PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ja Co (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Toto Manuel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Co
vs
Manuel

180 cm
26
185 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

178 cm
21
171 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Insanely flexible

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Granite chin

FNF Energy & Stamina - Sale!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ja Co!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Toto Manuel!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Manuel throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Co was covering up waiting for the punch and Manuel finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Manuel trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Manuel is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Manuel drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Manuel jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Manuel is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Co is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Manuel defends well.

Manuel is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Manuel stands and throws Co's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Manuel thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Manuel tries for a kimura but Co is defending well.

Manuel tries for a kimura but Co is defending well.
Manuel looks gassed!
Co is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Manuel off and has taken his back!

Manuel preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Co.
Co is throwing strikes by Manuel counters by rolling into a better position. After a scramble, Manuel regains half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manuel tries to roll over but Co keeps him under control.

Co is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Co tries to pass to full mount but Manuel defends it.

Co is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Manuel has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Co seems to be working for a kimura but Manuel defends the submission attempt.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Co is looking to stall here but Manuel recovers full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Co accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

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.

Manuel pushes Co off and gets back to his feet.
Co moves in looking to clinch but Manuel pushes him off.

Manuel darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Co looking for submissions off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Manuel gets the takedown into side control.
Co is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Manuel off and has taken his back!

Co is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.

Co patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

That's one minute gone in the round.

Co working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.

Co looking for the choke from the back.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A lull in the action here.

Manuel defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Manuel trying to control the action but Co just sinks the hooks in.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Manuel defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Manuel is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Co off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.

Co has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Manuel has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Manuel covering up well and avoiding damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Co looking for the RNC.
Co avoiding Manuel 's attempts to control his hands.

Co looking for the choke from the back.
Manuel trying to get back to his feet but Co is in full control for now.

Manuel defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Co's arms.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Co is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Manuel is defending well though. Co let's go of the attempt for now.

Manuel defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.

Co patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ja Co dominated that second 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.

Manuel shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Co napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Manuel tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Manuel is trying to get an arm triangle but Co is defending well.

Manuel tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Co tries to buck Manuel off but Manuel is having none of it.
Co regains half guard.

Manuel is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Manuel takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Co is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Manuel pulls his head out easily.
Co moves into full guard.

Manuel drops back looking for a leg! Co is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Co manages to kick Manuel off! Manuel jumps back into Co's guard.
Co is trying to control the position but Manuel postures up.
Manuel trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Co working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Manuel doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Manuel manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Co looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Manuel passes into side control.

Manuel tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Manuel has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Co sneaks back into half guard.
Co is trying to get back to full guard.

Manuel is looking for a kimura here.

Co looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Manuel seems to be working for a kimura but Co defends the submission attempt.
Ja Co overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Manuel is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Co sees it coming and defends easily.

Co actively working from the bottom here.
Co gets back to full guard.

Manuel thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

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.
Co lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Manuel!

Co working for a submission but Manuel is keeping him at bay.

Co goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Manuel is on top in guard.

Manuel drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Manuel jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Toto Manuel just about did enough to take it.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Manuel shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Co manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Co manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Manuel manages to get himself to full guard.
Co wants to control from the top but Manuel keeps moving.
Co looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

Co is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Manuel is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Manuel has escaped and now he's on top!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Manuel is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Co is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Co has escaped and now he's on top!
Co trying to control the position from guard on top but Manuel is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two 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.
Manuel is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Co is controlling him.
Manuel pulls Co in close to prevent any damage.
Co sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Manuel's guard.

Co is working for a kimura but Manuel is defending it quite comfortably.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manuel trying to control from the bottom.

Co seems to be looking for submissions.

Co is trying to work for a kimura but Manuel is defending well.
Co works his way into side control.

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.

Co goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Manuel has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Co but great work by Manuel.

Manuel is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Co has escaped the position, nice work there.

Manuel is trying to get an arm triangle but Co is defending well.
Co is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Manuel's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Co is pressing down on Manuel's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Ja Co will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Manuel shoots in looking for a takedown but Co manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Manuel's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Co tries for a takedown but Manuel circles away easily

and Manuel counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Manuel is working for a submission of some sort.
Co is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Manuel's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Manuel's back!
Co is not going to allow Manuel to sit and survive in this position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Manuel is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Co gets his way!
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

Co working for a choke but Manuel is defending well.
Manuel controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Co is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Manuel has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.

Manuel defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Co's arms.

Co looking for the RNC.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Co working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.

Manuel is trying to get back to his feet. He's worked up on to his knees and now he's on his feet with his head on the canvas, trying to shake Co off. It looks like it's working - Co slides off, much to his dismay, and we're back to standing! Manuel displaying calm under pressure there.
Co shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Manuel counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Co's guard now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Manuel is pushing down on Co's leg trying to pass to half guard. Co is fighting to maintain full guard but Manuel has managed to sneak the leg through.

Co is defending against the submission attempts here by Manuel.
Co is looking to improve his position.
Co works his way to full guard. Good work.

Manuel is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Manuel thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Toto Manuel.
I think Manuel has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 47:48
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 48:48
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Toto Manuel!
Toto Manuel is the new welterweight champion!