PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Roger Mallao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexis Mandapat (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Alexis Mandapat 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!

Mallao
vs
Mandapat

194 cm
25
245 lbs
0 - 4 - 0

185 cm
25
200 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Roger Mallao!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Alexis Mandapat!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Sam Margolis and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mallao shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Mandapat sprawls well. Mandapat wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Mallao gets slowly back to his feet.
Mallao changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Mandapat tries to avoid it but Mallao manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Mandapat to the ground. Mandapat escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Mandapat shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Mallao as he jumps to the side.
Mallao keeps the fight on the outside.
Mandapat shoots in looking for a takedown. Mallao tries to sprawl out of it but Mandapat keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Mallao manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Mallao has Mandapat up against the cage in a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mallao tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roger Mallao. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mandapat stalling in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mandapat breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Mallao jabs Mandapat to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Mandapat leaves Mallao with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Mandapat shoots in looking for a takedown. Mallao tries to sprawl out of it but Mandapat keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Mallao manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Mandapat has closed the distance and engaged Mallao in a clinch.
Mallao wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Mandapat has him pressed against the cage.
Mallao is working for takedown but Mandapat is calmly controlling the position for now.
Mallao tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Mandapat just stands there and leans against the cage.

Mallao escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Mallao moves in looking to clinch but Mandapat pushes him off.
Roger Mallao seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mallao closes this distance looking for a takedown but Mandapat circles away.
Mallao doesn't manage to clinch there - Mandapat circles away.
Mandapat will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Mallao shoots in and drives through. Mandapat sprawls well.
Mandapat misses with a takedown attempt

and Mallao counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Mallao is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Mandapat pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Mallao keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Mallao tries a head kick but it misses.
Mallao closes the distance but Mandapat moves to the side

and Mandapat counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Mandapat looks gassed!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mandapat trying to control the pace.

Mallao looking for submissions off his back.
Mallao is holding on to half guard well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Mallao is looking to escape.
Mallao is looking for a sweep. Mandapat is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Mallao trying to control from the bottom.
Mallao is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Mandapat is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Mallao tries to roll over but Mandapat keeps him under control.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Roger Mallao.
Mallao misses with a takedown attempt - Mandapat sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexis Mandapat dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Mandapat throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Mallao's waist but Mallao gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Mandapat off to one side.
Mandapat fails with a takedown attempt.
Mandapat falls off balance throwing a combination
and Mallao counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Mandapat thinking.
Mallao tries to score with a low kick but Mandapat moves his leg out of the way.
Mallao shoots in and drives through. Mandapat sprawls well.
Mallao shoots in for a double leg but Mandapat sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Mallao fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Mandapat, pushing him back against the cage.
Come on Mandapat - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
A bit of stalling here from Mallao.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mandapat breaks the clinch.
Mandapat is breathing heavily.

Mallao has closed the distance and engaged Mandapat in a clinch.
Mandapat managing to block the knees to the body from Mallao.
Mallao's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Mallao changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Mandapat fights it off and pushes away nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roger Mallao. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mallao has a takedown stuffed.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Mandapat tries to clinch up

and Mallao moves into the clinch.
Mallao is trying to stall.
Mallao prevents Mandapat from breaking the clinch.
Mandapat taking a breather.
Mallao is looking to control Mandapat's arms but Mandapat gets an underhook and turns him. Now Mallao has his back to the cage.
Stalling in the clinch from Mallao.

Mandapat breaks the clinch.
Mandapat has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Mandapat leaves Mallao with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mandapat shoots in looking for a takedown but Mallao manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Mandapat's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Mallao fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Mandapat tries for a takedown but Mallao circles away easily
and Mallao counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
An inside leg kick lands from Mallao.
Mallao moves to clinch but Mandapat breaks away
and Mandapat counters with a left and a right that stings Mallao.
Mandapat fails to land the takedown.
Mallao dives in and grabs Mandapat's left leg, looking for a takedown. Mandapat pushes down on Mallao's head and hops out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mandapat stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Mandapat wants it to stay on the feet.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Mandapat is defended easily by Mallao.

Mallao instigates a clinch.
Mallao tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Mandapat just stands there and leans against the cage.
Mallao looking for a takedown.
Mandapat is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Mallao is trying to drag Mandapat to the mat but Mandapat just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Mandapat can't break the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roger Mallao dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Mallao wants to clinch up but Mandapat keeps it at a distance.
Mandapat tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Mallao swivels and escapes.
Mallao wants to clinch but Mandapat slips to the side

and Mandapat counters by moving into the clinch.
Mallao fails to pull guard.

Mallao breaks from the clinch.
Mallao shoots in for a double leg but Mandapat sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Mandapat swats away the attempt to clinch by Mallao.

Mallao moves into the clinch.
Mandapat working hard to break the clinch.
Mallao fails to pull the fight into his guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roger Mallao. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mallao looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mandapat wants to break the clinch but can't.
Mandapat can't break the clinch.
Mallao tries to score a body lock takedown but Mandapat shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Mallao fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Mallao pulls guard effortlessly.
Mallao wants to get back to his feet but Mandapat is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Mallao wants to hit a switch here but Mandapat passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Mallao there!
Mallao tries to lock up and control but Mandapat gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

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.
Mallao is looking to get to half guard.
Mandapat controlling his opponent.
Mallao tries to hold on but Mandapat pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mallao bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Mandapat wants to sweep but no luck.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mallao throws a strike but Mandapat rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Mallao is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Mandapat wants to control from the top but Mallao keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Mandapat wants to stand but Mallao is controlling his posture from full guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Mallao fails to land the takedown.
Roger Mallao is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mandapat shoots in for a double leg but Mallao sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Mandapat takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Horrible takedown by Mandapat or perhaps it was just good defense by Mallao which made him look bad.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Roger Mallao.
I think Mallao has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 28:29
Judge James Glass scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Alexis Mandapat!