PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Steven Eastes (ranked 4388 p4p, 4417 weight class) and Bassam Samir Mansi (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.

Eastes
vs
Samir Mansi

180 cm
18
185
0 - 0 - 0

193 cm
25
194
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Steven Eastes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Bassam Samir Mansi!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Frank Dennis and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Samir Mansi misses with an uppercut. Eastes saw that one coming.
Samir Mansi misses with a hook.

Samir Mansi drives through and clinches with Eastes against the cage.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Samir Mansi.
Eastes drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Samir Mansi gets the underhooks and prevents it.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Samir Mansi creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Samir Mansi stalling.
A short body shot lands from Samir Mansi as the two fighters clinch.
Samir Mansi is defending well against a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Samir Mansi controlling the action here for a moment.
Samir Mansi lands with a left to the head.

Samir Mansi pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Samir Mansi pushes Eastes up against the cage in a clinch.
Samir Mansi lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Eastes wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Samir Mansi has him pressed against the cage.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Samir Mansi works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Samir Mansi lands a body shot in the clinch.
Samir Mansi lands a body shot.
Eastes is breathing heavily.
Samir Mansi'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.

Samir Mansi manages to break the clinch.
Eastes blocks a jab.
Samir Mansi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Samir Mansi just misses with a punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Samir Mansi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Eastes was well out of range. Poor timing from Samir Mansi.
Samir Mansi scores with a hook to the body. Eastes takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Eastes shoots in and drives through. Samir Mansi sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steven Eastes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Eastes misses with a straight right.
Eastes keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Samir Mansi throws a shot from downtown. Eastes moves away and avoids it.

Samir Mansi clinches with his opponent.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Samir Mansi stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Samir Mansi content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Samir Mansi manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Eastes has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Samir Mansi content to slow the pace in the clinch.

Samir Mansi breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Samir Mansi looks to score with a jab to the body but Eastes is just out of range.
Samir Mansi pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

Samir Mansi moves into the clinch successfully.
Samir Mansi gets through Eastes's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Samir Mansi is stalling here.
Samir Mansi lands a body shot.
Samir Mansi stalling in the clinch.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Bassam Samir Mansi.
Samir Mansi throws a series of punches but Eastes avoids them all with ease.
Eastes takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Samir Mansi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Eastes tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Samir Mansi manages to circle out of the way.
Samir Mansi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Eastes will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Samir Mansi misses with a hook. Eastes ducked under it nicely.
Eastes closes this distance looking for a takedown but Samir Mansi circles away.
Eastes avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Samir Mansi loads up on a big right hand but Eastes slips the punch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Samir Mansi takes a swing at Eastes's ribcage but misses.
Samir Mansi misses with a looping left.
A cross from Samir Mansi lands.
Eastes slips under a jab.
Samir Mansi throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Eastes sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Samir Mansi throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Eastes.
Eastes slips a jab and a cross from Samir Mansi.
Nice defenses there by Eastes.

Eastes rushes Samir Mansi and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Bassam Samir Mansi dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Samir Mansi misses with a right hand
and Eastes counters with a series of strikes. Samir Mansi will be more careful next time no doubt.
Nice cross by Samir Mansi.
Bassam Samir Mansi seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Samir Mansi throws a body shot but no joy.

Eastes has managed to clinch.
Samir Mansi is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Samir Mansi will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Eastes up against the cage.
Samir Mansi taking a breather.
Samir Mansi continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Eastes tries to break free but Samir Mansi pushes him back against the cage.
Samir Mansi is pushing Eastes up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Samir Mansi pushes Eastes back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Samir Mansi stalls.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Bassam Samir Mansi.
Samir Mansi swings for the body but Eastes moves out of range.
Samir Mansi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Eastes moves away.
Bassam Samir Mansi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Eastes moves away from the strike by Samir Mansi.
Eastes uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Samir Mansi.
Eastes steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Samir Mansi.
Steven Eastes is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Samir Mansi throws a jab but it's blocked by Eastes.
Samir Mansi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Eastes was well out of range. Poor timing from Samir Mansi.
Bassam Samir Mansi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Eastes uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Samir Mansi.

