PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Tin Mann (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thomas Bay (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bay is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Feuer Frei. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Mann
vs
Bay

180 cm
22
180 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

168 cm
24
170 lbs
5 - 3 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Self confident

BJJ Purple Belt
Good elbows
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Tin Mann!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Thomas Bay!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, Skip Squint and Bruno Hogan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bay leaves Mann with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Bay misses with a kick to the body.
Mann avoids the head kick by Bay.

Bay bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Mann tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Bay is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Mann knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Mann is trying to get back to half guard.
Mann sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Bay missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Mann looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Bay prevents Mann from improving his position.
Bay trying to control the action but Mann is working from the bottom.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Bay closes the distance and pushes Mann back into the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mann looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mann.
Bay tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Mann avoids it.
Bay scores a nice knee to the body.
Mann is breathing heavily.
Mann takes an elbow to the forehead.
Bay working Mann over with knees to the body.
Bay lands an elbow inside that Mann shrugs off.
Mann jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Bay walks away with a smile on his face. Mann gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Bay changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Mann looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Bay working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Mann is trying to get back to half guard.
Bay wants to lay and pray for a moment but Mann keeps working.
Bay is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Mann's shoulder. That is not cool.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bay working the ground and pound from side control.
Mann tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bay landing strikes.
Mann is working to avoid the ground and pound but Bay connects with a decent elbow.
Mann takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bay is looking to take a break and control but Mann is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Bay lands a few punches from side control.
Bay is working Mann over with some ground and pound from side control.

Bay is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Mann is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Mann is trying to get back to half guard.
Bay looks up at the clock and then as Mann takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Bay smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Bay tries to move into full mount but can't pass Mann's legs.

Bay working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Mann is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Bay's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mann looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Bay prevents Mann from improving his position.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Bay connects with a nice short shot to Mann's temple.
Mann wants to improve his position but Bay is controlling well.
Bay drops an elbow to the side of Mann's head.

Mann looking for submissions off his back.
Bay wants to control but Mann is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Mann actively working from the bottom here.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Bay drives through and clinches with Mann against the cage.
Bay lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Bay lands a nice knee to the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for Bay.

Bay turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Mann is trying to get back to half guard.
Mann is not content to let Bay control the position.
Mann sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Bay lands with a punch from half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Mann is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Bay pulls his head out easily.
Bay seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Mann does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Bay thows a huge punch but Mann dodges it nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Bay dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Mann tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Bay swivels and escapes.
Bay is looking to clinch.
Bay throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Mann's head.
Bay motions for Mann to come forward. Bay throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Bay misses with a few strikes there.
Bay plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Bay fails with an attempt to clinch.
Mann avoids the head kick by Bay.
Bay throws a jab but it's blocked by Mann.
Mann tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Bay swivels and escapes.
A solid leg kick lands there for Bay.
Bay cracks the inside of Mann's front leg.
Mann shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Bay makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Mann really felt that one!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tin Mann. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bay lands the left hand.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Bay forces Mann back against the cage and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bay lands a nice elbow.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Bay obliges.
Bay unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Bay putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Mann in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Bay working Mann over with knees to the body.
Mann blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Bay using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Bay prevents the takedown attempt.
Bay is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.

Mann manages to pull guard.

Mann is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Bay thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Bay chips away with some ground and pound.

Mann looking for a guillotine here but Bay defends easily.
Bay must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Mann throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bay wants to control from the top but Mann keeps moving.

Mann is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Mann keeping moving, preventing Bay from controlling successfully.
Bay advances position into side control!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mann is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Bay trying to control the action but Mann is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mann sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Bay is controlling the pace.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Bay is keen to just control but Mann is a slippery customer.
Nice strikes from Bay there.
Bay not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Mann looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Bay working the head and body with strikes.
Mann is looking to improve his position.
Nice strikes from Bay there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Bay closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Bay lands a takedown into guard.
Bay lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Mann is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Bay decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Mann, up you get!
Mann takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Mann goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Mann blocks a head kick by Bay.
Mann has his takedown stuffed
and Bay counters with a two punch combo.

Mann scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Bay actively working from the bottom here.

Mann is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Bay doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Mann.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Bay showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Mann moves out of range of the body kick from Bay.
No joy there for Mann, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Mann bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Mann looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Bay manages to work his way to half guard, despite Mann's best efforts.
Bay moves into full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Bay is on top in guard.
Bay is in close to Mann's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bay works over Mann with some ground and pound from guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Mann looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Bay postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Mann looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Bay scoring with some ground and pound.
Bay trying to control but Mann is working from the bottom.
Bay working some strikes from top position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Mann shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Bay pinned against the cage. Bay gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Bay is looking to clinch.

That's two 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.

Mann shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Mann was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Mann jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Bay manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Bay striking from the bottom but nothing landed.
Bay prevents Mann from moving into mount.

Mann working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Bay can't do much from the bottom here.

Mann goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Bay has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Mann but great work by Bay.
Bay working the body and head with strikes.
Bay lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Mann is trying to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bay has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Mann!

Bay looking for a guillotine from mount but Mann is having none of it.
Bay putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Thomas Bay has got the better of the ground game so far.

Bay looking for a guillotine from mount but Mann is having none of it.
Poor strikes thrown by Bay there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Mann tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Mann is working hard here to advance position.
Bay scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Tin Mann has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Mann is trying to escape the mount.
Mann taking shots to the head.
Mann is trying desperately to improve position.
Bay with the ground and pound from mount.
Mann really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Bay raining down shots from the mount!
Mann is working to get back to half guard.
Thomas Bay is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Thomas Bay.
Well Bay has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Eliza Hachem scores the fight 27:30
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 27:30
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thomas Bay!