PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Isiah Mansfield (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nick Story (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mansfield comes to the cage accompanied by Ain't I by Yung LA ft. Young Dro & T.I.. The key to victory for Isiah Mansfield has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Mansfield
vs
Story

179 cm
23
137 lbs
10 - 8 - 1

160 cm
23
140 lbs
11 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Granite chin

Beast Body

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 8 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Isiah Mansfield!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nick Story!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Illya Tyunina and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Mansfield drives through and clinches with Story against the cage.

Mansfield jumps into guard, dragging Story to the mat.
Mansfield preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Story postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Mansfield is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Mansfield has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Story postures up in Mansfield's guard and throws a big left but Mansfield blocks it.
Mansfield is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Story throws a strike but Mansfield rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Mansfield really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Story holds on and takes a little breather.
Mansfield would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Story is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Story holds on and takes a little breather.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Story.
Mansfield scores with a head kick. Story tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Story scores with a jab to the head.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Story.
Mansfield doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Story tries to score a power double leg takedown but Mansfield sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Story somewhat.
Isiah Mansfield has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nick Story.
The fighters circling - Story throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Mansfield tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Story paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Story takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Story's corner calls for a 1-2. Story obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Mansfield fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Story has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Mansfield misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Mansfield scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Story is looking to improve his position.

Story is defending against the submission attempts here by Mansfield.
Story is staying active underneath Mansfield, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Mansfield is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Mansfield passes to side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Story wants to control but Mansfield postures up.
Story tries to bench press Mansfield off him but Mansfield keeps the position.
Mansfield working away.
Story gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Story is desperately trying to improve his position but Mansfield has a good base and remains in mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Mansfield is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Story is surviving well by controlling Mansfield's body position as best he can.
Story prevents Mansfield from taking his back.
Story is trying to escape the mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mansfield looking to secure an arm triangle but Story defends it well.
Story keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Mansfield working for a guillotine from mount but Story is in no mood to give up.

Mansfield looking to secure an arm triangle but Story defends it well.

Mansfield goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Story turns into him and now he's in Mansfield's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Story trying to control but Mansfield is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Isiah Mansfield dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

A slow jab from Story misses its intended target.
Mansfield fails with an attempt to clinch.
Story misses with a hook. Mansfield ducked under it nicely.
Isiah Mansfield is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Story throws a hook to the side of Mansfield's head but Mansfield sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Mansfield scores with a jab. Story acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

Mansfield feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Mansfield won't allow Story to sweep him here.
Mansfield trying to control the position from guard on top but Story is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Story manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Mansfield manages to get himself to full guard.
Mansfield keeping full guard, as Story tries to pass.
Story trying to control the position from guard on top but Mansfield is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Story throws a strike but Mansfield rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Story wants to sweep here but Mansfield controlling him for the moment.
Story keeping moving, preventing Mansfield from controlling successfully.
Story pulls Mansfield in close to his closed guard and prevents Mansfield from doing any damage or advancing position.

Mansfield drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Mansfield jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Story looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Story is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Mansfield wants to control from the top but Story keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mansfield tries to free his leg and advance position but Story is retaining full guard.
Mansfield passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Mansfield looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Isiah Mansfield overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Mansfield tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Story is looking for a sweep.

Mansfield is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Story knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Mansfield working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mansfield is looking to take a break and control but Story is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Mansfield thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Story sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Mansfield is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Story gets back to full guard.
Story bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Mansfield's guard.
Mansfield is trying to keep Story in close.
Mansfield is really struggling to control Story but he's trying to hold on to the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Story with a nice head shot there.
Story throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Story keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Mansfield's head.
Story postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Mansfield preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Story throws a big right hand that misses.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mansfield lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Story!
Story is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Story slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Story desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Story trying to control here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Nick Story will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Story scores with the left hand. Mansfield knows he should have avoided that one.
Story shoots in and drives through. Mansfield sprawls well.
Nice shot lands for Story.
Mansfield swings for the body but Story moves out of range.

Mansfield looking to score a takedown here. Story is defending well but Mansfield drives through and ends up in Story's guard.
Mansfield trying to control but Story is working from the bottom.
Mansfield wants to pass the guard but Story is keeping the position.
Mansfield advances position into side control!

Mansfield is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Story is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Mansfield goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Story rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Mansfield's guard! Nice work there by Story!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Story stands up over Mansfield, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Story is looking to work some ground and pound but Mansfield has wrist control.
Story throws an elbow that misses. Mansfield uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Story's guard. Nice move by Mansfield!
Mansfield 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.
Story wants to sweep here but Mansfield controlling him for the moment.
Mansfield will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Mansfield wants to control from the top but Story keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Story has his hands on Mansfield's head, controlling the position.

Isiah Mansfield has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Story shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Story scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Story thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Story stalling away here and it's allowed Mansfield to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mansfield not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Story sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Story is looking to work some ground and pound but Mansfield has wrist control.
Story looking to sit in guard and control but Mansfield gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Mansfield passes into half guard.
Story gets back to full guard.
Story has a closed guard, preventing Mansfield from standing up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Story has Mansfield pulled in close to control his posture.
Story trying to control the position.
Story managing to control the position.
Mansfield trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Mansfield drops back, looking for a kneebar! Story looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Story looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Story!
Mansfield sneaks back into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Story thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Nick Story.
I think Story 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 28:29
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nick Story!
Nick Story seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.