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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Vinnie Pellegrini (ranked 606 p4p, 1035 weight class) and Graham Mantle (ranked 62 p4p, 111 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.
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| 179 cm
24
158
10 - 3 - 0 |
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169 cm
25
145
9 - 2 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine |
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Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Vinnie Pellegrini!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Graham Mantle!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Daniel Franklin and Gwen Towbar.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Decent striking displayed by Pellegrini there.
Pellegrini throws a looping overhand right but Mantle ducks down to avoid it.
Pellegrini takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Pellegrini thuds his right hand into Mantle's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Pellegrini throws a nice inside leg kick.
Mantle scores with the left hand. Pellegrini knows he should have avoided that one.
Pellegrini lands with a thumping leg kick.
Pellegrini lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Mantle is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Pellegrini.
Mantle fails with an attempt to clinch.
Mantle bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Pellegrini's head backwards.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Pellegrini uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Mantle.
Pellegrini lands an overhand right.
Mantle displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Pellegrini throws out the jab.
Pellegrini misses the shot to the body.
Pellegrini throws a body shot but no joy.
Mantle has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Mantle loads up on a big right hand but Pellegrini slips the punch.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Mantle slips a jab from Pellegrini.
Pellegrini ducks right into an uppercut from Mantle.
Mantle bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Pellegrini's head.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Pellegrini, as that shot connected.
Mantle jabs Pellegrini right on the nose. Pellegrini blinks but takes it well.
Pellegrini scores with a crisp jab that stopped Mantle in his tracks.
Pellegrini looks to land a left hand but Mantle moved out of range nicely.
Mantle connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
The fighters circling - Mantle throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Pellegrini scores with a jab. Mantle acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Pellegrini lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mantle stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Pellegrini.
Mantle uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Pellegrini.
Pellegrini walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Mantle checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Pellegrini is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Pellegrini throws a big shot that misses.
Mantle tries to clinch up but Pellegrini circles away and keeps his distance.
We've been told by Pellegrini's head coaches at Brooklyn Mixed Martial Arts that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mantle closes the distance and clinches.
Pellegrini breaks from the clinch.
Pellegrini gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Pellegrini pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Mantle ducks right into an uppercut from Pellegrini.
Pellegrini misses with a hook. Mantle ducked under it nicely.
A slow jab from Mantle misses its intended target.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Pellegrini!
Mantle might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Pellegrini takes a swing at Mantle's ribcage but misses.
Some wild striking there from Pellegrini.
Mantle avoids a punch combination nicely.
Mantle scores with a crisp jab that stopped Pellegrini in his tracks.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mantle just misses with a punch to the body.
Mantle checks a leg kick nicely.
Pellegrini tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Mantle was well out of range. Poor timing from Pellegrini.
Mantle checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Mantle bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Pellegrini struggling a bit here.
Mantle landing strikes.
Mantle wants to control but Pellegrini is keeping him busy.
Pellegrini avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Mantle.
Mantle creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Pellegrini sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mantle content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Mantle tries to score with some ground and pound. Pellegrini controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Pellegrini is not content to let Mantle control the position.
Mantle throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Mantle tries to advance to mount but can't.
Pellegrini can't do much from the bottom here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Vinnie Pellegrini dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.
The fighters circling - Pellegrini throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Mantle fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Mantle walks into a stiff left hand from Pellegrini.
Pellegrini thuds his right hand into Mantle's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Pellegrini lands with a good body shot.
Mantle throws a looping overhand right but Pellegrini ducks down to avoid it.
Pellegrini jabs Mantle right on the nose. Mantle blinks but takes it well.
Pellegrini misses with a body shot.
Pellegrini swings for the body but Mantle moves out of range.
Pellegrini looks to land a combination but Mantle avoids it well.
Pellegrini tried to score with a low kick but Mantle checks it.
Pellegrini on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Pellegrini misses with the combination.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mantle changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Pellegrini looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Mantle throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Mantle is putting a hurting on Pellegrini here, landing some big shots from side control.
Pellegrini is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Mantle can do to turn this around?
Pellegrini is trying to improve his position.
Mantle trying to control the action but Pellegrini is working from the bottom.
Pellegrini wants to control but Mantle postures up.
Pellegrini is trying to improve his position.
Pellegrini is trying to control Mantle's posture but Mantle avoids it.
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.
Pellegrini regains half guard there - taking advantage of Mantle's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
Pellegrini wants to control but Mantle is keeping busy.
