PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Matt Manuel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gerald Hodges (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Manuel's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Lay Low. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Manuel
vs
Hodges

172 cm
29
155 lbs
15 - 4 - 0

173 cm
21
157 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
Powerful

Crippler's Corner

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Matt Manuel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Gerald Hodges!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Frank Dennis and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Manuel is looking to land body kicks.
Hodges will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
An inside leg kick from Hodges misses.
Manuel moves out of range of the body kick from Hodges.
Manuel connects with a jab.
Hodges misses with a leg kick

and Manuel counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Manuel is keen to just control but Hodges is a slippery customer.
Manuel not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Manuel uses his free foot to push down on Hodges's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Hodges.
Manuel throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Manuel looking to finish Hodges with some ground and pound. This is bad for Hodges!
Hodges manages to regain half guard. Good work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Manuel is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Hodges is just riding it out for now. Manuel eventually gives up the hold.
Hodges is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Manuel scores with a couple of nice shots.
Manuel scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Manuel is looking to take a break and control but Hodges is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Manuel missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Manuel trying to control from half guard but Hodges is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Still in half guard, Manuel seems content to control.
Hodges is refusing to be controlled, as Manuel sits in half guard.
Manuel lands with a punch from half guard.
Hodges is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Manuel prevents Hodges from standing back up.
Manuel winds up and cracks Hodges with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Manuel missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Manuel wants to control but Hodges is keeping him busy.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Manuel has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manuel wants to advance to full mount but Hodges doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Hodges is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Manuel is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Matt Manuel has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Manuel waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hodges.
Hodges throws a low kick but Manuel avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Hodges staying out of range there.
Hodges defending well as Manuel loads up on a big left hand.
Hodges shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Manuel misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hodges.
Hodges throws a low kick but Manuel moves out of range easily.
Manuel cracks Hodges with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Manuel misses with a looping left.
Manuel thows a body shot but no joy.
Manuel scores with a crisp jab that stopped Hodges in his tracks.
Manuel blocks a head kick by Hodges.
Manuel tries to close the distance and clinch but Hodges swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Manuel dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Hodges goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
A leg kick checked by Manuel.
A head kick misses from Manuel.
Manuel slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Manuel throws a jab when Hodges was well out of range.
Hodges feints and then cracks Manuel's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Manuel down.
Hodges throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Gerald Hodges seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hodges slaps away a takedown attempt from Manuel, before circling back to the center of the mat.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Manuel checks a leg kick.
Hodges throws a leg kick that is checked

and Manuel counters with a takedown into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manuel trying to control the action but Hodges is working from the bottom.
Hodges wants to get back to his feet but Manuel drags him back down.
Manuel takes a little break here. Hodges wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Hodges is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Manuel off and has taken his back!
Hodges is trying to stick to Manuel's back but Manuel is turning into Hodges. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Hodges's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Manuel.
Manuel tries to free his leg and advance position but Hodges is retaining full guard.
Manuel postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hodges tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Hodges working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Manuel.
Manuel working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Hodges keeping moving, preventing Manuel from controlling successfully.
Manuel sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Hodges's guard.
Manuel seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Hodges does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Manuel throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Manuel stalling.
Manuel trying to control the action but Hodges is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hodges is looking to escape.
Manuel not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Hodges keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Hodges keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Manuel slips a nice elbow through Hodges's hands, connecting with Hodges's forehead.
Matt Manuel overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hodges blocking the ground and pound attempt from Manuel.
Manuel passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Hodges!
Hodges is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Manuel tries to control but Hodges wriggling away.

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.
Manuel takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Manuel can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Hodges is looking to escape.
Manuel lands a big elbow.
Manuel working away from the top, dropping strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Manuel dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Manuel is looking to chop away at Hodges's legs.

Hodges is rocked!
Manuel connects with a left and a right that sees a clearly hurt Hodges covering up! Manuel comes in with a big uppercut and Hodges goes doooown! He's slumped up against the cage, eyes staring blankly into space.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:11 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Matt Manuel!