PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Graham Mantle (ranked 56 p4p, 463 weight class) and New Breed One (ranked 7 p4p, 40 weight class). Graham Mantle has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Mantle
vs
One

169 cm
33
145
24 - 10 - 0

177 cm
37
145
30 - 21 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

Brooklyn Apothecary
Bondi MMA ðŸï¸

Shadow Realm Apparel

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 24 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Graham Mantle!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 30 - 21 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, New Breed One!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, William Gold and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

One drives through and clinches with Mantle against the cage.
I was talking to Mantle's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Mantle stalling in the clinch but One improves position.

One wants the takedown. Mantle is fighting it off but One persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Mantle's guard against the cage.
One throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
One throwing strikes but missing.
One trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Mantle wants to sweep but no luck.
One looking to sit in guard and control but Mantle gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

One trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now One is on top in guard.

One is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Mantle is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Mantle has escaped and now he's on top!

Mantle controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
One is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Mantle stands up over One, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Mantle stopping the sweep attempt from One.
Mantle controls from within his opponent's guard.
One looking to hit a scissor sweep but Mantle is one step ahead there.
Mantle is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Mantle trying to control the position from guard on top but One is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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.
One controlling the position.
Mantle lands a couple of decent looking shots.

One looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Mantle passes into half guard.
Mantle is nestled in close to One, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
One on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
One felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
One wants to improve his position but Mantle is controlling well.
Mantle is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
One is concentrating on defense, preventing Mantle from advancing position.
One on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
One is staying active underneath Mantle, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mantle working the head and body with strikes.
One is looking to control Mantle's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can One avoid being mounted?
One is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Mantle's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Mantle's back!

One working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.

One is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Mantle defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Mantle tries to escape but One has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Mantle looking very determined here, making life difficult for One.
One avoiding Mantle 's attempts to control his hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
One struggling to keep hold of the position.
Mantle has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Mantle tries to roll but One sticks to his back.

One working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Mantle tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
One can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Mantle is looking to escape.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
One landing strikes, looking to finish!
One lands a big elbow.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

New Breed One dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Mantle circles away from the clinch attempt
and Mantle counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Mantle drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Mantle cracks a nice hook into One's ribs.

Mantle gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows One to score an easy takedown into full guard.
One looking to pass the guard.
One stopping the sweep attempt from Mantle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mantle is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Mantle is trying to control. One wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
One wants to get back to full guard.
Mantle is figuring out what he wants to do next.

That's one minute gone in the round.
One is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Mantle scores with a couple of nice shots.
One is concentrating on defense, preventing Mantle from advancing position.
Mantle is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
One is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Mantle scores with a couple of nice shots.
Mantle prevents One from improving his position.
One is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Mantle scores with a couple of nice shots.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Mantle connects with a nice short shot to One's temple.
One is trying to maintain the position but Mantle is very close to passing his half guard.
Ground and pound from Mantle.
Mantle is nestled in close to One, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
One trying to control here.
New Breed One has got the better of the ground game so far.
Mantle trying to control the pace.
Ground and pound from Mantle.
Mantle is thwarting One's attempts to control the position.
One is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Mantle is staying active.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
One is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.

One looking for submissions off his back.
One on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mantle is thwarting One's attempts to control the position.
One is refusing to be controlled, as Mantle sits in half guard.
Mantle takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
One works his way to full guard. Good work.
Mantle chips away with some ground and pound.

One is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Mantle defends well.
Mantle preventing the sweep.
Mantle makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
One pulls Mantle in close to his closed guard and prevents Mantle from doing any damage or advancing position.
Mantle working some strikes from top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

One escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Mantle gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

One working for submissions but it's allowed Mantle to get to half guard.
Nice strikes from Mantle there.
One wants to sweep but Mantle has passed to side control!
One is looking to regain half guard here but Mantle keeps moving and retains side control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
One takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
One tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Mantle lands some shots froms side control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Graham Mantle dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

One uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Mantle.
Mantle throws a hook but One blocks it.
One shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Mantle defends it nicely.

One closes the distance and clinches.
A nice right hand lands inside from Mantle.
Good body shot from Mantle.
Mantle is defending well against a takedown attempt.
One is trying to drag Mantle to the mat but Mantle just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Graham Mantle has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of New Breed One.
Mantle prevents the takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
One is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
One goes for a takedown attempt but Mantle pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
One moves in looking to clinch but Mantle pushes him off.
An attempted straight right counter from Mantle misses the target.
One fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Mantle avoids it really well and circles away.
One takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mantle misses with an uppercut. One saw that one coming.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from One! But no joy.
Nice takedown defense from Mantle. No joy for One on that attempt.
Mantle stuffs the takedown attempt from One. One gets slowly back to his feet.
Mantle ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Mantle swings and misses with a hook to the body.
The fight stays on the outside here - One looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
One on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Mantle swings for the body but One moves out of range.
Mantle misses with a body shot.

One drives through with a takedown into Mantle's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Mantle tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mantle is working hard here to advance position.
Mantle managing to control the position.
Mantle wants to sweep but no luck.
Mantle keeping full guard, as One tries to pass.
Mantle manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. One manages to get himself to full guard.

The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mantle passes One's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Mantle is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mantle is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
One wants to control but Mantle is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Well, if Mantle is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
One is looking for a sweep. Mantle is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Mantle is keen to just control but One is a slippery customer.
Mantle lands with a punch from half guard.

One is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Mantle pulls his head out easily.
One trying to control from the bottom.
One wants to improve his position but Mantle is controlling well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mantle landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Mantle is taking a breather. One says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Mantle seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but One does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Mantle scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Mantle lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Mantle prevents One from improving his position.
Mantle trying to control the pace.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
One wants to get back to full guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Graham Mantle clearly takes that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

One tries to clinch up but Mantle circles away and keeps his distance.

Mantle tries to keep at a distance but One has taken the fight into the clinch.
One drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Mantle lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Mantle breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
One is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Mantle swinging wildly here.
And One tries to counter it with a takedown but Mantle pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Mantle connects with a looping right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
One is looking to clinch but Mantle is avoiding it.

One fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Mantle, pushing him back against the cage.
One wants to take the fight to the mat but Mantle manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Mantle displaying some good clinch control by pressing One up against the cage.
One takes a shot to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mantle goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Mantle stalls.
One is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Mantle gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Graham Mantle has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of New Breed One.
One tries for a takedown but Mantle manages to get underhooks.
Mantle lands a hook that snaps the head of One backwards.
A body shot lands from Mantle.
One is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
A nice left hand lands by Mantle.

Mantle breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
One looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Mantle is fending him off so far but One persists. Nope, Mantle circles away and we're back to standing.
One tries to clinch
and Mantle counters with a straight right hand.
One takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

One is rocked!
One moves in looking to clinch but Mantle pushes him off.
One is still on wobbly legs! Can Mantle finish him?
Decent striking displayed by Mantle there.
Mantle throws an overhand right that drops One like a sack of potatoes! Mantle dives in to finish the fight with more strikes and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:57 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Graham Mantle!
Graham Mantle retains his featherweight title!
A very excited looking Graham Mantle made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.