PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Rylee Mannion (ranked 5969 p4p, 6499 weight class) and Raval Bard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Mannion
vs
Bard

171 cm
21
150
3 - 6 - 0

174 cm
19
156
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rylee Mannion!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Raval Bard!
The judges for this bout are Percy O'Donnell, Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bard looks for the body kick but Mannion saw that one coming.

Bard throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Mannion was covering up waiting for the punch and Bard finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Mannion working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bard.
Mannion is adopting a defensive guard.
Bard distracts Mannion with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Mannion preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Bard really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Mannion. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Bard trying to control the position from guard on top but Mannion is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mannion pulls Bard in close to prevent any damage.
Bard postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bard throwing strikes from guard but Mannion blocks nicely.
Bard throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Mannion works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Bard trying to control the position from guard on top but Mannion is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mannion definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Mannion on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Mannion tries to get out of the position.
Bard throws an elbow that misses. Mannion uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Bard's guard. Nice move by Mannion!

Bard pulls Mannion in to control the position.
Mannion trying to control the position from guard on top but Bard is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bard keeping full guard, as Mannion tries to pass.
Mannion stays in close to Bard's body and controls the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Bard seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Bard is continuing to stall.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Bard shoots in and bounces Mannion off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mannion seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Bard must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Bard throwing strikes from guard but Mannion blocks nicely.

Mannion working for a triangle but Bard defends it easily.
Mannion has momentary wrist control but Bard slips an elbow through the middle.
Bard trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Bard throws a big right hand that misses.
We've been informed that Bard has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Mannion keeping moving, preventing Bard from controlling successfully.
Bard tries to free his leg and advance position but Mannion is retaining full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Bard working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Bard scoring with punches to the head and body.
Bard controls from within his opponent's guard.
Bard scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Mannion working a defensive guard here.
Mannion keeping full guard, as Bard tries to pass.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bard cracks Mannion with a solid left hand.
Bard wants to control from the top but Mannion keeps moving.
Bard pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mannion is keeping the position for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Raval Bard dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Mannion moves out of range as Bard throws a body kick.
Mannion tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Bard shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Mannion as he avoids it easily.
Bard throws a leg kick

and Mannion counters by moving into the clinch.
Bard tries for a takedown but Mannion manages to get underhooks.
Mannion looking to stall.
Bard's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Bard has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Bard throws a head punch that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bard is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Rylee Mannion has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Raval Bard.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Bard.
Mannion has Bard pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Bard manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Mannion is trying to stall.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mannion blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Mannion tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Bard has a couple of punches blocked by Mannion.

Mannion breaks from the clinch.
Bard throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Bard looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Bard trying to control but Mannion is working from the bottom.
Bard lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Bard loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Bard content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Bard throws a big right hand that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mannion bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Bard's guard.

Mannion wants to pass the guard but Bard is keeping the position.
Bard wants to hit a sweep here but Mannion passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Bard there!
Mannion thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Bard tries to hold on but Mannion postures up.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Mannion breaks from Bard's wrist control and lands an elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bard regains half guard.
Mannion throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Bard is trying to get back to full guard.
Mannion lands strikes from half guard.
Mannion trying to control the action but Bard is working from the bottom.

Mannion is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Bard defends it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Bard wants to get back to full guard.
Mannion is thwarting Bard's attempts to control the position.
Mannion seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Bard does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bard wants to control but Mannion is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Mannion is keen to just control but Bard is a slippery customer.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Rylee Mannion will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Bard throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Mannion.
Bard plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Bard wants to land a leg kick but Mannion is out of range.
Bard goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Bard slaps away a takedown attempt from Mannion, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Bard shoots in looking for a takedown but Mannion manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Bard's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Bard throws a body kick that misses.
Bard fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Mannion tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Bard manages to circle out of the way.
Bard throws a low kick but it's checked well by Mannion.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bard swinging wildly here.
Mannion appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Mannion shoots for a double leg takedown but Bard sprawls well. He's pushed Mannion's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Bard shoots in but no luck this time.
Rylee Mannion has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Raval Bard.
Mannion avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
It looked like Mannion was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bard fails with the takedown.
Mannion slaps away a takedown attempt from Bard, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Bard fails with a takedown attempt.
Bard takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Mannion tries to clinch there but Bard circles away.

Bard dives in and scores a takedown into Mannion's guard.
Bard landing with the ground and pound.

Mannion is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Bard is aware though and is defending well.
Mannion thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Bard throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Mannion works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Bard throws a strike but Mannion rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mannion is looking to stand up but Bard won't let him.
Bard working a defensive guard here.
Mannion not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Raval Bard has got the better of the ground game so far.
Mannion pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bard is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mannion throwing strikes from guard but Bard blocks nicely.
Bard keeping moving, preventing Mannion from controlling successfully.
Mannion stands and throws Bard's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Mannion with the ground and pound but Bard regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Mannion thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Mannion looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Bard moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Bard looking to control.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bard lands a head kick!
Bard scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Bard pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

And that's the end of the fight!
Raval Bard comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Bard has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Raval Bard!
Raval Bard decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.