PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Bobby Mann (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aj Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Aj Smith struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 136.3lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Bobby Mann could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Aj Smith's chin.

Mann
vs
Smith

170 cm
21
140 lbs
6 - 3 - 1

188 cm
22
145 lbs
5 - 5 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
KO power

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
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 6 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Bobby Mann!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Aj Smith!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Frank Dennis and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mann avoids a punch combination nicely.
Mann bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Mann ducks under a wild hook from Smith.
Smith tries for a takedown but Mann circles away easily

and Mann moves into the clinch.
Mann prevents a takedown attempt there.
Smith wants to break the clinch but can't.
Mann stalling the fight.
Smith goes for a takedown in the clinch but Mann prevents it.
Bobby Mann has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aj Smith.
Smith looks gassed!
Mann with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Mann breaks the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mann walks into a stiff left hand from Smith.
Mann tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
No joy there for Smith, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Mann has closed the distance and engaged Smith in a clinch.
Smith jumps guard but Mann turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Mann pulls guard successfully.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Smith controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Smith slips nicely into half guard.
Smith is trying to control. Mann wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Mann wants to improve his position but Smith is controlling well.
Mann gets full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mann is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

Mann jumps guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Mann working for a triangle but Smith defends it easily.
Smith trying to control but Mann is working from the bottom.

Smith avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Mann is looking to stand up but Smith isn't so interested in that idea.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mann keeping full guard, as Smith tries to pass.
Smith wants to control from the top but Mann keeps moving.
Smith slips nicely into half guard.
Smith is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Smith not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Smith is stalling here. Mann is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Smith seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Mann has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Mann landing strikes.

Mann decides to stand back up. Mann steps back and let's Smith get back to his feet.

Mann closes the distance and pushes Smith back into the cage.
Smith tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Mann smiles and moves away.
No joy there for Smith, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith swats away the attempt to clinch by Mann.
Mann stuffs the takedown.
Smith throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Mann clinches with his opponent.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Smith tries to score a body lock takedown but Mann shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Mann pulls Smith into guard.

Mann looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Smith wants to control from the top but Mann keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

The crowd cheers as Smith lands an impressive looking overhand right. Mann doesn't seem phased though.
Smith throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Smith thows a left - swing and a miss!
Smith scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Smith closes the distance and clinches up with Mann, looking for a takedown. Smith pushes Mann against the cage but Mann circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Smith keeps the fight on the outside.

Mann clinches up against the cage.
Smith is breathing heavily.
Smith wants to break the clinch but can't.
Smith is looking to take this one to the mat.
Mann keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Smith's efforts to push away.
Smith has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Mann avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Bobby Mann has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aj Smith.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mann holding his opponent close, against the cage.

Mann pulls Smith into guard.
Smith prevents Mann from getting back to his feet.
Smith looking to sit in guard and control but Mann gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Mann postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Mann advances position into side control!

Mann stands up and beckons Smith to his feet.
Aj Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mann tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mann moves in looking to clinch but Smith pushes him off.
Smith swinging wildly here.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Smith tries to pull guard but Mann forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Smith fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Mann has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Smith regains guard immediately.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Smith keeping moving, preventing Mann from controlling successfully.
Mann passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mann scores with punches from side control.

Mann stands up.
Mann shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Smith as he jumps to the side.

Mann rushes Smith and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Mann successfully pulls guard.
Smith slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Smith lying in Mann's guard like a wet fish here, stalling away. Mann decides he's had enough of all that nonsense - he escapes his hips and locks up an armbar! Wow, that was slick! Smith taps! This one is aaaaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:03 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Bobby Mann!