PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Grigoro Raspru (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Melvin Manhoef (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Raspru
vs
Manhoef

185 cm
18
185 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

174 cm
23
195 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

WAR Combat Gear

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Grigoro Raspru!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Melvin Manhoef!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, William Gold and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Raspru fails to land the takedown.

Raspru is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Manhoef's half 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.
Manhoef trying to control here.

Raspru looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Raspru is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Still in half guard, Raspru seems content to control.
Manhoef looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Raspru wants to work for an arm triangle but Manhoef is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Manhoef manages to get to full guard.
Raspru will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Manhoef wants to stand but Raspru is controlling the position.

Manhoef scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Manhoef throws a series of punches but Raspru avoids them all with ease.
Grigoro Raspru seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Manhoef looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Raspru shoots in but Manhoef avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Manhoef displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Raspru throws out the jab.
Raspru looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Grigoro Raspru. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Raspru fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Raspru.
Manhoef misses with the combination.
Manhoef looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Manhoef throws a series of punches but Raspru moves out of range.
Raspru keeps the fight on the outside.
Manhoef throws a sloppy head kick and Raspru moves out of range easily.

Raspru shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Raspru controlling the position easily from mount.

Raspru is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Manhoef can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
You get the feeling that Manhoef really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Manhoef looks gassed!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Raspru is controlling this nicely and is looking to make no mistakes. Manhoef is trying to wiggle out of this horrible position. Manhoef flips to his side and attempts to get a leg in for half guard. Raspru anticipates the leg and manages to get behind Manhoef and secures both hooks! This could be bad! Raspru slips an arm under Manhoef chin and tries to position for a rear naked choke. Raspru has worked the choke in now and it looks tight. Raspru is squeezing on Manhoef like an anaconda would it's prey. Manhoef fails to tap and has fallen unconscious! We've got ourselves a winner by way of a rear naked choke!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:24 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Grigoro Raspru!