PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Abdul Malik (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gunnar Mandela (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Malik comes to the cage accompanied by Soldier Side. Abdul Malik had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Malik
vs
Mandela

178 cm
22
182 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

182 cm
21
190 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Abdul Malik!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Gunnar Mandela!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Colin Fotheringham and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mandela shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Malik as he avoids it easily.
Mandela throws a right and a left that Malik avoids nicely.
Nice takedown defense from Malik. No joy for Mandela on that attempt.
Mandela showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Malik.
Malik wants to land a leg kick but Mandela is out of range.
Malik takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Malik swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Mandela counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Mandela.
Mandela passes into half guard under a barage of strikes.
Malik is looking to improve his position.
Malik is working hard here to advance position.
Malik is breathing heavily.

Mandela stands up from half guard.
Malik throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Mandela holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Malik can't break the clinch.
Mandela prevents Malik from breaking the clinch.
Mandela tries for a takedown but Malik manages to get underhooks.
Abdul Malik has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gunnar Mandela.

Mandela breaks from the clinch.
Mandela slips a jab and a cross from Malik.
Mandela lands a nice leg kick that just misses Malik's sensitive parts.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mandela looks frusrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Nice sprawl there from Malik as Mandela shoots in.
Malik keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Mandela throws a chopping leg kick but Malik manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Malik lands a two punch combo.
Mandela shoots in but no luck this time.

Malik looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Mandela pulls Malik in close to prevent any damage.
Mandela bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Malik's guard.
Malik trying to control the position.
Mandela trying to control but Malik is working from the bottom.
Malik throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Mandela preventing the sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malik looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Mandela puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Malik won't allow Mandela to pass to mount.
Malik is looking to improve his position.

Mandela decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.

Mandela clinches up against the cage.

Malik breaks from the clinch.
Malik throws a sloppy head kick

and Mandela counters with a shoot takedown. Malik fights it but they end up in guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!

Malik working for a triangle but Mandela defends it easily.
Mandela is stalling in the full guard.

Mandela thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Malik wriggles free and stands up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mandela shoots in and drives through. Malik sprawls well.
Malik wants to clinch up but Mandela keeps it at a distance.
Malik throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Mandela counters with a solid body kick.
Malik thows a leg kick but Mandela checks it
and Mandela counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Malik throws a push kick but Mandela slaps the foot to one side.
Abdul Malik seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Malik has a takedown stuffed.
Malik tries to clinch but Mandela moves out of range.
Malik misses with a straight right.

Mandela gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Mandela tries to score a body lock takedown but Malik shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Mandela has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Malik avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Mandela landing knees to the body.

Mandela pulls guard successfully.
Mandela looking to control.

Mandela working for a triangle but Malik defends it easily.

Malik gets to his feet. Mandela looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mandela has taken the fight to the clinch.
Malik tries to break the clinch but Mandela is controlling the position.
Malik wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Mandela turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Mandela manages to end up in side control.
Malik gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Mandela is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Malik can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Mandela punishing his opponent with strikes.
Mandela trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Malik is looking to get to half guard.

Mandela working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mandela tries to control but Malik wriggling away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mandela looking to control and managing it successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Malik is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gunnar Mandela dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Abdul Malik's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Malik's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Malik duly obliges.
Malik throws a one two combo.

Mandela shoots in and bounces Malik off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Mandela sitting in guard here, content to control.
Mandela trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Mandela postures up.

Malik throws his legs up looking for a submission but Mandela uses it to pass to side control.
Malik tries to improve position but can't.
Malik wants to get back to his feet but Mandela drags him back down.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

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

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Malik lands a really nice looking cross but Mandela seems unphased.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A combination from Malik does no damage.
Mandela looks for a takedown but Malik sprawls well.
Mandela slips a jab and a cross from Malik.
Abdul Malik is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A leg kick checked by Mandela.
Mandela steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Malik.
Malik misses with the combination.
Mandela fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Malik with a lazy takedown attempt

and Mandela moves into the clinch.
Mandela wants a takedown.
Abdul Malik has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gunnar Mandela.

Mandela successfully pulls guard.

Mandela looking for a guillotine here but Malik defends easily.
Malik trying to control the position from guard on top but Mandela is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Malik drops back looking for a leg! Mandela is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Mandela manages to kick Malik off! Malik jumps back into Mandela's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mandela had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Malik is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Mandela Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Malik's back instead.
Malik is in bad spot here.
Mandela scores with punches and elbows.

Mandela has both hooks in and is working for a choke. Malik is in real trouble here. Mandela gets an arm under the chin and tightens the submission attempt... is this the end? Yes, Malik is tapping out! Mandela wins by rear naked choke!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:48 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Gunnar Mandela!