PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Malvin Mandi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Minoru Nakano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nakano is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Great Muta Concerto. Minoru Nakano has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Malvin Mandi's chin.

Mandi
vs
Nakano

180 cm
26
157 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

169 cm
25
159 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Granite 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 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Malvin Mandi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Minoru Nakano!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mandi punishes Nakano's body with a nice straight punch.
Nakano shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Mandi sprawls well. Mandi wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Nakano gets slowly back to his feet.

Mandi tries to sprawl but Nakano drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Nakano is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Nakano trying to control but Mandi is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nakano looking to pass the guard.
Nakano stands and throws Mandi's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mandi is not content to let Nakano control the position.

Nakano is trying to get an arm triangle but Mandi is defending well.
Nakano wants to control but Mandi is keeping him busy.
Mandi seems a little lost for a moment, as Nakano dominates the positioning.
You can see the frustration on Mandi's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Nakano advances to mount.

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.
Nakano controlling the position easily from mount.
Nakano tries to control but Mandi wriggling away.
Mandi is working to get back to half guard.

Nakano has hold of Mandi's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Mandi manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Mandi is squirming around, avoiding Nakano's attempts to control the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakano looking to take Mandi's back but Mandi rolls and after a scramble, Mandi ends up on top in guard. Nice escape there from Mandi to escape a tricky position.
Mandi wants to control from the top but Nakano keeps moving.
Nakano is trying to keep Mandi in close.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Nakano is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Nakano working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Mandi.
Nakano lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Nakano postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Mandi pushes Nakano off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Mandi looks to score with a jab to the body but Nakano is just out of range.
Mandi throws a right and a left that Nakano avoids nicely.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A combination from Mandi does no damage.
Nakano looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Nakano dives in and grabs Mandi's left leg, looking for a takedown. Mandi pushes down on Nakano's head and hops out.
Mandi stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Mandi wants it to stay on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Malvin Mandi dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Mandi dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Mandi throws out a loose jab but Nakano uses good head movement to avoid it.
It seemed like Nakano was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Mandi throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Nakano counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Mandi swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Mandi misses with the combination.
Nakano looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Nakano fails with a takedown attempt.
Nakano goes for a double leg but Mandi avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Mandi continues to drive forward.
Mandi drops down looking for a counter takedown but Nakano sprawls and moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nakano shoots in for a takedown but Mandi shows good takedown defense.
Mandi looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Malvin Mandi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Minoru Nakano.
Mandi misses with a wild body shot.
Malvin Mandi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nakano shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Mandi but Mandi pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakano shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Mandi but Mandi pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Malvin Mandi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mandi misses with a few strikes there.
Mandi scores with a one two! Nakano had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Mandi lands a nice hook to Nakano's body. Nakano takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Malvin Mandi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mandi catches Nakano with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Mandi is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Nakano can do to turn this around?
Mandi scores with a nice strike.
Nakano uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Mandi.
Mandi misses the shot to the body.
Nakano changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Mandi tries to avoid it but Nakano manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Mandi to the ground. Mandi escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Nakano drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into 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!

Mandi manages to escape and get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nakano shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Nakano wants to lay and pray for a moment but Mandi keeps working.
Nakano is pressing down on Mandi's thigh, looking to free his foot. Mandi is holding on for now.
Nakano is looking to take a break and control but Mandi is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nakano looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Mandi manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Mandi is looking to wear down Nakano with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mandi misses with a double jab.
Nakano throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Mandi's waist but Mandi gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Nakano off to one side.
Malvin Mandi is winning the standup battle so far.
Mandi rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Nakano moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nakano shoots in for a takedown but Mandi shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
A combination from Mandi does no damage.
Nakano misses with a takedown
and Mandi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Mandi displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Mandi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nakano moves away.
A nice combination there by Mandi.
Mandi misses with a combination
and Mandi takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mandi fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Nakano shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Mandi defends it nicely.
Sloppy strikes from Mandi. Those never looked like landing.
Nakano looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Mandi misses with a few strikes there.
Nakano looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Mandi scores with a jab to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Malvin Mandi dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Nakano displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Mandi throws out the jab.
Mandi lands a nice hook to Nakano's body. Nakano takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Mandi bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Nakano's head.
Nakano has a takedown stuffed.
Mandi lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Nakano backs up against the cage.
Nakano fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Mandi avoids it really well and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mandi throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
enabling Nakano to counter with a crisp jab.
Mandi lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Nakano backs up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakano avoids the body shot from Mandi.
Nakano takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Mandi just misses with a punch to the body.
Mandi uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

Nakano throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Mandi tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Nakano is in Mandi's guard.

Mandi uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Mandi is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Mandi throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Nakano sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Nakano is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Mandi.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Left hook, right uppercut from Mandi.

Nakano is rocked!
Mandi throws a series of punches but Nakano avoids them all with ease.
Nakano is still on wobbly legs! Can Mandi finish him?
Mandi fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Nakano looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Nakano seems to have recovered his senses.
Mandi connects with a body shot.
Minoru Nakano has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mandi throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Mandi takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Mandi scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Nakano doesn't seem bothered though.
Nakano avoids the body shot from Mandi.
Mandi misses with a jab, cross combination.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Mandi displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Nakano.
Malvin Mandi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Minoru Nakano.
Nakano closes the distance and clinches up with Mandi, looking for a takedown. Nakano pushes Mandi against the cage but Mandi circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Mandi tries to clinch up but Nakano circles away and keeps his distance.
Nakano lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Mandi lands with a right hand.
Mandi is looking to clinch but Nakano is avoiding it.
Nakano looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Nakano slips a jab and a cross from Mandi.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakano dives in and grabs Mandi's left leg, looking for a takedown. Mandi pushes down on Nakano's head and hops out.
Nakano doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Mandi counters with a left to the body.
Nakano dodges the punch combination from Mandi.
Nakano shoots and misses
and Mandi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Nakano misses with a takedown attempt - Mandi sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Mandi has managed to clinch.
Nakano swings wildly with an uppercut but Mandi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mandi lands a damaging elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakano drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Mandi gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Nakano lands with a light punch inside.
Mandi stalling against the cage.
Nakano blocks a body shot from Mandi.
Nakano tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Nakano fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Mandi lands a body punch in the clinch.
Nakano throws a head punch that misses.
Mandi makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
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!
Nakano letting Mandi take a breather here.
Nakano has a couple of punches blocked by Mandi.
Malvin Mandi is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Mandi is trying to maintain a safe position but Nakano gets an underhook and turns Mandi into the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Malvin Mandi showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Mandi has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Malvin Mandi!