PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ginger Mann (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and George St Pierre (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). St Pierre has chosen Make Ginger Tap! as his entrance music. The key to victory for Ginger Mann has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Mann
vs
St Pierre

179 cm
21
190 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

175 cm
24
185 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Powerful

STEEL PENN NUTRITION - STEEL RESERVE 158+ ONLY$89
STEEL PENN NUTRITION - STEEL RESERVE 158+ ONLY$89

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ginger Mann!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, George St Pierre!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
St Pierre shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Mann but Mann pushes him off and we're back to square one.
St Pierre shoots in for a double leg but Mann sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
St Pierre shoots in but Mann avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Ginger Mann has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of George St Pierre.
No luck for St Pierre with that takedown attempt.
St Pierre misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Mann misses with the combination.
Mann works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

St Pierre scores with a takedown into Mann's guard.
St Pierre passes Mann's left leg - he's now in half guard.

St Pierre seems to be looking for submissions.
St Pierre prevents Mann from improving his position.

St Pierre is looking for a kimura here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

St Pierre is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
St Pierre looks gassed!
Mann gets full guard.

St Pierre is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Mann wants to sweep here but St Pierre controlling him for the moment.
Mann manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. St Pierre manages to get himself to full guard.

St Pierre is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Mann defends well.
Mann has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mann avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

St Pierre throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
St Pierre utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

St Pierre working for a triangle but Mann defends it easily.
Mann would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Mann connects with a couple of short punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

St Pierre looking for a guillotine here but Mann defends easily.
Mann wants to get up but he can't break St Pierre's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Mann with a flurry of punches that miss.
Mann knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for St Pierre on the ground.
Mann trying to control the position from guard on top but St Pierre is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

St Pierre looking for subs off his back but Mann has passed one foot through into half guard.

St Pierre looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
St Pierre regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mann trying to control the position from guard on top but St Pierre is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

St Pierre throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Mann accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Mann lands a couple of elbows.
St Pierre wants to sweep here but Mann controlling him for the moment.
Mann trying to control the position from guard on top but St Pierre is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

St Pierre looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Mann postures up in St Pierre's guard and throws a big left but St Pierre blocks it.

St Pierre is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

George St Pierre dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Mann misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Mann swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Mann throws a shot to the body.
St Pierre takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Mann stuffs the takedown attempt from St Pierre. St Pierre gets slowly back to his feet.

St Pierre decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
St Pierre trying to pass the guard but Mann defending well.

St Pierre is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Mann has managed to free his arm - good work.
Mann slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
St Pierre is breathing heavily.
Mann wants to stand and escape but St Pierre is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
St Pierre tries to free his leg and advance position but Mann is retaining full guard.
Mann is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

St Pierre actively working from the bottom here.
Mann scoring with strikes to the body and head.
St Pierre tries to get to full guard but Mann has control of the leg.

St Pierre is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Mann pulls his head out easily.
Mann slips a nice elbow through St Pierre's hands, connecting with St Pierre's forehead.
St Pierre moves into full guard.

St Pierre is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

St Pierre is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Mann is aware though and is defending well.
Mann wants to control from the top but St Pierre keeps moving.

St Pierre has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Mann can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Mann wants to control from the top but St Pierre keeps moving.
St Pierre 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.

St Pierre is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Mann is aware though and is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

St Pierre working for a triangle but Mann defends it easily.
St Pierre wants to sweep here but Mann controlling him for the moment.

St Pierre throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Mann escapes and throws St Pierre's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Mann tries to advance to mount but can't.
St Pierre is looking to regain half guard here but Mann keeps moving and retains side control.
Mann scoring with punches and elbows.

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.
St Pierre manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Mann tries to pass to full mount but St Pierre defends it.
Mann seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but St Pierre does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

St Pierre actively working from the bottom here.
Mann missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

St Pierre is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Mann pulls his head out easily.
St Pierre avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Mann.
Mann tries to stand and escape but St Pierre is controlling the position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Mann rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but St Pierre moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
St Pierre takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Mann throws a series of punches but St Pierre avoids them all with ease.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Ginger Mann will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Mann wants to clinch.
George St Pierre seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice takedown defense from Mann. No joy for St Pierre on that attempt.
St Pierre closes this distance looking for a takedown but Mann circles away.

St Pierre shoots in and bounces Mann off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Mann looking for a sweep. Not yet Mann, not yet.
St Pierre stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Mann swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Mann bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in St Pierre's guard.
Mann has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of St Pierre is proving hard to escape from.
George St Pierre has got the better of the ground game so far.

