PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Simo Storm (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Itagaki Manabu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Storm
vs
Manabu

190 cm
19
180 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

179 cm
18
179 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Simo Storm!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Itagaki Manabu!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Jonathan Paton and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Manabu gets caught flat footed, as Storm shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Manabu keeping moving, preventing Storm from controlling successfully.
Manabu is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Manabu wants to sweep here but Storm controlling him for the moment.

Storm gets to his feet. Manabu looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Storm on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

Manabu gets caught napping as Storm dives in and scores a takedown. Manabu manages to retain guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Storm tries to free his leg and advance position but Manabu is retaining full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Storm drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Storm jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Manabu looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Manabu is adopting a defensive guard.
Manabu keeping moving, preventing Storm from controlling successfully.
Storm tries to stand but Manabu is controlling from the bottom.
Manabu is striking from the bottom but Storm uses the opportunity to pass into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manabu trying to control but Storm postures up.

Storm is looking for a kimura but Manabu is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Storm to get the leverage.
Manabu is staying active underneath Storm, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Storm thows a huge punch but Manabu dodges it nicely.
Manabu moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Storm is breathing heavily.
Manabu not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Storm tries to stand but Manabu is controlling from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manabu keeping moving, preventing Storm from controlling successfully.
Manabu is controlling Storm's posture.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
A right-left combo lands from Manabu.
Storm has his takedown stuffed
and Manabu cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Manabu works Storm's body with a nice hook.
Storm tries for a takedown but Manabu circles away easily
and Manabu counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Manabu scores with a jab to the body.
Manabu scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Manabu shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Storm eats them both and turns towards Manabu to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Storm takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Manabu digs a good body shot into Storm's ribs.
Manabu throws a right and a left that Storm avoids nicely.
Manabu scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Storm shoots in for a takedown but Manabu shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Simo Storm. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Storm dodges the punch combination from Manabu.
Manabu is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Storm rather than just go for the knockout.
Manabu lands with a good body shot.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Manabu displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Storm.
Nice body punch from Manabu.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Itagaki Manabu dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Manabu lands with a good body shot.
Storm doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Manabu tries to bum rush Storm with a series of wild strikes but Storm uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A left lands for Manabu.
Manabu misses with a few strikes there.
Storm changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Manabu tries to avoid it but Storm manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Manabu to the ground. Manabu escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Manabu lands a slapping body shot.
Storm gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Manabu counters with a left and a right that stings Storm.
Storm moves forwards but Manabu connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Manabu lands a jab to Storm's midsection.
Simo Storm is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Storm with a lazy takedown attempt
and Manabu counters with a right hand to the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Simo Storm. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Storm has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Manabu keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Manabu lands a two punch combo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manabu stuns Storm with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Manabu lands a jab-cross combination.
Manabu closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Storm looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
A left and a right from Manabu both land. Nice combination.
Itagaki Manabu seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Storm tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A punch combination from Manabu misses.
Storm gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Manabu counters with a left to the body.
Manabu tries to bum rush Storm with a series of wild strikes but Storm uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Storm shoots in and drives through. Manabu sprawls well.
Manabu shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Storm eats them both and turns towards Manabu to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Storm shoots for a double leg takedown but Manabu sprawls well. He's pushed Storm's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manabu showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Storm.
Manabu connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Storm takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Manabu rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Storm moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Storm shoots in for a takedown but Manabu shows good takedown defense.
Manabu misses with the combination.
Storm has his takedown stuffed
letting Manabu counter with a right hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A swing and a miss from Storm.
Manabu lands with a nice combination. Storm backs away looking to recover.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Storm.
Manabu stuns Storm with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manabu lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Manabu lands with a nice combination. Storm backs away looking to recover.
Manabu fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Storm on the side of the head.
Storm is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Storm wants to clinch up but Manabu keeps it at a distance.
Manabu moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Manabu stuns Storm with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Storm takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Manabu scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Manabu scores with a jab to the body.
Manabu misses with a wild combination.
Storm shoots in and drives through. Manabu sprawls well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Manabu scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Storm shoots in but Manabu avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Storm shoots for a takedown but Manabu saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Manabu throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Storm stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Manabu scores with a hook to the body. Storm takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Manabu scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Storm tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Manabu misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Manabu is working the combinations to good effect here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Storm takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Manabu lunges at Storm with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Storm's hand.
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!
Storm slips a jab and a cross from Manabu.
Manabu connects with a nice looking jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Itagaki Manabu showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Storm's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Manabu connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Storm scrambles back to his feet.
Manabu leaves Storm with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Storm dives in and grabs Manabu's left leg, looking for a takedown. Manabu pushes down on Storm's head and hops out.
Manabu lands a body shot.
Manabu lands with a nice combination. Storm backs away looking to recover.
Storm needs to keep his hands up - Manabu had a free shot at his head there.
Manabu darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Manabu cracks a nice hook into Storm's ribs.
Storm shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Manabu pinned against the cage. Manabu gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Simo Storm. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Manabu moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Manabu lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The crowd cheers as Manabu lands an impressive looking overhand right. Storm doesn't seem phased though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Storm gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Manabu counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Storm thinking.
Storm with a poor takedown
and Manabu counters with a right hand to the body.
Manabu throws a nice looking combination but Storm bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Manabu ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Storm misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Storm has a takedown stuffed.
Storm shoots for a takedown but Manabu saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Manabu misses with a jab, cross combination.
Storm showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Manabu.
Storm throws a series of punches but Manabu moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Storm shoots in but no luck this time.
Storm looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Manabu scores with a nice strike.
Storm tries to close the distance and clinch but Manabu swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Storm showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Manabu.
Storm lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Manabu lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Storm tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Manabu swivels and escapes.
Storm takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Storm fails with the takedown
and Manabu connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Storm looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manabu ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Manabu takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Storm doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Manabu counters with a two punch combo.
Manabu moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Storm looks to clinch
and Manabu counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Storm fails with a takedown attempt.
Storm shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Manabu pinned against the cage. Manabu gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A shot to the liver by Manabu. Beautiful body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Storm fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Manabu throws a series of punches but Storm moves out of range.
Manabu pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Storm back to the cage. Manabu follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Storm shoots in looking for a takedown but Manabu manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Storm's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Storm fails with the takedown
and Manabu counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Storm takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Manabu ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

Storm moves into the clinch successfully.
Manabu manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Manabu has had enough of the clinch but Storm keeps him there for the moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
Itagaki Manabu comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Manabu 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 Reed Andrews scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Itagaki Manabu!