PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Aboubacar Mandiang (ranked 1181 p4p, 1300 weight class) and Mike Okafor (ranked 168 p4p, 184 weight class). Mandiang comes to the cage accompanied by Oliver Twist. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Mandiang
vs
Okafor

190 cm
23
210
8 - 3 - 0

220 cm
24
210
14 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter
Shadow Warrior Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Aboubacar Mandiang!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mike Okafor!
The judges for this bout are Alyssa Summers, Joseph Jones and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mandiang tries to move into range but Okafor moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Mandiang misses with a looping right.
Mandiang has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Mandiang bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Okafor is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Okafor slips under a jab.
Okafor lands with an overhand left.
Okafor moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Mike Okafor seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mandiang tries to score with a low kick but Okafor moves his leg out of the way.
Okafor lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Okafor swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Mandiang is looking to counter punch.
Okafor thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Mandiang if he has to take too many more of those.
Jab from Okafor.
Okafor scores with a shot to the body.
Okafor has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Okafor connects with a solid leg kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Okafor dips to his left and cracks Mandiang with an uppercut!
Okafor is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
A slapping body kick lands there for Okafor.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Okafor connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Mandiang's hands.
Mandiang needs to keep his hands up - Okafor had a free shot at his head there.
Okafor throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mandiang sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Mandiang throws a body shot but no joy.
Okafor tries a low kick but Mandiang avoids it.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Okafor.
Okafor misses with a looping left.
Mandiang misses with a left hand
and Okafor counters with a nice body kick.
Mandiang misses with a right hand
and Okafor counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Okafor throws a half hearted mid kick.
Okafor has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Okafor avoids a kick to the body.
Okafor goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Mandiang throws a poor cross that misses
and Okafor counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Okafor connects with a good right hand that stumbles Mandiang. Mandiang circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Okafor lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Mandiang has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Mandiang and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Okafor throws a hook but Mandiang blocks it.
Mandiang thows a left - swing and a miss!
Okafor walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Mandiang checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Good exchange - Okafor coming out on top.
Okafor throws a hook but Mandiang avoids it easily.
Okafor is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Mandiang.
As Okafor backs away, Mandiang returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Okafor connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Okafor takes a swing at Mandiang's ribcage but misses.
Mandiang lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Okafor circles away quickly and effectively.
A looping hook to the body misses from Mandiang. Okafor does a little dance to reset his feet.
Okafor moves out of range of the body kick.
Mandiang throws a quick inside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Okafor lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Mandiang avoids a kick to the body.
Okafor thuds a left hand into Mandiang's body.
Mandiang misses with a low kick.
Okafor swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Mandiang pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Okafor checks the leg kick nicely there.
A slapping body kick lands there for Okafor.
Mandiang tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Okafor is able to avoid easily.
Okafor looks to score with a jab to the body but Mandiang is just out of range.
Mandiang is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Okafor.
Okafor swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Mandiang is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Okafor's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
A slow jab from Okafor misses its intended target.
Mandiang on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Okafor throws a big shot that misses.
An attempted straight right counter from Mandiang misses the target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mandiang chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Mandiang dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Okafor. That did some damage!
Mandiang ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Mandiang looks to land a body kick but Okafor moved away.
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!
Okafor scores with a sloppy right hand. Mandiang should have avoided that one.
Mandiang misses the shot to the body.
Mandiang throws the kick towards the body but Okafor avoids it.
A chopping leg kick lands by Okafor.
Okafor connects with a nice looking jab.
Okafor fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Mandiang has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Okafor lands with a cross.
Okafor scores with a decent looking hook.
Okafor misses the shot to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Okafor dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Mandiang ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
A jab lands there for Okafor.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Mandiang might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Mandiang slips under a jab.
Mandiang half committed to a counter leg kick.
Okafor checks a leg kick.
Mandiang jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Mike Okafor seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Okafor buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
A jab from Mandiang misses.
Okafor lands with a good body shot.
Okafor connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Mandiang's hands.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Okafor wants to slow Mandiang down by chopping away at his legs.
Okafor blocks the body kick.
Nice uppercut lands for Okafor. That snapped Mandiang's head back.
Okafor listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Okafor defending well as Mandiang loads up on a big left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mandiang lands with an overhand left.
Okafor swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Mandiang is looking to counter punch.
Okafor loads up on a big right hand but Mandiang slips the punch.
Okafor misses with a looping right.
Mandiang blocks a low kick nicely.
Okafor has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Mandiang fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Okafor connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

