shots from side control.
Diabate creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Diabate taking a breather here.
Mann is trying to control Diabate's posture but Diabate avoids it.
Diabate lands a few punches from side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sidiki Diabate dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Sidiki Diabate's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Diabate misses with a wild combination.

Diabate drives through with a takedown into guard.
Diabate landing some decent shots from guard.
Diabate postures up and lands a big shot to Mann's brow.
Diabate pushes down on Mann's leg and manages to get into half guard.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Diabate here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Diabate sitting and controlling from the half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diabate drops an elbow to the side of Mann's head.
Diabate working Mann over with strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diabate working over Mann with some ground and pound. Mann looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Diabate controlling the pace.
Mann is breathing heavily.

Diabate is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Sidiki Diabate overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Diabate lands with a punch from half guard.
Ground and pound from Diabate.
Diabate content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Mann is trying to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diabate is nestled in close to Mann, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

Diabate stands up from half guard.

Diabate closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Mann did well to prevent Diabate getting side control.
Diabate looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Mann with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Diabate lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Diabate seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diabate drops an elbow to the side of Mann's head.

Diabate decides to return to a standing position.

Mann gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Diabate to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Diabate decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Diabate fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Mann sprawls well initially but Diabate persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Mann scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Diabate manages to mount him!
Diabate landing strikes from the mount and Mann is in trouble!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diabate with good strikes from the mount here!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Diabate fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Diabate with shots to the head and body - Mann looks very uncomfortable down there.
Diabate controlling the position easily from mount.
Diabate with the ground and pound from mount.
Diabate is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Mann can do to turn this around?
Diabate has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Mann's face.
Mann taking shots to the head.
Diabate working Mann over with strikes here.
Diabate controlling from mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sidiki Diabate dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Sidiki Diabate's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Diabate closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Mann's guard.

Diabate stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Mann throws a nice outside leg kick.
Danny Mann seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mann throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

Diabate throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Mann tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Diabate is in Mann's guard.
Mann doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Diabate distracts Mann with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Diabate pushes down on Mann's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Diabate trying to control the pace.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Diabate is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diabate winds up and cracks Mann with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Mann on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Diabate controlling the pace.
Diabate looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Mann with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Diabate is controlling the pace.

That's two 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.
Mann missing with punches from the bottom.
Diabate has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Diabate connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Diabate controlling his opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diabate in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Diabate working the ground and pound effectively.
Diabate content just to control the position here.
Diabate with a couple of short strikes.
Mann is looking to get to half guard.
Mann is bucking up trying to escape but Diabate cracks him with another couple of good strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diabate lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Diabate working the ground and pound effectively.
Diabate lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Diabate controlling from mount.
Diabate working the ground and pound effectively.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Diabate controlling the position easily from mount.
Danny Mann has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sidiki Diabate is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Diabate raining down hammerfists from mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sidiki Diabate showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Diabate, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 George Francis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sidiki Diabate!