PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jericho Datu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jani Mantyla (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jericho Datu has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Datu
vs
Mantyla

173 cm
19
150 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

188 cm
22
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jericho Datu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jani Mantyla!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Datu rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Mantyla moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Mantyla clinches up against the cage.
Datu misses with a short punch on the inside.
Mantyla drops down looking for an ankle pick but Datu pulls his leg out and moves away.
Mantyla fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Datu will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Mantyla is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Mantyla shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Mantyla showed some decent athleticism there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Datu is trying to get back to full guard.
Mantyla trying to mount his opponent but Datu defends it.
Datu misses with some strikes from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Datu is trying to get back to full guard.
Mantyla sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Datu defending well though.
Datu misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Datu might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Datu won't allow Mantyla to pass to mount.
Datu is trying to control but can't.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Mantyla is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Jani Mantyla seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mantyla looks for a takedown but Datu sprawls well.
Jericho Datu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jani Mantyla.

Mantyla gets a clinch.
Mantyla blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Mantyla pulls guard successfully.
Datu trying to control the position from guard on top but Mantyla is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mantyla wants to stand up but Datu is controlling him.

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.
Mantyla trying to strike off his back.
Mantyla keeping full guard, as Datu tries to pass.
Datu has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Mantyla manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Datu regains half guard.
Mantyla looks gassed!
Datu trying to control here.
Datu misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Datu misses with some strikes from the bottom.

Mantyla is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Datu is pressing down on Mantyla's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Datu tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Mantyla is stalling in the full guard.
Datu manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Datu lands a nice shot to the head.
Datu tries to control but Mantyla wriggling away.
Datu prevents Mantyla from getting the reversal.
Mantyla is squirming around, avoiding Datu's attempts to control the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Mantyla is trying to get back to his feet but can't.

Datu looking for a guillotine from mount but Mantyla is having none of it.
Mantyla tries to hold on but Datu postures up.
Mantyla is trying to reverse the position but instead Datu has taken his back - oops!
Mantyla breaks Datu's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Mantyla wants to stand but Datu has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Mantyla slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Mantyla working the ground and pound.

Mantyla wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Datu, who protects the arm well.
Datu being controlled for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Mantyla throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Datu's waist but Datu gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Mantyla off to one side.
Mantyla fails with the takedown.
Mantyla will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Jericho Datu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jani Mantyla.
Mantyla shoots in but no luck this time.

Datu fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Mantyla, pushing him back against the cage.
Mantyla is working for takedown but Datu is calmly controlling the position for now.
Mantyla is trying to break free.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mantyla tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Datu smiles and moves away.
Datu swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Mantyla.
Mantyla is breathing heavily.

Datu shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Well, if Datu is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

Datu is looking for a kimura but Mantyla is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Datu to get the leverage.
Datu trying to control from half guard but Mantyla is working away.
Datu lands with a punch from half guard.
Mantyla wants to improve his position but Datu is controlling well.
Datu winds up and cracks Mantyla with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Datu scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Mantyla is looking to escape.

Datu seems to be working for a kimura but Mantyla defends the submission attempt.
Mantyla gets back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Datu throwing strikes but missing.
Datu tries to free his leg and advance position but Mantyla is retaining full guard.
Mantyla throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Datu thows a big elbow that misses.

Mantyla had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Datu is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Mantyla Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Datu's back instead.
Mantyla tries to get the hooks in deep but Datu pushed the leg off.
Mantyla controlling well, preventing Datu from escaping the position.
Datu tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Datu is squirming around, avoiding Mantyla's attempts to control the action.
Datu flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mantyla can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Datu is looking to escape.
Datu can't escape the position.
Datu is working hard here to advance position.
Mantyla trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Datu is looking to improve his position but Mantyla isn't that keen on the idea.
Mantyla working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Mantyla connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Mantyla dominating with strikes here.

Mantyla jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Datu is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Datu and Mantyla has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Datu sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Datu looking for submissions off his back.
Mantyla is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Datu slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Mantyla lands a couple of elbows.
Mantyla connects with a couple of short punches.
Jani Mantyla has got the better of the ground game so far.
Datu throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Mantyla lands a couple of elbows.
Mantyla has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Mantyla working some strikes from top position.
Datu looking for a sweep. Not yet Datu, not yet.
Mantyla wants to stand but Datu has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
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 Jericho Datu will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Datu misses with a hook. Mantyla ducked under it nicely.
Mantyla with a poor takedown

and Datu counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Mantyla keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Datu stops Mantyla from getting back to his feet.
Datu content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Datu is working for a submission of some sort.
Datu is trying to control the action in half guard but Mantyla is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Mantyla takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Mantyla is looking to escape.
Datu with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Mantyla tries for a takedown but Datu circles away easily

and Datu counters with a shoot takedown. Mantyla fights it but they end up in guard.
Datu wants to control from the top but Mantyla keeps moving.
Mantyla is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Datu is controlling him.
Mantyla is trying to control the position but Datu postures up.
Mantyla wants to sweep here but Datu controlling him for the moment.
Datu tries to free his leg and advance position but Mantyla is retaining full guard.

Datu gets to his feet. Mantyla looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Mantyla doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Datu counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Jericho Datu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jani Mantyla.
Datu tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Mantyla just stands there and leans against the cage.

Mantyla breaks from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mantyla tries for a takedown but Datu sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Mantyla shoots and misses

and Datu holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Mantyla tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Datu smiles and moves away.
Mantyla avoids the body shot from Datu.
Mantyla wants to clinch
and Datu counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Mantyla thinking.
Datu tries a low kick but Mantyla avoids it.
Mantyla stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Datu.
Mantyla wants to clinch but Datu slips to the side

and Datu counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Datu.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Datu wants to pass the guard but Mantyla is keeping the position.
Mantyla is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Datu trying to control but Mantyla is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mantyla throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Datu won't allow Mantyla to sweep him here.
Mantyla is trying to keep Datu in close.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Mantyla shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Datu counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Mantyla drags the fight down to the ground.
Datu slips nicely into half guard.
Datu wants to take a breather but Mantyla is having none of it.
Mantyla gets full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mantyla is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Mantyla is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Datu content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Mantyla trying to control the position.
Datu stopping the sweep attempt from Mantyla.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Mantyla tries for a takedown but Datu circles away easily

and Datu holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Mantyla turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mantyla trying to control the position but Datu is working away.
Datu is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Mantyla working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jericho Datu showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Datu has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jericho Datu!