It looks like Aboubacar Mandiang has been cut.
Okafor moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Okafor works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Mandiang looks to throw the jab but Okafor is out of range.
Mandiang has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
A swing and a miss from Okafor.
Mandiang will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Okafor - that will leave a mark!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Okafor displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Mandiang throws out the jab.
Mandiang throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A little jabbing left from Okafor on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Okafor avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Okafor throws out a counter right but Mandiang avoids it with no problem.
Mandiang lands a nice leg kick that just misses Okafor's sensitive parts.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Okafor throws a head kick that Mandiang semi-blocks.
Mandiang just misses with a punch to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Okafor misses the target.
Mandiang throws a leg kick but Okafor checks it.
Mandiang thumps Okafor with a low kick.
Okafor jabs Mandiang right on the nose. Mandiang blinks but takes it well.
Okafor lands a jab to the nose.
Mandiang tries to work over Okafor's front leg with a kick but Okafor checks it.
Mandiang looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Mandiang scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Okafor jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Mandiang takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Okafor throws a low kick but it's checked well by Mandiang.
Mandiang throws a left and a right that both miss
and Okafor counters with a stiff right hand.
Mandiang has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Mandiang there as he acknowledges the shot.
Okafor blocks a leg kick.
Okafor thinks about the counter body kick.
Okafor throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mandiang sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Okafor scores with a kick to the midsection.
Okafor cracks Mandiang with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Mandiang tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Okafor turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Mandiang moves forwards but Okafor connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Mandiang misses the body punch
and Okafor counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Okafor lands with a thumping leg kick.
A leg kick checked by Okafor.
Mandiang is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Mandiang moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
A telegraphed right hand from Mandiang misses the target.
Okafor throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Good exchange - Okafor coming out on top.
Okafor moves out of range as Mandiang throws a body kick.
Mandiang throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Okafor throws out a powerful jab.
Mandiang feints and then cracks Okafor's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Okafor down.
Okafor throws a low kick but it's checked well by Mandiang.
Okafor lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Okafor showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Aboubacar Mandiang's cut.
That's time! Mandiang's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!

Okafor misses with a looping right.
Mandiang steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Okafor.
Mandiang checks a leg kick.
The fighters circle momentarily. Okafor darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Mandiang looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Mandiang throws a wild body kick that Okafor sees coming a mile off.
Okafor swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Mandiang blocks a head kick by Okafor.
Okafor throws a body shot but no joy.
Okafor bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Mandiang's head backwards.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mandiang misses with a combination
and Mandiang takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Mandiang takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Mandiang walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Okafor checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Okafor fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Okafor misses with a looping left.
Okafor lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Mandiang fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Okafor manages to avoid it.
Okafor motions for Mandiang to come forward. Okafor throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Okafor jabs Mandiang right on the nose. Mandiang blinks but takes it well.
Okafor looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Mandiang slips a straight right by Okafor.
Mandiang swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Mandiang checks a leg kick nicely.
Mandiang tries to move into range but Okafor moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
A chopping leg kick lands by Okafor.
Okafor pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Mandiang appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mandiang throws a body kick that misses
and Okafor counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Okafor pivots, looking for a leg kick but Mandiang is out of range and Okafor settles back down.
Mandiang appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Okafor misses the shot to the body.
Mandiang throwing a counter right hand but Okafor manages to avoid it.
Okafor checks the leg kick nicely there.
Mandiang backing away here, and Okafor unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Nice shot lands for Okafor.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Okafor throws a nice outside leg kick.
That kick from Okafor tenderised Mandiang's leg. Mandiang is trying to keep his angry face on.
Okafor throws a low kick, looking for Mandiang's leg but Mandiang calmly moves out of range.
Okafor bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Donk. Okafor catches Mandiang right on the button with a cross.
Mandiang ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Okafor moves away.
Okafor throws a leg kick which misses Mandiang's front leg but catches the back leg as Mandiang tries to avoid it.
Mandiang throws a leg kick but Okafor checks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Mandiang is predictable there
and Okafor counters with a nice leg kick.
Mandiang throws a front kick aimed at Okafor's knee but Okafor avoids it well.
Mandiang takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Okafor's corner calls for a 1-2. Okafor obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Okafor pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Okafor catches Mandiang with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Okafor scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Mandiang misses with a shot to the body
and Okafor counters with a nice uppercut.
Okafor cracks Mandiang with a good jab.
Mandiang uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Okafor.
Okafor looks to throw the jab but Mandiang is out of range.
Mandiang ducks under a wild hook from Okafor.
It looked like Mandiang was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Okafor.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mandiang uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Okafor.
Sloppy strikes from Mandiang. Those never looked like landing.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mandiang throws a leg kick but Okafor sees it coming and moves out of range.
Okafor works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Mandiang throws a push kick but Okafor slaps the foot to one side.
A looping hook to the body misses from Okafor. Mandiang does a little dance to reset his feet.
Mandiang tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Okafor lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Okafor lands with a cross.
Okafor thows a left - swing and a miss!
Mandiang ducks right into an uppercut from Okafor.
Aboubacar Mandiang has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mike Okafor is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Okafor throws a nice inside leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Okafor comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Okafor 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 Alyssa Summers scores the fight 27:30
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 27:30
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Okafor!
A victorious Mike Okafor thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.