PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Hilton Mann (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nate Gram (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hilton Mann has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Mann
vs
Gram

190 cm
18
150 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

175 cm
18
145 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Hilton Mann!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Nate Gram!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, William Gold and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mann throws a body shot but no joy.
And Gram tries to counter it with a takedown but Mann pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Mann closes this distance looking for a takedown but Gram circles away.
Gram avoids the body shot from Mann.
Mann really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Mann dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Mann gets tackled into the cage by Gram. Gram maintains the clinch.

Mann pulls guard successfully.
Gram scoring with some ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mann trying to control the position.
Mann keeping moving, preventing Gram from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Gram postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Mann is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Gram, into his guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mann stops Gram from standing up.
Mann throws a big elbow that misses.
Mann wants to control from the top but Gram keeps moving.

Gram is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Mann 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.

Mann is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Mann trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Gram throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Gram is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Mann prevents Gram from getting back to his feet.
Gram is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Mann gets caught napping as Gram dives in and scores a takedown. Mann manages to retain guard.
Gram looks winded!

Mann looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Gram wants to pass the guard but Mann is keeping the position.
Gram engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Mann tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gram wants to pass the guard but Mann is keeping the position.
Gram is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Mann is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Gram pushing down on Mann's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Mann is trying to get back to full guard.
Mann makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Mann.
Mann looking for a sweep. Not yet Mann, not yet.
Gram trying to control but Mann is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gram tries to free his leg and advance position but Mann is retaining full guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gram slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Gram 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.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Nate Gram will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Gram wants to clinch
and Mann counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

Gram manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Mann on his heels. He'll look to pass Mann's guard now, I'm sure.

Mann uses the cage to get back to his feet.
We've been informed that Gram has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

Gram is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Mann's half guard.

Mann manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Gram keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
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!
Gram working hard to break the clinch.
Gram is breathing heavily.

Mann manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Mann is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Gram defends well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mann being controlled here, momentarily.

Mann looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Mann looking to control.
Gram passes Mann's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's two 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.
Mann trying to control but Gram postures up.

Gram wants to work for an arm triangle but Mann is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Well, if Gram is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Gram is stalling here. Mann is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Gram seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Mann has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Mann connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Gram some visible discomfort.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mann lands a nice forearm strike.
Mann trying to control the action but Gram is working from the bottom.
Gram can't do much from the bottom here.
Mann is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Gram will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Mann is looking to take a break and control but Gram is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Gram on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Gram managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Mann.
An elbow from Mann crashes against the mat.
Gram is pushing Mann's head away, looking to escape. Mann manages to hold on to the position though.
Mann controls the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Mann thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Mann is trying to get an arm triangle but Gram is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hilton Mann dominated that second 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. This is the final round!

Gram closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Mann quickly recovers to half guard.
Hilton Mann overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Mann pushes Gram off looking to stand but Gram dives back in and keeps control.
Mann tries to get to full guard but Gram has control of the leg.
Gram wants to stand up but Mann has a hold of him and won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mann tries to roll over but Gram keeps him under control.
Gram controlling the action here.
Gram takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mann works his way to full guard. Good work.
Gram passes into half guard.
Mann gets back to full guard.
Gram trying to control the position from guard on top but Mann is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Gram is trying to tuck his arms in to keep them safe but Mann has managed to isolate one of them and has got a loose triangle. Gram is looking to defend but Mann has done well to lock his legs together - this could be big trouble for Gram! Mann pulls down on the head and a little smile comes across his face - he knows he's got it. Yep, Gram taps out and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:57 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Hilton Mann!