PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Aboubacar Mandiang (ranked 902 p4p, 1257 weight class) and Kazuki Takeda (ranked 106 p4p, 142 weight class). Mandiang's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Oliver Twist. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Mandiang
vs
Takeda

190 cm
33
189
26 - 18 - 1

185 cm
32
185
17 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Heavy handed

Senshi Fight Gear
Conviction

NARCOS
30th Century Beer Store

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 26 - 18 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Aboubacar Mandiang!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Kazuki Takeda!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Andrew Berry and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mandiang swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Mandiang lands with a slapping head kick.
Kazuki Takeda seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Takeda closes the distance and clinches.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Takeda has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.

Mandiang breaks from the clinch.
Mandiang slips a jab from Takeda.
Mandiang defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Takeda.
Mandiang tries a head kick but it misses.

Takeda takes the fight into the clinch.

Mandiang manages to break the clinch.
Takeda shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Mandiang but Mandiang pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Mandiang was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Takeda with a jab.
Takeda tries for a takedown but Mandiang circles away easily
and Mandiang counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Aboubacar Mandiang has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kazuki Takeda.
Mandiang pulls out of a head kick attempt.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nice takedown defense from Mandiang. No joy for Takeda on that attempt.
Takeda tries to clinch but Mandiang is having none of it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Mandiang. Takeda does a little dance to reset his feet.
Mandiang ducks under a wild hook from Takeda.
Mandiang looks to land a left hand but Takeda moved out of range nicely.
Mandiang looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takeda tries to clinch there but Mandiang circles away.
Mandiang dips to his left and cracks Takeda with an uppercut!
Takeda cracks Mandiang with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Mandiang takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Mandiang walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Takeda with a poor takedown
and Mandiang counters with a left to the body.
Mandiang misses with a straight left.
Takeda misses with a hook.
Takeda changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Mandiang tries to avoid it but Takeda manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Mandiang to the ground. Mandiang escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Takeda takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Mandiang lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
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!
Takeda changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Mandiang misses with a hook. Takeda ducked under it nicely.
Takeda looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Takeda with a nice cross.
Mandiang misses with a jab, cross combination.

Takeda closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Takeda lands in his opponent's guard.

Mandiang has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Takeda is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mandiang can't break the clinch.
Takeda working aggressively here.
Takeda tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Mandiang's elbow.
Mandiang wants to break the clinch but can't.

Mandiang manages to break the clinch.
Mandiang scores with a head kick. Takeda tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Aboubacar Mandiang is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Takeda shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Mandiang as he avoids it easily.
It looked like Mandiang wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Takeda lands with a good body shot.
Takeda ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Takeda fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Takeda uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Mandiang.
A big left from Takeda misses.
Mandiang scores with a hook to the body. Takeda takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Takeda moves into range and connects with a jab.
Mandiang throws a jab but it's blocked by Takeda.
Mandiang avoids the body shot from Takeda.
Takeda misses with a shot to the body
and Mandiang counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mandiang tries a head kick but it misses.
Takeda moves out of range of the body kick from Mandiang.
Takeda doesn't manage to clinch there - Mandiang circles away.
Takeda throws a big shot that misses.
Mandiang scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
A slow jab from Mandiang misses its intended target.
Mandiang lands a jab.
Takeda throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Mandiang's waist but Mandiang gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Takeda off to one side.
Takeda has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Takeda there as he acknowledges the shot.
A jab from Mandiang misses.
A big right from Mandiang misses.
Takeda ducks under a wild hook from Mandiang.
Takeda looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Mandiang is fending him off so far but Takeda persists. Nope, Mandiang circles away and we're back to standing.
Mandiang swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Takeda takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Mandiang scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
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!
Takeda moves away from the strike by Mandiang.
Mandiang throws a head kick that misses.
Takeda on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Mandiang misses with a looping right.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takeda throws out a loose jab but Mandiang uses good head movement to avoid it.
Takeda shoots for a takedown but Mandiang saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Takeda closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Mandiang to the mat! Mandiang manages to get full guard.
Takeda is fighting to break Mandiang's control of his arms but Mandiang is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Takeda postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Mandiang keeping moving, preventing Takeda from controlling successfully.
Takeda throws a big right hand that misses.
Takeda postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Takeda throwing strikes from guard but Mandiang blocks nicely.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Takeda throws a strike but Mandiang rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Mandiang trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Aboubacar Mandiang dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Mandiang scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
A head kick misses from Mandiang.
Takeda works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Takeda closes the distance looking to clinch
and Mandiang counters with a nice body shot.
Mandiang with a body punch. A glancing blow.
A jab from Takeda finds it's way through Mandiang's defenses.
Takeda lunges at Mandiang with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Mandiang's hand.
Takeda feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Mandiangs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Mandiang misses with a looping right.
Takeda doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Mandiang jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Mandiang lands with a shot to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Takeda has taken the fight to the clinch.
Mandiang wants to break free but Takeda has control.
Mandiang wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Mandiang pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Mandiang throws a right and a left that Takeda avoids nicely.

