PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mandla Bangizwe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pedro Mantiega (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mantiega has chosen Gimme Shelter as his entrance music. Pedro Mantiega is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Bangizwe
vs
Mantiega

194 cm
25
230 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

210 cm
24
265 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent MT
Very strong

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Powerful

Syndicate Drugs
Hell's Balls Recovery

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 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mandla Bangizwe!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Pedro Mantiega!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Edson Gomes and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Mantiega is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Bangizwe's half guard.
Mantiega prevents Bangizwe from improving his position.
Mantiega wants to take a breather but Bangizwe is having none of it.
Bangizwe trying to control here.
Bangizwe manages to get to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mantiega works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Mantiega wants to free his trapped foot but Bangizwe is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Mantiega is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Bangizwe is just riding it out for now. Mantiega eventually gives up the hold.
Mantiega throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bangizwe has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Mantiega is working away from the top position though.

Mantiega is working for a submission of some sort.
Mantiega moves into full mount! Bangizwe won't be happy about that!
Bangizwe is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Mantiega wants to control the pace but Bangizwe is squirming around nicely.
Bangizwe wants to hold on but Mantiega pushes him away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Mantiega goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Bangizwe turns into him and now he's in Mantiega's guard.
Bangizwe controlling from the top position.
Bangizwe trying to control but Mantiega is working from the bottom.
Bangizwe looking to pass the guard.
Bangizwe trying to control but Mantiega is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mantiega is trying to control the position but Bangizwe postures up.

Mantiega is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Bangizwe pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mantiega is keeping the position for now.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Bangizwe misses with a body kick.
A solid leg kick lands there for Mantiega.
Mantiega misses with a two punch combination.
Mantiega shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Bangizwe pinned against the cage. Bangizwe gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Nice sprawl there from Bangizwe as Mantiega shoots in.

That's four 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.
Bangizwe takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Mantiega will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Mantiega takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Bangizwe tries to land a front kick but Mantiega steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Mantiega rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Bangizwe moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Mantiega takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bangizwe looks for the body kick but Mantiega saw that one coming.
Bangizwe uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Mantiega.
Mantiega missing with a left hand there. Bangizwe was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pedro Mantiega dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Bangizwe takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Pedro Mantiega seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mantiega throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Mantiega throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mantiega cracks the inside of Bangizwe's front leg.
Bangizwe moves out of range of the body kick.
Mantiega throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Bangizwe.
Pedro Mantiega is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mantiega lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Mantiega scores with a jab to the body.
Mantiega takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Mantiega throws a series of punches but Bangizwe avoids them all with ease.
Bangizwe pivots, looking for a leg kick but Mantiega is out of range and Bangizwe settles back down.
Mantiega misses with the combination.
Bangizwe throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mantiega throws a series of punches but Bangizwe moves out of range.
Bangizwe avoids a punch combination nicely.
Mantiega slips a jab and a cross from Bangizwe.

Mantiega scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Mantiega is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Bangizwe knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Mantiega goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Bangizwe rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Mantiega's guard! Nice work there by Bangizwe!
Bangizwe wants to pass the guard but Mantiega is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bangizwe controls from within his opponent's guard.
Bangizwe pushing down on Mantiega's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Mantiega won't allow Bangizwe to pass to mount.
Bangizwe content to control rather than advance.
Mantiega moves into full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mantiega working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bangizwe.
Mantiega keeping full guard, as Bangizwe tries to pass.
Mantiega looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bangizwe is one step ahead there.

Bangizwe thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Bangizwe has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Bangizwe sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Mantiega's guard.
Mantiega is trying to control but can't.
Bangizwe is pressing down on Mantiega's thigh, looking to free his foot. Mantiega is holding on for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Mantiega thows a leg kick but Bangizwe checks it
and Bangizwe finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Mantiega tries to land a leg kick but Bangizwe saw it coming and moves away.
Mantiega dives in and grabs Bangizwe's left leg, looking for a takedown. Bangizwe pushes down on Mantiega's head and hops out.
Mantiega looks to land a right hand but Bangizwe moved out of range.
The crowd cheers as Mantiega lands an impressive looking overhand right. Bangizwe doesn't seem phased though.
Mantiega connects with a body shot.
Mantiega looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Mantiega throws a left and a right that both miss
and Bangizwe counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Mantiega is breathing heavily.
Bangizwe moves out of range as Mantiega throws a body kick.
Bangizwe keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Pedro Mantiega will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Bangizwe takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Bangizwe moves out of range of the strikes.
Mantiega looks to land a combination but Bangizwe avoids it well.
Bangizwe checks a low kick from Mantiega.
Mantiega is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Bangizwe checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
A low kick from Mantiega misses
and Bangizwe counters with a good low kick that Mantiega was not able to check.
Bangizwe swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Mantiega counters with a right hand to the body.
Bangizwe ducks under a wild hook from Mantiega.
Mantiega throws a hook but Bangizwe avoids it easily.
Mantiega fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Mantiega moves out of range as Bangizwe throws a body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bangizwe defending well as Mantiega loads up on a big left hand.
Bangizwe looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Mantiega throws an overhand right that lands on Bangizwe's shoulder, as Bangizwe tries to avoid the shot.
Bangizwe misses with an attempted mid kick.
Bangizwe swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bangizwe throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Bangizwe lands a jab to Mantiega's midsection.
Mantiega takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Mantiega throws a right hand that Bangizwe ducks under and follows up with a left that Bangizwe also avoids with ease.
Mandla Bangizwe is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mantiega misses with a body shot.
Bangizwe throws the kick towards the body but Mantiega avoids it.
Bangizwe throws a half hearted mid kick.
Mandla Bangizwe has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bangizwe chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Mantiega can pounce on him.
Mantiega shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Mantiega loads up on a big right hand but Bangizwe slips the punch.
Bangizwe misses with a low kick.
Bangizwe throws the kick towards the body but Mantiega avoids it.
Mandla Bangizwe is winning the standup battle so far.
Bangizwe ducks under a wild hook from Mantiega.
Bangizwe thows a body shot but no joy.
Mantiega scores with the left hand. Bangizwe knows he should have avoided that one.
Bangizwe avoids a punch combination nicely.
Bangizwe with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bangizwe thumps Mantiega with a low kick.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Bangizwe.
Bangizwe throws a leg kick which misses Mantiega's front leg but catches the back leg as Mantiega tries to avoid it.
A head kick misses from Bangizwe.
Bangizwe looks to throw the jab but Mantiega is out of range.
Bangizwe throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Bangizwe takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Mantiega blocks the body kick.
Mantiega throws a leg kick
and Bangizwe counters with a nice low kick that buckles Mantiega's knee momentarily.
Mantiega throws a body punch but Bangizwe moves out of range.
Mantiega throws a body punch but Bangizwe moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mantiega throws a jab when Bangizwe was well out of range.
Mantiega changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Bangizwe tries to avoid it but Mantiega manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Bangizwe to the ground. Bangizwe escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Pedro Mantiega is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Mandla Bangizwe has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pedro Mantiega.
Bangizwe throws a one two combo.

It looks like Pedro Mantiega has been cut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bangizwe throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mantiega throws a jab but it's blocked by Bangizwe.
Mantiega loads up on a big right hand but Bangizwe slips the punch.
Mantiega throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Bangizwe sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Mantiega tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bangizwe displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Mantiega throws out the jab.
Mantiega misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A low kick from Mantiega misses
and Bangizwe counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mandla Bangizwe showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Mantiega has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Luis Engracia scores the fight 28:29
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 29:29
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!