PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Fouad Barayev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jrock Mandela (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jrock Mandela has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Barayev
vs
Mandela

190 cm
21
185 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

180 cm
22
195 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Apocalypse Clothing
Apocalypse Clothing

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 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Fouad Barayev!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jrock Mandela!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Gwen Towbar and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barayev shoots in but Mandela avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Mandela stuffs the takedown attempt from Barayev. Barayev gets slowly back to his feet.
Barayev is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Mandela closes the distance and clinches.
Barayev has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Mandela avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fouad Barayev. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Barayev jumps guard.
Mandela not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Mandela trying to control but Barayev is working from the bottom.
Barayev keeping full guard, as Mandela tries to pass.

Barayev working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Mandela doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Mandela manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Barayev is breathing heavily.
Mandela trying to control the position from guard on top but Barayev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Mandela gets to his feet - Barayev follows without any prompting.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barayev has a takedown stuffed.
Barayev avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Mandela darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Some wild striking there from Mandela.
Barayev closes the distance looking to clinch

and Mandela counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Mandela tries to stand but Barayev is controlling from the bottom.
Mandela trying to control the position from guard on top but Barayev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Mandela stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Barayev fails with the takedown

and Mandela decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Barayev's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Mandela trying to control but Barayev is working from the bottom.

Barayev looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barayev looking for a sweep. Not yet Barayev, not yet.
Barayev looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Mandela throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Barayev works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Mandela with a flurry of punches that miss.
Mandela postures up.
Barayev is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Barayev is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Barayev fails with the takedown

and Mandela counters with a shoot takedown. Barayev fights it but they end up in guard.
Mandela is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Mandela has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Barayev is proving hard to escape from.
Mandela postures up.
Barayev wants to sweep but no luck.
Mandela would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Barayev looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mandela slips nicely into half guard.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Mandela seems to be looking for submissions.
Mandela prevents Barayev from improving his position.
Barayev is refusing to be controlled, as Mandela sits in half guard.
Mandela prevents Barayev from improving his position.
Mandela seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Barayev does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Barayev tries to roll over but Mandela keeps him under control.

Mandela is looking for a kimura but Barayev is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Mandela to get the leverage.
Mandela drops an elbow to the side of Barayev's head.
Mandela working over Barayev with some ground and pound. Barayev looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Mandela is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Barayev is just riding it out for now. Mandela eventually gives up the hold.
Mandela lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barayev wants to get back to full guard.
Mandela trying to control the action but Barayev is working from the bottom.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Mandela keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Mandela lands strikes from half guard.
Mandela is thwarting Barayev's attempts to control the position.

Barayev actively working from the bottom here.
Barayev is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Mandela has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Mandela decides to return to a standing position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Mandela scores a takedown into full mount!
Mandela blocks Barayev's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Barayev is looking to improve his position but Mandela isn't that keen on the idea.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jrock Mandela dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

The fight stays on the outside here - Barayev looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Mandela feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Mandela wanted to stand there but Barayev had control of the position.
Barayev manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Mandela manages to get himself to full guard.
Barayev trying to control but Mandela is working from the bottom.
Mandela controlling the position.
Mandela trying to keep a closed guard but Barayev is proving a slippery customer.
Barayev passes into half guard.
Mandela wants to improve his position but Barayev is controlling well.
Barayev has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mandela is wriggling around trying to escape.
Mandela is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Mandela really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Mandela sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Mandela gets full guard.
Mandela is looking to stand up but Barayev isn't so interested in that idea.
Mandela keeping moving, preventing Barayev from controlling successfully.

Mandela working for a triangle but Barayev defends it easily.

Barayev decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Mandela, up you get!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barayev has his takedown stuffed

and Mandela holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Barayev can't get the takedown.
Mandela working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Barayev looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fouad Barayev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mandela lands with a light punch inside.
Barayev drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Mandela gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Mandela can't break the clinch.

Barayev jumps guard.

Barayev is looking for a triangle but Mandela pushes his legs off easily.

Barayev throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Mandela escapes and throws Barayev's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Barayev gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Barayev is squirming around, avoiding Mandela's attempts to control the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barayev is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

Mandela is working for a guillotine from mount but Barayev frees his head quite easily.
Mandela throwing strikes here but Barayev is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Barayev is trying to escape the mount.
Barayev is working hard here to advance position.

