PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Clyde Mantra (ranked 3997 p4p, 6110 weight class) and Tanjiro Namikaze (ranked 315 p4p, 398 weight class). Clyde Mantra has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Mantra
vs
Namikaze

166 cm
25
145
1 - 0 - 0

172 cm
22
145
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Experienced

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Clyde Mantra!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Tanjiro Namikaze!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Johanna Lukiainen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Namikaze drives through with a takedown into Mantra's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Mantra has his foot on Namikaze's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Namikaze works his way back into a safe position though.
Namikaze is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Namikaze must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Namikaze trying to control the position from guard on top but Mantra is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mantra is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Namikaze seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Namikaze lands a couple of elbows.
Namikaze trying to control but Mantra is working from the bottom.
Namikaze passes Mantra's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Namikaze in particular looking to stall.
Mantra is not content to let Namikaze control the position.
Namikaze is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Namikaze working his ground and pound in the gym. So far it seems to be working well.
Namikaze seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Mantra does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Mantra trying to hold on to Namikaze's head to control him but Namikaze postures up.
Namikaze is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Namikaze is trying to control. Mantra wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Namikaze takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Mantra won't allow Namikaze to pass to mount.
Namikaze lands strikes from half guard.
Mantra wants to get back to full guard.
Namikaze is nestled in close to Mantra, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Mantra's coaches at MONEY TEAM!!! have been working on his defensive grappling in preparation for this fight so let's see if he can get out of this tricky position.
Namikaze controlling the pace.
Nice strikes from Namikaze there.
Namikaze working Mantra over with strikes.
Namikaze working over Mantra with some ground and pound. Mantra looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Namikaze working the head and body with strikes.
Namikaze seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Namikaze is pressing down on Mantra's thigh, looking to free his foot. Mantra is holding on for now.
Namikaze lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mantra has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Namikaze is working away from the top position though.
Mantra pushes Namikaze off looking to stand but Namikaze dives back in and keeps control.
Namikaze tries to pass to full mount but Mantra defends it.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Namikaze lands a nice short elbow.
Namikaze passes the guard and advances to mount!
Namikaze with a couple of short strikes.
Namikaze lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Mantra hang on?
Namikaze lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Namikaze unloads with some vicious shots from mount and Mantra wants out - he looks towards the referee who steps in to save him! Namikaze celebrates on the cage and the crowd goes wild!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Tanjiro Namikaze!