PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Zhang Xianfa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bobby Mann (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zhang Xianfa had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Xianfa
vs
Mann

164 cm
20
146 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

170 cm
22
140 lbs
9 - 5 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Powerful

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 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Zhang Xianfa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Bobby Mann!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Gwen Towbar and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Xianfa rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Mann moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Xianfa tries to bum rush Mann with a series of wild strikes but Mann uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Xianfa keeps the fight on the outside.
Xianfa throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Mann fails with a takedown attempt.
Xianfa throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Xianfa takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Nice body punch from Xianfa.
Mann needs to keep his hands up - Xianfa had a free shot at his head there.

Xianfa has managed to clinch.
A right hand to the body from Xianfa.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Xianfa stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Xianfa seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Xianfa.
Xianfa is pushing Mann up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Xianfa doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xianfa misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Xianfa pushes Mann back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

Mann gets a trip takedown into half guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Mann is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Xianfa moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mann slips nicely into half guard.
Mann looks to land a strike but Xianfa avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
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!
Xianfa controls Mann momentarily but Mann frees himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xianfa wants to sweep here but Mann controlling him for the moment.
Mann stands and throws Xianfa's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Mann tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Mann swings around for an armbar but Xianfa sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Mann's guard.
Xianfa trying to control but Mann is working from the bottom.

Mann throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Mann throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Xianfa escapes and throws Mann's legs to the side, diving into side control!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mann is trying to get back to half guard.

Xianfa is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Mann knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Xianfa working away.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mann is looking for a sweep.
Mann is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Mann is trying to control Xianfa's posture but Xianfa avoids it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Zhang Xianfa will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Xianfa misses with a series of wild punches.
Xianfa looks to land a combination. Mann sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Zhang Xianfa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Xianfa closes the distance and pushes Mann back into the cage.
Xianfa stalling against the cage.
Xianfa swings wildly with an uppercut but Mann uses good head movement to avoid it.
Xianfa leaning against his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Xianfa creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Xianfa as Mann tries to tie him up.
Xianfa goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Xianfa goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Mann trying to control the position but instead, Xianfa has worked for underhooks and has pushed Mann into the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Still in the clinch, Xianfa scores with a nice short uppercut.
Xianfa prevents the takedown attempt.
Xianfa is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Mann is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Xianfa working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Mann blocking some punches.
A bit of stalling here from Xianfa.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice left hand lands by Xianfa.
Xianfa throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Manns head.
Xianfa lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Xianfa leaning against his opponent.
Xianfa tries to throw a body punch but Mann avoids it by throwing Xianfa back against the cage.
Xianfa lands a nice uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Xianfa stalling in the clinch.
Xianfa landing knees to the body.
Mann taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Xianfa is struggling to control the position.
Xianfa works on Mann's body with a couple of short punches.
Mann is trying to pull guard but Xianfa has him pressed against the cage.
Xianfa gets through Mann's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Xianfa lands a body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zhang Xianfa dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Xianfa tries to close the distance and clinch but Mann swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Mann tries to clinch

and Xianfa counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Mann is looking for a triangle but Xianfa pushes his legs off easily.

Mann working for submissions but it's allowed Xianfa to get to half guard.
Xianfa trying to control the action but Mann is working from the bottom.
Mann wants to get back to full guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mann slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Xianfa avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mann looking for a sweep. Not yet Mann, not yet.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Mann is on top in guard.
Mann wants to pass the guard but Xianfa is keeping the position.
Xianfa pulls Mann in close to prevent any damage.
Mann stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Xianfa swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Mann throwing strikes from guard but Xianfa blocks nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mann wants to pass the guard but Xianfa is keeping the position.
Xianfa pulls Mann in close to prevent any damage.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Zhang Xianfa.
Xianfa throws a series of punches but Mann avoids them all with ease.
Xianfa misses with a two punch combination.
Xianfa throws a right hand that Mann ducks under and follows up with a left that Mann also avoids with ease.
Mann tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Xianfa counters with a series of strikes. Mann will be more careful next time no doubt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mann pushes Xianfa up against the cage in a clinch.
Zhang Xianfa is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Stalling in the clinch from Xianfa.
Xianfa wants to stall.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Xianfa misses with a punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Xianfa fails to land.
Xianfa throws a punch but it's blocked by Mann.
Mann drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Xianfa takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Zhang Xianfa has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Xianfa lands a body shot.
Bobby Mann has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mann tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Xianfa is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Zhang Xianfa.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Xianfa, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 30:28
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zhang Xianfa!
Zhang Xianfa decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.