Mandela get's back to his feet.

Barayev gets a clinch.
Mandela is stalling here.
Barayev tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Mandela breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Mandela darts in and clinches Barayev up against the cage.
Mandela wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Barayev has him pressed against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barayev tries for a takedown but Mandela manages to get underhooks.

Mandela breaks the clinch.

Mandela closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Mandela lands in his opponent's guard.
Barayev looking to hit a scissor sweep but Mandela is one step ahead there.
Barayev keeping moving, preventing Mandela from controlling successfully.

Barayev has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Mandela can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Barayev keeping busy on the bottom but Mandela has passed one foot through into half guard.
Mandela seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Barayev has hold of Mandela's hands but Mandela slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jrock Mandela showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Barayev doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Mandela counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Barayev is defending against the submission attempts here by Mandela.
Barayev wants to control but Mandela passes into side.
Barayev struggling a bit here.
Mandela looking to control but instead Barayev has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
Mandela is trying to stand.
Mandela is looking to improve his position.
Barayev scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Mandela trying to hold on to Barayev's head to control him but Barayev postures up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Barayev is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Mandela is just riding it out for now. Barayev eventually gives up the hold.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mandela wants to get back to his feet.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Barayev misses with a takedown attempt

and Mandela counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

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

Mandela drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Mandela jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Barayev wants to sweep here but Mandela controlling him for the moment.
Mandela advances to half guard.
Mandela winds up and cracks Barayev with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

Mandela is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Barayev has managed to free his arm - good work.
Mandela wants to get back to his feet.
Mandela trying to control from half guard but Barayev is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mandela is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Barayev is just riding it out for now. Mandela eventually gives up the hold.
Mandela prevents Barayev from improving his position.
Jrock Mandela has got the better of the ground game so far.
Mandela is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Mandela looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Mandela is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Barayev!
Barayev is in a horrible position here. Mandela smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Mandela looking to finish Barayev with some ground and pound. This is bad for Barayev!
Mandela lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Barayev hang on?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mandela looking to finish Barayev with some ground and pound. This is bad for Barayev!
Mandela trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Barayev really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Mandela is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Barayev can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Mandela has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Barayev sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Barayev is trying to maintain the position but Mandela is very close to passing his half guard.
Barayev wants to get back to full guard.

Mandela is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Barayev defends it well.

Mandela is looking for a kimura but Barayev is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Mandela to get the leverage.
Mandela prevents Barayev from improving his position.
Barayev manages to get to full guard.
Mandela throwing strikes from guard but Barayev blocks nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mandela 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.
Mandela stops Barayev from standing up.
Barayev is trying to control the position but Mandela postures up.

Barayev working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Mandela doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Mandela manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Barayev working a defensive guard here.
Mandela postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Mandela is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Barayev is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Barayev has escaped and now he's on top!
Barayev postures up and lands a big shot to Mandela's brow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jrock Mandela really dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Barayev fails with the takedown

so Mandela counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Mandela passes Barayev's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Mandela perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Barayev is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Mandela jumps into side control!
Mandela wants to lay and pray for a moment but Barayev keeps working.

Mandela is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Barayev is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Barayev tries to improve position but can't.
Barayev is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Mandela off and has taken his back!
Mandela looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Barayev lands strikes to the head.

Barayev is persistently looking for the submission but Mandela is defending it well.

Barayev is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Mandela knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Mandela for a finish.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Barayev has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Mandela has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Barayev scores with punches and elbows.
Mandela tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Barayev unloading with bombs!

It looks like Jrock Mandela has been cut.
Mandela is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Barayev controlling the pace for now.
Barayev thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Mandela tries to lock up and control but Barayev gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Mandela wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Barayev.
Mandela sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mandela is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Barayev pulls his head out easily.
Mandela is trying to control but can't.
Mandela throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Barayev moves nicely into side control.

Barayev working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Barayev is in a dominant position here, looking for a kimura. Mandela looks calm but he's in trouble here. Barayev gets his head over his opponent's head and yanks on the arm. Mandela is tapping like a morse code operator on the titanic! SOS! SOS! Barayev lets go of the hold and Mandela can pop his arm back in it's socket.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:48 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Fouad Barayev!
Fouad Barayev retains his middleweight title!