PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Aj Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bobby Mann (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bobby Mann has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Smith
vs
Mann

188 cm
22
145 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

170 cm
21
140 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Aj Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Bobby Mann!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Stewart Dunkirk and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mann ducks right into an uppercut from Smith.
Smith throws a jab but it's blocked by Mann.

Mann moves into the clinch.
Smith jumps guard but Mann stands there with Smith around his waist. Smith gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Mann will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Smith up against the cage.
Smith has had enough of the clinch but Mann keeps him there for the moment.
Smith fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Mann manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Smith is trying to force a seperation but Mann has the dominant position.
Smith has had enough of the clinch but Mann keeps him there for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith is trying to break the clinch but Mann has him pressed against the cage.
Smith tries to pull guard but Mann holds him up against the cage and eventually Smith drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aj Smith. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smith is working for takedown but Mann is calmly controlling the position for now.
Smith fails to pull guard.

Smith pulls guard effortlessly.
Mann must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Mann wants to stand but Smith is controlling his posture from full guard.

Smith throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Mann wants to stand but Smith has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Mann trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Mann wants to control from the top but Smith keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mann thows a big elbow that misses.

Smith is looking for a triangle but Mann pushes his legs off easily.

Smith looking for a guillotine here but Mann defends easily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Smith is looking for a triangle but Mann pushes his legs off easily.
Mann trying to control the position from guard on top but Smith is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Smith tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Smith has a closed guard, preventing Mann from standing up.
Mann is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Mann wants to get up but he can't break Smith's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Mann got a little sloppy there for a moment and Smith has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Mann has managed to get both his arms back between Smith's legs - danger averted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mann thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Mann wants to control from the top but Smith keeps moving.
Mann wants to stand but Smith has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Smith has his foot on Mann's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Mann works his way back into a safe position though.
Mann wants to get up but he can't break Smith's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Mann avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Mann stands up from Smith's guard - Mann perhaps looking for a knockout.

Smith feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mann keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.

Mann scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mann tries to clinch but Smith is having none of it.
Mann moves in looking to clinch but Smith pushes him off.
Smith looks to land a left hand but Mann moved out of range nicely.
Mann displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Smith throws out the jab.
Smith avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Smith shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Mann holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aj Smith dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Mann fails with a takedown attempt.

Mann has taken the fight to the clinch.
Smith wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Smith working hard to break the clinch.
Smith drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Mann gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Mann has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Smith uses from the top position.
Mann keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.
Aj Smith overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Mann looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith stops Mann from standing up.

Smith has gone for a leg lock! Mann slips out almost immediately though and dives into Smith's guard.

Smith looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Mann is looking to stand up but Smith won't let him.

Smith is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Mann defends well.

Mann stands up from Smith's guard - Mann perhaps looking for a knockout.

Mann gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Smith pulls guard effortlessly.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Smith had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Mann defends it easily.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Mann gets to his feet. Smith looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Smith throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Smith throws a right hand that misses

and Mann counters by moving into the clinch.
A bit of stalling here from Mann.

Mann breaks from the clinch.
Aj Smith is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Smith looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Smith doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Mann holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Smith tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Mann smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aj Smith. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mann avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Smith shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Mann manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Mann is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Mann is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Smith stops Mann from standing up.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Mann is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mann wants to stand and escape but Smith is having none of it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Aj Smith just wasn't active enough.
Smith shoots in for a takedown but Mann shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Smith misses with a looping left.
Mann tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Smith tries to score a power double leg takedown but Mann sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Smith somewhat.
Mann tries to clinch but Smith moves out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Smith!
Smith misses the jab.
Mann moves in looking to clinch but Smith pushes him off.
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 Aj Smith will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Smith misses with a looping left.
Nice takedown defense from Mann. No joy for Smith on that attempt.
Mann keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Mann defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Smith.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aj Smith. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smith is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Mann.
Smith is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Smith dives in and grabs Mann's left leg, looking for a takedown. Mann pushes down on Smith's head and hops out.
Smith shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Mann counters by moving into the clinch.
Smith drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Smith letting Mann take a breather here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mann has Smith pressed against the cage, preventing Smith from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Smith tries to pull guard but Mann holds him up against the cage and eventually Smith drops back down to his feet.
Smith looking for a takedown.
Smith wants to get back to striking at distance but Mann won't allow it.

Mann jumps guard.
Mann tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Smith trying to control but Mann is working from the bottom.
Smith preventing the sweep.
Smith wants to control from the top but Mann keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Smith drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Mann manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Smith has Mann in his guard.

Smith is working an open guard so Mann takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Sloppy strikes from Smith. Those never looked like landing.
Aj Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Smith throws a nice looking combination but Mann bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Smith is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Mann.

Mann gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Smith is trying to break the clinch but Mann is controlling him.

Mann pulls guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Smith wants to control from the top but Mann keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mann scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Smith shoots in looking for a takedown. Mann tries to sprawl out of it but Smith keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Mann manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Smith misses with a takedown attempt

and Mann counters by moving into the clinch.
Smith jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Mann walks away with a smile on his face. Smith gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Mann displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Smith throws out the jab.
Smith fails with a takedown attempt.
Mann fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith fails with the takedown

and Mann counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Mann leaning his opponent against the cage.
Smith really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Smith tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Mann just stands there and leans against the cage.
Aj Smith is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Smith looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Bobby Mann.
I think Smith 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 29:29
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 28:29
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:28

The fight is ruled a draw!