PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rory Flanagan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Mann (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Flanagan comes to the cage accompanied by Whiskey in the jar - The Dubliners. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Flanagan
vs
Mann

185 cm
20
185 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

180 cm
20
175 lbs
0 - 0 - 1

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Rory Flanagan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 1, fighting out of London, James Mann!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Chris Edwards and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Left hook, right uppercut from Flanagan.

It looks like James Mann has been cut.
Mann misses with the combination.
Mann lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Flanagan looks to land a combination but Mann avoids it well.
Mann lands a nice looking body shot.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Mann scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Mann shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Flanagan defends it nicely.
James Mann seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Flanagan fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mann connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Flanagan avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Mann misses with the combination.
Mann looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Mann's corner calls for a 1-2. Mann obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Flanagan looks to score with a jab to the body but Mann is just out of range.
A punch combination from Flanagan misses.
Mann misses with the combination.
Mann misses with a wild combination.
Flanagan misses with a wild combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mann fails in his attempt to clinch.
Mann tries to clinch up but Flanagan circles away and keeps his distance.
Mann closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Mann throws a left and a right that both miss
and Flanagan cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Mann uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Flanagan.
Flanagan misses with a wild body shot.
Flanagan moves forwards but Mann connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Mann moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Mann throws a right and a left that Flanagan avoids nicely.
Mann tries to close the distance and clinch but Flanagan swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Mann slips a jab and a cross from Flanagan.
Mann is looking to clinch.
Flanagan misses with a hook. Mann ducked under it nicely.
Flanagan lands a lovely overhand right.
Mann throws a right hand that Flanagan ducks under and follows up with a left that Flanagan also avoids with ease.
Mann lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
A big left from Flanagan misses.
Flanagan misses with a double jab
and Mann counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Flanagan fails to land with a series of punches.
Flanagan showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Mann.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Flanagan throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Mann lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Flanagan circles away quickly and effectively.
Mann misses with a double jab.
Flanagan scores with a nice strike.
Mann throws a combination. Flanagan tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Mann swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Flanagan counters with a right hand to the body.
Rory Flanagan is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Flanagan is breathing heavily.
Mann fails to land with a series of punches.
Mann connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Flanagan misses with a wild body shot.
Mann throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Mann gets a clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mann prevents Flanagan from breaking the clinch.
Flanagan is trying to break the clinch but Mann has him pressed against the cage.
Mann keeps control of Flanagan as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Mann is trying to break free.

Flanagan breaks the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mann throws a combination that misses
and Flanagan counters with a straight right hand.
Flanagan ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mann moves away.
Mann swinging wilding here.
Mann staying out of range there.
Flanagan looks to throw the jab but Mann is out of range.

Mann drives through and clinches with Flanagan against the cage.

Flanagan is fighting off a takedown attempt but Mann is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Flanagan to the mat. Flanagan regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Mann tries to stand but Flanagan is controlling from the bottom.

Flanagan is working an open guard so Mann takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Flanagan thuds his right hand into Mann's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Flanagan throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Flanagan takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Flanagan lands with an uppercut that bounces Mann off the cage and back into rage.
Flanagan lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
A nice combination there by Mann.
Flanagan scores with a jab to the body.
Flanagan misses with a jab, cross combination.
Flanagan is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Flanagan swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Danga de danga de dang - Flanagan scores with a four punch combination!
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!
Mann takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Flanagan misses with a hook. Mann ducked under it nicely.
Mann takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Flanagan comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Mann takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Flanagan lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Mann backs up against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mann throws a leg kick
letting Flanagan counter with a right hand.
Flanagan looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Danga de danga de dang - Mann scores with a four punch combination!
Mann slips a jab from Flanagan.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rory Flanagan dominated that round.
The cut man is working on James Mann's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Flanagan misses with a two punch combination.
Mann tries to close the distance and clinch but Flanagan swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A combination from Mann does no damage.
Flanagan throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Mann shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Mann seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.

Mann stands up from half guard.
Flanagan moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Mann throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Flanagan.
Flanagan showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Mann.
No joy there for Flanagan, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Flanagan misses with a wild combination.
Flanagan misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mann.
Mann tries to bum rush Flanagan with a series of wild strikes but Flanagan uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Mann looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Mann takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Nice straight punches there by Flanagan. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Flanagan.
Mann avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Flanagan's corner calls for a 1-2. Flanagan obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Mann ducks right into an uppercut from Flanagan.
Flanagan showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Mann.
Flanagan takes a swing at Mann's ribcage but misses.
Flanagan misses with a two punch combination.
Mann misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Flanagan misses the shot to the body.
Left hook, right uppercut from Flanagan.
Rory Flanagan is winning the standup battle so far.
Mann throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Flanagan.
Flanagan thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mann clobbers Flanagan with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Mann connects with a body shot.
Mann misses with a series of wild punches.
Mann misses with a two punch combination.

