PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mfer Phol (ranked 1159 p4p, 1752 weight class) and Mandlenkosi Thulani (ranked 73 p4p, 99 weight class). Thulani has chosen Zara - Sojaboy as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Phol
vs
Thulani

210 cm
30
300
20 - 13 - 0

206 cm
30
282
15 - 14 - 0

Good wrestling
Decent elbows
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Powerful

30th Century Beer Store

Conviction
Knockaround Guys Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 13 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mfer Phol!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mandlenkosi Thulani!
The judges for this bout are Percy O'Donnell, Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Phol keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Thulani.
Phol seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Phol tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Thulani was well out of range. Poor timing from Phol.
Phol misses with a wild body shot.
Thulani loads up on a big right hand but Phol slips the punch.
Thulani throws a hook to the side of Phol's head but Phol sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Thulani misses the jab.
Phol fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Thulani manages to avoid it.
A leg kick checked by Thulani.
Thulani on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Thulani tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Phol was well out of range. Poor timing from Thulani.
Thulani looks to score with a jab to the body but Phol is just out of range.
Phol is looking to counter punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Phol takes a swing at Thulani's ribcage but misses.
Phol is looking to wear down Thulani with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Thulani throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Phol throws a body punch but Thulani moves out of range.
Phol tries to close the distance and clinch up but Thulani swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Phol throws a chopping leg kick but Thulani manages to avoid taking any serious damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thulani misses with a straight left.
Phol misses with a hook to the body
and Thulani counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Phol looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Phol lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Thulani circles away quickly and effectively.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Thulani! But no joy.
Phol slips a jab from Thulani.
Phol lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Phol doesn't manage to clinch there - Thulani circles away.
Phol connects with a solid leg kick.
Phol attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.

Phol clinches with his opponent.
A short left from Thulani.
Phol lands an elbow inside that Thulani shrugs off.
Phol wants to stall.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Phol.
Thulani tries to circle away but Phol has him pinned against the cage.
Thulani blocks an elbow strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Phol misses with a hook from the clinch.
Phol blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Phol lands a shoulder strike.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Thulani has had enough of the clinch but Phol keeps him there for the moment.
Thulani prevents a body shot from Phol.
Phol throws a punch but it's blocked by Thulani.
We've been informed that Thulani has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Phol tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Phol blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Thulani has had enough of the clinch but Phol keeps him there for the moment.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Thulani.
Phol doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Phol tries to throw a body punch but Thulani avoids it by throwing Phol back against the cage.

Phol breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Phol misses with a telegraphed body shot
letting Thulani counter with a right hand.
Phol misses the shot to the body.
Phol misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Thulani.
Thulani loads up on a big right hand but Phol slips the punch.
A big left from Thulani misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phol paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Thulani misses with a looping left.
A swing and a miss from Phol.
Thulani connects with a looping right hand.
Phol swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Thulani counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Thulani throws a body shot but no joy.
Thulani dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Phol tries to close the distance and clinch up but Thulani swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Phol cracks a nice hook into Thulani's ribs.
Thulani pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Thulani misses with a looping right.
A quick step to the side and Phol tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Thulani scores with a body shot.
Phol throws a shot from downtown. Thulani moves away and avoids it.
Thulani takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Phol throws a leg kick that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phol swings for the body but Thulani moves out of range.
Thulani throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Thulani throws a poor cross that misses

and Phol counters by moving into the clinch.
Phol misses with a knee strike.
Phol tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Thulani pushes Phol back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Thulani.
Thulani misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Phol comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

It looks like Mandlenkosi Thulani has been cut.
Phol lands an uppercut.
Thulani is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Thulani breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Thulani bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Thulani with a jab.
Phol tries to clinch
and Thulani counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

It looks like Mfer Phol has been cut.
Phol ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
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 Mfer Phol will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Phol uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Thulani.
Thulani defending well as Phol loads up on a big left hand.
Thulani swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Phol takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Thulani waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Phol.
Thulani looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Thulani slips under a jab.
A lazy left from Thulani finds it's target.
Thulani fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Thulani throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Phol counters with a nice body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Phol doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Phol looks to land a right hand but Thulani moved out of range.
The crowd cheers as Phol lands an impressive looking overhand right. Thulani doesn't seem phased though.
Thulani looks to throw the jab but Phol is out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Phol gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Phol lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Thulani backwards.
Phol works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Thulani wants to break free but Phol has control.
Thulani wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Thulani throws a head punch that misses.
Thulani blocks an elbow strike.
Phol misses with the head strike.
A head punch on the inside from Phol fails to land.
Thulani tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Thulani.
Phol misses with a punch to the body.
Phol keeps control of Thulani as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Phol tries to throw a body punch but Thulani avoids it by throwing Phol back against the cage.
Thulani wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Phol has him pressed against the cage.
Phol throws an elbow but it misses.
Mfer Phol has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Thulani can't find room to land a body shot as Phol controls the action.
Phol scores with a shot to the side of Thulani's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thulani digs a right hand underneath Phol's ribcage. Phol let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Thulani breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A big right from Thulani misses.
Mandlenkosi Thulani seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Thulani scores with a jab. Phol acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Phol takes a swing at Thulani's ribcage but misses.
Phol avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Phol misses with a body shot.
The fighters circling - Phol throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Phol misses with a body shot.
A nice side step and Thulani releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Thulani throws the left hand but Phol avoids the punch easily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Thulani misses with an uppercut. Phol saw that one coming.
Phol keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Thulani.
Phol misses with a body shot
and Thulani counters with a straight right hand.
Thulani is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Phol.
Thulani avoids the body shot from Phol.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phol thows a left - swing and a miss!
Thulani throws a hook but Phol avoids it easily.
Phol bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Phol uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Thulani has time to react.
Thulani misses with a hook
and Phol counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Thulani throws a right and a left that Phol avoids nicely.
Phol shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Phol is looking to clinch but Thulani is avoiding it.
Thulani cracks a nice hook into Phol's ribs.
Phol throws a hook but Thulani avoids it easily.
Phol throws a leg kick
and Thulani connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Phol rushes Thulani and presses him up against the cage.

