PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between James Mann (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Muhummad Abdul Rahim (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Mann
vs
Abdul Rahim

180 cm
20
175 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
21
175 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, James Mann!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Muhummad Abdul Rahim!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Colin Fotheringham and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Abdul Rahim takes a jab right on the kisser.
Abdul Rahim misses with a jab, cross combination.

Mann rushes Abdul Rahim and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Mann working hard to break the clinch.

Abdul Rahim gets control of Mann's arms and successfully pulls guard. Abdul Rahim will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

Mann gets to his feet. Abdul Rahim looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Mann avoids the body shot from Abdul Rahim.
Abdul Rahim fails with an attempt to clinch.
Mann throws a combination that misses

and Abdul Rahim counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Abdul Rahim.

Abdul Rahim has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Mann uses from the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Abdul Rahim is working an open guard so Mann takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Mann throws a combination. Abdul Rahim tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Mann keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

Abdul Rahim moves into the clinch successfully.
Abdul Rahim tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Mann just stands there and leans against the cage.
Abdul Rahim tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Mann smiles and moves away.
Mann throws a combination that misses

and Abdul Rahim counters with a takedown into side control.
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!
Mann pushes Abdul Rahim away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Abdul Rahim gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Abdul Rahim decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Abdul Rahim has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Abdul Rahim tries to close the distance and clinch but Mann swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Mann closes the distance and clinches.

Mann breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Mann throws a left and a right that both miss
and Abdul Rahim counters with a leg kick.
Mann displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Mann falls off balance throwing a combination
and Abdul Rahim counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Mann moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
A punch combination from Mann misses.
Mann throws a series of punches but Abdul Rahim avoids them all with ease.

Abdul Rahim closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Mann kicks Abdul Rahim off and gets back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Abdul Rahim tries to clinch but Mann moves away

and Mann counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Mann is breathing heavily.
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!

Abdul Rahim is working an open guard so Mann takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Abdul Rahim takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
James Mann seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Abdul Rahim misses with a takedown attempt - Mann sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
James Mann has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Muhummad Abdul Rahim.
Mann falls off balance throwing a combination

and Abdul Rahim counters with a shoot takedown. Mann fights it but they end up in guard.
Mann is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Abdul Rahim is controlling him.

Mann kicks Abdul Rahim off and gets to his feet.
Mann misses with a hook to the body

and Abdul Rahim counters with a takedown into side control.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mann is trying to buck Abdul Rahim off.
Abdul Rahim tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Mann is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Abdul Rahim asserts his dominance and retains side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
The ground and pound from Abdul Rahim seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.

Mann throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Mann swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Abdul Rahim decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Mann's guard.
Abdul Rahim trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mann wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Abdul Rahim manages to pass to side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Muhummad Abdul Rahim dominated that round.
That's time! Mann's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Abdul Rahim tries to score a power double leg takedown but Mann sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Abdul Rahim somewhat.
A punch combination from Mann misses.
Abdul Rahim lands with a slapping head kick.
Mann throws a nice looking combination but Abdul Rahim bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Danga de danga de dang - Mann scores with a four punch combination!
Mann's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Mann duly obliges.
Abdul Rahim gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Mann misses with the combination.
Abdul Rahim tries to close the distance and clinch but Mann swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Abdul Rahim is breathing heavily.
Mann rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Abdul Rahim moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Mann throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Mann closes the distance and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abdul Rahim lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Mann backwards.

Mann's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Mann throws a right and a left that both miss.
Mann misses with a combination

and Abdul Rahim counters by moving into the clinch.

Mann breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Mann pushes Abdul Rahim up against the cage in a clinch.

