PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Calvin Deane (ranked 546 p4p, 603 weight class) and Mandlenkosi Thulani (ranked 39 p4p, 44 weight class). Deane comes to the cage accompanied by Cinderella Man. Thulani has chosen Zara - Sojaboy as his entrance music. Mandlenkosi Thulani will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Deane
vs
Thulani

194 cm
27
272
16 - 6 - 0

206 cm
31
282
17 - 14 - 0

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Powerful

Brooklyn Apothecary
Brooklyn Threads

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 16 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Calvin Deane!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mandlenkosi Thulani!
The judges for this bout are Percy O'Donnell, Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Deane doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Deane takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
The fighters circling - Deane throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

Deane drives through with a takedown into guard.
Thulani tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Deane with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Deane missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Thulani wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Deane working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Thulani has control of Deane's left arm, preventing Deane from doing any damage.
Deane throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Thulani works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Deane trying to control the position from guard on top but Thulani is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Deane with a nice head shot there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thulani managing to control the position.
Deane is working Thulani over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Thulani utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Deane throws a big elbow that misses.
Deane pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Thulani is keeping the position for now.
Deane trying to control the position from guard on top but Thulani is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Deane missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Deane has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Deane throws a big elbow that misses.
Deane trying to control but Thulani is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Deane content to stall in guard here.
Deane working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Thulani tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Deane lands a couple of elbows.
Deane is looking to work some ground and pound but Thulani has wrist control.
Thulani is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Deane lands a couple of digs.
Deane is looking to work some ground and pound but Thulani has wrist control.
We've been hearing that Deane has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Deane working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Deane postures up in Thulani's guard and throws a big left but Thulani blocks it.
Deane postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Thulani lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Thulani wants to control from the top but Deane keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thulani working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Deane looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Thulani slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Thulani trying to control the position from guard on top but Deane is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Deane manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Thulani manages to get himself to full guard.

Thulani pulls Deane in close to prevent any damage.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Deane throwing strikes from guard but Thulani blocks nicely.
Thulani working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Deane.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Calvin Deane dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Deane closes this distance looking for a takedown but Thulani circles away.
Calvin Deane seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Deane misses with an uppercut.
Deane shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Thulani sprawls well. Thulani wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Deane gets slowly back to his feet.
Thulani leaves Deane with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Calvin Deane. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Deane closes this distance looking for a takedown but Thulani circles away.
Deane fails to land the takedown.
Thulani throws out a counter right but Deane avoids it with no problem.
Deane uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Thulani.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Deane lands a jab to the head.
Deane misses with a takedown
and Thulani cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Deane throws a big shot that misses.
It seemed like Thulani was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Deane scores with the left hand. Thulani knows he should have avoided that one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Deane looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Thulani thows a left - swing and a miss!

Deane dives in and scores a takedown into Thulani's guard.
Deane is fighting to break Thulani's control of his arms but Thulani is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Thulani is trying to control the position but Deane postures up.
Deane throws a big elbow that misses.
Thulani controlling the position.
Deane working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Deane postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Deane keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Thulani's head.
Deane throws a strike but Thulani rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Deane utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thulani trying to control but Deane is working from the bottom.
Deane working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Thulani.
Thulani is looking to work some ground and pound but Deane has wrist control.
Deane wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Deane wants to sweep but no luck.
Thulani content to stall in guard here.
Calvin Deane overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Thulani stopping the sweep attempt from Deane.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thulani in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Thulani wants to control from the top but Deane keeps moving.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Deane shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Thulani as he avoids it easily.
Deane shoots for a double leg takedown but Thulani sprawls well. He's pushed Deane's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Thulani misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Deane.
Deane staying out of range there.
Deane throws a lazy right hand but Thulani sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Deane slips under a jab.
Deane fails to land the takedown.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Thulani! But no joy.
Deane throws a hook but Thulani blocks it.
Deane misses with a takedown attempt
and Thulani counters with a straight right hand.
Deane ducks under a wild hook from Thulani.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Deane darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Deane thows a huge punch but Thulani dodges it nicely.
Deane missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Thulani keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Thulani 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.
Thulani avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Deane.
Deane winds up and cracks Thulani with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Deane working over Thulani with some ground and pound. Thulani looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Deane misses with a head shot. Thulani uses the momentum to regain guard.
Thulani looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
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.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Thulani throws a series of punches but Deane avoids them all with ease.
Thulani misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Deane.
Mandlenkosi Thulani seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Deane fails with the takedown.
A big right from Thulani misses.
Deane ducks under a wild hook from Thulani.
Deane connects with a good right hand that stumbles Thulani. Thulani circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
No luck for Deane with that takedown attempt.
Thulani lands a nice looking body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Deane ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

Deane shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Thulani's guard.
Deane stopping the sweep attempt from Thulani.
Deane working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thulani controlling Deane's posture.
Deane with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Thulani avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Thulani has his hands on Deane's head, controlling the position.
Deane postures up in Thulani's guard and throws a big left but Thulani blocks it.
Thulani wants to sweep but no luck.
Thulani pulls Deane in close to prevent any damage.
Thulani wants to sweep here but Deane controlling him for the moment.
Deane throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Thulani preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Thulani pulls Deane in close to his closed guard and prevents Deane from doing any damage or advancing position.
Thulani's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Deane might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Deane with a flurry of punches that miss.
Deane with a flurry of punches that miss.
Thulani working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Deane.
Thulani manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Deane manages to get himself to full guard.

Thulani trying to control the position from guard on top but Deane is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Deane is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Deane sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Thulani defending well though.
Deane throwing shots but Thulani is blocking nicely.
Deane not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Thulani is refusing to be controlled, as Deane sits in half guard.
Deane throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thulani trying to hold on to Deane's head to control him but Deane postures up.
Thulani regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Deane.
Deane trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Deane loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Deane with a flurry of punches that miss.
Thulani preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Thulani pulls Deane in close to his closed guard and prevents Deane from doing any damage or advancing position.
Deane won't allow Thulani to sweep him here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Deane looking to sit in guard and control but Thulani gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

And that's the end of the fight!
Calvin Deane showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Deane 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Calvin Deane!
Calvin Deane decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.