PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Magnus Gunnarsson (ranked 1710 p4p, 2520 weight class) and Aboubacar Mandiang (ranked 218 p4p, 357 weight class). Mandiang is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Oliver Twist. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Gunnarsson
vs
Mandiang

190 cm
32
213
15 - 18 - 0

190 cm
28
201
13 - 10 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Bondi MMA 🏝️
Conviction

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 15 - 18 - 0, fighting out of New York, Magnus Gunnarsson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 10 - 1, fighting out of London, Aboubacar Mandiang!
The judges for this bout are Damien Edna, Winston Howard and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gunnarsson throws a body shot but no joy.
Aboubacar Mandiang seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gunnarsson throws a hook but Mandiang avoids it easily.
Mandiang throws out a counter right but Gunnarsson avoids it with no problem.
Mandiang throws a lazy head kick
and Gunnarsson counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Gunnarsson checks a leg kick nicely.
Mandiang swinging wildly here.
Gunnarsson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Mandiang throws out the jab.
Mandiang stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Mandiang misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Mandiang lands with a shot to the body.
Mandiang looks for the body kick but Gunnarsson saw that one coming.
Gunnarsson throws a sloppy head kick and Mandiang moves out of range easily.
Mandiang looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Gunnarsson takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Mandiang looks to land a right hand but Gunnarsson moved out of range.
Mandiang jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Gunnarsson takes the fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mandiang goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Mandiang stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Gunnarsson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Mandiang tries to throw a body punch but Gunnarsson avoids it by throwing Mandiang back against the cage.
Mandiang swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Mandiang working aggressively here.

Mandiang breaks the clinch.
Mandiang tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Gunnarsson throws a right hand that Mandiang ducks under and follows up with a left that Mandiang also avoids with ease.
Mandiang misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Mandiang misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Gunnarsson is looking to counter with a body kick.
Mandiang lands with a shot to the body.
Gunnarsson avoids the body shot from Mandiang.

Gunnarsson throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Mandiang tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Gunnarsson is in Mandiang's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mandiang is looking to stand up but Gunnarsson isn't so interested in that idea.
Gunnarsson stays in close to Mandiang's body and controls the position.
Mandiang is looking to stand up but Gunnarsson isn't so interested in that idea.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mandiang is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
A combination from Gunnarsson does no damage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mandiang tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mandiang misses with a right hand
and Gunnarsson counters with a stiff right hand.
Gunnarsson tries to land a leg kick but Mandiang saw it coming and moves away.
Mandiang looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Gunnarsson throws a body punch but Mandiang moves out of range.
Gunnarsson misses with a hook
and Mandiang counters with a one-two to the body.
Mandiang swings for the body but Gunnarsson moves out of range.
Mandiang keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Mandiang misses the target.
Gunnarsson shoots for a double leg takedown but Mandiang sprawls well. He's pushed Gunnarsson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Gunnarsson blocks a low kick nicely.
Mandiang lands a head shot.
Gunnarsson lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Mandiang with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Mandiang throws a leg kick but Gunnarsson moved away.
Gunnarsson swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Mandiang lands with a right hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gunnarsson ducks under a wild hook from Mandiang.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mandiang keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Gunnarsson.
Gunnarsson definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Mandiang takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Good work by Mandiang as he checks the leg kick.
Gunnarsson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Mandiang paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Gunnarsson throws a body kick that misses.
As Gunnarsson backs off Mandiang throws a huge counter combo but Gunnarsson manages to avoid it all.
Mandiang misses with a hook.
Mandiang fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Gunnarsson has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Mandiang misses with a hook. Gunnarsson ducked under it nicely.
Mandiang looks to throw the jab but Gunnarsson is out of range.
Gunnarsson finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Mandiang unleashes a big counter combination but Gunnarsson bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Mandiang misses with a looping left.
Gunnarsson shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Gunnarsson takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Gunnarsson fails to land the takedown.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Aboubacar Mandiang dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Gunnarsson uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Mandiang.
Mandiang missing with a left hand there. Gunnarsson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Mandiang pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Gunnarsson scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Mandiang lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
A looping hook to the body misses from Mandiang. Gunnarsson does a little dance to reset his feet.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Gunnarsson.
Mandiang lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gunnarsson stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Mandiang.
Mandiang fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Gunnarsson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Mandiang ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gunnarsson moves away.
Mandiang buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mandiang bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Gunnarsson is looking to clinch but Mandiang is avoiding it.
Mandiang swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Mandiang pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Mandiang connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Gunnarsson's hands.
Mandiang lands a head shot.
Mandiang throws a hook but Gunnarsson avoids it easily.
An attempted straight right counter from Gunnarsson misses the target.
A left lands for Mandiang.
Mandiang keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Mandiang has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Gunnarsson misses with a body shot
and Mandiang counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Gunnarsson closes the distance and clinches up with Mandiang, looking for a takedown. Gunnarsson pushes Mandiang against the cage but Mandiang circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Gunnarsson has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Mandiang.
Gunnarsson uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Mandiang.
Gunnarsson appears to be looking for a big counter.
A bone on bone clash there as Gunnarsson blocks the leg kick.
Gunnarsson takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mandiang displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Gunnarsson throws out the jab.
Mandiang throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Mandiang lands a nice looking kick to the body. Gunnarsson takes a step back to recover.
Mandiang lands the left hand.
Gunnarsson uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Mandiang.
Gunnarsson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Magnus Gunnarsson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mandiang throws a body shot but no joy.
Mandiang misses with a lunging right hand
and Gunnarsson counters with a stiff right hand.
Gunnarsson throws a poor cross that misses
and Mandiang counters with a nice leg kick.
Mandiang misses with a looping left.
Gunnarsson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Mandiang as he jumps to the side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gunnarsson fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Mandiang to the ground. Gunnarsson is now in Mandiang's guard.
Mandiang keeping moving, preventing Gunnarsson from controlling successfully.

