PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Imperio Romano (ranked 1734 p4p, 203 weight class) and Alka Mangrove (ranked 2516 p4p, 286 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Romano
vs
Mangrove

173 cm
35
160 lbs
17 - 8 - 0

173 cm
34
163 lbs
21 - 8 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
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 17 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Imperio Romano!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Alka Mangrove!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Hirohito Nitta and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mangrove steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Romano.
Romano moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
We've been told by Romano's head coaches at The Jungle Room that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Romano slips under a jab from Mangrove.
Mangrove fails in his attempt to clinch.
Mangrove has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Mangrove throws the kick towards the body but Romano avoids it.
Romano swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Mangrove swinging wildly here.
Romano digs a good hook to Mangrove's body.
Romano looks to score with a jab to the body but Mangrove is just out of range.
Romano throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

Mangrove moves into the clinch.
A short body shot lands from Mangrove as the two fighters clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Romano tries a body shot but Mangrove blocks it.
Romano softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Mangrove misses with a short punch on the inside.
Romano lands with a left to the head.
A short left from Mangrove.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mangrove fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Mangrove goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Romano lands with a short head shot on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mangrove misses with a punch on the inside.

Romano's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nice defenses there by Romano.
Romano is looking to counter punch.
Mangrove misses with an uppercut. Romano saw that one coming.
Romano with a hook.
Romano looks to land a combination but Mangrove avoids it well.
Romano finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Romano misses with a body shot.
Mangrove with the counter takedown but Romano avoids it easily.

Mangrove gets a double leg takedown into Romano's guard.
Mangrove wants to control from the top but Romano keeps moving.
Romano has control of Mangrove's left arm, preventing Mangrove from doing any damage.
Mangrove trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Mangrove is fighting to break Romano's control of his arms but Romano is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Romano is trying to control the position but Mangrove postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Romano is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Mangrove is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

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

Mangrove has managed to clinch.
Romano lands with a left to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mangrove scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Romano digs a right hand into Mangrove's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Mangrove's gas tank.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Romano.
Romano scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Mangrove goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Romano lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Mangrove working aggressively here.
A short uppercut from Mangrove.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mangrove lands an uppercut.
Romano blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Romano misses with some punches.
Mangrove creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Romano's defenses.

It looks like Imperio Romano has been cut.
Mangrove tries a body shot but Romano blocks it.
Mangrove lands a shot to the body.
Romano is trying to break the clinch but Mangrove has him pressed against the cage.
Mangrove misses with a short punch on the inside.
Romano blocking some punches.
Mangrove is working Romano over against the cage.
Romano tries to throw a body punch but Mangrove avoids it by throwing Romano back against the cage.
Romano misses with a hook from the clinch.
Mangrove tries to work over Romano's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Mangrove misses with a body punch.
Romano working aggressively here.
Mangrove struggles to land a body shot inside as Romano controls his hands.
Mangrove lands a right hand.
Romano lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Mangrove backwards.
Romano digs a right hand underneath Mangrove's ribcage. Mangrove let out a lung full of air as it connected.

Mangrove pulls guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Romano avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mangrove is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Romano's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Romano postures up.

