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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Lincoln Storm (ranked 311 p4p, 313 weight class) and Graham Mantle (ranked 39 p4p, 40 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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| 171 cm
36
147
35 - 17 - 2 |
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169 cm
30
145
19 - 6 - 0 |
Great wrestler
World class boxer
KO power |
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Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin |
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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 35 - 17 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Lincoln Storm!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Graham Mantle!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Steven Brown and Andrew Berry.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mantle takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Storm uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Mantle.
Mantle tries for a takedown but Storm sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Storm avoids the body shot from Mantle.
Storm looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Storm connects with a leg kick.
Mantle lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Storm circles away quickly and effectively.
Storm swings for the body but Mantle moves out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Storm. Mantle does a little dance to reset his feet.
Mantle takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Storm scores with a nice strike.
Storm moves out of range as Mantle strikes.
Storm tries to score with a low kick but Mantle moves his leg out of the way.
Mantle changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Mantle checks the leg kick.
Mantle rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Storm counters with a nice low kick that buckles Mantle's knee momentarily.
Storm works Mantle's body with a nice hook.
Storm tests Mantle's chin there with a solid looking shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Storm dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Mantle avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Storm throws a body punch but Mantle moves out of range.
Mantle checks a low kick from Storm.
Storm tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Mantle is able to avoid easily.
Mantle is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Mantle moves out of range as Storm strikes.
Mantle fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Storm looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Mantle uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Storm.
Lincoln Storm is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Storm displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Mantle throws out the jab.
Storm misses with a low kick.
Storm misses with a body shot.
Storm misses with a low kick.
Storm is looking to wear down Mantle with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Storm with the inside leg kick.
Mantle scores with a nice head shot.
Storm just misses with a punch to the body.
Storm takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Mantle takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Storm takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Storm misses with a body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Mantle.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Storm uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Mantle.
Good leg kick by Storm.
Lincoln Storm seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Storm on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Mantle misses the jab.
Mantle shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Mantle takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Mantle sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Storm defending well though.
Mantle sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Storm defending well though.
Storm has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Mantle is working away from the top position though.
Storm moves into full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mantle loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Mantle working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Storm looking for a sweep. Not yet Storm, not yet.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Mantle accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Mantle stopping the sweep attempt from Storm.
Mantle throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Storm works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Mantle stopping the sweep attempt from Storm.
Mantle is in close to Storm's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Mantle's corner is telling him to maintain position.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Mantle chips away with some ground and pound.
Mantle throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Storm works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Storm slaps away a takedown attempt from Mantle, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Storm appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Lincoln Storm has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Graham Mantle.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Storm slaps away a takedown attempt from Mantle, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Storm ducks under a wild hook from Mantle.
Storm takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Storm throws a leg kick
and Storm takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Mantle checks a low kick from Storm.
Storm fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mantle manages to avoid it.
Mantle is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
That kick from Storm tenderised Mantle's leg. Mantle is trying to keep his angry face on.
Mantle misses with a takedown attempt - Storm sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
A leg kick checked by Mantle.
Mantle looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Storm throws a solid leg kick but Mantle takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Storm.
Mantle lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Storm showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Mantle.
A big left from Storm misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but I would say that Lincoln Storm will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.
Some wild striking there from Mantle.
Mantle thuds his right hand into Storm's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Storm with a nice calf kick.
Storm tries to score with a low kick but Mantle moves his leg out of the way.
Mantle shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A jab from Mantle misses.
Good work by Mantle as he checks the leg kick.
Mantle throws the left hand but Storm avoids the punch easily.
Storm lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Storm throws a leg kick but Mantle sees it coming and moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Storm lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
A chopping leg kick lands by Storm.
A big left from Mantle misses.
Storm scores with a leg kick.
A bone on bone clash there as Mantle blocks the leg kick.
Mantle feints the counter takedown.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Storm looks to throw the jab but Mantle is out of range.
Storm uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Mantle.
Storm with a hook.
Storm turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Mantle blocks the body kick.
Mantle shoots in for a takedown but Storm shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Storm throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Some bone on bone action there as Mantle checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Mantle uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Storm.
Storm swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Mantle has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Storm.
Storm fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Mantle has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Mantle ducks under a wild hook from Storm.
Mantle with the counter takedown but Storm avoids it easily.
Storm misses the jab.
Mantle fails with the takedown.
It looked like Storm wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Lincoln Storm has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Graham Mantle.
Storm moves into range and connects with a jab.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mantle drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Storm looking to hit a scissor sweep but Mantle is one step ahead there.
Storm is controlling Mantle's posture.
Mantle trying to move into half guard but instead Storm has managed to sweep!
Storm wants to pass the guard but Mantle is keeping the position.
Storm trying to control the position from guard on top but Mantle is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mantle looking to hit a scissor sweep but Storm is one step ahead there.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mantle keeping moving, preventing Storm from controlling successfully.
Mantle is pulling down on Storm's head. It's preventing any offense from Storm, at least for the moment.
Mantle 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.
Storm being controlled here momentarily.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mantle looking to hit a scissor sweep but Storm is one step ahead there.
Storm would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Mantle.
Nice straight punches there by Mantle. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Mantle.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Lincoln Storm dominated that second round.
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. And we move into the final round!
Storm misses with a looping left.
Storm misses with a looping left.
Mantle checks a leg kick.
Lincoln Storm is winning the standup battle so far.
Nice body punch from Storm.
Mantle misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Storm.
Storm tried to counter with a leg kick but Mantle avoided it.
Mantle checks a low kick from Storm.
Donk. Storm catches Mantle right on the button with a cross.
Mantle ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Storm connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Mantle ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Mantle avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Mantle moves out of range as Storm strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mantle throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Storm misses with a low kick.
Storm throws a leg kick that misses.
Mantle throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Storm looks to land a left hand but Mantle moved out of range nicely.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Mantle walks into a stiff left hand from Storm.
Storm throws a solid leg kick but Mantle takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Storm.
Mantle looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Storm uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Mantle misses with a takedown
and Storm counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Mantle thinking.
Mantle shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Storm's guard.
Mantle not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Mantle throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Storm works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Mantle passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Mantle connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Storm some visible discomfort.
Graham Mantle has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mantle throws a strike aimed at the side of Storm's head but Storm avoids it well.
Graham Mantle has got the better of the ground game so far.
Sloppy strikes there by Mantle.
Mantle landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Mantle working away.
Mantle wants to lay and pray for a moment but Storm keeps working.
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!
Mantle lands a decent elbow from side control.
Storm is trying to improve his position.
Storm parries the strikes from Mantle easily there. Mantle is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Storm to escape.
Mantle creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Storm takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Mantle lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Storm down.
Storm can't do much from the bottom here.
The referee asks Mantle politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Mantle prefers to stall for the moment though.
Mantle landing strikes.
Mantle grinds an elbow into Storm's temple.
Mantle misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Mantle throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
You can see the frustration on Storm's face as Mantle controls the position.
Mantle cracks Storm with an elbow. That is naaassty.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mantle is looking to take a break and control but Storm is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Storm is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Mantle trying to control the action but Storm is working from the bottom.
Storm regains half guard, as Mantle was trying to land strikes.
Lincoln Storm is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Mantle is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Mantle not landing any meaningful shots this time.
And that's the end of the fight!
Graham Mantle comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Storm 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 29:28
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 29:28
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lincoln Storm!
An out of breath Lincoln Storm thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
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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
44% |
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