PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Chang Thong Song (ranked 3439 p4p, 370 weight class) and Ray Mancini (ranked 17455 p4p, 592 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Thong Song
vs
Mancini

176 cm
34
167 lbs
23 - 14 - 0

178 cm
31
153 lbs
18 - 16 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Chang Thong Song!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 16 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ray Mancini!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, James Atkins and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thong Song throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

Mancini shoots in and bounces Thong Song off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Thong Song has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Mancini can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Thong Song holds on and takes a little breather.
Mancini chips away with some ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mancini is stalling in the full guard.
Mancini in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mancini tries to free his leg and advance position but Thong Song is retaining full guard.
Mancini trying to control but Thong Song is working from the bottom.
Thong Song being controlled here, momentarily.
Thong Song trying to control the position here.
Mancini is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Thong Song is trying to control the position but Mancini postures up.

That's two 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.
Mancini content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Thong Song is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Thong Song not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Thong Song trying to control the position here.
Mancini slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Thong Song working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Mancini.
Thong Song keeping moving, preventing Mancini from controlling successfully.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mancini tries to score a power double leg takedown but Thong Song sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Mancini somewhat.
Mancini throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Thong Song misses with a body punch
and Thong Song takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Mancini misses with a low kick as Thong Song jumps back.
Mancini jabs Thong Song right on the nose. Thong Song blinks but takes it well.
Thong Song needs to keep his hands up - Mancini had a free shot at his head there.
Mancini blocks a head kick by Thong Song.
A solid leg kick lands there for Thong Song.
Thong Song connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

Mancini feints and as Thong Song raises his hands in defense, Mancini changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mancini trying to control but Thong Song is working from the bottom.

Thong Song throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thong Song keeping moving, preventing Mancini from controlling successfully.
Mancini is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Mancini tries to free his leg and advance position but Thong Song is retaining full guard.
Thong Song looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Mancini throws a big elbow that misses.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mancini throwing strikes from guard but Thong Song blocks nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ray Mancini dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Mancini misses with an uppercut.
Mancini misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Thong Song appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Mancini takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

It looks like Ray Mancini has been cut.
Thong Song keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
The fighters circle momentarily. Mancini darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Mancini takes a jab right on the kisser.

Mancini is rocked!

Mancini shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Mancini is still in real trouble! Can Thong Song finish him?
Mancini forces his way into half guard.
Mancini seems to have recovered his senses.
Mancini trying to control from Thong Song's half guard. Thong Song has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Thong Song holds on and takes a little breather.
Mancini lands a couple of digs.
Ray Mancini has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mancini throws a big elbow that misses.
Mancini sitting in guard, not really doing much.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mancini looking to pass the guard.

Thong Song throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Thong Song keeping moving, preventing Mancini from controlling successfully.

That's two 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.
Mancini scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Mancini controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Mancini lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Thong Song working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Mancini doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Mancini manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Thong Song is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

Mancini got a little sloppy there for a moment and Thong Song has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Mancini has managed to get both his arms back between Thong Song's legs - danger averted.
Mancini wants to control from the top but Thong Song keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thong Song is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Thong Song is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Mancini defends well.
Mancini throwing strikes but missing.
Mancini cracks Thong Song with a solid left hand.
Thong Song avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's four 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.
Mancini loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Mancini being controlled here momentarily.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Chang Thong Song is winning the standup battle so far.
Mancini looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Thong Song is fending him off so far but Mancini persists. Nope, Thong Song circles away and we're back to standing.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Mancini is defended easily by Thong Song.
Chang Thong Song has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ray Mancini.
Nice cross by Mancini.
Mancini moves out of range of the leg kick from Thong Song.
Mancini on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Thong Song. Thong Song obviously looking to wear him down.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Thong Song checks a leg kick.
Mancini has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Mancini takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Thong Song misses with a looping left.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ray Mancini will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Ray Mancini's cut.
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. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Mancini fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Thong Song avoids it really well and circles away.
Thong Song half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Mancini goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Mancini.
Mancini takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Thong Song swinging wildly here.
Mancini lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Thong Song moves into range and clinches up with Mancini.

Thong Song manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Mancini working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Thong Song's head.

Thong Song is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Mancini defends well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thong Song is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Mancini content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Mancini is working Thong Song over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Mancini with a flurry of punches that miss.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Thong Song working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Mancini doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Mancini manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Mancini wants to control from the top but Thong Song keeps moving.
Chang Thong Song has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Mancini is working Thong Song over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Thong Song throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Mancini trying to control the position from guard on top but Thong Song is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Thong Song looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Mancini looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mancini engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Mancini must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Mancini missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Mancini wants to control from the top but Thong Song keeps moving.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Mancini loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Mancini chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Thong Song can pounce on him.

Mancini looking to score a takedown here. Thong Song is defending well but Mancini drives through and ends up in Thong Song's guard.
Thong Song not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mancini trying to control the position from guard on top but Thong Song is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mancini throws a big elbow that misses.
Thong Song utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Mancini trying to control the position from guard on top but Thong Song is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Thong Song keeping full guard, as Mancini tries to pass.
Ray Mancini is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Mancini trying to control the position from guard on top but Thong Song is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Mancini wants to pass the guard but Thong Song is keeping the position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ray Mancini.
I've got Mancini winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 James Ackerman scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 27:30
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Ray Mancini!
During a confident post fight interview, Ray Mancini thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.