PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Chwytny Vlad (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Big Mel Manhoef (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Vlad
vs
Mel Manhoef

190 cm
31
265 lbs
17 - 7 - 0

188 cm
24
260 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Very quick

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

xXx - Voodoo Labs - 159+ Energy - $45

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, Chwytny Vlad!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Big Mel Manhoef!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Andrew Berry and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Manhoef clinches up against the cage.
Manhoef unloads a knee to the mid-section. Vlad lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
A knee to the head by Manhoef.

It looks like Chwytny Vlad has been cut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Manhoef tries a knee to the head but Vlad blocks it.
Manhoef tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Manhoef with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Vlad can't get the takedown.
Vlad jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Manhoef walks away with a smile on his face. Vlad gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Vlad avoids the head kick by Manhoef.

Manhoef closes the distance and clinches.
Manhoef crunches a lovely knee into Vlad's ribcage.
Vlad is breathing heavily.
Manhoef landing knees to the head.
Manhoef throws a head punch that misses.
Manhoef connects with a knee to the head.
Manhoef with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Manhoef landing knees to the head.
Manhoef throws a punch but it's blocked by Vlad.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manhoef misses with a knee strike.
Manhoef with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Manhoef misses with a knee strike.
Manhoef connects with a nasty looking knee right to Vlad's face.
Manhoef tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Vlad's elbow.
Manhoef tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Manhoef landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Vlad wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chwytny Vlad. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Manhoef lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

Vlad drags the fight down to the ground.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Manhoef wants to stand but Vlad is controlling his posture from full guard.
Vlad has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Manhoef tries to stand but Vlad is controlling from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Vlad is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Vlad has a closed guard, preventing Manhoef from standing up.
Manhoef wants to control from the top but Vlad keeps moving.
Manhoef wants to pass the guard but Vlad is keeping the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Manhoef would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Manhoef sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Big Mel Manhoef.
Manhoef tries to clinch but Vlad moves out of range.
Manhoef lands with a thumping leg kick.
Manhoef throws a sloppy head kick and Vlad moves out of range easily.
Vlad tries to score a power double leg takedown but Manhoef sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Vlad somewhat.
Manhoef pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vlad throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Manhoef's waist but Manhoef gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Vlad off to one side.
Manhoef pushes Vlad away with a front kick.
Vlad shoots in but no luck this time.
Manhoef pulls out of a head kick attempt.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Manhoef throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Vlad throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Manhoef's waist but Manhoef gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Vlad off to one side.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Big Mel Manhoef dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Chwytny Vlad's cut.
That's time! Vlad's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

A head kick misses from Manhoef.
Manhoef tries a head kick but it misses.
Manhoef throws a head kick that Vlad semi-blocks.
Manhoef tries a head kick but it misses.
Manhoef tries to close the distance and clinch but Vlad swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Vlad shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Manhoef manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Manhoef has Vlad pulled in close to control his posture.
Manhoef manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manhoef sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Manhoef stands up from mount. Strange move.
Manhoef fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Big Mel Manhoef is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Manhoef moves into the clinch successfully.
Vlad drops down looking for an ankle pick but Manhoef pulls his leg out and moves away.
Manhoef throws a head kick that misses
and Vlad counters with a one-two to the body.
Manhoef tries a head kick but it misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Manhoef as Vlad shoots in.
Manhoef misses with a head kick.
Manhoef throws a head kick that misses.
Manhoef throws a leg kick

and Vlad counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Manhoef's guard now.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Vlad throws a big elbow that misses.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Manhoef is on top in guard.
Manhoef is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Manhoef passes Vlad's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manhoef not doing much here.
Big Mel Manhoef has got the better of the ground game so far.
Vlad gets back to full guard.
Manhoef must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Manhoef controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Vlad has a closed guard, preventing Manhoef from standing up.

Manhoef gets to his feet. Vlad looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Vlad blocks a head kick by Manhoef.
Manhoef defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Vlad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chwytny Vlad. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vlad shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Manhoef defends it nicely.
Manhoef fails with an attempt to clinch.
Manhoef misses with a head kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Manhoef misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Manhoef throws a head kick that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Big Mel Manhoef showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Chwytny Vlad's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Vlad has Manhoef up against the cage in a clinch.
Manhoef tries to land a knee to the head but Vlad blocks with his arms.
Manhoef landing knees to the body.
Manhoef with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Manhoef unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Manhoef throws a knee to the head but misses.
Vlad tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Manhoef just stands there and leans against the cage.
Still in the clinch, Manhoef scores with a nice short uppercut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Vlad wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Vlad fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Manhoef connects with a knee to the head.
Manhoef using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Vlad has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Manhoef looking to throw knees to the head but Vlad is blocking nicely.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Manhoef landing knees to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manhoef lands a knee to the body.
Manhoef tries a knee to the head but Vlad blocks it.
Manhoef using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Vlad has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Vlad is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Manhoef to keep the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chwytny Vlad. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Vlad avoiding damage as Manhoef throws knees to the body.
Vlad tries to pull guard but Manhoef holds him up against the cage and eventually Vlad drops back down to his feet.
Vlad is trying to pull guard but Manhoef turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Manhoef landing knees to the body.
A right hand to the body from Manhoef.
Manhoef with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Manhoef looking to throw knees to the head but Vlad is blocking nicely.
Vlad jumps guard but Manhoef turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Manhoef with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Manhoef with an attempt at a knee that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manhoef misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Vlad.
Manhoef tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Vlad lands a shoulder strike.
Big Mel Manhoef seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Vlad tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Manhoef just stands there and leans against the cage.
Manhoef misses with a knee to the head.
Vlad tries to score a body lock takedown but Manhoef shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Vlad takes a knee to the side of the body.
Vlad takes a knee right on the jaw!
Manhoef throws a knee to the head but misses.

