PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Manjiro Sano (ranked 4337 p4p, 4127 weight class) and Andrzej Bebok (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sano comes into the arena with The Vessel blaring out of the sound system. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Sano
vs
Bebok

162 cm
18
130
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
18
130
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Manjiro Sano!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Andrzej Bebok!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Tarja Halkonen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Bebok is defended easily by Sano.

Bebok takes the fight into the clinch.
Sano tries to land knees in the clinch but Bebok avoids the damage to the body.

Bebok manages to break the clinch.
Sano throws a head kick that misses.
Sano misses with a head kick.
A low kick lands for Sano.
Bebok is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Sano throws a head kick that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Bebok gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Bebok lands with a left to the head.
Sano is trying to force a seperation but Bebok has the dominant position.

Bebok jumps into guard, dragging Sano to the mat.
Sano preventing the sweep.

Sano stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bebok shoots in looking for a takedown but Sano manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Bebok's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Bebok slips a jab from Sano.
Sano misses with a head kick.
Bebok blocks a head kick by Sano.
A little jabbing left from Bebok on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Sano throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sano plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Sano is trying to break the clinch but Bebok is controlling him.

Bebok escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A slapping leg kick lands for Bebok.
Manjiro Sano seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bebok misses with a series of wild punches.
Sano fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Sano throws a lazy head kick

and Bebok counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bebok scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bebok is stalling in the full guard.
Bebok stops Sano from standing up.
Bebok engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Bebok postures up and lands a big shot to Sano's brow.
Bebok wants to control from the top but Sano keeps moving.
Bebok looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Bebok won't allow Sano to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sano 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.
Bebok controls from within his opponent's guard.
Bebok won't allow Sano to get back to his feet.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Bebok shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Sano is trying to defend but Bebok finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Sano wants to get back to his feet.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bebok is nestled in close to Sano, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Bebok is looking to take a break and control but Sano is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Bebok gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sano.
Sano lands with a slapping head kick.
Sano throws a nice looking combination but Bebok bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Sano misses with a head kick.
A head kick by Sano misses
and Bebok counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Sano lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bebok shoots in looking for a takedown. Sano tries to sprawl out of it but Bebok keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Sano manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Manjiro Sano has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andrzej Bebok.
Sano throws a head kick that misses

and Bebok counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Bebok.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Andrzej Bebok will probably get the nod.
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.

Bebok fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Sano, pushing him back against the cage.

Bebok successfully pulls guard.
Bebok is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Bebok has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Sano is fighting to break Bebok's control of his arms but Bebok is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Sano has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Bebok keeping full guard, as Sano tries to pass.
Sano has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Bebok is proving hard to escape from.
Bebok is trying to control the position from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bebok has a closed guard, preventing Sano from standing up.
Bebok can't keep his opponent in guard - Sano advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sano is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Sano is looking to stand up but he'll have to free his leg first. Instead, Bebok manages to get to full guard.
Sano is fighting to break Bebok's control of his arms but Bebok is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Bebok 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.
Sano wanted to stand there but Bebok had control of the position.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Sano gets to his feet - Bebok follows without any prompting.
Sano misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Bebok throws a one two combo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bebok moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Sano misses with a head kick.

Bebok takes the fight into the clinch.

Sano successfully pulls guard.
Sano is looking to stand back up but Bebok counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Sano.
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!
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Bebok in particular looking to stall.
Andrzej Bebok has got the better of the ground game so far.
Bebok drops an elbow to the side of Sano's head.
Sano missing with punches from the bottom.
Sano might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Bebok working the head and body with strikes.

Sano manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Bebok keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Sano jumps guard but Bebok turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bebok misses with a knee strike.
Bebok keeps control of Sano as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Bebok's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Bebok.

Bebok decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Sano wants to stand back up but Bebok manages to pass into side control.
Sano tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Bebok wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Sano bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Sano wants to clinch.

Bebok closes the distance and clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Bebok has clasped his hands together around Sano's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Sano wants to get back to his feet.
Sano tries to improve position but can't.
Bebok has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Sano tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Sano trying desperately to get to his feet.
Bebok working Sano over with strikes here.
Sano is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Bebok lands a big shot there that rocks Sano but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Andrzej Bebok showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - 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.

Sano tries a head kick but it misses.
Andrzej Bebok is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sano tries a head kick but it misses.
Sano pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Bebok throws a counter combo.

Bebok shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Sano is looking for a sweep. Bebok is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Sano trying to hold on to Bebok's head to control him but Bebok postures up.
Bebok moves nicely into side control.
Sano wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bebok wants to control but Sano is keeping him busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bebok advances nicely into full mount.
Bebok punishing his opponent with strikes.
Sano is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Bebok tries to control but Sano wriggling away.
Bebok is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Sano tries to buck Bebok off but he can't manage it.
Bebok sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Sano tries to buck Bebok off but he can't manage it.
Manjiro Sano has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bebok looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Bebok won't let Sano get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Bebok trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Sano is wriggling around trying to escape.
Sano wants to hold on but Bebok pushes him away.
Sano is looking to get to half guard.
Sano is trying to stand up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sano is trying desperately to improve position.
Sano sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bebok takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Bebok landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Sano looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Bebok is keen to just control but Sano is a slippery customer.
Ground and pound from Bebok.
Sano tries to push off, looking to stand up, but Bebok manages to move to mount!
Bebok working the ground and pound effectively.
Sano squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Bebok controlling the pace for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bebok has hold of Sano's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Sano manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Bebok wants to take his opponent's back but he's not managed it.
The referee warns Sano that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Sano swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Sano is looking to improve his position but Bebok isn't that keen on the idea.
Sano is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bebok with shots to the head and body - Sano looks very uncomfortable down there.
Andrzej Bebok is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Sano tries to reverse the position but Bebok maintains control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Andrzej Bebok comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Bebok 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andrzej Bebok!