PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Akuma Manivong (ranked 674 p4p, 1222 weight class) and Banana Republic (ranked 105 p4p, 179 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Manivong
vs
Republic

193 cm
27
266
8 - 6 - 0

191 cm
27
270
11 - 10 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

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 8 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Akuma Manivong!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Banana Republic!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Yuuki Gou and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Manivong misses with an uppercut
letting Republic counter with a right hand.
Manivong has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Manivong misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Republic moves into the clinch.
Manivong tries a body shot but Republic blocks it.
Manivong blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Manivong's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Manivong throws a sloppy head kick and Republic moves out of range easily.
It seemed like Republic was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Manivong walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Republic checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Republic! But no joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Manivong connects with an inside leg kick.
Manivong tries to work over Republic's front leg with a kick but Republic checks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manivong throws a leg kick but Republic sees it coming and checks it nicely.
It seemed like Republic was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Manivong lands with a kick to the temple. Republic shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

It looks like Banana Republic has been cut.
Manivong tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Republic tries to clinch but Manivong moves out of range.
Manivong throws an off balance right hand
and Republic counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Manivong fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
A good leg kick by Manivong.

Manivong closes the distance and pushes Republic back into the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Manivong.
Manivong swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Republic wants to break the clinch but can't.
Manivong misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Manivong scores with a hook to the body.

Manivong breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Akuma Manivong seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Manivong paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Manivong throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Republic on the side of the head.
Republic checks the leg kick nicely there.
A nice side step and Republic releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
The fight stays on the outside here - Manivong looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A little jabbing left from Republic on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manivong throws a leg kick that is checked
and Republic counters with a straight right hand.
Manivong misses with a hook. Republic ducked under it nicely.
Republic looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Manivong misses with a body kick.
Republic lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Manivong throws a wild body kick that Republic sees coming a mile off.
Republic swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

Republic moves into the clinch.
Republic swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Republic tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Republic makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Republic struggles to land a body shot inside as Manivong controls his hands.
Manivong has a couple of punches blocked by Republic.
Republic lands a left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Republic lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Manivong scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Republic lands a nice uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Republic lands a nice uppercut.
Republic lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Manivong backwards.
Republic throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Manivongs head.
Republic throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Manivongs head.
A head punch on the inside from Republic fails to land.
Republic lands a hook to the side of the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Manivong.
Manivong working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Republic has a couple of punches blocked by Manivong.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Republic.
A nice left hand lands by Manivong.
Republic lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Manivong lands a left hand that snaps the head of Republic backwards.
Manivong stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Manivong has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Republic after a bit of a struggle.
Republic working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Manivong is breathing heavily.
Manivong swings wildly with an uppercut but Republic uses good head movement to avoid it.
Republic throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Manivongs head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Akuma Manivong will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Banana Republic's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Manivong throws a sloppy body shot
and Republic counters with a straight right hand.

Republic drives through and clinches with Manivong against the cage.
Manivong fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Republic misses with the head strike.

Republic escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Manivong rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Republic counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Manivong swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Republic counters with a straight right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A bone on bone clash there as Republic blocks the leg kick.
Republic swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Manivong misses with a head kick.
Manivong throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manivong just misses with a punch to the body.
Republic blocks a head kick by Manivong.
Republic looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Manivong throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Republic looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Republic moves in looking to clinch but Manivong pushes him off.

Manivong has Republic up against the cage in a clinch.
Republic gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Manivong.
Manivong tries a body shot but Republic blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Republic swings wildly with an uppercut but Manivong uses good head movement to avoid it.
Republic misses with a knee strike.
A short uppercut from Manivong.
Manivong scores with a shot to the side of Republic's head.
Republic misses with a hook from the clinch.
Republic misses with a knee strike.
Republic trying to land knees to the body.
Republic swings away with an uppercut that misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Republic.
Manivong throws a head punch that misses.

Manivong pulls guard successfully.

Manivong is looking for a triangle but Republic pushes his legs off easily.

Manivong escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Republic gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
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!

Manivong looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Republic passes into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Manivong's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Manivong is looking to regain half guard here but Republic keeps moving and retains side control.
Manivong regains half guard.
Manivong is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Republic's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Republic's back!
Republic is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

Manivong looking for the choke from the back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Republic fending off the submission attempt from Manivong.

Manivong is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Republic has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.

Republic is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Manivong gets his way!
Republic is trying to stand back up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Manivong looking for the RNC.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Akuma Manivong dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Banana Republic's cut.
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. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Manivong tries to land a leg kick but Republic saw it coming and moves away.

Manivong takes the fight into the clinch.
Manivong lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Republic backwards.
Republic throws a punch but it's blocked by Manivong.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Manivong.
Manivong gets through Republic's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Republic blocks a body shot from Manivong.
Manivong goes for a takedown attempt but Republic pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Republic ducks under a wild hook from Manivong.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Republic moves in looking to clinch but Manivong pushes him off.
Manivong throws a head kick but Republic moves out of range.
Republic let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manivong pivots, looking for a leg kick but Republic is out of range and Manivong settles back down.
It seemed like Republic was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Manivong wants to clinch.
A little jabbing left from Republic on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
A shot to the body from Manivong misses
and Manivong takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Banana Republic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Republic blocks a head kick by Manivong.
Republic appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Manivong tried to score with a low kick but Republic checks it.
A nice side step and Republic releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Republic moves in looking to clinch but Manivong pushes him off.
Akuma Manivong is winning the standup battle so far.
A looping hook to the body misses from Manivong. Republic does a little dance to reset his feet.
Manivong tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Republic counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Manivong lands an overhand right.
Republic fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
A quick step to the side and Manivong tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manivong thows a leg kick but Republic checks it
and Republic counters with a stiff right hand.
Manivong lands a jab.
A nice leg kick from Manivong, right into the meat of the thigh.
Manivong paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Manivong scores with a sloppy right hand. Republic should have avoided that one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Republic blocks a jab.
Republic looks like he wants to counter punch here.

Manivong gets tackled into the cage by Republic. Republic maintains the clinch.
Republic takes a shot to the head.

That has opened up Banana Republic's cut even more.

Manivong breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Republic keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Akuma Manivong is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Manivong looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Manivong bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Manivong throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Republic let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.

And that's the end of the fight!
Akuma Manivong showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Manivong, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 29:28
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Akuma Manivong!
After the fight, Akuma Manivong was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.