PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Nelson Mandela (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Calzaghe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mandela comes into the arena with Free Nelson Mandela blaring out of the sound system. On his way into the cage it seems that Nelson Mandela has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Nelson Mandela seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Mandela
vs
Calzaghe

163 cm
25
160 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

185 cm
30
158 lbs
16 - 14 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

ADCC Champion
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Revolution Fatigues

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 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Nelson Mandela!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Joe Calzaghe!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Dillan Fox and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
An inside leg kick from Mandela misses.
Mandela fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Calzaghe.
Mandela misses the shot to the body.
Calzaghe connects with a leg kick. Mandela looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Calzaghe swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Calzaghe is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Mandela walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Calzaghe checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Good work by Calzaghe as he checks the leg kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Mandela.
Calzaghe has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Mandela.
Mandela throws a body punch but Calzaghe moves out of range.
Nelson Mandela seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mandela thows a body shot but no joy.
No luck for Mandela with that takedown attempt.
Mandela moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

Calzaghe gets a takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mandela avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Calzaghe.
Mandela might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Mandela is controlling Calzaghe's position as best he can from this difficult position.

Calzaghe is looking for a kimura here.
Calzaghe seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Mandela does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Mandela makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Mandela.
Mandela pulls Calzaghe in to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Calzaghe throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Mandela works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Mandela is on top in guard.
Calzaghe wants to stand and escape but Mandela is having none of it.

Calzaghe is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Mandela is aware though and is defending well.
Mandela trying to control the position from guard on top but Calzaghe is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mandela is really struggling to control Calzaghe but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Calzaghe being controlled here, momentarily.

Calzaghe is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Mandela is aware though and is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Calzaghe looking for subs off his back but Mandela has passed one foot through into half guard.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Calzaghe is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Mandela trying to control from half guard but Calzaghe is working away.
Calzaghe is looking to improve his position.
Calzaghe is not content to let Mandela control the position.
Calzaghe looks like he's trying to stand up.
Mandela sitting and controlling from the half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Calzaghe actively working from the bottom here.
Calzaghe is staying active underneath Mandela, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Mandela trying to mount his opponent but Calzaghe defends it.
Mandela trying to control the action but Calzaghe is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Nelson Mandela wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Calzaghe misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mandela.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mandela punishes Calzaghe's body with a nice straight punch.
Calzaghe throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Mandela's waist but Mandela gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Calzaghe off to one side.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nelson Mandela dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

A solid leg kick lands there for Mandela.
A nice inside leg kick there by Mandela. That's going to slow Calzaghe down.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Calzaghe is defended easily by Mandela.
Mandela swings away with a body shot that misses
and Calzaghe counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Mandela connects with a solid leg kick.
Mandela scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Mandela.
Mandela paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mandela does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Mandela scores with a jab. Calzaghe acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Mandela moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
A slapping leg kick lands for Mandela.
A leg kick checked by Calzaghe.
Mandela scoring well with a low kick there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A solid leg kick lands there for Mandela.
Mandela chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Calzaghe tries to score a power double leg takedown but Mandela sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Calzaghe somewhat.
Calzaghe is breathing heavily.
Mandela throws a nice looking combination but Calzaghe bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Mandela thows a body shot but no joy.
Calzaghe cracks a nice hook into Mandela's ribs.
Joe Calzaghe is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
No joy there for Calzaghe, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Mandela, right into the meat.
Mandela lands with a thumping leg kick.
Calzaghe avoids the body shot from Mandela.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mandela clinches.
Mandela presses Calzaghe against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Mandela pressing his opponent against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mandela scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Mandela lands a nice uppercut.

It looks like Joe Calzaghe has been cut.
Mandela lands with a left to the head.
Mandela works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
A right hook to the body lands for Mandela.
Calzaghe can't get the takedown.
Nelson Mandela has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joe Calzaghe.
Calzaghe looking for a takedown.
Calzaghe tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Mandela just stands there and leans against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short body shot lands from Mandela as the two fighters clinch.
Mandela working some nice short punches in the clinch.

Mandela breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Mandela tries to clinch but Calzaghe moves out of range.
Mandela moves into range and connects with a jab.
Mandela stuns Calzaghe with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Mandela lands a front kick.
Mandela throws a head kick but Calzaghe moves out of range.
Mandela buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Mandela throws a front kick aimed at Calzaghe's knee but Calzaghe avoids it well.
A solid leg kick lands there for Mandela.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Calzaghe checks the leg kick nicely there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mandela tries to land a leg kick but Calzaghe saw it coming and moves away.
Mandela scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Mandela swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Mandela bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Calzaghe displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Mandela throws out the jab.
Mandela attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Calzaghe's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Mandela with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Calzaghe displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Mandela scores with a nice body kick.
Mandela ducks under a wild hook from Calzaghe.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Mandela.
Mandela is looking to take a break and control but Calzaghe is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nelson Mandela dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Joe Calzaghe's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Mandela wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Nelson Mandela is winning the standup battle so far.
Calzaghe avoids the body shot from Mandela.
Mandela looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Nice body kick from Mandela.
A nice leg kick lands there from Mandela.
Calzaghe uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Mandela.
Mandela takes a swing at Calzaghe's ribcage but misses.

Calzaghe dives in and scores a takedown into Mandela's guard.
Calzaghe being controlled here momentarily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Calzaghe takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Nelson Mandela just wasn't active enough.
A good leg kick by Mandela.
Calzaghe throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Mandela.
A left and a right from Mandela both land. Nice combination.

Mandela gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Joe Calzaghe has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mandela escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Calzaghe takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Mandela with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Mandela throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Calzaghe staying out of range there.
Mandela throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Mandela blocks a jab.
Mandela throws a predictable looking body shot

and Calzaghe counters with a nice double leg into side control. Mandela won't be happy with that.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Calzaghe in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Calzaghe is looking to take a break and control but Mandela is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Mandela regains half guard.
Nelson Mandela is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Calzaghe is looking for a kimura here.
Mandela tries to roll over but Calzaghe keeps him under control.
Mandela holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Calzaghe uses his free foot to push down on Mandela's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Mandela.
Mandela regains half guard.
Calzaghe throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Calzaghe looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Calzaghe is looking for a kimura but Mandela is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Calzaghe to get the leverage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nelson Mandela showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Mandela, 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 Alec Ball scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nelson Mandela!
Nelson Mandela thanked the fans post fight for their support.