PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Melvin Manhoef (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chris Lappin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Manhoef
vs
Lappin

174 cm
23
195 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

170 cm
22
165 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Melvin Manhoef!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Chris Lappin!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Chris Edwards and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Manhoef uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Lappin.
Lappin throws a hook but Manhoef blocks it.
Manhoef lands a two punch combo.
Manhoef misses with a jab, cross combination.
Manhoef lands a two punch combo.

Manhoef scores with a takedown into Lappin's guard.
Manhoef wanted to stand there but Lappin had control of the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Manhoef decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Lappin gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Manhoef decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Lappin, up you get!
A head kick misses from Manhoef.
Lappin changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Manhoef tries to avoid it but Lappin manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Manhoef to the ground. Manhoef escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Manhoef will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Lappin is defended easily by Manhoef.
Lappin looks gassed!
Manhoef shoots in looking for a takedown. Lappin tries to sprawl out of it but Manhoef keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Lappin manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Manhoef lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

Manhoef moves into range and clinches up with Lappin.
Manhoef lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

Manhoef breaks from the clinch.
Manhoef tries to clinch up but Lappin circles away and keeps his distance.
Lappin misses with a looping left.
Manhoef lands a head kick. Lappin smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Manhoef leaves Lappin with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Melvin Manhoef has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chris Lappin.
Lappin shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Manhoef counters with a two punch combo.
Danga de danga de dang - Manhoef scores with a four punch combination!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lappin misses with a double jab
and Manhoef counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Manhoef stalks Lappin and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Lappin's face. Lappin staggers backwards, shaken.
Manhoef scores with a head kick.
Manhoef's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Manhoef duly obliges.
Manhoef lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Lappin backs up against the cage.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Manhoef!
A slapping leg kick lands for Manhoef.

Manhoef gets the takedown into side control.
Manhoef working the head and body with strikes.
Manhoef connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Lappin some visible discomfort.
Lappin is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Manhoef is controlling him well.
Manhoef trying to control the position but Lappin is working away.

Manhoef is trying to get an arm triangle but Lappin is defending well.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
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!
Manhoef throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Lappin can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manhoef cracks Lappin with a big elbow.
Manhoef sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Lappin is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.

Lappin throws Manhoef to one side and escapes!

Manhoef looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Manhoef lands a couple of elbows.
Lappin is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Manhoef wanted to stand there but Lappin had control of the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Manhoef is looking to work some ground and pound but Lappin has wrist control.

Lappin wriggles free and stands up.
Manhoef tries to bum rush Lappin with a series of wild strikes but Lappin uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Manhoef tries to close the distance and clinch up but Lappin swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Manhoef misses with a jab, cross combination.
Lappin fails in his attempt to clinch.

Lappin scores a takedown into full mount!
Lappin landing punches.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Manhoef is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Manhoef tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Lappin trying to control but Manhoef is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Melvin Manhoef dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Manhoef throws a head kick that half lands.
Manhoef tries a head kick but it misses.
Lappin takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Manhoef misses with the combination.
Lappin swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Manhoef counters with a nice kick to the body.
Manhoef throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Lappin.
Manhoef stuffs the takedown attempt from Lappin. Lappin gets slowly back to his feet.
Lappin ducks right into an uppercut from Manhoef.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A head kick from Manhoef lands but Lappin takes it in his stride.
Melvin Manhoef is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lappin jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Manhoef takes the fight into the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Manhoef.

Manhoef escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Manhoef goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A left and a right from Manhoef both land. Nice combination.

Manhoef rushes Lappin and presses him up against the cage.
Manhoef throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Lappins head.
Lappin tries to pull guard but Manhoef won't allow it.
Lappin gets underhooks to prevent Manhoef's takedown attempt.
Manhoef wants to get back to striking at distance but Lappin won't allow it.
Lappin tries for a takedown. No joy.
Melvin Manhoef has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chris Lappin.