Mann fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Flanagan sprawls well initially but Mann persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Flanagan on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Flanagan tries to get out of the position.
Mann wants to stand up but Flanagan has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Flanagan is not content to let Mann control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Flanagan wants to get back to his feet.
Mann tries to stand but can't do so whilst Flanagan controls his leg.
Mann has decided to stand back up but his arm is trapped. Whilst he's worrying about his arm, Flanagan works to full guard.
Mann won't allow Flanagan to get back to his feet.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Flanagan just misses with a punch to the body.
Mann looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
A right-left combo lands from Flanagan.
Flanagan throws a jab when Mann was well out of range.
Flanagan cracks Mann with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Mann misses with a combination
and Flanagan counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Flanagan walks into a stiff left hand from Mann.
Mann throws a combination that misses
and Flanagan counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Flanagan with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Flanagan thows a body shot but no joy.
Flanagan has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Mann finds it's way round the side to connect with Flanagan's head.
Flanagan steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Mann. That one must have hurt.
Flanagan throws a hook to the side of Mann's head but Mann sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Flanagan misses with a straight right.
Mann has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

Mann closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Mann lands in his opponent's guard.

Mann gets to his feet - Flanagan follows without any prompting.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but James Mann will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on James Mann's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Mann falls off balance throwing a combination
and Flanagan counters with a two punch combo.
Some wild striking there from Mann.

Mann closes the distance and clinches.
Flanagan tries to circle away but Mann has him pinned against the cage.
Mann prevents Flanagan from breaking the clinch.
Flanagan can't break the clinch.
Flanagan is looking to break free of the clinch but Mann has double underhooks.

Flanagan breaks from the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Flanagan throws a shot from downtown. Mann moves away and avoids it.
A jab from Mann does it's job there.
Flanagan just misses with a punch to the body.
Flanagan connects with a right hand. Mann shakes it off.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Mann.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Flanagan takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Mann.
Mann throws a series of punches but Flanagan moves out of range.
Mann misses with a few strikes there.
Mann throws a right and a left that both miss.
Mann swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Mann misses with a hook.
Mann uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Flanagan.
The fight stays on the outside here - Mann looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Flanagan throws a nice looking combination but Mann bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Flanagan throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Mann.
Mann throws a right and a left that both miss.
Flanagan lands with a nice combination. Mann backs away looking to recover.
Flanagan throws a right and a left that Mann avoids nicely.
Mann throws a series of punches but Flanagan moves out of range.
Mann lands a two punch combo.
Mann takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Mann fails to land with a series of punches.
Rory Flanagan is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mann scores with a three punch combo!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Flanagan takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Flanagan scores with a nice right hand.
Mann looks to land a combination. Flanagan sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Mann throws a nice looking combination but Flanagan bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Mann throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Mann misses with a two punch combination.
Flanagan scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Flanagan fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mann manages to avoid it.
Flanagan misses with a two punch combination.
Flanagan misses with a wild body shot.
Mann might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Mann misses with a series of wild punches.
Flanagan misses with a wild body shot.
Flanagan misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mann.
Mann swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Flanagan counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Flanagan takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Mann scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Flanagan takes a swing at Mann's ribcage but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mann throws a right hand that Flanagan ducks under and follows up with a left that Flanagan also avoids with ease.
Flanagan scores with a punch to the head.
Mann misses with the combination.
Flanagan scores with a shot to the body.
Flanagan throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Mann fails to land with a series of punches.
Mann lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Flanagan thows a body shot but no joy.
Decent striking displayed by Flanagan there.
Mann will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Mann on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Flanagan dodges the punch combination from Mann.
Flanagan jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Jab from Flanagan.
Mann tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Flanagan paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Flanagan fails to land with a series of punches.
Flanagan avoids a punch combination nicely.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Flanagan, as that shot connected.
Mann throws a one two combo.
Flanagan checks a leg kick.
A punch combination from Flanagan misses.
Mann takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Mann moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Flanagan looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Mann throws a combination that misses
and Flanagan counters with a right hand to the body.
Mann misses with a jab, cross combination.
Mann avoids a punch combination nicely.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Flanagan pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

Mann darts in and clinches Flanagan up against the cage.
Mann working hard to break the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rory Flanagan showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Flanagan 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 William Gold scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Glass scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rory Flanagan!