St Pierre looking for a guillotine here but Mann defends easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

St Pierre working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Mann doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Mann manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

St Pierre looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Mann stands up from St Pierre's guard - Mann perhaps looking for a knockout.
St Pierre has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
St Pierre fails with the takedown.
Ginger Mann has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of George St Pierre.
Mann throws a right hand that St Pierre ducks under and follows up with a left that St Pierre also avoids with ease.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mann wants to clinch.
Ginger Mann is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nice takedown defense from Mann. No joy for St Pierre on that attempt.
Mann fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Mann connects with a single shot there.
Mann is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Mann slaps away a takedown attempt from St Pierre, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Mann scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Some wild striking there from Mann.
Mann doesn't manage to clinch there - St Pierre circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
St Pierre fails to land the takedown.
Mann throws a leg kick but St Pierre sees it coming and checks it nicely.
St Pierre fails to land the takedown.
The crowd cheers as Mann lands an impressive looking overhand right. St Pierre doesn't seem phased though.
Mann lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

Mann moves into the clinch.

Mann breaks the clinch.
Mann ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
St Pierre is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Mann.
St Pierre fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Mann avoids it really well and circles away.
St Pierre takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mann scores with a body shot.
Mann dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
St Pierre shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Mann as he jumps to the side.
Mann lands a nice looking body shot.
Mann's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Mann duly obliges.
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!
St Pierre takes a jab right on the kisser.
Mann throws a series of punches but St Pierre moves out of range.
St Pierre on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Mann scores with a three punch combo!
St Pierre shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Mann pinned against the cage. Mann gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
St Pierre will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A head kick misses from Mann.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ginger Mann clearly takes that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

St Pierre scores with a takedown into Mann's guard.
St Pierre wants to pass the guard but Mann is keeping the position.
Mann wants to stand and escape but St Pierre is having none of it.

St Pierre thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
St Pierre trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Mann manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

St Pierre looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Mann passes into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mann content to control rather than advance.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mann landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
St Pierre wants to get back to full guard.

St Pierre looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Mann wants to stand but St Pierre has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.

St Pierre looking for submissions off his back.

St Pierre has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Mann escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Mann!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Mann controlling the position from side mount.
St Pierre tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Mann wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Check out the look on Mann's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
St Pierre is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Mann off and has taken his back!
Mann controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.

St Pierre working for the choke.
Mann is trying to stand back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

St Pierre working for a choke but Mann is defending well.

St Pierre tightening his grip on Mann, looking for the choke.

Mann showing good submission defense here.
Mann holding both St Pierre 's hands and preventing any damage.
Well, with St Pierre on his back, surely it's only a matter of time before Mann is tapping out... Can he escape the position?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Mann just trying to survive but St Pierre is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Mann tries to break free.

Mann is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if St Pierre gets his way!
Mann trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Mann rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.

St Pierre is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

St Pierre wants to work for an arm triangle but Mann is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

George St Pierre dominated that fourth round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Mann lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as St Pierre backs up against the cage.
Mann connects with a body shot.
St Pierre fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Mann avoids it really well and circles away.
Mann tries to clinch but St Pierre is having none of it.
St Pierre misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
St Pierre shoots in looking for a takedown. Mann tries to sprawl out of it but St Pierre keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Mann manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Ginger Mann has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of George St Pierre.
Mann scores with a jab to the body.
Mann connects with a jab.

It looks like George St Pierre has been cut.
St Pierre is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Mann wants to clinch up but St Pierre keeps it at a distance.
Mann swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
St Pierre shoots in for a double leg but Mann sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Mann, as that shot connected.
Mann moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
St Pierre takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Mann scores with a one two! St Pierre had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
St Pierre takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Mann stuffs the takedown.
Good shot there by Mann.
Some bone on bone action there as St Pierre checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Mann changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Mann lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Mann throws a nice looking combination but St Pierre bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Mann looks to land a combination. St Pierre sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Mann throws a chopping leg kick but St Pierre manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Mann with a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
St Pierre shoots for a takedown but Mann saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mann lands a jab-cross combination.
Mann fails in his attempt to clinch.
Mann lands with an uppercut that bounces St Pierre off the cage and back into rage.
Mann lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

St Pierre closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Mann can't do much from the bottom here.
St Pierre moves into full mount!

St Pierre is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Mann to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Mann shrugs it off.

St Pierre working for a submission but Mann is keeping him at bay.

St Pierre is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Mann has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Mann!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mann avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Mann is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

St Pierre had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Mann defends it easily.
Mann has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of St Pierre is proving hard to escape from.

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.

St Pierre has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Mann can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Mann showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Mann would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
St Pierre bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Mann's guard.
St Pierre passes Mann's left leg - he's now in half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ginger Mann showed his dominance in that final round.
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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 48:48
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 48:47
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Ginger Mann!
Ginger Mann retains his middleweight title!