PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ashot Agopyan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Timmy McMannus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ashot Agopyan had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Agopyan
vs
McMannus

180 cm
23
185 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

183 cm
19
185 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Good gas tank

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ashot Agopyan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Timmy McMannus!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Frank Dennis and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Agopyan is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Agopyan tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but McMannus was well out of range. Poor timing from Agopyan.
Agopyan throws a right and a left that both miss.
Agopyan connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Agopyan throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

McMannus closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Agopyan on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Agopyan tries to get out of the position.
Agopyan wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

McMannus working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
You can see the frustration on Agopyan's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Agopyan tries to improve position but can't.

McMannus is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Agopyan has escaped the position, nice work there.
Agopyan trying to remain calm as McMannus controls from the top position.
Agopyan can't do much from the bottom here.
Agopyan throwing some weak shots from the bottom that do no damage.
Agopyan gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Agopyan tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Agopyan trying to hold on to McMannus's head to control him but McMannus postures up.
McMannus passes the guard and advances to mount!
Agopyan knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for McMannus on the ground.
McMannus trying to control but Agopyan is having none of it.

McMannus working for a submission but Agopyan is keeping him at bay.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McMannus manages to capitalize on a mistake by Agopyan to take his back!

Agopyan is trying to shake McMannus off. He's managed it and has hopped back to his feet! McMannus won't be happy about giving up the dominant position.
McMannus tries to score a power double leg takedown but Agopyan sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten McMannus somewhat.
McMannus shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Agopyan pinned against the cage. Agopyan gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Agopyan pushes McMannus up against the cage in a clinch.
McMannus is trying to drag Agopyan to the mat but Agopyan just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Ashot Agopyan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Timmy McMannus.

Agopyan has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but McMannus regains guard immediately.
Agopyan wants to pass the guard but McMannus is keeping the position.
McMannus is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Ashot Agopyan will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Agopyan stalks McMannus and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into McMannus's face. McMannus staggers backwards, shaken.

Agopyan drives through and clinches with McMannus against the cage.

Agopyan breaks from the clinch.
Ashot Agopyan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice takedown defense from Agopyan. No joy for McMannus on that attempt.
Agopyan scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. McMannus doesn't seem bothered though.
McMannus slips a jab and a cross from Agopyan.
McMannus uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Agopyan.
McMannus walks into a jab.
McMannus shoots in looking for a takedown. Agopyan tries to sprawl out of it but McMannus keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Agopyan manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Agopyan with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Ashot Agopyan is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Agopyan moves into the clinch successfully.
Agopyan is looking for a takedown up against the cage. McMannus gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Agopyan fails to pull guard.
McMannus changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Agopyan fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Ashot Agopyan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Timmy McMannus.
Agopyan throws a series of strikes that have McMannus backpedaling.
The fighters circling - Agopyan throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Agopyan defends well against a solid takedown attempt from McMannus.
The fighters circle momentarily. Agopyan darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

Agopyan shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in McMannus's guard.
Agopyan looking to sit in guard and control but McMannus gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Agopyan wants to stand up but McMannus is controlling him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

McMannus avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Agopyan wriggles free and stands up.
Agopyan throws an overhand right that lands on McMannus's shoulder, as McMannus tries to avoid the shot.
McMannus moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Agopyan with a body punch. A glancing blow.

McMannus bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

McMannus has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McMannus gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Agopyan counters with a series of strikes. McMannus will be more careful next time no doubt.
Agopyan throws a nice looking combination but McMannus bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Agopyan thumps McMannus with a low kick.
McMannus shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Agopyan counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Agopyan swings and misses with a hook to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Agopyan rushes McMannus and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

McMannus has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Agopyan is trying to keep an underhook but McMannus manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Agopyan tries to get to full guard but McMannus has control of the leg.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ashot Agopyan dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

McMannus drives through with a takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Agopyan looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Agopyan wants to sweep but no luck.
McMannus trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Agopyan looking to hit a scissor sweep but McMannus is one step ahead there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McMannus controls from within his opponent's guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Agopyan throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McMannus wants to control from the top but Agopyan keeps moving.
Agopyan is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst McMannus is controlling him.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

McMannus closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Agopyan to the mat! Agopyan manages to get full guard.
Agopyan striking off his back but it's not causing McMannus any problems.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Agopyan throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
McMannus looking to sit in guard and control but Agopyan gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Agopyan trying to control the position from guard on top but McMannus is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Agopyan is really struggling to control McMannus but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Agopyan pushes down on McMannus's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McMannus trying to hold on to Agopyan's head to control him but Agopyan postures up.
Agopyan wants to lay and pray for a moment but McMannus keeps working.
Agopyan misses with a head shot. McMannus uses the momentum to regain guard.
McMannus keeping full guard, as Agopyan tries to pass.
Agopyan has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Agopyan trying to control the position from guard on top but McMannus is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four 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.

McMannus has his foot on Agopyan's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Agopyan works his way back into a safe position though.
McMannus thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Agopyan is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Timmy McMannus has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Agopyan trying to control the position from guard on top but McMannus is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

McMannus has his foot on Agopyan's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Agopyan works his way back into a safe position though.
Ashot Agopyan is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Agopyan trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but McMannus manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

And that's the end of the fight!
Timmy McMannus comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Agopyan 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ashot Agopyan!