Mantle sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Pellegrini defending well though.
Mantle looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Graham Mantle has got the better of the ground game so far.
Mantle throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Mantle looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Pellegrini with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mantle sitting and controlling from the half guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Let's hope that Mantle has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Pellegrini swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Pellegrini circles away from the clinch attempt.
Mantle changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Pellegrini looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Pellegrini wants to get back to his feet but Mantle drags him back down.
Mantle trying to control the action but Pellegrini is working from the bottom.
Mantle misses with the ground and pound.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mantle trying to control the position but Pellegrini is working away.
Pellegrini manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Mantle gets back to full guard.
Mantle tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Mantle has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Pellegrini stands and steps away. Mantle gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Mantle closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mantle.
A hook to the body from Mantle.
Mantle has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Pellegrini after a bit of a struggle.
Mantle misses with a punch to the body.
Pellegrini blocks a body shot from Mantle.
Pellegrini escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close second round but I would say that Vinnie Pellegrini will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
Pellegrini tries to work over Mantle's front leg with a kick but Mantle checks it.
Mantle moves out of range of the strikes.
Pellegrini throws a low kick but Mantle avoids it.
Mantle looks to land a left hand but Pellegrini moved out of range nicely.
Pellegrini misses with a right hand
and Mantle counters with a shoot takedown. Pellegrini fights it but they end up in guard.
Pellegrini wants to sweep but no luck.
Mantle wants to control from the top but Pellegrini keeps moving.
Pellegrini trying to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mantle not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Mantle working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Pellegrini's head.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Mantle trying to control the position from guard on top but Pellegrini is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Pellegrini tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Pellegrini trying to keep a closed guard but Mantle is proving a slippery customer.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Mantle fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Pellegrini manages to avoid it.
Mantle darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Mantle throws a right and a left that both miss.
Nice jab there from Pellegrini.
The fighters circling - Pellegrini throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A swing and a miss from Mantle.
Pellegrini throws a front kick aimed at Mantle's knee but Mantle avoids it well.
An inside leg kick from Pellegrini misses.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mantle walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Mantle moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Pellegrini throws a right and a left that both miss.
A telegraphed right hand from Mantle misses the target.
Mantle lands a really nice looking cross but Pellegrini seems unphased.
Pellegrini connects with a leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mantle fails with an attempt to clinch.
Nice jab there from Mantle.
Pellegrini displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Mantle.
Pellegrini uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Mantle.
Mantle on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Pellegrini. Pellegrini obviously looking to wear him down.
Pellegrini misses the shot to the body.
Pellegrini swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mantle digs a good hook to Pellegrini's body.
Pellegrini keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Mantle moves away from the strike by Pellegrini.
Mantle checks a low kick from Pellegrini.
Pellegrini tries to score with a low kick but Mantle moves his leg out of the way.
And Mantle tries to counter it with a takedown but Pellegrini pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Pellegrini throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Pellegrini uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Mantle.
Pellegrini works the jab nicely.
Mantle shoots in for a takedown but Pellegrini shows good takedown defense.
Mantle sizes up Pellegrini with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Pellegrini misses with a wild body shot.
Mantle feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Pellegrinis jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Mantle throws the left hand but Pellegrini avoids the punch easily.
Pellegrini walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Mantle checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pellegrini scores with a hook.
Vinnie Pellegrini is winning the standup battle so far.
A big left from Pellegrini misses.
Pellegrini scores with a sloppy right hand. Mantle should have avoided that one.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Pellegrini misses with a hook. Mantle ducked under it nicely.
Pellegrini throws a jab when Mantle was well out of range.
And Mantle tries to counter it with a takedown but Pellegrini pushes his down on his head and steps out.
A slow jab from Pellegrini misses its intended target.
Mantle scores with a hook.
A big left from Pellegrini misses.
Pellegrini throws a looping overhand right but Mantle ducks down to avoid it.
Pellegrini fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Mantle on the side of the head.
Pellegrini with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Mantle jabs at Pellegrini's body.
Pellegrini connects with a leg kick.
Pellegrini swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but Vinnie Pellegrini did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
That's time! Back to the action!
Mantle shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Pellegrini's guard.
Mantle sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Mantle trying to control but Pellegrini is working from the bottom.
Pellegrini 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've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pellegrini keeping full guard, as Mantle tries to pass.
