PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jrock Mandela (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Thompson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Thompson is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: The game. 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.

Mandela
vs
Thompson

180 cm
28
195 lbs
16 - 10 - 1

190 cm
27
201 lbs
17 - 11 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 4 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jrock Mandela!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Joe Thompson!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, George Francis and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mandela shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A head kick misses from Thompson.
Mandela is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Thompson.
Mandela shoots in for a double leg but Thompson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Mandela throws a big shot that misses.
Mandela throws a shot from downtown. Thompson moves away and avoids it.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Mandela.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jrock Mandela. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A slow jab from Mandela misses its intended target.
A big left from Mandela misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thompson blocks a jab.
Mandela scores with a jab to the body.
Mandela misses with a looping right.
Mandela changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Thompson tries to avoid it but Mandela manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Thompson to the ground. Thompson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thompson lands a body shot.
Jrock Mandela seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Thompson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Mandela.
Mandela throws a sloppy body shot

and Thompson holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Thompson tries to score a body lock takedown but Mandela shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Mandela wants a takedown.
Mandela is trying to maintain a safe position but Thompson gets an underhook and turns Mandela into the cage.
Mandela avoiding damage as Thompson throws knees to the body.
Thompson lands with a left to the head.
Thompson tries to work over Mandela's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Thompson tries for a takedown. No joy.
Thompson tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Mandela's elbow.
Thompson digs a right hand into Mandela's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Mandela's gas tank.
Thompson drops down looking for an ankle pick but Mandela pulls his leg out and moves away.
Mandela misses with a hook. Thompson ducked under it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thompson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Mandela is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Thompson's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Mandela swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Thompson counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Mandela trying to control but Thompson postures up.
Thompson works his foot free and advances to mount.
Mandela is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.

Thompson goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Mandela is on top in guard.
Mandela is working Thompson over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mandela avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Mandela trying to control but Thompson is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Thompson looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Thompson looks gassed!
Thompson keeping moving, preventing Mandela from controlling successfully.
Mandela throwing strikes but missing.
Mandela in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Mandela stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Thompson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Mandela trying to control the position from guard on top but Thompson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four 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.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Thompson avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Mandela misses with a hook.
Mandela fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Mandela is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Mandela with a poor takedown
and Thompson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Mandela gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Thompson moves into the clinch.
Thompson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Mandela pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Thompson prevents a body shot from Mandela.
A right hook to the body lands for Thompson.
Thompson lands a nice shot to the body.
Thompson makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Thompson dominated that round.
That's time! Mandela's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Mandela closes the distance and clinches up with Thompson, looking for a takedown. Mandela pushes Thompson against the cage but Thompson circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Mandela swings away with a body shot that misses

and Thompson counters by moving into the clinch.
Thompson can't get the takedown.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Thompson.
Thompson lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Mandela.
Mandela is trying to drag Thompson to the mat but Thompson just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Mandela stops a takedown attempt from Thompson.
Thompson tries a body shot but Mandela blocks it.
Thompson lands a shoulder strike.
Thompson looking for a takedown.
Jrock Mandela has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joe Thompson.
Thompson wants a takedown.
Mandela prevents the takedown attempt.
Thompson changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Mandela fights it off and pushes away nicely.
A big right from Mandela misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mandela fails with the takedown

and Thompson counters by moving into the clinch.
Thompson is breathing heavily.
Thompson lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Mandela or not.
Mandela prevents the takedown attempt.
Thompson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Mandela is pressed up against the cage. Thompson has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Mandela down to the mat. Mandela avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Thompson ducks under a wild hook from Mandela.
Mandela swats away the attempt to clinch by Thompson.
Mandela throws a jab when Thompson was well out of range.
Mandela swings for the body but Thompson moves out of range.

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.
A telegraphed right hand from Mandela misses the target.
Mandela throws a big shot that misses.
Thompson slips a jab and a cross from Mandela.
Mandela with a hook.
Thompson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Mandela throws a jab but it's blocked by Thompson.
Thompson ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Thompson dodges the punch combination from Mandela.
Mandela looks to throw the jab but Thompson is out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson leaves Mandela with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Mandela misses with a wild body shot.
Thompson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Mandela paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Thompson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Thompson steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Mandela.
Mandela throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Thompson sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A combination from Mandela does no damage.
Thompson ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's four 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.
Thompson is looking to clinch.

Thompson rushes Mandela and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Mandela on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Mandela stops a takedown attempt from Thompson.
Mandela wants to stall.
Mandela seems a little flustered. He's come in with the intention of controlling the clinch but Thompson is preventing him from doing so, at least for the moment.
Thompson stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Thompson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Mandela.
Mandela lands with a right to the head.
A left hand lands to the body for Thompson.
Mandela managing to block the knees to the body from Thompson.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A short body shot lands from Thompson as the two fighters clinch.
Thompson tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Mandela avoids it.
Thompson tries to land knees in the clinch but Mandela avoids the damage to the body.
Thompson scores with a shot to the side of Mandela's head.

