PBP Commentary

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

Mcpherson
vs
Manuel

190 cm
20
213 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

160 cm
18
170 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Good elbows
Tends to cut

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Thomas Mcpherson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Maddox Manuel!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Stewart Dunkirk and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Manuel shoots in and drives through. Mcpherson sprawls well.
Manuel looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Manuel shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Mcpherson defends it nicely.
Manuel misses with a takedown attempt

and Mcpherson counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Mcpherson.
Thomas Mcpherson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Maddox Manuel.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

Mcpherson gets to his feet - Manuel follows without any prompting.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Manuel has eaten all the pies!

Mcpherson shoots in and gets a takedown into Manuel's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mcpherson trying to control but Manuel is working from the bottom.
Mcpherson controlling from the top position.
Mcpherson trying to control but Manuel is working from the bottom.
Mcpherson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Mcpherson is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Manuel is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Thomas Mcpherson just wasn't active enough.
Mcpherson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Mcpherson misses the shot to the body.
Mcpherson is looking to clinch.
Mcpherson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Manuel tries to avoid it but Mcpherson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Manuel to the ground. Manuel escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Mcpherson clinches with his opponent.

Mcpherson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Mcpherson tries to clinch but Manuel moves out of range.

Mcpherson looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Mcpherson stands and steps away. Manuel gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mcpherson clinches up against the ropes.

Mcpherson pulls guard successfully.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mcpherson wants to stand up but Manuel is controlling him.
Manuel trying to control the position from guard on top but Mcpherson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Manuel stopping the sweep attempt from Mcpherson.
Manuel throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Manuel stands up from Mcpherson's guard - Manuel perhaps looking for a knockout.
Mcpherson shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Manuel but Manuel pushes him off and we're back to square one.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Mcpherson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Manuel is fending him off so far but Mcpherson persists. Nope, Manuel circles away and we're back to standing.
Manuel lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

Mcpherson clinches up with Manuel and pushes him back against the ropes.

Mcpherson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Mcpherson fails with a takedown attempt.
Manuel shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Mcpherson counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Manuel's guard now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Manuel has his foot on Mcpherson's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Mcpherson works his way back into a safe position though.
Mcpherson trying to control the position from guard on top but Manuel is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mcpherson postures up.
Mcpherson lands a couple of decent looking shots.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mcpherson trying to control the position from guard on top but Manuel is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Manuel is trying to control the position but Mcpherson postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Mcpherson dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Manuel fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Mcpherson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Manuel as he avoids it easily.
Nice body kick there by Mcpherson.
Mcpherson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mcpherson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Mcpherson fails to land with a series of punches.
Mcpherson wants to clinch up but Manuel keeps it at a distance.
Manuel avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Mcpherson tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in the close the distance. Manuel manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Manuel keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Mcpherson shoots in for a takedown but Manuel shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thomas Mcpherson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Manuel is defended easily by Mcpherson.
Mcpherson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Manuel fails to land the takedown.

Mcpherson has taken the fight to the clinch.
Manuel tries to break free but Mcpherson pushes him back against the ropes.

Mcpherson manages to break the clinch.
Manuel throws a right hand that Mcpherson ducks under and follows up with a left that Mcpherson also avoids with ease.
Mcpherson wants to clinch up but Manuel keeps it at a distance.
Manuel shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Mcpherson defends it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mcpherson slaps away a takedown attempt from Manuel, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Mcpherson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Manuel takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Manuel shoots in for a takedown but Mcpherson shows good takedown defense.
Mcpherson slips a jab and a cross from Manuel.
Mcpherson misses the shot to the body.
Mcpherson tries to clinch but Manuel is having none of it.
Manuel dives in and grabs Mcpherson's left leg, looking for a takedown. Mcpherson pushes down on Manuel's head and hops out.
Manuel shoots in and drives through. Mcpherson sprawls well.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Manuel!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manuel swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Mcpherson counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Mcpherson.
Manuel is pressed up against the ropes. Mcpherson has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Manuel down to the mat. Manuel avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Manuel shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Manuel loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Mcpherson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Manuel trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Manuel tries to stand but Mcpherson is controlling from the bottom.
Mcpherson wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Manuel wants to control from the top but Mcpherson keeps moving.
Manuel must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mcpherson is controlling Manuel's posture.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Mcpherson gets a double leg takedown into Manuel's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mcpherson wants to control from the top but Manuel keeps moving.
Mcpherson throws a big elbow that misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mcpherson trying to control the position from guard on top but Manuel is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mcpherson is really struggling to control Manuel but he's trying to hold on to the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Mcpherson dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Mcpherson tries to close the distance and clinch but Manuel swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Mcpherson fails with a takedown attempt.

Mcpherson rushes Manuel and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.
Mcpherson fails to pull guard.

Mcpherson breaks from the clinch.
Manuel moves in looking to clinch but Mcpherson pushes him off.
Mcpherson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thomas Mcpherson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Manuel scores with the left hand. Mcpherson knows he should have avoided that one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manuel changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Mcpherson tries to avoid it but Manuel manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Mcpherson to the ground. Mcpherson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Manuel shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Mcpherson as he jumps to the side.
Thomas Mcpherson is winning the standup battle so far.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Manuel misses with a takedown attempt - Mcpherson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Horrible takedown by Mcpherson or perhaps it was just good defense by Manuel which made him look bad.
Manuel fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Manuel looks for a takedown but Mcpherson sprawls well.
Maddox Manuel seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Mcpherson closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Manuel quickly recovers to half guard.
Mcpherson is looking to advance position but Manuel won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manuel is trying to control but can't.
Mcpherson with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Mcpherson connects with a nice short shot to Manuel's temple.
Manuel pushes Mcpherson off looking to stand but Mcpherson dives back in and keeps control.
Mcpherson scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Manuel wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mcpherson decides to return to a standing position.
Mcpherson tries to move into range but Manuel moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Manuel shoots in but Mcpherson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Mcpherson throws a sloppy head kick and Manuel moves out of range easily.
Mcpherson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Manuel shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Mcpherson eats them both and turns towards Manuel to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Mcpherson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Manuel shoots in but no luck this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Manuel shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Mcpherson as he avoids it easily.
Manuel will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Mcpherson dives in and grabs Manuel's left leg, looking for a takedown. Manuel pushes down on Mcpherson's head and hops out.
Manuel misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Manuel fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Mcpherson avoids it really well and circles away.
Mcpherson fails with the takedown
and Manuel counters with a straight right hand.
The fight stays on the outside here - Mcpherson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Manuel looks for a takedown but Mcpherson sprawls well.
Maddox Manuel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Thomas Mcpherson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Manuel looks to score with a jab to the body but Mcpherson is just out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thomas Mcpherson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Mcpherson has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight for Thomas Mcpherson!
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight for Thomas Mcpherson!
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight for Thomas Mcpherson!

Thomas Mcpherson wins by unanimous decision!
Our winner, Thomas Mcpherson, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.