PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Simi Kayode (ranked 3116 p4p, 7395 weight class) and Rylee Mannion (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rylee Mannion is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Kayode
vs
Mannion

187 cm
25
155
0 - 0 - 0

171 cm
20
150
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Simi Kayode!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rylee Mannion!
The judges for this bout are Percy O'Donnell, Timothy Bukovac and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kayode shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Mannion as he avoids it easily.
Mannion throws a fast counter high kick but Kayode manages to duck under it in time.
Kayode throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kayode with a poor takedown

and Mannion counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Mannion.
Kayode working hard to break the clinch.
Kayode jumps guard but Mannion stands there with Kayode around his waist. Kayode gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Simi Kayode. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mannion gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Kayode.
Mannion has Kayode pushed against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Mannion has clasped his hands together around Kayode's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Mannion happy to just control the position for now.
Kayode is trying to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee asks Mannion politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Mannion prefers to stall for the moment though.
You can see the frustration on Kayode's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Kayode tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Mannion wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Mannion controls the position.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Mannion working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Kayode is looking for a sweep.
Kayode misses with an elbow from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Kayode is looking for a sweep.
Mannion controls the position.
Kayode stops Mannion from passing to mount.
Mannion working the ground and pound from side control.
Mannion lands a nice forearm strike.
Kayode is trying to work for a sweep but Mannion has mounted him!
Mannion lands a heavy elbow.
Kayode is trying to escape the mount.
Mannion really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kayode. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Kayode has given up his back here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kayode trying to get back to his feet but Mannion is in full control for now.

Kayode defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Mannion is landing with strikes. Kayode can't take much more of this.
Kayode trying to control the hands but Mannion won't let him.
Kayode wants to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Mannion not allowing Kayode to control his hands.

Mannion patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

Mannion is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Mannion is hanging on to Kayode's back as he tries to escape.
Mannion is throwing punches to the body, looking to soften Kayode up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Kayode preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Mannion.
Mannion is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rylee Mannion dominated that 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.

Kayode throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kayode goes for a double leg but Mannion avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Mannion continues to drive forward.
Mannion has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Mannion swats away the attempt to clinch by Kayode.
Nice body kick there by Kayode.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kayode.
Nice takedown defense from Mannion. No joy for Kayode on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Simi Kayode. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kayode looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Kayode tries to keep at a distance but Mannion has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kayode is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

Mannion gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Mannion seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Kayode trying to control here.
Kayode is trying to get back to full guard.
Mannion passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Kayode!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mannion lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Kayode is trying desperately to improve position.
Kayode is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Mannion controlling from the full mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kayode sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Kayode slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Mannion slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Mannion tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Mannion tries to get to his feet but Kayode is in the middle of advancing position himself and ends up with Mannion in his guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kayode trying to keep a closed guard but Mannion is proving a slippery customer.
Mannion is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Mannion slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Kayode is looking for a triangle here but Mannion uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rylee Mannion showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Kayode looks to land a combination but Mannion avoids it well.

Mannion closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Kayode pushes Mannion off but Mannion dives into side control.
Kayode is trying to escape the position but Mannion is controlling the position.
Kayode tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Mannion wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Mannion wants to stand but Kayode has his arm trapped.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mannion tries to move to full mount but Kayode actually manages to regain half guard.
Mannion is thwarting Kayode's attempts to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kayode moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Mannion sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Kayode really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Kayode is striking off his back. Mannion thinks nothing of it though and passes easily into half guard.
Mannion looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Mannion takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Kayode makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Kayode.
Mannion 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kayode wants to stand but Mannion is controlling the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

Mannion scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Kayode manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Mannion keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Mannion lands a nice uppercut.
Kayode wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Kayode trying to stall but Mannion improves his position.
Knees to the body from Kayode.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mannion's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Mannion has Kayode up against the cage in a clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mannion tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Mannion prevents the takedown attempt.
Mannion putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Kayode in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.

Mannion lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Kayode kicks off Mannion and gets to his feet.
Mannion takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Mannion closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Kayode misses with a strike from the bottom.
Rylee Mannion has got the better of the ground game so far.
Mannion working away.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Simi Kayode.
Well Mannion has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rylee Mannion!