PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rick Mantid (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tong Po (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tong Po told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Mantid
vs
Po

190 cm
20
205 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

185 cm
22
200 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rick Mantid!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Tong Po!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Mantid shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Po wants to get back to his feet but Mantid is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Mantid works a leg free and moves into half guard.
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.
Mantid performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Mantid wants to lay and pray for a moment but Po keeps working.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Po is looking for a sweep. Mantid is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Mantid wants to stand up but Po has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Mantid looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Mantid stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.

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.
Mantid throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Po moves into range and clinches up with Mantid.

Po breaks the clinch.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Mantid.
Po is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Po throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Mantid.
Mantid avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Nice sprawl there from Po as Mantid shoots in.
Po cracks Mantid with a right hand to the side of the head.

It looks like Rick Mantid has been cut.

Mantid gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mantid is struggling to control the position.

Po breaks from the clinch.
Po looks to clinch

and Mantid moves into the clinch.

Po escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Po tries to clinch up.
Mantid doesn't manage to clinch there - Po circles away.
Po tries to close the distance and clinch but Mantid swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Po throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nice uppercut lands for Po. That snapped Mantid's head back.
A leg kick checked by Po.

Mantid shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Po's guard.
Mantid advances to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Po pushes Mantid off looking to stand but Mantid dives back in and keeps control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Po is looking for a sweep. Mantid is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Po controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rick Mantid dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Rick Mantid's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Mantid tries to break the clinch but Po is controlling the position.
Po lands a knee to the head.
Po lands a damaging elbow.
Mantid tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Po smiles and moves away.
A good leg kick by Po.

Mantid fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Po sprawls well initially but Mantid persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Po tries to roll over but Mantid keeps him under control.
Mantid prevents Po from standing back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mantid is taking a breather. Po says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Mantid stops Po from getting back to his feet.
Mantid is looking to take a break and control but Po is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Po is looking for a sweep. Mantid is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's two 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.
Po moves into full guard.
Po wants to stand and escape but Mantid is having none of it.
Mantid sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Po working a defensive guard but Mantid manages to pass into side control anyway.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Po is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Mantid is controlling him well.
Po regains half guard.
Mantid takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Po is trying to escape back to his feet but Mantid uses the scramble to pass into side control.
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 Rick Mantid will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Rick Mantid's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Po dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Mantid misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Po tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Po throws a head kick but Mantid moves out of range.
Mantid fails to land the takedown.
Mantid tries to close the distance and clinch up but Po swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Po misses with a head kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Po looks to clinch

so Mantid counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Mantid passes Po's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Po wants to get back to his feet.
Po takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mantid is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Po!
Mantid tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Po trying desperately to get to his feet.

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.
Mantid avoids the attempt from Po to control.
Mantid raining down shots from the mount!

Mantid has hold of Po's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Po manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Mantid controlling the pace for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Po is trying desperately to improve position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Mantid stands up from mount. Strange move.
Po tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Po stuffs the takedown attempt from Mantid. Mantid gets slowly back to his feet.
Po tries to clinch

so Mantid counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Rick Mantid overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Po being controlled here, momentarily.
Tong Po has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Po keeping moving, preventing Mantid from controlling successfully.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rick Mantid showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Mantid, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Suge Night scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rick Mantid!