Mandiang has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Gunnarsson is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Gunnarsson swings wildly with an uppercut but Mandiang uses good head movement to avoid it.
A short body shot lands from Mandiang as the two fighters clinch.
Mandiang lands a left hand.
Gunnarsson lands a left hand.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mandiang.

Mandiang escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Gunnarsson takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mandiang misses with an uppercut. Gunnarsson saw that one coming.
Gunnarsson throws a sloppy head kick and Mandiang moves out of range easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mandiang throws a good cross that connects.
A swing and a miss from Mandiang.
It appears Gunnarsson was looking to counter with a kick there.
Mandiang lunges at Gunnarsson with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Gunnarsson's hand.
Mandiang keeps Gunnarsson at a distance using the push kick.
Mandiang lands a leg kick that knocks Gunnarsson off balance momentarily.
Gunnarsson shoots in for a takedown but Mandiang shows good takedown defense.
Mandiang thumps Gunnarsson with a low kick.
Mandiang throws a push kick but Gunnarsson slaps the foot to one side.
Gunnarsson throws a big counter combination but Mandiang scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Mandiang moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Mandiang throws an off balance right hand
and Gunnarsson counters with a slapping leg kick.
Mandiang swings for the body but Gunnarsson moves out of range.
Gunnarsson goes for a double leg but Mandiang avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Mandiang continues to drive forward.
Gunnarsson misses with a shot to the kidneys.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Aboubacar Mandiang showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Gunnarsson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Mandiang throws an overhand right that lands on Gunnarsson's shoulder, as Gunnarsson tries to avoid the shot.
Mandiang throws a shot from downtown. Gunnarsson moves away and avoids it.
As Mandiang backs away, Gunnarsson returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
A head kick misses from Mandiang.
Gunnarsson looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Gunnarsson has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Mandiang.
Gunnarsson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Mandiang.
Gunnarsson moves out of range of the body kick.
Gunnarsson tries to move into range but Mandiang moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Mandiang throws a head kick but Gunnarsson moves out of range.
Gunnarsson moves forwards but Mandiang connects with a nice, crisp jab.
A jab from Mandiang misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mandiang displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Gunnarsson throws out the jab.
Mandiang walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Gunnarsson checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Mandiang finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Gunnarsson is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Gunnarsson tests Mandiang's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gunnarsson avoids the body shot from Mandiang.
Mandiang just misses with a punch to the body.
Gunnarsson throws a body punch but Mandiang moves out of range.
Mandiang cracks Gunnarsson with a right hand to the side of the head.
Nice jab there from Gunnarsson.
Gunnarsson misses with a takedown attempt
and Gunnarsson takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Gunnarsson cracks a nice hook into Mandiang's ribs.
Gunnarsson throws a sloppy head kick and Mandiang moves out of range easily.
Mandiang let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Gunnarsson takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Gunnarsson throws a big shot that misses.
Mandiang scores with the left hand. Gunnarsson knows he should have avoided that one.
Nice shot by Mandiang.
Jab from Mandiang.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gunnarsson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mandiang.
Mandiang pushes Gunnarsson away with a front kick.
Gunnarsson scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Gunnarsson shoots in looking for a takedown but Mandiang manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Gunnarsson's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Mandiang lands a front kick.
Mandiang leaves Gunnarsson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Magnus Gunnarsson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mandiang misses the shot to the body.
Gunnarsson avoids the body shot from Mandiang.
Gunnarsson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Gunnarsson throws a head kick but Mandiang moves out of range.
Donk. Mandiang catches Gunnarsson right on the button with a cross.
Mandiang with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mandiang can't find room to land a body shot as Gunnarsson controls the action.

Gunnarsson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Gunnarsson will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Gunnarsson throws a nice outside leg kick.
Gunnarsson moves forwards but Mandiang connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Mandiang throws the left hand but Gunnarsson avoids the punch easily.
Mandiang throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Gunnarsson fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Mandiang is out of range.
Mandiang connects with a right hand. Gunnarsson shakes it off.
Gunnarsson takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Mandiang fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Gunnarsson fails with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gunnarsson takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Gunnarsson with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Mandiang to score with a decent uppercut.
Mandiang connects with an inside leg kick.
Aboubacar Mandiang is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mandiang lands with a kick to the ribs.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mandiang misses with a low kick.
A little feinted left hand from Gunnarsson on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Gunnarsson takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Mandiang displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Gunnarsson.
Magnus Gunnarsson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nice body punch from Mandiang.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aboubacar Mandiang comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Mandiang winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Damien Edna scores the fight 27:30
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 27:30
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aboubacar Mandiang!
A very excited looking Aboubacar Mandiang made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.