PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between AkoSii MangThomas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Hernandez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

MangThomas
vs
Hernandez

180 cm
23
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

155 cm
18
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, AkoSii MangThomas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, James Hernandez!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Elvis Blanc and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by MangThomas.
MangThomas doesn't succeed with the takedown
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
MangThomas throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

and Hernandez counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Hernandez takes an elbow to the forehead.
MangThomas stalling the fight.
MangThomas tries for a takedown but Hernandez manages to get underhooks.
MangThomas is trying to pull guard but Hernandez has him pressed against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for AkoSii MangThomas. That's going to take a lot out of him.
MangThomas tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Hernandez just stands there and leans against the cage.

Hernandez decides to pull guard.
MangThomas trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
MangThomas passes Hernandez's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hernandez is looking for a sweep. MangThomas is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
MangThomas scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
MangThomas will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
MangThomas trying to control from half guard but Hernandez is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Hernandez manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Hernandez keeping moving, preventing MangThomas from controlling successfully.
MangThomas loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hernandez is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Hernandez trying to strike off his back.

MangThomas gets to his feet - Hernandez follows without any prompting.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hernandez keeps the fight on the outside.
Hernandez changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. MangThomas tries to avoid it but Hernandez manages to keep hold of a leg and drag MangThomas to the ground. MangThomas escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

MangThomas rushes Hernandez and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

MangThomas escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
MangThomas tries to score a power double leg takedown but Hernandez sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten MangThomas somewhat.
MangThomas wants to clinch.

MangThomas moves into the clinch.

MangThomas has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Hernandez uses from the top position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
MangThomas is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hernandez got a little sloppy there for a moment and MangThomas has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Hernandez has managed to get both his arms back between MangThomas's legs - danger averted.
Hernandez must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Hernandez controls from within his opponent's guard.

MangThomas working for a triangle but Hernandez defends it easily.
Hernandez trying to control the position from guard on top but MangThomas is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hernandez passes into half guard.
MangThomas is looking to escape.
Hernandez content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Hernandez should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Hernandez thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hernandez looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Hernandez is trying to control the action in half guard but MangThomas is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

MangThomas tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Hernandez swivels and escapes.
Hernandez throws a leg kick that is checked
and MangThomas makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
MangThomas keeps the fight on the outside.
MangThomas shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hernandez but Hernandez pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Hernandez throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around MangThomas's waist but MangThomas gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Hernandez off to one side.
Hernandez misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Hernandez throws a head kick that misses.
MangThomas wants to clinch up but Hernandez keeps it at a distance.
MangThomas goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
AkoSii MangThomas is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
MangThomas tries to close the distance and clinch but Hernandez swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
MangThomas circles away from the clinch attempt

and MangThomas counters by moving into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MangThomas jumps guard but Hernandez stands there with MangThomas around his waist. MangThomas gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for AkoSii MangThomas. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hernandez tries to pull guard but MangThomas holds him up against the cage and eventually Hernandez drops back down to his feet.
Come on MangThomas - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

MangThomas's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A low kick from Hernandez is predictable there
and MangThomas finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
MangThomas looks for a takedown but Hernandez sprawls well.
Hernandez shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with MangThomas but MangThomas pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Hernandez is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hernandez misses with a wild body shot.

MangThomas has taken the fight to the clinch.
Hernandez is trying to pull guard but MangThomas has him pressed against the cage.

MangThomas's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
MangThomas fails with a takedown attempt.

Hernandez has managed to clinch.
Hernandez tries for a takedown. No joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hernandez tries a body shot but MangThomas blocks it.
Hernandez is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but MangThomas is defending well.

MangThomas breaks the clinch.
MangThomas slaps away a takedown attempt from Hernandez, before circling back to the center of the mat.
MangThomas fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Hernandez avoids it really well and circles away.
MangThomas will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

MangThomas fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Hernandez, pushing him back against the cage.
MangThomas is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Hernandez is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hernandez is trying to push MangThomas away but MangThomas has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
MangThomas tries a body shot but Hernandez blocks it.

MangThomas pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
MangThomas moves away from the strike by Hernandez.
MangThomas takes a swing at Hernandez's ribcage but misses.
Jab, jab by MangThomas - just one landing.
Hernandez fails with the takedown.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Hernandez has eaten all the pies!

Hernandez gets in close and instigates a clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hernandez is trying to break the clinch but MangThomas has him pressed against the cage.

MangThomas escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

AkoSii MangThomas dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Hernandez shoots in but no luck this time.
MangThomas misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hernandez.
MangThomas shoots for a double leg takedown but Hernandez sprawls well. He's pushed MangThomas's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Hernandez looks to land a combination but MangThomas avoids it well.
Hernandez fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

MangThomas clinches up with Hernandez and pushes him back against the cage.
Hernandez tries to score a body lock takedown but MangThomas shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
AkoSii MangThomas has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Hernandez.
Hernandez tries to break free but MangThomas pushes him back against the cage.

MangThomas breaks the clinch.

MangThomas has closed the distance and engaged Hernandez in a clinch.

MangThomas pulls guard successfully.
MangThomas working a defensive guard here.
Hernandez takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hernandez with a flurry of punches that miss.
MangThomas manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Poor strikes thrown by MangThomas there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Hernandez wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by MangThomas.
MangThomas thowing shots but they're missing.
MangThomas throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MangThomas can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Hernandez is looking to escape.
MangThomas controlling from mount.
AkoSii MangThomas overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hernandez is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
MangThomas looking to finish with strikes here!
MangThomas controlling from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hernandez can't escape the position.
MangThomas has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
MangThomas can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Hernandez is looking to escape.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

MangThomas working for a guillotine from mount but Hernandez is in no mood to give up.
MangThomas throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
MangThomas throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
MangThomas controlling from mount.
MangThomas sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Hernandez manages to regain half guard. Good work.
MangThomas works his way into full mount!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

MangThomas is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Hernandez has managed to escape the submission attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
AkoSii MangThomas showed his dominance in that final round.
Well MangThomas has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Yves DeLean scores the fight for AkoSii MangThomas!
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight for AkoSii MangThomas!
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight for AkoSii MangThomas!

AkoSii MangThomas wins by unanimous decision!