Takeda forces Mandiang back against the cage and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mandiang is looking to break free of the clinch but Takeda has double underhooks.
Mandiang is trying to push Takeda away but Takeda has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Takeda turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Takeda working the ground and pound but Mandiang is defending the strikes.
Takeda working the strikes but Mandiang uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Takeda wants to take a breather but Mandiang is having none of it.
Ground and pound from Takeda.
Takeda stops Mandiang from getting back to his feet.
Takeda misses with a head shot. Mandiang uses the momentum to regain guard.
Kazuki Takeda has got the better of the ground game so far.
Mandiang utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Mandiang is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Takeda throws a big right hand that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takeda stands up over Mandiang, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Takeda trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Takeda loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Takeda looking to sit in guard and control but Mandiang gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Takeda is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Mandiang defends well.

Takeda throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Mandiang escapes and throws Takeda's legs to the side, diving into side control!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Takeda is looking to regain half guard here but Mandiang keeps moving and retains side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mandiang stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Mandiang defending well as Takeda loads up on a big left hand.
Takeda fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Mandiang avoids it really well and circles away.
Mandiang misses with a wild body shot.
Mandiang throws an overhand right that lands on Takeda's shoulder, as Takeda tries to avoid the shot.
Aboubacar Mandiang is winning the standup battle so far.
Mandiang works Takeda's body with a nice hook.
Takeda misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mandiang.
Mandiang steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Takeda.
A telegraphed right hand from Mandiang misses the target.
Takeda swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Mandiang keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Takeda throws a shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takeda takes a swing at Mandiang's ribcage but misses.
Mandiang pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Mandiang misses the jab.
Takeda fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Aboubacar Mandiang has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kazuki Takeda.
Mandiang lands a nice shot to the body.
Takeda stuns Mandiang with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Mandiang slips under a jab.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mandiang misses with an uppercut.
Takeda lands a head shot.
Mandiang displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Takeda.
Takeda is breathing heavily.
Mandiang defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Takeda.
Mandiang is looking to counter punch.
Takeda wants to clinch but Mandiang slips to the side
and Mandiang counters with a nice uppercut.
Mandiang lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Mandiang throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Aboubacar Mandiang dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Mandiang throws a body shot but no joy.
Takeda takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Mandiang misses with a hook.
Takeda throws an overhand right that lands on Mandiang's shoulder, as Mandiang tries to avoid the shot.
A big left from Mandiang misses.
It seemed like Takeda was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Takeda slips a straight right by Mandiang.
Takeda connects with a body shot.
Takeda takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Mandiang misses with a looping right.

Takeda has taken the fight to the clinch.

Mandiang breaks from the clinch.
Mandiang lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Takeda defending well as Mandiang loads up on a big left hand.
Takeda swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Takeda scores with a decent looking hook.
Takeda throws a predictable looking body shot
letting Mandiang counter with a right hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mandiang throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Takeda stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Nice takedown defense from Mandiang. No joy for Takeda on that attempt.
Takeda lands a jab to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takeda scores with a punch to the head.
Takeda fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Takeda takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Mandiang feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Takedas jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Takeda fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Mandiang looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Mandiang throws a big shot that misses.
The fighters circling - Mandiang throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Mandiang throws a sloppy head kick and Takeda moves out of range easily.
Mandiang throws a hook to the side of Takeda's head but Takeda sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Mandiang takes one to the side of the head.
Mandiang looks to throw the jab but Takeda is out of range.
Takeda scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Mandiang doesn't seem bothered though.
A jab from Takeda misses.
Mandiang misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Mandiang throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Mandiang throws a hook but Takeda avoids it easily.
Mandiang takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Kazuki Takeda has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A big right from Mandiang misses.
Mandiang takes one to the side of the head.

It looks like Aboubacar Mandiang has been cut.
Mandiang is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Takeda can do to turn this around?
Takeda scores with a hook.
Takeda blocks a head kick by Mandiang.

Takeda looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Takeda is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Takeda makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Mandiang working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Takeda.
Takeda trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Takeda throwing strikes but missing.
Takeda lands a couple of digs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takeda trying to control but Mandiang is working from the bottom.
Takeda landing with the ground and pound.
Takeda postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Takeda trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Takeda chips away with some ground and pound.
Takeda with a flurry of punches that miss.
Takeda won't allow Mandiang to get back to his feet.
Mandiang avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Takeda trying to control the position from guard on top but Mandiang is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takeda works over Mandiang with some ground and pound from guard.
Takeda throws an elbow that misses. Mandiang uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Takeda's guard. Nice move by Mandiang!

Mandiang wants to stand but Takeda is controlling his posture from full guard.
Mandiang is on the wrong end of a couple of strikes there.
Takeda trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

Mandiang stands up from Takeda's guard - Mandiang perhaps looking for a knockout.
Mandiang just misses with a punch to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Kazuki Takeda.
I think Mandiang 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 Chris Edwards scores the fight 29:28
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aboubacar Mandiang!
After winning the bout, Aboubacar Mandiang thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.