Thompson lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Thompson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A looping hook to the body misses from Mandela. Thompson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Mandela tries for a takedown but Thompson circles away easily

and Thompson counters by clinching up.
Thompson has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Mandela avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Thompson is working for takedown but Mandela is calmly controlling the position for now.
Thompson is working for takedown but Mandela is calmly controlling the position for now.
Jrock Mandela has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joe Thompson.
Mandela lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Thompson backwards.
Thompson goes for a takedown attempt but Mandela pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Mandela misses with a looping right.
Thompson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Mandela throws a sloppy body shot
letting Thompson counter with a right hand.
Thompson dodges the punch combination from Mandela.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thompson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Mandela throws out the jab.
Mandela looks to land a left hand but Thompson moved out of range nicely.
Mandela waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Thompson.
Mandela catches Thompson with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Mandela misses with a double jab.
Mandela doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Thompson counters with a shoot takedown. Mandela fights it but they end up in guard.
Thompson controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Mandela wants to hit a switch here but Thompson passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Mandela there!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mandela can't escape the position.
Mandela is squirming around, avoiding Thompson's attempts to control the action.
Mandela is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Mandela is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Thompson looking to ground and pound but Mandela is blocking nicely.
A nice elbow there by Thompson.
Thompson working the ground and pound effectively.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mandela regains half guard.
Mandela wants to improve his position but Thompson is controlling well.
Mandela trying to hold on to Thompson's head to control him but Thompson postures up.
Thompson thows a huge punch but Mandela dodges it nicely.
Mandela is concentrating on defense, preventing Thompson from advancing position.
Thompson scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Thompson wants to control but Mandela is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mandela wants to improve his position but Thompson is controlling well.

Thompson is looking for a kimura here.

Thompson 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. Thompson eventually gives up the hold.
Thompson prevents Mandela from improving his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Thompson really dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Thompson wants to clinch.

Thompson forces Mandela back against the cage and clinches.
Thompson has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Mandela avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Thompson lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Mandela throws a punch but it's blocked by Thompson.
Thompson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Mandela.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mandela blocks an uppercut.
A left hand lands to the body for Thompson.
Thompson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Thompson lands a hook to the side of the head.
Thompson is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Mandela gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Thompson tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Mandela avoids it.
Mandela tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Thompson's elbow.
Thompson is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mandela throws a punch but it's blocked by Thompson.
Mandela misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Thompson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Thompson swings wildly with an uppercut but Mandela uses good head movement to avoid it.
Thompson lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Thompson tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Mandela manages to break the clinch.
Mandela throws the left hand but Thompson avoids the punch easily.
Thompson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Mandela.
Mandela has his takedown stuffed

and Thompson counters by clinching up.
Mandela wants to stall.
Thompson tries for a takedown but Mandela manages to get underhooks.
Jrock Mandela has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joe Thompson.
Mandela displaying some good clinch control by pressing Thompson up against the cage.

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.
Thompson lands a hook that snaps the head of Mandela backwards.
Thompson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Mandela pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Thompson throws an elbow that misses.
Mandela blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Mandela tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Thompson's elbow.
Thompson pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Mandela blocks an elbow strike from Thompson.
Mandela on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Thompson is trying to drag Mandela to the mat but Mandela just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Mandela tries to circle away but Thompson has him pinned against the cage.
Mandela tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Thompson misses with a hook to the ribs.
Thompson tries to work over Mandela's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Mandela blocks it with crossed arms.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Mandela prevents a body shot from Thompson.

Mandela breaks from the clinch.
Joe Thompson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mandela misses with a hook.
Mandela throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Thompson defending well as Mandela loads up on a big left hand.
A swing and a miss from Mandela.
Mandela looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Thompson clobbers Mandela with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Mandela swings for the body but Thompson moves out of range.
Thompson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Mandela.

That's four 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.
Mandela swings for the body but Thompson moves out of range.
Mandela looks to land a left hand but Thompson moved out of range nicely.
Jrock Mandela has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mandela waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Thompson.

Thompson closes the distance and clinches.
Mandela tries to work over Thompson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Thompson gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Thompson trying to control from half guard but Mandela is working away.
Mandela trying to hold on to Thompson's head to control him but Thompson postures up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Thompson passes to full mount!

And that's the end of the fight!
Joe Thompson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Thompson 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 4 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 36:40
Judge George Francis scores the fight 36:40
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 36:40

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joe Thompson!