PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between John Li (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Danny Mangold (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Mangold's choice of entrance music: Dead Prez . Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Li
vs
Mangold

180 cm
28
205 lbs
13 - 11 - 0

190 cm
41
235 lbs
21 - 16 - 1

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

GREEN!160

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 13 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, John Li!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 16 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Danny Mangold!
The judges for this bout are Jeff Smith, Ryoma Takatsuka and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Li with a lazy takedown attempt
and Mangold counters with a series of strikes. Li will be more careful next time no doubt.
Mangold tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Li defends well and Mangold ends up having to push Li into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
It looked like Li wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Li misses with an uppercut.

Mangold shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Mangold trying to control the action but Li is working from the bottom.
Li has hold of Mangold's hands but Mangold slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Mangold working the head and body with strikes.
Mangold has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Mangold scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Mangold not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Li is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mangold thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Li looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Li wants to get back to full guard.
Mangold winds up and cracks Li with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Li gets back to full guard.

Mangold got a little sloppy there for a moment and Li has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Mangold has managed to get both his arms back between Li's legs - danger averted.
Mangold stands up over Li, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Li is trying to control the position but Mangold postures up.
Mangold postures up and lands a big shot to Li's brow.

Li is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mangold with a nice head shot there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Li lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Li looking to pass the guard.

Mangold looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Li passes Mangold's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Li seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

Mangold actively working from the bottom here.
Li trying to pass the guard but Mangold defending well.
Li takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Mangold looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Li is trying to control. Mangold wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Mangold is pressing down on Li's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Mangold looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mangold throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Li is looking to work some ground and pound but Mangold has wrist control.

Mangold working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Li doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Li manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Mangold trying to keep a closed guard but Li is proving a slippery customer.
Li looking to pass the guard.

Mangold is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Li sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Li passes Mangold's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mangold trying to control from the bottom.
Li wants to free his trapped foot but Mangold is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Mangold wants to get back to his feet.
Mangold trying to control here.
Mangold is trying to get back to full guard.
Mangold trying to hold on to Li's head to control him but Li postures up.
Nice strikes from Li there.
Li not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Mangold looking for submissions off his back.
Li looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Danny Mangold 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 big right from Li misses.

Mangold closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Mangold lands in his opponent's guard.
Mangold connects with a couple of short punches.
Mangold trying to control the position from guard on top but Li is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Li is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Li pulls Mangold in close to prevent any damage.
Mangold preventing the sweep.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Li is trying to keep Mangold in close.
Mangold lands a couple of elbows.

Li looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mangold missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Mangold drops back, looking for a kneebar! Li looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Li looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Li!

Li lands an elbow.
Sloppy strikes there by Li.
Li working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Mangold is trying to get back to half guard.
Mangold is not content to let Li control the position.
Mangold is trying to get back to half guard.
Mangold can't do much from the bottom here.
Danny Mangold has got the better of the ground game so far.
Li landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Li lands an elbow.
Li working away.
Li throws an elbow but Mangold slips to the side and avoids it well.
Li working the ground and pound.
Li working the head and body with strikes.
Li lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Mangold down.
Mangold is letting Li control him for a moment.
Mangold is looking for a sweep.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Li working the ground and pound.
Li working away.
Li is looking to take a break and control but Mangold is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Mangold is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Li off and has taken his back!
Li rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Li trying to control from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Li looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Mangold takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Mangold winds up and cracks Li with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Mangold seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Li does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Mangold thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Li is trying to get back to full guard.

Li is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Mangold pulls his head out easily.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Mangold lands a nice short elbow.
Mangold seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Li tries to get to full guard but Mangold has control of the leg.
Mangold lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mangold scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Li wants to get back to full guard.

Li actively working from the bottom here.
Mangold lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Li on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Li is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Li has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Mangold is working away from the top position though.
Mangold seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Li does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Danny Mangold will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Li's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Mangold uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Li.
Mangold ducks under a wild hook from Li.
Li tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Mangold swivels and escapes.
Mangold goes for a double leg but Li avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Li continues to drive forward.

Li tries to sprawl but Mangold drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Li on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Mangold working Li over with strikes.
Li is looking for a sweep. Mangold is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Li is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Mangold's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Mangold's back!
Mangold trying to control the hands but Li won't let him.
Li throwing damaging strikes from the back! Mangold could be in trouble here!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Li has his opponent trapped and is landing shots. Not a good position for Mangold.
Li lands with a big left hand that may well have hurt his opponent. Can Mangold hold on?!
Mangold trying to control the hands but Li won't let him.
Li lands punches and elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mangold trying to control the hands but Li breaks the grip.
Li tries to keep control of the position but Mangold is staying busy.
Li lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Li misses with a punch to the head.
Li is throwing strikes from the back here. Oh that last one was to the back of the head. Li gets a warning from the referee. He throws another strike to the back of the head straight away though and the referee has seen enough. He breaks up the two fighters and stands them back up. Li gets a real talking to here and is lucky not to get a point deducted. Li apologises and we restart here on the feet.

Mangold instigates a clinch.
Mangold is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Li pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Mangold tries to score a body lock takedown but Li shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
John Li has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Danny Mangold.

Mangold works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Mangold loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Li is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Mangold postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Li not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Mangold throwing strikes but missing.
Mangold has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Li is proving hard to escape from.
Li is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Li drops an elbow to the side of Mangold's head.
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!
Nice strikes from Li there.

Mangold looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Li takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Mangold moves into full guard.

Li avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
John Li has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Li wants to control from the top but Mangold keeps moving.
Li forces his way into half guard.
Li trying to control the action but Mangold is working from the bottom.
Li is thwarting Mangold's attempts to control the position.
Li not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Mangold looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Mangold looking for submissions off his back.
Mangold takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Li landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Li working the head and body with strikes.

It looks like Danny Mangold has been cut.
Ground and pound from Li.

That has opened up Danny Mangold's cut even more.
Li thows a huge punch but Mangold dodges it nicely.

Mangold looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Li landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Mangold moves into full guard.
Danny Mangold is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Li advances to half guard.
Li seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Mangold does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Mangold looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Li showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Mangold 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 Jeff Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Danny Mangold!
Danny Mangold opened up his post fight interview with a scream to camera that he wants a title shot! Whether he deserves the shot will be up to the management of the organization, so I guess he'll have to wait and see.