PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ralph Gardner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arthur Mandanda (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gardner's entrance music is Thug Luv. A fine choice. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Gardner
vs
Mandanda

188 cm
21
210 lbs
6 - 1 - 1

197 cm
23
203 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Sully's Bar & Grill

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 1, fighting out of London, Ralph Gardner!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Arthur Mandanda!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Columbo Gatti and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gardner connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Mandanda scores with a one two! Gardner had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

Gardner has taken the fight to the clinch.
Stalling in the clinch from Gardner.
Gardner is struggling to control the position.
Gardner stalls.
Mandanda tries to score a body lock takedown but Gardner shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Mandanda blocks a body shot from Gardner.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A right handed body shot lands from Gardner.
Mandanda tries to break the clinch but Gardner is controlling the position.
Mandanda is trying to pull guard but Gardner turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Gardner lands a body shot in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gardner displaying some good clinch control by pressing Mandanda up against the cage.
Mandanda is trying to force a seperation but Gardner has the dominant position.
Gardner tries to work over Mandanda's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Gardner breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Gardner swings for the body but Mandanda moves out of range.
A punch lands to the side of Gardner 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Gardner fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Ralph Gardner is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mandanda scores with a jab to the jaw.
Mandanda slips under a jab.
Gardner scores with a crisp jab that stopped Mandanda in his tracks.
Gardner swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Mandanda changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gardner has taken the fight to the clinch.
Nice body punch from Gardner.
Gardner lands a body punch in the clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Gardner.
Gardner lands with a short punch from the clinch.
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!
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
A nice left hand lands by Gardner.
Gardner tries to work over Mandanda's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Mandanda prevents a body shot from Gardner.
Gardner struggles to land a body shot inside as Mandanda controls his hands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gardner works on Mandanda's body with a couple of short punches.
A left hand lands to the body for Gardner.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Gardner presses Mandanda against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Gardner prevents Mandanda from breaking the clinch.
Gardner can't find room to land a body shot as Mandanda controls the action.
Gardner tries to work over Mandanda's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Mandanda escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Mandanda avoids the body shot from Gardner.
Despite the aggression on Mandanda's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Gardner cracks Mandanda with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gardner slips a jab and a cross from Mandanda.
Gardner sizes up Mandanda with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
A shot to the liver by Gardner. Beautiful body shot.
Ralph Gardner seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mandanda walks into a straight right hand from Gardner.
Gardner misses with a looping right.
A lazy left from Gardner finds it's target.

Mandanda is rocked!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gardner drops Mandanda with a huge uppercut! Mandanda drops to the floor like a sack of potatoes. Gardner is raining down punches and the ref stops the fight! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:34 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Ralph Gardner!
Ralph Gardner retains his light heavyweight title!
Ralph Gardner tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.