PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Miguel Cortez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sal Manella (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Manella has chosen Egg as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Cortez
vs
Manella

175 cm
20
155 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

173 cm
21
167 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ White Belt
Dangerous knees
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Miguel Cortez!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Sal Manella!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Leandro Rodrigues and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cortez looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Cortez tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Manella swivels and escapes.
Cortez looks to score with a jab to the body but Manella is just out of range.
Cortez throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Manella.
Cortez throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Manella's waist but Manella gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Cortez off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Miguel Cortez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cortez shoots in and drives through. Manella sprawls well.
Cortez shoots in looking for a takedown. Manella tries to sprawl out of it but Cortez keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Manella manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Cortez misses with a body shot.
Cortez dives in and grabs Manella's left leg, looking for a takedown. Manella pushes down on Cortez's head and hops out.
Cortez shoots in looking for a takedown. Manella tries to sprawl out of it but Cortez keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Manella manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Cortez takes a swing at Manella's ribcage but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manella tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Cortez moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

It looks like Miguel Cortez has been cut.
Nice sprawl there from Manella as Cortez shoots in.
Manella pivots, looking for a leg kick but Cortez is out of range and Manella settles back down.
Cortez fails to land the takedown.
Manella lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Cortez shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Manella defends it nicely.
Manella is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cortez has his takedown stuffed
and Manella counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Cortez misses with a body shot.
Cortez misses with a takedown attempt
and Manella finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cortez misses with a double jab.
Cortez has a takedown stuffed.
Manella throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Cortez with a lazy takedown attempt
and Manella counters with a nice body kick.
Cortez is breathing heavily.
Manella takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cortez misses with a jab to the body
and Manella counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Cortez is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Cortez takes a head kick and keeps coming.

Cortez is rocked!
Cortez has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Manella.
Oh Cortez is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
A solid leg kick lands there for Manella.
Cortez seems to have got his legs back now.
Cortez swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Manella counters with a good low kick that Cortez was not able to check.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cortez misses with a takedown attempt
and Manella finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.

Manella lands a big head kick that sends Cortez tumbling to the mat! Manella takes a step backwards and waves Cortez back to his feet - he wants the finish!
Cortez on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Manella. Manella obviously looking to wear him down.
Cortez doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Manella counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Manella cracks the inside of Cortez's front leg.
Manella lands a nice looking body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cortez shoots in for a takedown but Manella shows good takedown defense.
A solid leg kick lands there for Manella.
Manella throws a sloppy head kick and Cortez moves out of range easily.
Cortez thows a body shot but no joy.
Manella leaves Cortez with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Manella looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Cortez on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Cortez. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Manella throws a head kick but Cortez moves out of range.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Manella, as that shot connected.
Manella throws a head kick but Cortez moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sal Manella dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Miguel Cortez's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Cortez shoots in but no luck this time.
Cortez fails with the takedown.
Manella explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Manella connects with an inside leg kick.
Manella keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Miguel Cortez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Manella lands a jab-cross combination.
Miguel Cortez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Manella dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cortez misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Manella.
Cortez changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Manella tries to avoid it but Cortez manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Manella to the ground. Manella escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Manella connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cortez misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Manella.
Manella thows a body kick. Cortez tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Manella throws a body kick that misses.
Miguel Cortez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Manella dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Cortez. That did some damage!
Cortez will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Manella throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Cortez takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Cortez is looking to wear down Manella with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.

Manella instigates a clinch.
Manella taking a breather.
Cortez drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Knees in the clinch landing for Manella.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manella lands a body punch in the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cortez takes an elbow to the forehead.
Manella holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Manella lands with a right to the head.
Manella will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Cortez up against the cage.
Cortez drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Cortez is trying to force a seperation but Manella has the dominant position.
Manella is struggling to control the position.
Cortez drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Knees to the body from Manella.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manella is pushing Cortez up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Cortez wants to stall.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Manella is working Cortez over against the cage.
Cortez wants to break free but Manella has control.
Cortez is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Knees to the body from Manella.
Manella stops a takedown attempt from Cortez.
Manella lands a hook to the side of the head.
Manella connects with a knee to the head.

