PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Antonio Chavez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jeff McManus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chavez comes to the cage accompanied by La Bamba. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Chavez
vs
McManus

171 cm
22
155 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

170 cm
22
162 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

THE STEEL PENN
THE STEEL PENN

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Antonio Chavez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Jeff McManus!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McManus looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Chavez is fending him off so far but McManus persists. Nope, Chavez circles away and we're back to standing.
McManus keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A punch combination from Chavez misses.
McManus shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Chavez as he avoids it easily.
McManus has a takedown stuffed.
Antonio Chavez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jeff McManus.
McManus tries to score a power double leg takedown but Chavez sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten McManus somewhat.
McManus shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Chavez as he avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chavez misses with a jab, cross combination.

Chavez gets caught flat footed, as McManus shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Chavez keeping full guard, as McManus tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chavez 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.
McManus is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
McManus trying to control but Chavez is working from the bottom.
McManus slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's two 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.
McManus tries to stand but Chavez is controlling from the bottom.
McManus trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Chavez can't keep his opponent in guard - McManus advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McManus is looking to pass Chavez's guard but actually Chavez recovers to full guard.
McManus looking to pass the guard.
Chavez is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Chavez is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because McManus is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Chavez lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for McManus!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
McManus is squirming around, avoiding Chavez's attempts to control the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jeff McManus will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Chavez defends well against a solid takedown attempt from McManus.
McManus shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Chavez defends it nicely.

McManus moves into the clinch.
Chavez tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. McManus smiles and moves away.
Chavez throws a right hand that McManus ducks under and follows up with a left that McManus also avoids with ease.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

McManus shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. McManus showed some decent athleticism there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chavez has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. McManus is working away from the top position though.
McManus wants to take a breather but Chavez is having none of it.

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.
McManus slips a nice elbow through Chavez's hands, connecting with Chavez's forehead.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McManus working the head and body with strikes.
McManus takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Chavez is staying active underneath McManus, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
McManus tries to pass to full mount but Chavez defends it.
McManus performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McManus wants to free his trapped foot but Chavez is holding on for dear life with his legs.
McManus tries to stand but can't do so whilst Chavez controls his leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
McManus is looking to take a break and control but Chavez is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
McManus is breathing heavily.
McManus passes to side control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
McManus throwing shots but missing, from side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jeff McManus showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Chavez smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Chavez wants to clinch

and McManus counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Chavez!
McManus looking to control but Chavez is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

McManus looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Chavez is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chavez is squirming around, avoiding McManus's attempts to control the action.
McManus might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Chavez kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
McManus controlling the position easily from mount.
McManus takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
McManus takes his opponent's back. Perhaps a chance to lock up a rear naked choke here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
McManus throwing sloppy strikes.
McManus struggling to keep hold of the position.

Despite being in the dominant position, Jeff McManus just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Chavez darts in trying to clinch

and McManus counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McManus gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Chavez.

McManus jumps guard and drags Chavez to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Antonio Chavez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Chavez not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
McManus has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
McManus looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Chavez trying to control but McManus is working from the bottom.

McManus manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Antonio Chavez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
McManus is looking to land body kicks.
McManus will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Chavez throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Chavez scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Chavez misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
McManus dives in and grabs Chavez's left leg, looking for a takedown. Chavez pushes down on McManus's head and hops out.
Chavez wants to clinch but McManus slips to the side

and McManus counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Chavez!
Jeff McManus is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
McManus can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Chavez is looking to escape.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jeff McManus comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got McManus 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jeff McManus!