Mantle working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Pellegrini can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Mantle controls the pace.
Mantle with a flurry of punches that miss.
Pellegrini keeping moving, preventing Mantle from controlling successfully.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Mantle's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Pellegrini lands a jab to Mantle's midsection.
Mantle moves to clinch but Pellegrini breaks away
and Pellegrini counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Pellegrini throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Mantle throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Mantle lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Pellegrini takes one to the chin there.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mantle uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Pellegrini.
Mantle lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Vinnie Pellegrini is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Pellegrini avoids a punch combination nicely.
Mantle staying out of range there.
Pellegrini takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Mantle throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mantle throws a sloppy body shot
and Mantle takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mantle throws a hook to the side of Pellegrini's head but Pellegrini sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A big right from Pellegrini misses.
Pellegrini takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Pellegrini ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mantle moves away.
Mantle slips under a jab from Pellegrini.
Pellegrini works Mantle's body with a nice hook.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice inside leg kick there by Pellegrini. That's going to slow Mantle down.
Mantle blocks a low kick nicely.
Pellegrini works Mantle's body with a nice hook.
Pellegrini looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Mantle shoots in but no luck this time.
Pellegrini pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Mantle misses the jab.
Pellegrini throws a series of punches but Mantle avoids them all with ease.
Mantle lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Mantle listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Pellegrini lands the left hand.
Mantle throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Pellegrini swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Mantle uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Pellegrini.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pellegrini keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Pellegrini throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Pellegrini throws out a loose jab but Mantle uses good head movement to avoid it.
Pellegrini swings and misses with a hook to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mantle misses with a hook. Pellegrini ducked under it nicely.
Mantle swinging wildly here.
Mantle moves into the clinch successfully.
Mantle swings wildly with an uppercut but Pellegrini uses good head movement to avoid it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mantle.
Pellegrini escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A jab from Pellegrini misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
A close fourth round but Graham Mantle will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!
Mantle misses with a wild body shot.
Mantle is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Pellegrini.
Pellegrini feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Pellegrini lands with a nice body punch.
Pellegrini swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Pellegrini ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Pellegrini scores with a jab to the head.
Mantle lands a nice hook to Pellegrini's body. Pellegrini takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Mantle gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Pellegrini.
Mantle loads up on a big right hand but Pellegrini slips the punch.
Mantle lands a jab-cross combination.
Mantle misses with an uppercut
and Pellegrini counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Mantle checks a low kick from Pellegrini.
Pellegrini changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Pellegrini swings for the body but Mantle moves out of range.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Pellegrini fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Mantle throws out a loose jab but Pellegrini uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mantle takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Mantle showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Pellegrini.
Mantle doesn't manage to clinch there - Pellegrini circles away.
Pellegrini finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Mantle takes one to the chin there.
Pellegrini misses with a jab, cross combination.
Pellegrini will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Pellegrini cracks Mantle with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Graham Mantle has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pellegrini throws a lazy right hand but Mantle sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A jab from Mantle finds it's way through Pellegrini's defenses.
The fighters circling - Mantle throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Pellegrini misses with a looping right.
Mantle is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Pellegrini connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
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!
Pellegrini just misses with a punch to the body.
Mantle throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Pellegrini takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Mantle misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A left lands for Pellegrini.
Mantle closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Pellegrini's guard.
Mantle engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mantle postures up.
Mantle wants to control from the top but Pellegrini keeps moving.
Vinnie Pellegrini is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Mantle with a flurry of punches that miss.
Mantle throws a strike but Pellegrini rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Pellegrini preventing the sweep.
Mantle has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Pellegrini can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Pellegrini stands up from Mantle's guard - Pellegrini perhaps looking for a knockout.
Mantle moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Mantle is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Pellegrini. Mantle does a little dance to reset his feet.
And Mantle tries to counter it with a takedown but Pellegrini pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Mantle throws a body shot but no joy.
Pellegrini defending well as Mantle loads up on a big left hand.
Pellegrini thuds a left hand into Mantle's body.
Pellegrini lands a right hook to the body.
And that's the end of the fight!
Vinnie Pellegrini showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Pellegrini has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.
Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge George Francis scores the fight 50:46
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 49:46
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 49:46
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vinnie Pellegrini!
Vinnie Pellegrini retains his featherweight title!
After the big win, Vinnie Pellegrini made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors Brooklyn Threads and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
58% |
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