Thulani breaks the clinch.
Thulani slips a straight right by Phol.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phol's corner calls for a 1-2. Phol obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
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!
Thulani swings for the body but Phol moves out of range.
Phol throws a low kick, looking for Thulani's leg but Thulani calmly moves out of range.
Thulani takes a jab right on the kisser.
Phol dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Phol throws a sloppy body shot
and Thulani counters with a straight right hand.
Thulani jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Phol misses with a looping left.
Phol lands with a nice body punch.
Thulani throws a looping overhand right but Phol ducks down to avoid it.
Thulani scores with a nice strike.
Phol misses the shot to the body.
Phol wants to clinch up but Thulani keeps it at a distance.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Mandlenkosi Thulani will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Phol fails to land with a series of punches.
Phol misses with a hook. Thulani ducked under it nicely.
Phol fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Thulani manages to avoid it.
Thulani misses with a jab to the body
and Phol counters with a left and a right that stings Thulani.
A slow jab from Thulani misses its intended target.
Thulani misses the shot to the body.
Thulani is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Phol.
Phol slips a jab and a cross from Thulani.
Thulani moves away from the strike by Phol.
A little jabbing left from Thulani on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Phol uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Thulani.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thulani lands a body shot.
Phol throws the left hand but Thulani avoids the punch easily.
A telegraphed right hand from Thulani misses the target.
Phol misses with an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thulani throws out a loose jab but Phol uses good head movement to avoid it.
Thulani keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Phol.
Phol throws a big shot that misses.
Phol uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Thulani.
Phol throws a leg kick
and Thulani cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Thulani displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Phol throws out the jab.
Thulani connects with a right hand. Phol shakes it off.
Decent striking displayed by Thulani there.
Thulani swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Thulani scores with a hook.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Thulani.
Phol throws out a leg kick but Thulani moves out of range and Phol only half commits.
Phol throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Thulani cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Phol throws a right and a left that Thulani avoids nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Phol throws a body punch but Thulani moves out of range.
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!

Phol has closed the distance and engaged Thulani in a clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Phol.
Phol pushes off an throws an elbow but Thulani leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Phol looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Phol dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

Thulani's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Phol wants to clinch but Thulani slips to the side
and Thulani cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Thulani throws a hook to the side of Phol's head but Phol sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Phol swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
A jab lands there for Phol.
Thulani misses with a few strikes there.
Phol wants to clinch up but Thulani keeps it at a distance.
Phol cracks Thulani with a good jab.
Thulani jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Phol slips under a jab from Thulani.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thulani throws a hook but Phol avoids it easily.
Phol is looking to chop away at Thulani's legs.
Phol punishes Thulani's body with a nice straight punch.
Thulani looks to land a right hand but Phol moved out of range.

Phol moves into the clinch.
Thulani avoids the elbow strike from Phol, against the cage.
Phol misses with a hook to the ribs.
Phol gets through Thulani's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Phol lands a left hand.
Thulani wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Phol has him pressed against the cage.

Thulani pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Thulani connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Phol throws a jab but it's blocked by Thulani.
It seemed like Thulani was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Phol lands with a cross.
Thulani 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phol swings for the body but Thulani moves out of range.
Phol throws a leg kick that misses.
A nice side step and Thulani releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Phol ducks under a wild hook from Thulani.
Thulani works the jab nicely.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Thulani ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Thulani takes a swing at Phol's ribcage but misses.
Phol stuns Thulani with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Thulani throws the left hand but Phol avoids the punch easily.
Jab, jab by Thulani - just one landing.
Phol tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Thulani manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Thulani throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Phol misses with a leg kick.
Phol misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Thulani cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Phol blocks a jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mandlenkosi Thulani.
I think Thulani has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mandlenkosi Thulani!
During a confident post fight interview, Mandlenkosi Thulani thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.