PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Eddie Bjornsson (ranked 974 p4p, 3648 weight class) and Monni Mantzurin (ranked 115 p4p, 392 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Bjornsson
vs
Mantzurin

192 cm
35
275
24 - 14 - 0

195 cm
22
272
2 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 24 - 14 - 0, fighting out of London, Eddie Bjornsson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Monni Mantzurin!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, William Peck and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Bjornsson closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Mantzurin to the mat! Mantzurin manages to get full guard.
Bjornsson showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Mantzurin 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.
Bjornsson forces his way into half guard.
Bjornsson not doing much here.
Mantzurin gets full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bjornsson engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bjornsson looking to pass the guard.
Bjornsson slips nicely into half guard.
Mantzurin is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Bjornsson is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Bjornsson content to control rather than advance.
Mantzurin manages to get to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mantzurin looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Bjornsson controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Mantzurin is on top in guard.

Bjornsson keeping moving, preventing Mantzurin from controlling successfully.
Mantzurin throwing strikes from guard but Bjornsson blocks nicely.
Mantzurin is fighting to break Bjornsson's control of his arms but Bjornsson is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bjornsson looking for a sweep. Not yet Bjornsson, not yet.
Bjornsson keeping full guard, as Mantzurin tries to pass.
Bjornsson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Bjornsson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Bjornsson is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Mantzurin in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.
Mantzurin is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Bjornsson throws a shot from downtown. Mantzurin moves away and avoids it.
Mantzurin is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

Bjornsson drives through with a takedown into Mantzurin's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bjornsson preventing the sweep.
Bjornsson postures up.
Mantzurin looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Mantzurin wants to improve his position but instead Bjornsson has moved into half guard.
Mantzurin is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Bjornsson controlling the action here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Eddie Bjornsson dominated that 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.

Bjornsson throws a jab when Mantzurin was well out of range.
Bjornsson jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Mantzurin walks into a stiff left hand from Bjornsson.

It looks like Monni Mantzurin has been cut.

Bjornsson moves into range and clinches up with Mantzurin.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Bjornsson can't get the takedown.
Mantzurin tries for a takedown but Bjornsson manages to get underhooks.
Bjornsson stalls.
Bjornsson tries to throw a body punch but Mantzurin avoids it by throwing Bjornsson back against the cage.

Mantzurin manages to break the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mantzurin dives in and grabs Bjornsson's left leg, looking for a takedown. Bjornsson pushes down on Mantzurin's head and hops out.
Horrible takedown attempt by Mantzurin or perhaps it was just good defense by Bjornsson, which made it look bad.
Bjornsson attempts a counter takedown but Mantzurin avoids it well and moves away.
Eddie Bjornsson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Monni Mantzurin.
Mantzurin shoots in looking for a takedown. Bjornsson tries to sprawl out of it but Mantzurin keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Bjornsson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bjornsson lands a right hook to the body.

Mantzurin gets tackled into the cage by Bjornsson. Bjornsson maintains the clinch.
Bjornsson lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Mantzurin tries to pull guard but Bjornsson won't allow it.
Bjornsson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Mantzurin can do to turn this around?
Mantzurin gets underhooks to prevent Bjornsson's takedown attempt.
A body shot lands from Bjornsson.
Mantzurin is breathing heavily.

Bjornsson turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Mantzurin wants to get back to his feet but Bjornsson is dominant here and he's now got Mantzurin's back!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bjornsson just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
Mantzurin takes a big shot to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bjornsson is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
The referee is taking a good look at Mantzurin as he is on the wrong end of some big shots from Bjornsson!
Bjornsson looking to soften up his opponent with punches.
I would not like to be Mantzurin right now.
Bjornsson is landing with strikes from the back.
Bjornsson biding his time, looking for the opening.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bjornsson keeps control of the position as Mantzurin tries to break free.
Bjornsson slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
Mantzurin covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.
Bjornsson really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Mantzurin.
Bjornsson has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bjornsson is not going to allow Mantzurin to sit and survive in this position.
The referee is taking a good look at Mantzurin as he is on the wrong end of some big shots from Bjornsson!
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
Mantzurin is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Bjornsson off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.
Bjornsson lands with a big left hand that may well have hurt his opponent. Can Mantzurin hold on?!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Eddie Bjornsson dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Monni Mantzurin's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Mantzurin takes the fight into the clinch.
Mantzurin is defending well against a takedown attempt.
A short right from Bjornsson on the inside.
Mantzurin utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Mantzurin is pressed up against the cage. Bjornsson has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Mantzurin down to the mat. Mantzurin avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Mantzurin tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Mantzurin shoots in but Bjornsson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Bjornsson clinches up against the cage.
Bjornsson lands a left hand.
Bjornsson lands with a left to the head.
Mantzurin tries to pull guard but Bjornsson holds him up against the cage and eventually Mantzurin drops back down to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bjornsson has Mantzurin pressed against the cage.
Bjornsson prevents the takedown attempt.
Eddie Bjornsson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Monni Mantzurin.
Bjornsson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Bjornsson tightens his grip and picks Mantzurin up, before dumping him to the ground. Mantzurin manages to land in guard.
Mantzurin 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.
Bjornsson slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Mantzurin working a defensive guard here.
Mantzurin being controlled here, momentarily.
We've been hearing that Bjornsson has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bjornsson stopping the sweep attempt from Mantzurin.
Bjornsson is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Bjornsson passes Mantzurin's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Bjornsson is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Mantzurin wants to get back to his feet.
Bjornsson seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Mantzurin closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Mantzurin moves away from the strike by Bjornsson.
Bjornsson works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Mantzurin is defended easily by Bjornsson.
Mantzurin shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Bjornsson but Bjornsson pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Bjornsson drops down looking for a counter takedown but Mantzurin sprawls and moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Mantzurin with that takedown attempt.
Mantzurin gets cracked there but stands up to it.

Mantzurin tries to keep at a distance but Bjornsson has taken the fight into the clinch.
Mantzurin wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Bjornsson has him pressed against the cage.
Bjornsson prevents the takedown attempt.
Bjornsson lands a body shot in the clinch.
Mantzurin takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bjornsson scores with a hook to the body.
Stalling in the clinch from Bjornsson.
Bjornsson scores with an uppercut up the middle.

That has opened up Monni Mantzurin's cut even more.
A short left from Bjornsson.

Mantzurin is rocked!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Eddie Bjornsson clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Monni Mantzurin's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Bjornsson is looking for a takedown. Wow, that's a brutal slam - Mantzurin is in big trouble! Bjornsson is landing strikes from the mount and this one is all over! The ref jumps in to save a confused looking Mantzurin. Poor guy.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:05 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Slam). Eddie Bjornsson!
Eddie Bjornsson retains his heavyweight title!
A relieved looking Eddie Bjornsson thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.
The defeated Monni Mantzurin had this to say: 'blaaaahhhh.....'.