PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Bobby Mann (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tony Hensball (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tony Hensball told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Mann
vs
Hensball

170 cm
23
140 lbs
11 - 8 - 1

175 cm
22
137 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Catch Clothing

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 11 - 8 - 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 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tony Hensball!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Wesley Smith and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hensball changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Hensball tries to clinch

and Mann counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Mann.
Hensball stops a takedown attempt from Mann.
Hensball swings wildly with an uppercut but Mann uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hensball misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Mann.
Hensball stalling against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Come on Mann - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

Mann gets control of Hensball's arms and successfully pulls guard. Mann will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Hensball gets to his feet. Mann looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Mann has closed the distance and engaged Hensball in a clinch.
Hensball misses with a hook to the ribs.
Mann blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mann is trying to stall.
Mann is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Hensball is defending well.
Mann lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Hensball tries a body shot but Mann blocks it.
Mann jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Hensball walks away with a smile on his face. Mann gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bobby Mann. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Mann forces Hensball back against the cage and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hensball tries a body shot but Mann blocks it.
Mann blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Hensball breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Hensball closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Mann is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Hensball is defending well.
Hensball is trying to push Mann away but Mann has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Hensball manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hensball is working Mann over against the cage.

Hensball manages to break the clinch.

Mann drives through and clinches with Hensball against the cage.
Hensball stops a takedown attempt from Mann.
Hensball prevents a takedown attempt there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tony Hensball dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Hensball throws a head kick that Mann semi-blocks.

Mann has managed to clinch.
Mann drops down looking for an ankle pick but Hensball pulls his leg out and moves away.

Hensball throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Mann was covering up waiting for the punch and Hensball finishes the takedown easily into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hensball stands up over Mann, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hensball wants to stand but Mann has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Mann has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hensball can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Hensball trying to stand up but can't free himself from Mann's guard.

Hensball thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Mann is looking for a triangle but Hensball pushes his legs off easily.
Hensball lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Hensball working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hensball preventing the sweep.
Hensball must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Mann is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Hensball throwing strikes but missing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mann working a defensive guard here.
Hensball throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Mann works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hensball wants to pass the guard but Mann is keeping the position.

Hensball drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Hensball jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mann bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Hensball's guard.
Mann is looking to stand up but Hensball won't let him.
Hensball bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Mann's guard.
Hensball trying to control but Mann is working from the bottom.
Hensball working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hensball wants to pass the guard but Mann is keeping the position.
Mann manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Hensball manages to get himself to full guard.
Tony Hensball has got the better of the ground game so far.
Hensball looking to hit a scissor sweep but Mann is one step ahead there.
Mann wants to pass the guard but Hensball is keeping the position.
Mann works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Mann is looking for a kimura here.

Mann is trying to work for a kimura but Hensball is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hensball is not content to let Mann control the position.
Mann trying to advance position but Hensball counters by regaining guard.
Mann tries to free his leg and advance position but Hensball is retaining full guard.
Hensball wants to get back to his feet but Mann is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hensball 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.
Hensball has a closed guard, preventing Mann from standing up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Tony Hensball will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Hensball moves in looking to clinch but Mann pushes him off.

Mann closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Hensball lands a takedown into guard.
Hensball working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hensball 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 stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hensball swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mann slips nicely into half guard.
Hensball avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Mann.

Mann is trying to work for a kimura but Hensball is defending well.

Mann is working for a submission of some sort.
Mann looks to land a strike but Hensball avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Mann pushes down on Hensball's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Bobby Mann has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hensball moves into full guard.
Mann looking to pass the guard.
Mann works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Hensball keeps control of the position for the meantime.

Mann is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Hensball sees it coming and defends easily.
Hensball has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Mann is working away from the top position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mann is looking for a kimura but Hensball is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Mann to get the leverage.
Hensball wants to control but Mann is keeping busy.
Hensball is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Hensball keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Tony Hensball is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Hensball is concentrating on defense, preventing Mann from advancing position.
Hensball has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Mann is working away from the top position though.
Hensball avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Mann.
Mann looks to land a strike but Hensball avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Mann wants to pass the guard but Hensball is keeping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mann postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Hensball is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Mann, into his guard.
Hensball trying to control the position from guard on top but Mann is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mann throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Hensball wants to control from the top but Mann keeps moving.

Mann had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Hensball defends it easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Mann looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Mann is looking to sinch up a triangle. Hensball throws the leg off to one side though and gets in tight to Mann's body to avoid the submission. Mann has instead reached around Hensball's neck and now has a guillotine! Oh, this is biiiig trouble! Mann arches his back and squeezes and forces the tap from his hapless opponent.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Bobby Mann!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Bobby Mann waved his t-shirt featuring Catch Clothing's logo in front of the cameras.