Samir Mansi clinches.
Eastes is trying to pull guard but Samir Mansi turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Bassam Samir Mansi seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Samir Mansi pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Samir Mansi throws a body punch but Eastes moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Eastes ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Eastes went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Eastes closes the distance and clinches up with Samir Mansi, looking for a takedown. Eastes pushes Samir Mansi against the cage but Samir Mansi circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Samir Mansi throws a body shot but no joy.
Eastes misses with a takedown attempt - Samir Mansi sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steven Eastes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Eastes rushes Samir Mansi and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Samir Mansi dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Eastes is trying to drag Samir Mansi to the mat but Samir Mansi just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Samir Mansi stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Samir Mansi lands with a left to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Samir Mansi makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Samir Mansi.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Samir Mansi.
Eastes goes for a takedown attempt but Samir Mansi pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Samir Mansi scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Samir Mansi throws a shot from downtown. Eastes moves away and avoids it.
Samir Mansi swings for the body but Eastes moves out of range.

Samir Mansi clinches up against the cage.
Samir Mansi digs a right hand underneath Eastes's ribcage. Eastes let out a lung full of air as it connected.

Samir Mansi breaks the clinch.
Samir Mansi takes a swing at Eastes's ribcage but misses.
Samir Mansi throws a hook but Eastes blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Samir Mansi looks to land a left hand but Eastes moved out of range nicely.
Eastes uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Samir Mansi.

Samir Mansi clinches.
Samir Mansi softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Samir Mansi stalling the fight.
Eastes wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A right hand to the body from Samir Mansi.
Samir Mansi lands a left hand.
A short body shot lands from Samir Mansi as the two fighters clinch.
Samir Mansi lands with a short shot to the head.
Samir Mansi lands with a left to the head.
Samir Mansi effectively controlling the action here.
Still in the clinch, Samir Mansi scores with a nice short uppercut.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Bassam Samir Mansi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Samir Mansi looks to throw the jab but Eastes is out of range.
Samir Mansi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Eastes moves away.
Samir Mansi looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Eastes keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Samir Mansi.
Samir Mansi looks to throw the jab but Eastes is out of range.
Eastes staying out of range there.
Samir Mansi waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Eastes.
Eastes swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Samir Mansi jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Eastes fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Samir Mansi throws out a counter right but Eastes avoids it with no problem.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Samir Mansi throws a shot from downtown. Eastes moves away and avoids it.
Samir Mansi misses with an uppercut. Eastes saw that one coming.
Samir Mansi is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Eastes.
Eastes has a takedown stuffed.
A countering left hand to the body from Samir Mansi misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Eastes swings widly with a right hand
and Samir Mansi counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Eastes uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Samir Mansi.
Samir Mansi displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Eastes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steven Eastes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Samir Mansi misses with a hook.
Eastes swings for the body but Samir Mansi moves out of range.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Samir Mansi! But no joy.
Samir Mansi throws a shot from downtown. Eastes moves away and avoids it.
Samir Mansi is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Samir Mansi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Eastes manages to avoid it.
Samir Mansi throws a shot from downtown. Eastes moves away and avoids it.
Samir Mansi slaps away a takedown attempt from Eastes, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Samir Mansi has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Samir Mansi has Eastes up against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Eastes being controlled against the cage.
Samir Mansi lands with a short shot to the head.
A short uppercut from Samir Mansi.

Samir Mansi manages to break the clinch.
Eastes ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Samir Mansi moves away.
Eastes takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Samir Mansi jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Samir Mansi misses the shot to the body.
Eastes looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Samir Mansi throws a body shot but no joy.
Jab from Samir Mansi.
Samir Mansi swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Samir Mansi forces Eastes back against the cage and clinches.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Samir Mansi.
A left hand lands to the body for Samir Mansi.

Samir Mansi breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Samir Mansi throws a hook but Eastes blocks it.
Eastes seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
A big right from Samir Mansi misses.

Samir Mansi has managed to clinch.
Samir Mansi leaning against his opponent.
Samir Mansi lands a shoulder strike.
Samir Mansi lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
A left hand lands to the body for Samir Mansi.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Samir Mansi effectively controlling the action here.
Come on Samir Mansi - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

Samir Mansi breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Eastes displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Samir Mansi throws out the jab.
Bassam Samir Mansi is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
A big right from Samir Mansi misses.
A counter left hand to the body from Eastes misses its target.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Eastes is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Samir Mansi lands a left hand that snaps the head of Eastes backwards.
Eastes is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Samir Mansi is keeping busy.
Steven Eastes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Samir Mansi blocks an elbow strike from Eastes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bassam Samir Mansi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Samir Mansi has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 25:30
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 25:30
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bassam Samir Mansi!
Bassam Samir Mansi bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.