PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sam Stann (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jimi Manuwa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sam Stann has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Stann
vs
Manuwa

198 cm
25
210 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

182 cm
25
218 lbs
2 - 3 - 1

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Self confident

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Sam Stann!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 1, fighting out of London, Jimi Manuwa!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Sam Margolis and Chris Edwards.

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

Stann closes the distance and pushes Manuwa back into the cage.
Stann throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Manuwa blocks it with crossed arms.
Stann tries a knee to the head but Manuwa blocks it.
Stann looking to throw knees to the head but Manuwa is blocking nicely.
A short right from Manuwa on the inside.
Stann manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Stann with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Stann tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Stann is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Manuwa is defending well for now.
Stann throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Manuwa blocks it with crossed arms.
Manuwa looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Stann looking to slow down the pace here.
Stann tries a knee to the head but Manuwa blocks it.
Manuwa is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Stann pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Stann using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Manuwa has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Manuwa is working for takedown but Stann is calmly controlling the position for now.
Sam Stann has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jimi Manuwa.
Manuwa stalling.
Stann is pushing Manuwa up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Stann tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Stann tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Stann is breathing heavily.
Manuwa is trying to force a seperation but Stann has the dominant position.
A knee to the head by Stann.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manuwa controlling the action here for a moment.
Stann taking a breather.
Stann with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Manuwa wants to break the clinch but can't.
Manuwa wants to stall.
Manuwa tries to break the clinch but Stann is controlling the position.
Manuwa tries to pull guard but Stann won't allow it.
Stann with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Stann missing with knees to the body.
A short uppercut from Manuwa.
Manuwa is trying to break the clinch but Stann has him pressed against the cage.
Manuwa with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Manuwa lands a shoulder strike.
Manuwa stalling the fight.
Manuwa with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Manuwa wants to get back to striking at distance but Stann won't allow it.
Stann keeps control of Manuwa as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Manuwa dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Stann blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Stann slowing the pace effectively.

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

Manuwa moves into the clinch.
Stann with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Manuwa is leaning against Stann and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A shot in the inside from Manuwa.
Manuwa tries to land knees in the clinch but Stann avoids the damage to the body.
A short body shot lands from Manuwa as the two fighters clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Manuwa's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Manuwa is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Stann pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Manuwa fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Manuwa with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Manuwa will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Stann up against the cage.

Manuwa pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Manuwa moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Manuwa.
Manuwa throws a right hand that Stann ducks under and follows up with a left that Stann also avoids with ease.
Sam Stann is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manuwa throws out a leg kick but Stann moves out of range and Manuwa only half commits.
Manuwa throws a nice looking combination but Stann bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Manuwa tries to score a power double leg takedown but Stann sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Manuwa somewhat.
Stann is looking to slow Manuwa down with leg kicks.
Manuwa shoots in for a takedown but Stann shows good takedown defense.
Manuwa wants to clinch but Stann slips to the side
and Stann counters with a big head kick but Manuwa shrugs it off.

Stann gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Stann looking to throw knees to the head but Manuwa is blocking nicely.
Stann tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Manuwa tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Stann smiles and moves away.
Stann keeps the fight on the outside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Manuwa swinging wildly here.

Stann has closed the distance and engaged Manuwa in a clinch.
Manuwa lands a left hand that snaps the head of Stann backwards.
Stann throws a knee to the head but misses.
Stann tries to land a knee to the head but Manuwa blocks with his arms.
Manuwa lands a shot to the body.
Manuwa has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Stann tries to land a knee to the head but Manuwa blocks with his arms.
Manuwa dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Manuwa is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Stann is keeping busy.
Manuwa is trying to break the clinch but Stann has him pressed against the cage.
Stann is trying to maintain a safe position but Manuwa gets an underhook and turns Stann into the cage.
Manuwa tries to pull guard but Stann won't allow it.
Manuwa tries to pull guard but Stann holds him up against the cage and eventually Manuwa drops back down to his feet.
Manuwa scores with a hook to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jimi Manuwa will probably get the nod.
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.

Manuwa lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Stann throws a quick inside leg kick.