Miguel Cortez's cut is getting worse.
Manella stalling the fight.
Manella landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Manella stalling in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Sal Manella.
Manella fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Manella defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Cortez.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cortez blocks a head kick by Manella.
A head kick from Manella lands but Cortez takes it in his stride.
Manella looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Cortez looks for a takedown but Manella sprawls well.
Manella lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sal Manella showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Miguel Cortez's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Manella misses with a hook. Cortez ducked under it nicely.
Cortez rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Manella moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Cortez takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
A slow jab from Manella misses its intended target.
Manella has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Manella will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Cortez shoots in looking for a takedown. Manella tries to sprawl out of it but Cortez keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Manella manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Cortez shoots in and drives through. Manella sprawls well.
Sloppy strikes from Cortez. Those never looked like landing.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manella throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Some wild striking there from Cortez.
Manella misses with a body kick.
Cortez keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Cortez throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Manella scores with a kick to the midsection.
Cortez throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Manella is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Cortez.
Manella scores with a head kick. Cortez tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Cortez on the wrong end of a kick to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manella scores with a head kick.
Cortez misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Miguel Cortez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cortez tries for a takedown but Manella circles away easily
and Manella counters with a good low kick that Cortez was not able to check.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cortez doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Manella cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Manella throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Manella throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Manella moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Cortez walks into a stiff left hand from Manella.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cortez takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Manella lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Manella tests Cortez's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Manella moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Manella stuffs the takedown.
Cortez throws a combination that misses
and Manella counters with a head kick.

Miguel Cortez's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Manella lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Manella throws a half hearted mid kick.
Manella looks for the body kick but Cortez saw that one coming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cortez fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Manella avoids it really well and circles away.
Cortez will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Manella misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Cortez scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Sal Manella seems to be getting the better of the standup.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Manella throws a push kick but Cortez slaps the foot to one side.
Cortez shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Manella pinned against the cage. Manella gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Manella goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sal Manella really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Miguel Cortez's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Manella keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Cortez doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Manella counters with a body kick that stops Cortez in his tracks momentarily.
Manella throws a push kick but Cortez slaps the foot to one side.
Cortez fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Cortez has his takedown stuffed
and Manella counters with an outside leg kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Miguel Cortez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Manella connects with a body shot.
Cortez doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Manella counters with a nice kick to the body.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Manella.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manella fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Cortez.
Manella chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Manella throws a sloppy head kick and Cortez moves out of range easily.
Manella throws a head kick that misses.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Cortez.

Manella closes the distance and clinches.
Manella with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Manella just leaning against Cortez, taking a breather.
Manella gets underhooks to prevent Cortez's takedown attempt.
Cortez tries for a takedown. No joy.
Manella unloads a knee to the mid-section.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manella's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Manella continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.
Cortez drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Manella gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Manella using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Cortez goes for a takedown attempt but Manella pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Manella fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Cortez has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cortez ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Manella moves away.
Cortez looks for a takedown but Manella sprawls well.
Cortez fails to land the takedown.
Cortez shoots for a takedown but Manella saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Manella, right into the meat.
Cortez walks forward, straight into a front kick from Manella.
Manella throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Cortez rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Manella moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Manella lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cortez takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Manella is looking to clinch.

Cortez feints and as Manella raises his hands in defense, Cortez changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Cortez loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Manella really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Cortez. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Cortez slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Cortez pushes down on Manella's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Cortez slows the pace down in half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sal Manella dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Miguel Cortez's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Cortez tries for a takedown but Manella circles away easily
and Manella counters with a nice body kick.
Cortez tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Manella swivels and escapes.
Cortez fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Manella avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Miguel Cortez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Manella scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Cortez shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Manella defends it nicely.
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.
Manella throws a body kick that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manella throws a half hearted mid kick.
Manella pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Cortez tries to score a power double leg takedown but Manella sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Cortez somewhat.
Cortez has a takedown stuffed.
Manella throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Cortez sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Manella throws the kick towards the body but Cortez avoids it.
Cortez looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Sal Manella is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cortez shoots in but no luck this time.
Manella misses with a body kick.
Cortez blocks a head kick by Manella.
A punch combination from Cortez misses.
Cortez shoots in for a takedown but Manella shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Manella uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cortez.
Cortez takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Manella keeps Cortez at a distance using the push kick.
Cortez tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Manella swivels and escapes.
Manella throws a wild body kick that Cortez sees coming a mile off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cortez tries for a takedown but Manella sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Cortez misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Manella.
Cortez shoots in for a double leg but Manella sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Cortez misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Manella misses with a body kick.
Miguel Cortez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cortez shoots for a double leg takedown but Manella sprawls well. He's pushed Cortez's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Manella scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Manella throws a push kick but Cortez slaps the foot to one side.
Manella leaves Cortez with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Manella misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Cortez fails with a takedown attempt.
Manella is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Manella takes a swing at Cortez's ribcage but misses.
Cortez throws a body punch but Manella moves out of range.
Manella tries to clinch up but Cortez circles away and keeps his distance.
Cortez throws a series of punches but Manella avoids them all with ease.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sal Manella comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Manella 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 45:50
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 45:50
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sal Manella!
Sal Manella is the new lightweight champion!