PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mauga Manuma (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt Hughes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Matt Hughes has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Manuma
vs
Hughes

183 cm
24
182 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

178 cm
26
183 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Hell's Balls Recovery

Blitzkrieg Formula 5000
Blitzkrieg Formula 5000

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 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Mauga Manuma!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Matt Hughes!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hughes lands with a cross.
Manuma throws a head kick that misses.
Manuma misses with a looping right.

Hughes shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Manuma is pulling down on Hughes's head to control his posture.
Hughes slips nicely into half guard.
Manuma works his way to full guard. Good work.
Hughes trying to control the position from guard on top but Manuma is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hughes is pushing down on Manuma's leg trying to pass to half guard. Manuma is fighting to maintain full guard but Hughes has managed to sneak the leg through.
Manuma tries to get to full guard but Hughes has control of the leg.
Hughes is trying to control. Manuma wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Manuma is looking to escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manuma won't allow Hughes to pass to mount.
Hughes throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
A slow jab from Manuma misses its intended target.
Hughes scores with a jab to the jaw.
A telegraphed right hand from Hughes misses the target.

Hughes throws a big overhand right that connects, sending Manuma tumbling to the canvas!

Manuma is rocked!
Hughes trying to control the position from guard on top but Manuma is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hughes throwing strikes but missing.
Hughes prevents Manuma from getting back to his feet.
Hughes advances to half guard.
Manuma wants to get back to full guard.
Hughes thows a huge punch but Manuma dodges it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manuma is staying active underneath Hughes, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Hughes slows the pace down in half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Manuma manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Manuma wants to sweep but no luck.
Hughes with a flurry of punches that miss.
Hughes thows a big elbow that misses.
Manuma looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hughes is one step ahead there.
Hughes with a nice head shot there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hughes trying to control the position from guard on top but Manuma is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Hughes drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Manuma dives on top into guard.
Hughes looking to control.
Hughes wants to sweep but no luck.
Hughes controls Manuma momentarily but Manuma frees himself.

Manuma got a little sloppy there for a moment and Hughes has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Manuma has managed to get both his arms back between Hughes's legs - danger averted.
Hughes looks gassed!

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.
Manuma wants to control from the top but Hughes keeps moving.
Manuma wants to pass the guard but Hughes is keeping the position.
Hughes is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Manuma controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Manuma connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Hughes momentarily.
Hughes fails with the takedown.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Hughes dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Manuma throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hughes.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Hughes, as that shot connected.

Hughes fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Manuma sprawls well initially but Hughes persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Manuma is staying active underneath Hughes, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Hughes looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Hughes trying to control the action but Manuma is working from the bottom.
Hughes tries to pass the half guard into mount. Manuma knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Manuma is looking to improve his position.
Manuma is working hard here to advance position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manuma is looking to control Hughes's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Manuma avoid being mounted?

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Hughes avoids the head kick by Manuma.
Manuma looks to score with a jab to the body but Hughes is just out of range.
Nice cross by Manuma.
Manuma throws a push kick but Hughes slaps the foot to one side.
Hughes pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Hughes connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Manuma momentarily.
Manuma pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hughes connects with a single shot there.
Manuma misses with a head kick.

Hughes feints and as Manuma raises his hands in defense, Hughes changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Oh Manuma is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hughes wants to pass the guard but Manuma is keeping the position.
Manuma seems to have got his legs back now.
Hughes throws a big right hand that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hughes passes Manuma's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Manuma is trying to maintain the position but Hughes is very close to passing his half guard.
Hughes has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Hughes trying to control the pace.
Hughes with the ground and pound but Manuma uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Hughes throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Manuma works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Hughes drops back looking for a leg! Manuma is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Manuma manages to kick Hughes off! Hughes jumps back into Manuma's guard.
Hughes won't allow Manuma to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hughes controls from within his opponent's guard.
Hughes wants to pass the guard but Manuma is keeping the position.
Hughes trying to control but Manuma is working from the bottom.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Nice uppercut there from Hughes.
Mauga Manuma is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Manuma misses with a body kick.
Hughes jabs at Manuma's body.
Hughes swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Mauga Manuma seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hughes scores with a decent looking hook.
A swing and a miss from Manuma.
Hughes moves out of range as Manuma strikes.
Manuma throws a head kick but Hughes moves out of range.
Hughes takes a head kick and keeps coming.
A big left from Manuma misses.
Hughes lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Hughes.
Manuma throws a big shot that misses.
Hughes throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Manuma.
A telegraphed right hand from Manuma misses the target.
A slapping body kick lands there for Manuma.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hughes misses with an uppercut.
Manuma scores with a nice right hand.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Manuma throws a series of punches but Hughes moves out of range.
Hughes looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Hughes tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Manuma was well out of range. Poor timing from Hughes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Hughes showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Manuma's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Manuma drops his hands momentarily and Hughes takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Manuma throws the kick towards the body but Hughes avoids it.
Hughes misses with a straight right.
Manuma tries a head kick but it misses.
Manuma walks into a left hand.
Manuma avoids a punch combination nicely.
Manuma throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Manuma takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Hughes keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Manuma.
Manuma throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

Hughes is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Manuma's half guard.
Manuma is refusing to be controlled, as Hughes sits in half guard.
Manuma is trying to stand back up but Hughes is controlling him
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hughes is looking for a kimura but Manuma is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Hughes to get the leverage.
Manuma looks like he's trying to stand up.

Hughes is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Manuma has managed to free his arm - good work.
Hughes is looking to stall here but Manuma recovers full guard.
Hughes trying to control the position from guard on top but Manuma is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hughes with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's two 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.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Manuma throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hughes sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Hughes throws a leg kick but Manuma sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Hughes has a takedown stuffed.
Matt Hughes seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Manuma looks to land a right hand but Hughes moved out of range.
Hughes swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hughes just misses with a punch to the body.
Hughes throws out a loose jab but Manuma uses good head movement to avoid it.
Manuma swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Manuma avoids the body shot from Hughes.
Manuma plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Hughes takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Good work by Hughes as he checks the leg kick.
Manuma thows a body shot but no joy.
Manuma fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Manuma scores with a nice body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manuma throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hughes swinging wildly here.
Manuma getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Hughes shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Manuma as he avoids it easily.
Hughes slips under a jab from Manuma.
Manuma cracks Hughes with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Hughes misses with a low kick.
Hughes slips a jab from Manuma.
Matt Hughes is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Manuma bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Manuma looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Hughes tests Manuma's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Manuma throws a head kick that half lands.
Hughes missing with a left hand there. Manuma was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Nice shot by Hughes.
Hughes bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Manuma misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Hughes tests Manuma's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Hughes looks to land a right hand but Manuma moved out of range.
Hughes ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Manuma moves away.
Manuma tries a head kick but it misses.
Mauga Manuma has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Hughes attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
A telegraphed right hand from Hughes misses the target.
Hughes staying out of range there.
Hughes throws a hook to the side of Manuma's head but Manuma sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hughes lands a jab.
Hughes jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Manuma misses with a hook. Hughes ducked under it nicely.
Hughes cracks Manuma with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Hughes slips a straight right by Manuma.
Hughes is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Matt Hughes.
Well Hughes has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 28:30
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matt Hughes!