Stann darts in and clinches Manuwa up against the cage.
Stann displaying some good clinch control by pressing Manuwa up against the cage.
Stann utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Stann has Manuwa pressed against the cage, preventing Manuwa from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Manuwa takes a knee to the side of the body.
Manuwa looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Stann with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Manuwa digs a right hand underneath Stann's ribcage. Stann let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Stann tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Stann tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Manuwa is leaning against Stann and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Manuwa is trying to break free.
Stann misses with a knee strike.
Manuwa makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Manuwa has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Manuwa lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Stann.
Stann avoiding damage as Manuwa throws knees to the body.
Manuwa pushes Stann back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stann with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Stann tries to land knees in the clinch but Manuwa avoids the damage to the body.
Stann throws a knee to the head but misses.
Manuwa missing with knees to the body.
Stann throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Manuwa blocks it with crossed arms.
Stann using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Manuwa has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Manuwa leaning his opponent against the cage.
Manuwa wants to get back to striking at distance but Stann won't allow it.
A frustrated look appears on Manuwa's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Manuwa tries to land knees in the clinch but Stann avoids the damage to the body.
Manuwa wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Stann has him pressed against the cage.
Manuwa is working for takedown but Stann is calmly controlling the position for now.
Stann throws a knee to the head but misses.

Manuwa has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Stann uses from the top position.
Stann wants to pass the guard but Manuwa is keeping the position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Manuwa can do anything to dispel that myth.
Stann throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's two 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.
Stann pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Manuwa is keeping the position for now.
Stann working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Manuwa really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Stann. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Stann wants to stand and escape but instead Manuwa has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Manuwa tries to stand but Stann is controlling from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manuwa won't allow Stann to sweep him here.
Stann controls Manuwa momentarily but Manuwa frees himself.
Manuwa wants to get up but he can't break Stann's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Stann had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Manuwa defends it easily.

That's four 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.
Stann has a closed guard, preventing Manuwa from standing up.
Manuwa postures up.
Manuwa has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Stann is proving hard to escape from.
Stann looking for a sweep. Not yet Stann, not yet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Manuwa trying to stand up but can't free himself from Stann's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jimi Manuwa will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Stann avoids a punch combination nicely.

Stann instigates a clinch.
Manuwa avoiding damage as Stann throws knees to the body.
Stann using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Manuwa has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Stann missing with knees to the body.
Stann managing to block the knees to the body from Manuwa.
Stann tries a knee to the head but Manuwa blocks it.

Manuwa escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Manuwa with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Manuwa shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Stann but Stann pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Manuwa fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Manuwa shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Stann eats them both and turns towards Manuwa to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Manuwa tries for a takedown but Stann sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Manuwa wants to clinch.
Manuwa swinging wildly here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stann scores with a spinning back kick!

Manuwa drives through and clinches with Stann against the cage.
Stann tries a knee to the head but Manuwa blocks it.
Manuwa tries to land a knee to the head but Stann blocks with his arms.
Stann with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Manuwa escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Manuwa throws out a leg kick but Stann moves out of range and Manuwa only half commits.
Jab from Manuwa.
Manuwa throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Jimi Manuwa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Manuwa tries to bum rush Stann with a series of wild strikes but Stann uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Stann pushes Manuwa up against the cage in a clinch.
Manuwa looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Stann lands a nice knee to the body.
Manuwa wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manuwa tries to break the clinch but Stann is controlling the position.
Stann trying to stall but Manuwa improves his position.
Knees in the clinch landing for Stann.
Stann looking to stall.
Manuwa is trying to break the clinch but Stann has him pressed against the cage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Manuwa as Stann tries to tie him up.
Manuwa wants to break the clinch but can't.
Stann crunches a lovely knee into Manuwa's ribcage.
Stann with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Manuwa is leaning against Stann and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A knee to the head by Stann.
Manuwa wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Stann with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Manuwa is looking to break free of the clinch but Stann has double underhooks.
Manuwa controlling the action here for a moment.
Good body shot from Manuwa.
Sam Stann has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manuwa using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Stann has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Manuwa taking a breather.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Stann obliges.
Stann tries a knee to the head but Manuwa blocks it.
Stann misses with a knee to the head.
Stann throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Manuwa blocks it with crossed arms.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Stann prevents Manuwa from breaking the clinch.
Stann throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Manuwa blocks it with crossed arms.
Stann tries a knee to the head but Manuwa blocks it.
Manuwa manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

Manuwa breaks the clinch.
Manuwa tries to clinch up.
Manuwa fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Sam Stann has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jimi Manuwa.
Manuwa moves to clinch but Stann breaks away
and Stann counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Manuwa does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.

That's four 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.
Manuwa closes the distance looking to clinch
and Stann counters with an inside leg kick.
Jimi Manuwa is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Stann moves into range and clinches up with Manuwa.
Manuwa tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Stann misses with a knee strike.
Stann with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Manuwa fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Manuwa working hard to break the clinch.
Stann using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Manuwa has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Stann misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Manuwa.
Manuwa tries a knee to the head but Stann blocks it.
Manuwa managing to block the knees to the body from Stann.
Stann tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Manuwa tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Manuwa wants to break free but Stann has control.
Manuwa throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Stann blocks it with crossed arms.
Stann using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Manuwa has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jimi Manuwa comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Manuwa winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jimi Manuwa!