PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Rice Boyd (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt Manuel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Manuel has chosen Lay Low as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Boyd
vs
Manuel

170 cm
30
152 lbs
16 - 9 - 0

172 cm
29
155 lbs
17 - 4 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Very strong

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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 16 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rice Boyd!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Matt Manuel!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, George Francis and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Manuel throws a jab when Boyd was well out of range.

Manuel closes the distance and clinches.

Boyd jumps guard.

Boyd had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Manuel defends it easily.
Manuel passes Boyd's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Manuel working Boyd over with strikes.
Boyd is looking for a sweep. Manuel is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Boyd is pressing down on Manuel's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Manuel trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Manuel slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Manuel trying to control the position but Boyd is working away.
Boyd is looking to reverse the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manuel wants to control but Boyd is keeping him busy.
Boyd is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Boyd is not content to let Manuel control the position.
Boyd tries to improve position but can't.
Boyd prevents Manuel from improving position.
Manuel throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Boyd works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Manuel trying to control the action but Boyd is working from the bottom.

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.
Boyd wants to get back to full guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Ground and pound from Manuel.
Boyd works his way to full guard. Good work.
Manuel won't allow Boyd to sweep him here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Manuel postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Manuel passes Boyd's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Boyd tries to get to full guard but Manuel has control of the leg.
Manuel is looking to take a break and control but Boyd is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Manuel wants to free his trapped foot but Boyd is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manuel thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Boyd to regain full guard.
Boyd wants to sweep here but Manuel controlling him for the moment.
Manuel is looking to work some ground and pound but Boyd has wrist control.
Manuel trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Manuel lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Manuel won't allow Boyd to sweep him here.
Manuel slips nicely into half guard.
Manuel wants to free his trapped foot but Boyd is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Boyd wants to improve his position but Manuel is controlling well.
Manuel works his way into full mount!
Boyd is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Manuel lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Manuel connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Manuel lands a big elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Manuel dominated that round.
That's time! Boyd's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Boyd drives through with a takedown into Manuel's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Manuel lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Boyd!
A nice elbow there by Manuel.
Boyd working to try and regain half guard.
Manuel connects with a couple of good shots from mount.

Boyd is rocked!

Manuel working for a submission here. He's tucked his head under his opponent's arm, looking for an arm triangle. He's hopped off into side control, looking to tighten the submission... is it going to work? He's given up a good position looking for it. Boyd looks OK. Oh, I spoke too soon, he's out! That must have been tighter than I thought! Excellent work there by Manuel! Submission of the night perhaps?

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:57 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Matt Manuel!