Mann breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Abdul Rahim takes one on the button.
Abdul Rahim takes a jab right on the kisser.
Abdul Rahim avoids a punch combination nicely.
Mann dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Abdul Rahim. That did some damage!
James Mann is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mann throws a combination that misses
and Abdul Rahim counters with a low kick, right behind Mann 's knee.
A left and a right from Mann both land. Nice combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mann tries to bum rush Abdul Rahim with a series of wild strikes but Abdul Rahim uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Mann misses with a few strikes there.
Mann misses with a two punch combination.
Mann throws a nice looking combination but Abdul Rahim bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Mann lands a with a good body shot.
Mann misses with a two punch combination.
A combination from Mann does no damage.
Mann scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Some wild striking there from Mann.
Abdul Rahim takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Mann misses with a series of wild punches.
Mann fails to land with a series of punches.
Mann lands the left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mann shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Abdul Rahim's guard.

Mann decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Abdul Rahim, up you get!
Abdul Rahim tries for a takedown but Mann circles away easily
and Mann cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Abdul Rahim pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Abdul Rahim showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Mann.
Mann throws a right hand that Abdul Rahim ducks under and follows up with a left that Abdul Rahim also avoids with ease.
Mann tries to bum rush Abdul Rahim with a series of wild strikes but Abdul Rahim uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Mann throws a right and a left that both miss.
Mann tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Mann lands a jab.
Mann lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Mann.
Mann fails to land with a series of punches.
Abdul Rahim throws a sloppy head kick and Mann moves out of range easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Abdul Rahim clinches up with Mann and pushes him back against the cage.
Abdul Rahim stalling in the clinch but Mann improves position.

Mann escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Abdul Rahim tries to clinch there but Mann circles away.
Mann lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Mann.
Mann misses with a wild combination.
A nice combination there by Mann.
Abdul Rahim steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Mann.
Abdul Rahim on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Abdul Rahim avoids a punch combination nicely.
Mann lands a head kick!
Mann lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Mann dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Mann fails with the takedown.
Mann avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Mann lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Mann wants to clinch but Abdul Rahim slips to the side

and Abdul Rahim counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Abdul Rahim.
Abdul Rahim pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mann is keeping the position for now.

Mann kicks Abdul Rahim off and gets to his feet.
Mann is working the combinations to good effect here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mann clobbers Abdul Rahim with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

Mann throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Abdul Rahim was covering up waiting for the punch and Mann finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Abdul Rahim is looking for a triangle but Mann pushes his legs off easily.
Muhummad Abdul Rahim has got the better of the ground game so far.

Mann decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Mann swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Mann lands a jab-cross combination.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Abdul Rahim.
Mann lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Mann.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A frustrated look appears on Mann's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Mann keeps control of Abdul Rahim as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Mann has had enough of the clinch but Abdul Rahim keeps him there for the moment.
Abdul Rahim has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Mann wants to get back to striking at distance but Abdul Rahim won't allow it.

Abdul Rahim pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Mann is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Mann misses with a series of wild punches.
Mann throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Abdul Rahim counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Abdul Rahim wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Mann has him pressed against the cage.
Abdul Rahim prevents Mann from breaking the clinch.
Abdul Rahim trying to stall but Mann improves his position.

Mann breaks the clinch.
Abdul Rahim tries to clinch up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mann tries to bum rush Abdul Rahim with a series of wild strikes but Abdul Rahim uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Abdul Rahim shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Mann counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Abdul Rahim's guard now.

Mann avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Mann gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Mann misses with a few strikes there.
Mann falls off balance throwing a combination

and Abdul Rahim counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Abdul Rahim.
Abdul Rahim must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Abdul Rahim wants to control from the top but Mann keeps moving.
Mann is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Abdul Rahim is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mann keeping moving, preventing Abdul Rahim from controlling successfully.

Mann pushes Abdul Rahim off and gets back to his feet.
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!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
No luck for Abdul Rahim with that takedown attempt.
James Mann has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Muhummad Abdul Rahim.
Mann connects with a nice looking jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to James Mann.
I think Mann 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 Richard Clark scores the fight 29:29
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 29:29
Judge William Gold scores the fight 28:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!