Manhoef's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Manhoef gets a clinch.
Manhoef looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Manhoef is looking to break free of the clinch but Lappin has double underhooks.
Lappin wants a takedown but no success here.
Manhoef tries to break the clinch but Lappin is controlling the position.
Manhoef wants to break the clinch but can't.
Lappin gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Manhoef.
Manhoef is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Lappin throws an elbow but it misses.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

Lappin pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lappin throws a body punch but Manhoef moves out of range.
Manhoef digs a good hook to Lappin's body.
Manhoef throws a series of punches but Lappin moves out of range.
Manhoef connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Manhoef.
Manhoef is working the combinations to good effect here.
A slow jab from Lappin misses its intended target.

Lappin scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Lappin prevents Manhoef from escaping the position.
Lappin tries to move into full mount but can't pass Manhoef's legs.
Lappin connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Manhoef some visible discomfort.
Lappin scoring with punches from side control.
Manhoef is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Lappin has just dragged him back down to the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lappin tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Lappin landing a few strikes.
Manhoef tries to contro but end up mounted... ooooh, that's bad.
Lappin landing punches.
Manhoef wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Lappin looking to control but Manhoef is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Manhoef is trying to stand up.
Lappin landing strikes from the mount.

Lappin working for a submission but Manhoef is keeping him at bay.

That's four 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.

Lappin working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Lappin lands a heavy elbow.
Lappin sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Manhoef bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Lappin is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Lappin working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Manhoef.
Manhoef with a nice head shot there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Melvin Manhoef dominated that second round.
That's time! Manhoef's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Lappin looks to land a left hand but Manhoef moved out of range nicely.
Manhoef goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Manhoef throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Manhoef throws a head kick that half lands.
Danga de danga de dang - Manhoef scores with a four punch combination!
Manhoef turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Lappin takes a kick to the side of the head.
Manhoef plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

Manhoef rushes Lappin and presses him up against the cage.
Manhoef goes for a takedown attempt but Lappin pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Lappin takes the fight into the clinch.
Manhoef taking a breather.
Manhoef looking for a takedown.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Manhoef escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Manhoef blocks a head kick by Lappin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manhoef throws a series of punches but Lappin avoids them all with ease.
Manhoef defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Lappin.
Lappin displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Manhoef.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Melvin Manhoef. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lappin throws a lazy head kick
and Manhoef counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

Lappin feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Lappin wants to control from the top but Manhoef keeps moving.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Manhoef holds on and takes a little breather.
Manhoef is trying to keep Lappin in close.
Lappin postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Lappin controls from within his opponent's guard.
Manhoef wants to stand but Lappin is controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manhoef is trying to control the position but Lappin postures up.

Lappin stands up and waves to Manhoef to follow him.
Horrible takedown by Manhoef or perhaps it was just good defense by Lappin which made him look bad.
Manhoef comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Manhoef pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Lappin fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Manhoef has Lappin up against the cage in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Manhoef escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Lappin tries to close the distance and clinch up but Manhoef swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Lappin has closed the distance and engaged Manhoef in a clinch.
Lappin wants a takedown.
Lappin goes for a takedown in the clinch but Manhoef prevents it.
Manhoef drops down looking for an ankle pick but Lappin pulls his leg out and moves away.
Manhoef stalks Lappin and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Lappin's face. Lappin staggers backwards, shaken.
Lappin misses with a shot to the body
and Manhoef counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Lappin is lucky that one didn't land flush.
A combination from Manhoef does no damage.
Manhoef bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Lappin swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Manhoef misses with the combination.
Manhoef throws a one two combo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
No joy there for Lappin, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Lappin is defended easily by Manhoef.
Lappin tries for a takedown but Manhoef circles away easily
and Manhoef counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Melvin Manhoef is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Lappin looks to throw the jab but Manhoef is out of range.
Chris Lappin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Manhoef closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Manhoef wants to break the clinch but can't.
Lappin changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Manhoef fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Manhoef lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Lappin backs up against the cage.
Manhoef scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Manhoef lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Manhoef.
Lappin throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Manhoef counters with a nice body shot.
Lappin gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Manhoef counters with a one-two to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Melvin Manhoef.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Manhoef, 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 Daniel Bishop scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 30:27
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Melvin Manhoef!