PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Justin Mkenn (ranked 5206 p4p, 3944 weight class) and Sherman Manau (ranked 220 p4p, 188 weight class). Manau has chosen Big Boys as his entrance music. The key to victory for Justin Mkenn has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Mkenn
vs
Manau

225 cm
23
300
2 - 6 - 0

200 cm
24
300
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Furnace Performance 🔥
Silverguard Outfitters 🛡

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Justin Mkenn!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Sherman Manau!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Illya Tyunina and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mkenn lands an overhand right.
Manau avoids the head kick by Mkenn.
Manau misses with a jab, cross combination.

Manau lands a left and a right that send Mkenn crashing to the mat, dazed. Manau thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!

It looks like Justin Mkenn has been cut.
Manau misses with a wild combination.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A combination from Manau does no damage.
Mkenn feinted with a counter takedown.
Manau misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mkenn.
Mkenn changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Manau throws a hook but Mkenn blocks it.
Mkenn tries to counter with a takedown but Manau is quick to defend against it.
Mkenn tries to clinch up but Manau circles away and keeps his distance.
Mkenn uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Manau.
Manau throws a right and a left that Mkenn avoids nicely.
Manau misses with a two punch combination.
Manau throws a nice looking combination but Mkenn bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
We've been told by Mkenn's head coaches at Deathsquad that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Manau thows a left - swing and a miss!
Manau misses the jab.
Good exchange - Mkenn coming out on top.
Mkenn moves out of range of the strikes.
Manau misses with a straight right.
Mkenn scores with a one two! Manau had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manau thows a left - swing and a miss!
Manau takes a swing at Mkenn's ribcage but misses.
Manau looks to land a right hand but Mkenn moved out of range.
Manau misses with a double jab.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Manau throws a right hand that Mkenn ducks under and follows up with a left that Mkenn also avoids with ease.
Mkenn attempts a counter takedown but Manau avoids it well and moves away.
Manau blocks a head kick by Mkenn.
Manau throws a hook but Mkenn blocks it.
Manau misses with a wild body shot.
Manau misses with a few strikes there.
Mkenn appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Manau is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Mkenn.

It looks like Sherman Manau has been cut.

Mkenn closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Mkenn keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Manau's efforts to push away.
Manau has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Manau escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manau with a hook.
Manau misses with a straight left.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Manau throws a lazy right hand but Mkenn sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Manau is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Manau misses the jab.
Manau throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A big left from Manau misses.
Manau showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Mkenn.
Manau throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Mkenn doesn't manage to clinch there - Manau circles away.
A big left from Manau misses.
Manau avoids the head kick by Mkenn.
Mkenn is breathing heavily.
Manau connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Mkenn closes the distance but Manau moves to the side
and Manau counters with a straight right hand.
Mkenn slips a jab and a cross from Manau.
Manau tries to bum rush Mkenn with a series of wild strikes but Mkenn uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Mkenn drops down looking for a counter takedown but Manau sprawls and moves away.
No joy there for Manau, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mkenn needs to keep his hands up - Manau had a free shot at his head there.

Mkenn is rocked!
Manau misses with a straight right.
Mkenn drops down looking for a counter takedown but Manau sprawls and moves away.
Mkenn throws a series of strikes that have Manau backpedaling.
Manau uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Mkenn.
Mkenn lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Manau misses with a wild combination.
Mkenn keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Manau.
Mkenn lands a nice looking kick to the body. Manau takes a step back to recover.
Mkenn slips under a jab from Manau.
Mkenn lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Manau misses with a few strikes there.
Mkenn changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Mkenn moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Mkenn uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Manau.
Manau throws a right hand that Mkenn ducks under and follows up with a left that Mkenn also avoids with ease.
Manau throws the left hand but Mkenn avoids the punch easily.
Mkenn bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Manau misses.
Manau looks to throw the jab but Mkenn is out of range.
Some wild striking there from Manau.
Mkenn tries to counter with a takedown but Manau is quick to defend against it.
Mkenn tries to bum rush Manau with a series of wild strikes but Manau uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Manau misses with a few strikes there.
Mkenn comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Mkenn throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Manau's head.
Mkenn showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Manau.
Mkenn scores with a jab.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Some wild striking there from Manau.
Manau swings for the body but Mkenn moves out of range.
Mkenn appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Manau scores with a one two! Mkenn had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Sherman Manau dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Mkenn misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Manau.
Mkenn throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Sloppy strikes from Manau. Those never looked like landing.
Manau misses with a looping right.
Mkenn half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
A swing and a miss from Manau.
Mkenn ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Manau misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Manau in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Mkenn showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Manau.

Mkenn pushes Manau up against the cage in a clinch.

Manau breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mkenn lets loose with a powerful body kick. Manau will feel that in the morning.
Manau lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

Justin Mkenn's cut is getting worse.
Sherman Manau seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Mkenn throws a series of punches but Manau avoids them all with ease.
Mkenn misses with a two 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!
Manau misses with a straight left.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mkenn moves in looking to clinch but Manau pushes him off.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Manau! But no joy.
Mkenn uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Manau.
Manau on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Mkenn ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Manau moves away.
Manau misses with a straight left.
Mkenn lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Manau circles away quickly and effectively.
Manau misses with the combination.

