PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mark Mann (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Josh Kirkland (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kirkland has chosen My Life Be Like- by GRITS as his entrance music. Josh Kirkland will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Mann
vs
Kirkland

188 cm
23
270 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

192 cm
24
264 lbs
10 - 7 - 1

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mark Mann!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Josh Kirkland!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Elvis Blanc and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mann waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kirkland.
Mann lands with a thumping leg kick.
Mann throws the left hand but Kirkland avoids the punch easily.
Kirkland throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Kirkland will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kirkland looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Josh Kirkland seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mann is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Kirkland.
Mann throws a low kick but Kirkland avoids it.
Kirkland swinging wildly here.
Mann throws a low kick but it's checked well by Kirkland.
Kirkland thuds a left hand into Mann's body.
Mann throws a good cross that connects.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mann moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

It looks like Josh Kirkland has been cut.

Mann shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Mann showed some decent athleticism there.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
The fighters are battling for position here. Kirkland manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Mann is pushing down on Kirkland's leg trying to pass to half guard. Kirkland is fighting to maintain full guard but Mann has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mann wants to pass to mount but Kirkland is defending the position.
Mann is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Mann wants to pass the guard but Kirkland is defending well.
Mann trying to control the action but Kirkland is working from the bottom.

Kirkland looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Kirkland is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Mann pulls his head out easily.
Mann slows the pace down in half guard.
Mann throwing shots but Kirkland is blocking nicely.

Kirkland looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Kirkland looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kirkland is looking for a sweep. Mann is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Kirkland is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Mann seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Kirkland does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Mann takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

The ref stands the fighters back up because Mark Mann just wasn't active enough.
Kirkland lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Mann circles away quickly and effectively.
Mann misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Kirkland darts in and clinches Mann up against the cage.
Mann takes a shot to the head.
Kirkland swings away with an uppercut that misses.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kirkland dodges an elbow strike from Mann.
Kirkland lands a hook to the side of the head.
Mann throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Kirkland blocks it with crossed arms.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mann misses with an elbow strike.
Kirkland using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Mann has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Mann avoiding damage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kirkland.
Mann is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Kirkland throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Mann prevents a body shot from Kirkland.
Mann is working for takedown but Kirkland is calmly controlling the position for now.
Mann tries to land knees in the clinch but Kirkland avoids the damage to the body.
Mann looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Kirkland lands with a light punch inside.
Kirkland works on Mann's body with a couple of short punches.
Mann misses with a knee strike.
Kirkland tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Mann's elbow.
Kirkland unloads a knee to the mid-section. Mann lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Mann is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nice body punch from Kirkland.
A right handed body shot lands from Kirkland.
Kirkland lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Kirkland has hold of one of Mann's legs. Mann is fighting the takedown attempt but Kirkland gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.

Kirkland is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Kirkland trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Kirkland drops back looking for a leg! Mann is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Mann manages to kick Kirkland off! Kirkland jumps back into Mann's guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kirkland accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kirkland lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Kirkland dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Josh Kirkland's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Kirkland looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Mann gets caught napping as Kirkland dives in and scores a takedown. Mann manages to retain guard.
Kirkland throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Mann works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kirkland with a flurry of punches that miss.
Kirkland pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mann is keeping the position for now.
Kirkland is looking to work some ground and pound but Mann has wrist control.
Kirkland advances position into side control!

Kirkland is trying to get an arm triangle but Mann is defending well.
Kirkland is working Mann over with some ground and pound from side control.
Kirkland postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

Kirkland is trying to get an arm triangle but Mann is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mann tries to buck Kirkland off but Kirkland is having none of it.
Mann is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Kirkland has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Kirkland tries to move to mount but Mann blocks the move with his legs.
Mann regains half guard.
Mann blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kirkland.
Kirkland not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Mann is looking to improve his position.

Kirkland is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Kirkland thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Mann's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kirkland prevents Mann from improving his position.

Kirkland wants to work for an arm triangle but Mann is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Kirkland looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Mann is concentrating on defense, preventing Kirkland from advancing position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kirkland throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Mann to regain full guard.
Kirkland postures up in Mann's guard and throws a big left but Mann blocks it.
Kirkland throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Mann works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kirkland slips nicely into half guard.

Kirkland is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Mann doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Kirkland.
Kirkland wants to pass to mount but Mann is defending the position.

Kirkland is looking for a kimura here.

Kirkland is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Mann doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Kirkland.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mann is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Kirkland's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Kirkland's back!
Mann wants to control but Kirkland is keeping busy.
Mann has the hooks in. Kirkland is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mann lands with a nice looking elbow that stuns Kirkland.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kirkland wants to escape the position.
Mann doesn't have the hooks in and Kirkland manages to turn into his guard.

Kirkland 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 Kirkland has Mann in his guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Kirkland showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Josh Kirkland's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Kirkland swinging wildly here.
Kirkland shoots in but Mann avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Kirkland looks to land a combination but Mann avoids it well.
Mann jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Mann throws a leg kick which misses Kirkland's front leg but catches the back leg as Kirkland tries to avoid it.
Kirkland blocks a low kick nicely.
A clash of legs there as Kirkland blocks the low kick.
Mann avoids a punch combination nicely.
Josh Kirkland is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mann throws a leg kick but Kirkland checks it.
Kirkland throws a low kick but Mann avoids it.
Kirkland shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Mann as he jumps to the side.
Kirkland takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Mann showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kirkland.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mann ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Mann missing with a left hand there. Kirkland was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Mark Mann is winning the standup battle so far.
Mann looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kirkland is fending him off so far but Mann persists. Nope, Kirkland circles away and we're back to standing.
Kirkland is trying hard to land a takedown here. Mann sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Mark Mann has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Josh Kirkland.
Mann misses with an uppercut. Kirkland saw that one coming.
Kirkland is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Mann moves into the clinch.

Mann gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Mann trying to control from half guard but Kirkland is working away.
Mann working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Mann controlling the action here.
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!
Kirkland keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mann is thwarting Kirkland's attempts to control the position.
Mann looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Kirkland is looking for a sweep. Mann is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Kirkland trying to control from the bottom.
Mann prevents Kirkland from improving his position.
Kirkland trying to control but Mann postures up.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Kirkland misses with a double jab.
Kirkland throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Kirkland closes this distance looking for a takedown but Mann circles away.
Mann moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mann misses with a low kick.
Kirkland stuffs the takedown attempt from Mann. Mann gets slowly back to his feet.
Kirkland takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Mann misses with a looping left.
Kirkland misses with a series of wild punches.
Kirkland lands with a nice combination. Mann backs away looking to recover.
Mann ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kirkland moves away.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Mann, right into the meat.
Kirkland moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

Mann shoots in and bounces Kirkland off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Mann controls from within his opponent's guard.

Kirkland looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kirkland trying to control the position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mann is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Mann passes Kirkland's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Nice strikes from Mann there.

Kirkland looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Nice strikes from Mann there.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mann is looking to take a break and control but Kirkland is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kirkland has hold of Mann's hands but Mann slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mark Mann showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kirkland has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Alec Ball scores the fight 28:29
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Peck scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Josh Kirkland!