Vlad ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Vlad no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Manhoef tries to stand but Vlad is controlling from the bottom.
Vlad seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Manhoef sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manhoef has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Vlad is proving hard to escape from.
Manhoef tries to free his leg and advance position but Vlad is retaining full guard.
Manhoef wants to get up but he can't break Vlad's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Big Mel Manhoef hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Manhoef doesn't manage to clinch there - Vlad circles away.
Vlad circles away from the clinch attempt.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Manhoef enables Vlad to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Manhoef manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Vlad trying to control the position from guard on top but Manhoef is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Vlad lands a couple of digs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vlad prevents Manhoef from getting back to his feet.
Manhoef controls Vlad momentarily but Vlad frees himself.
Vlad with a nice head shot there.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Vlad accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Vlad throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Manhoef works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Manhoef is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Manhoef has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Manhoef wants to get back to his feet but Vlad is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Vlad stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Manhoef swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Vlad trying to control the position from guard on top but Manhoef is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Big Mel Manhoef really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Chwytny Vlad's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Manhoef walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Vlad checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Manhoef delivers a nice body kick.
Vlad checks the leg kick nicely there.
Vlad shoots in but no luck this time.
Chwytny Vlad is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Manhoef lands with a kick to the temple. Vlad shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Manhoef throws a nice outside leg kick.
Big Mel Manhoef seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manhoef bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Vlad moves out of range of the strikes.
Manhoef is looking to clinch.
Manhoef tries to clinch there but Vlad circles away.
Manhoef throws a head kick but Vlad moves out of range.
Vlad moves out of range as Manhoef throws a body kick.
Manhoef is looking to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manhoef feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Vlad's calf.
Manhoef slaps away a takedown attempt from Vlad, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Manhoef throws a head kick but Vlad moves out of range.

Vlad fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Manhoef to the ground. Vlad is now in Manhoef's guard.
Manhoef is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Vlad is controlling him.
Vlad trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vlad prevents Manhoef from getting back to his feet.
Vlad working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Manhoef's head.
Vlad preventing the sweep.
Manhoef is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Vlad postures up and lands a big shot to Manhoef's brow.
Vlad postures up in Manhoef's guard and throws a big left but Manhoef blocks it.
Vlad passes into half guard.
Manhoef is trying to get back to full guard.
Vlad tries to pass to full mount but Manhoef defends it.
Manhoef blocking the ground and pound attempt from Vlad.
Manhoef tries to kick Vlad off but Vlad keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vlad works his way into side control.
Vlad cracks Manhoef with a big elbow.
Vlad 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.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Vlad is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Manhoef is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Vlad working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Manhoef is looking for a sweep.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Vlad tries to score with some ground and pound. Manhoef controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Vlad misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
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 Chwytny Vlad will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Chwytny Vlad's cut.
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. And we move into the final round!

Manhoef doesn't manage to clinch there - Vlad circles away.
Vlad moves out of range of the body kick from Manhoef.
Manhoef lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Vlad avoids the head kick by Manhoef.
Manhoef is looking to land body kicks.
Vlad fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Manhoef avoids it really well and circles away.
Manhoef throws a sloppy head kick and Vlad moves out of range easily.
Big Mel Manhoef seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vlad avoids the head kick by Manhoef.
Manhoef misses with a head kick.
Vlad fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Vlad closes the distance and clinches up with Manhoef, looking for a takedown. Vlad pushes Manhoef against the cage but Manhoef circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chwytny Vlad. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Vlad throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Manhoef tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Vlad is in Manhoef's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Manhoef has his feet on Vlad's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Manhoef moves in looking to clinch but Vlad pushes him off.
Vlad shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Manhoef pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Manhoef tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Manhoef throws a sloppy head kick and Vlad moves out of range easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vlad fails to land the takedown.
A head kick misses from Manhoef.
Vlad is trying hard to land a takedown here. Manhoef sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Vlad shoots in looking for a takedown but Manhoef manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Vlad's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Vlad has managed to clinch.
Manhoef throws a knee to the head but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Vlad pulls guard effortlessly.
Manhoef is looking to stand up but Vlad won't let him.

Vlad is working an open guard so Manhoef takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Big Mel Manhoef is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Vlad throws a lazy right hand but Manhoef sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Manhoef tries a head kick but it misses.
Manhoef goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Vlad blocks a low kick nicely.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Manhoef pulls out of a head kick attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Big Mel Manhoef comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Manhoef 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 Chris Edwards scores the fight for Big Mel Manhoef!
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight for Big Mel Manhoef!
Judge James Glass scores the fight for Big Mel Manhoef!

Big Mel Manhoef wins by unanimous decision!
Big Mel Manhoef is the new heavyweight champion!