Mkenn has closed the distance and engaged Manau in a clinch.

Manau manages to break the clinch.
Manau throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Manau throws a big shot that misses.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Manau swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sloppy strikes from Manau. Those never looked like landing.
A punch combination from Manau misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mkenn avoids a punch combination nicely.
Justin Mkenn is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mkenn fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mkenn avoids a punch combination nicely.
Manau takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Mkenn tries to close the distance and clinch up but Manau swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Mkenn darts in and clinches Manau up against the cage.
Manau wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Manau fails to land.
Manau wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Manau is looking to break free of the clinch but Mkenn has double underhooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mkenn gets through Manau's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Manau wants to get back to striking at distance but Mkenn won't allow it.
Mkenn prevents Manau from breaking the clinch.
Mkenn gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Manau wants to break the clinch but can't.
Manau wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Manau's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Manau throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Manau throws a jab when Mkenn was well out of range.
Mkenn uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Manau.
Mkenn tries to counter with a takedown but Manau is quick to defend against it.
Manau 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.
No joy there for Manau, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Manau just misses with a punch to the body.
Manau has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Mkenn is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mkenn throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Manau throws a hook but Mkenn avoids it easily.
Manau throws out a loose jab but Mkenn uses good head movement to avoid it.

Mkenn has closed the distance and engaged Manau in a clinch.
Manau is trying to force a seperation but Mkenn has the dominant position.
Manau is trying to push Mkenn away but Mkenn has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Manau looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Mkenn dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Manau is trying to break the clinch but Mkenn has him pressed against the cage.
Mkenn has Manau pressed against the cage, preventing Manau from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Manau is trying to break free.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Sherman Manau will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Manau looks to throw the jab but Mkenn is out of range.
Mkenn lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Mkenn.
Mkenn wants to clinch up but Manau keeps it at a distance.
Manau throws a hook but Mkenn avoids it easily.
Sloppy strikes from Mkenn. Those never looked like landing.

Mkenn moves into the clinch successfully.
Mkenn looking to slow down the pace here.
Manau can't break the clinch.
Mkenn lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Manau backwards.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Manau tries to break the clinch but Mkenn is controlling the position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Mkenn creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Manau's defenses.

Manau breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A jab from Manau finds it's way through Mkenn's defenses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manau looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Mkenn lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Manau backs up against the cage.
Mkenn moves in looking to clinch but Manau pushes him off.
Mkenn wants to clinch up but Manau keeps it at a distance.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Manau! But no joy.
Manau throws a nice looking combination but Mkenn bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Mkenn slips a straight right by Manau.
Mkenn slips a jab from Manau.
Manau scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Mkenn doesn't seem bothered though.
Sloppy strikes from Manau. Those never looked like landing.
Manau misses with a looping right.
Donk. Manau catches Mkenn right on the button with a cross.
Mkenn misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Mkenn slips a straight right by Manau.
Manau slips a jab and a cross from Mkenn.
It seemed like Manau was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A lazy left from Manau finds it's target.
A looping hook to the body misses from Mkenn. Manau does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manau ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mkenn moves away.
Manau throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Manau throws a right and a left that Mkenn avoids nicely.
Mkenn drops down looking for a counter takedown but Manau sprawls and moves away.
Manau wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Mkenn keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Manau.
Manau pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Mkenn misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Manau.
Manau throws a series of punches but Mkenn avoids them all with ease.
Mkenn lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Mkenn dodges the punch combination from Manau.
No joy there for Manau, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Mkenn is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Manau tries to circle away but Mkenn has him pinned against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manau wants to break free but Mkenn has control.
Mkenn prevents Manau from breaking the clinch.
Manau tries to break the clinch but Mkenn is controlling the position.
Manau wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Mkenn lands a nice elbow.

Manau breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Manau throws a body shot but no joy.
A right-left combo lands from Mkenn.
Manau looks to throw the jab but Mkenn is out of range.
Mkenn lands a head kick. Manau smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Manau connects with a nice looking jab.
Mkenn tries to clinch there but Manau circles away.
Mkenn ducks right into an uppercut from Manau.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mkenn throws a body shot but no joy.
Manau throws a right and a left that both miss.
Manau misses with a wild combination.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The crowd cheers as Manau lands an impressive looking overhand right. Mkenn doesn't seem phased though.
Manau looks to land a combination but Mkenn avoids it well.
Mkenn moves away from the strike by Manau.

Mkenn drives through and clinches with Manau against the cage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Manau wants to break free but Mkenn has control.

Manau breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Manau fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Mkenn looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Justin Mkenn has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sherman Manau is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Manau throws a right and a left that both miss.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sherman Manau comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Manau winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 27:30
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 27:30
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sherman Manau!
After the fight, Sherman Manau 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.