Mangrove looking for subs off his back but Romano has passed one foot through into half guard.
Still in half guard, Romano seems content to control.
Mangrove tries to roll over but Romano keeps him under control.
Mangrove trying to hold on to Romano's head to control him but Romano postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Alka Mangrove will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Imperio Romano's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A jab from Mangrove finds it's way through Romano's defenses.
Mangrove misses with a wild body shot.
Romano swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Romano missing with a left hand there. Mangrove was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Romano walks into a stiff left hand from Mangrove.
Mangrove on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Romano pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A jab from Romano misses.
Romano throws a sloppy head kick and Mangrove moves out of range easily.
Nice cross by Mangrove.
Romano pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Mangrove moves out of range as Romano throws a body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mangrove lands an overhand right.
Romano misses the jab.
Mangrove lands with a cross.
Mangrove slips a jab from Romano.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mangrove throws a right hand that misses
and Romano counters with a solid body kick.
Mangrove fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Romano.
Imperio Romano is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Romano just misses with a punch to the body.
And Mangrove tries to counter it with a takedown but Romano pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Mangrove looks to land a right hand but Romano moved out of range.
Romano throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Romano takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Romano looks to score with a jab to the body but Mangrove is just out of range.
Mangrove fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Romano fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Mangrove has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Mangrove throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Mangrove stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Mangrove throws a nice looking combination but Romano bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Romano was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Romano uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Mangrove.
Mangrove falls off balance throwing a combination
and Romano finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
No joy there for Romano, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Romano throws a body punch but Mangrove moves out of range.
Mangrove jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Mangrove looks to land a body kick but Romano moved away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mangrove looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mangrove looks to throw a body kick
and Romano counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Romano takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Romano keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Mangrove.
Romano lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Mangrove fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Romano.
Donk. Romano catches Mangrove right on the button with a cross.
Mangrove walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Romano checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Romano slips a jab from Mangrove.
A jab from Mangrove misses.
Mangrove connects with a solid leg kick.
Romano takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Mangrove throws a hook but Romano avoids it easily.
Mangrove tries to clinch up.
Romano pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Mangrove changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Mangrove throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Romano sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Mangrove moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Romano throws a leg kick but Mangrove sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Romano throws a low kick but Mangrove moves out of range easily.
Romano misses the shot to the body.
Romano throws a chopping leg kick but Mangrove manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Mangrove tests Romano's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Mangrove throws a lazy right hand but Romano sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Romano just misses with a punch to the body.
Romano jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Romano walks into a jab.
Mangrove connects with a right hand. Romano shakes it off.
Romano throws a nice looking combination but Mangrove bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Romano avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Romano throws an off balance right hand

and Mangrove counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Romano is in trouble now - Mangrove has advanced to mount!
Mangrove trying to control but Romano is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mangrove wants to take his opponent's back but he's not managed it.
Romano has given up his back here. Will Mangrove look for the submission or keep pounding away?
Romano is in bad spot here.

Romano defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Romano controlling his opponent's hands, preventing the submission attempt.

Mangrove working for the choke.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alka Mangrove showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Imperio Romano's cut.
That's time! Romano's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!

Mangrove wants to clinch but Romano slips to the side
and Romano counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
A lazy left from Mangrove finds it's target.
Romano takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Romano lands with a right hand.
Mangrove tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Romano paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Romano fires out a quick counter leg kick but Mangrove just manages to avoid it.
Mangrove swings away with a leg kick that misses.
It looked like Romano wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Mangrove throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Romano sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Romano throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mangrove sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Mangrove takes a shot to the body in his stride.

Mangrove gets a clinch.
Romano misses with a body punch.
Romano blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Mangrove lands a hook that snaps the head of Romano backwards.
A short right from Romano.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Romano blocks a body shot from Mangrove.
Romano prevents a body shot from Mangrove.
Mangrove tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Romano smiles and moves away.
Romano uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Mangrove.
Jab from Romano.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Romano misses with a looping right.
Romano throws out a powerful jab.
Danga de danga de dang - Romano scores with a four punch combination!
A jab from Romano does it's job there.
Romano thuds a left hand into Mangrove's body.
Mangrove clobbers Romano with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

Mangrove shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Romano napping and manages to drive through into side control!
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!
Mangrove trying to control the action but Romano is working from the bottom.
Romano is looking for a sweep.

Mangrove tries for a kimura but Romano is defending well.
Mangrove wants to control but Romano is keeping him busy.
Alka Mangrove is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Romano tries to buck Mangrove off but Mangrove is having none of it.
Romano is not content to let Mangrove control the position.
Romano is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Romano is trying to control Mangrove's posture but Mangrove avoids it.
Mangrove trying to control the position but Romano is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Imperio Romano has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Mangrove looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Mangrove wants to control but Romano is keeping him busy.
Romano is trying to get back to half guard.
Mangrove takes a little break here. Romano wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.

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.
Romano is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Romano controlling the position well.
Mangrove tries to pass to full mount but Romano defends it.

Mangrove is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Romano trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Mangrove can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Romano is looking to escape.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Alka Mangrove.
I've got Mangrove 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 Shirou Masuda scores the fight 27:30
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Alka Mangrove!