PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Manny Manfreid (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michail Babynin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Manfreid
vs
Babynin

190 cm
18
245 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

182 cm
19
220 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

Dangerous GnP
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Manny Manfreid!
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, Michail Babynin!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Cecil Peabody and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Babynin stuffs the takedown.
Manfreid tries to clinch up
and Babynin counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Manfreid keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Babynin has managed to clinch.
Manfreid wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Babynin has him pressed against the cage.
Manfreid can't break the clinch.
Babynin is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Manfreid is defending well for now.
Babynin'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.
Manfreid is trying to break free.
Manfreid prevents the takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Manfreid breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Babynin feints and as Manfreid raises his hands in defense, Babynin changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Manfreid is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Babynin wants to control from the top but Manfreid keeps moving.
Babynin tries to free his leg and advance position but Manfreid is retaining full guard.
Manfreid controlling the position.
Babynin trying to control but Manfreid is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Michail Babynin.
Babynin swats away the attempt to clinch by Manfreid.
Manny Manfreid seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Manfreid stuffs the takedown attempt from Babynin. Babynin gets slowly back to his feet.
Manny Manfreid has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michail Babynin.
The fight stays on the outside here - Babynin looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manfreid stuffs the takedown.
Babynin looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Manfreid is fending him off so far but Babynin persists. Nope, Manfreid circles away and we're back to standing.
Manfreid throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Babynin stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Babynin looks gassed!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Manfreid gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Manfreid's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Manfreid connects with a nice looking jab.

It looks like Michail Babynin has been cut.
Manfreid tries to clinch but Babynin moves out of range.
Manfreid throws a right hand that Babynin ducks under and follows up with a left that Babynin also avoids with ease.
Babynin fails to land the takedown.
Manfreid looks to land a combination but Babynin avoids it well.

Manfreid closes the distance and pushes Babynin back into the cage.

Manfreid breaks the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manfreid throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Manfreid takes the fight into the clinch.
Manfreid is trying to pull guard but Babynin has him pressed against the cage.
Manfreid looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Manfreid is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Babynin pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Babynin tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Manfreid breaks the clinch.
Manfreid throws a body kick that misses.
Manfreid getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

Manfreid has managed to clinch.

Babynin escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Manfreid is looking to clinch but Babynin is avoiding it.
Manfreid misses with a wild combination.
Manfreid looks to land a combination but Babynin avoids it well.
Manfreid paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Manfreid cracks Babynin with a right hand to the side of the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Babynin tries to close the distance and clinch up but Manfreid swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Babynin avoids a punch combination nicely.
Babynin looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Manfreid is fending him off so far but Babynin persists. Nope, Manfreid circles away and we're back to standing.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Babynin slaps away a takedown attempt from Manfreid, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Babynin tries to close the distance and clinch but Manfreid swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Manny Manfreid dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Michail Babynin'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.

Babynin dives in and grabs Manfreid's left leg, looking for a takedown. Manfreid pushes down on Babynin's head and hops out.
Nice takedown defense from Manfreid. No joy for Babynin on that attempt.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Manfreid is trying to break the clinch but Babynin is controlling him.
Manfreid tries to pull guard but Babynin won't allow it.

Manfreid breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Manfreid scores with a nice head shot.
Manfreid scores with a one two! Babynin had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
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!
Manfreid looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Manny Manfreid is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Babynin tries to clinch but Manfreid moves out of range.
Babynin swats away the attempt to clinch by Manfreid.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Babynin forces Manfreid back against the cage and clinches.
Babynin tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Manfreid just stands there and leans against the cage.
Manny Manfreid has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michail Babynin.
Babynin lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Manfreid.
Babynin tries to pull guard but Manfreid won't allow it.

Manfreid breaks the clinch.
Babynin fails in his attempt to clinch.
Babynin walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Babynin fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Babynin is breathing heavily.
Babynin throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Manfreid closes the distance and clinches.
Babynin jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Manfreid walks away with a smile on his face. Babynin gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manfreid tries for a takedown but Babynin sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Manfreid tries to clinch but Babynin moves out of range.
Manfreid misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Babynin keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Manfreid is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Manfreid blocks a head kick by Babynin.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Babynin swats away the attempt to clinch by Manfreid.
Manfreid misses with a wild combination.
Manfreid's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Babynin connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Manfreid scrambles back to his feet.
Good shot there by Babynin.
Babynin tries to clinch up.
Babynin slips a jab and a cross from Manfreid.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Babynin gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Babynin tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Babynin jumps guard but Manfreid stands there with Babynin around his waist. Babynin gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Babynin successfully pulls guard.
Babynin wants to sweep here but Manfreid controlling him for the moment.
Babynin looking to control.
Manfreid throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Babynin works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Manfreid gets to his feet. Babynin looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Manfreid is looking to clinch but Babynin is avoiding it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Manfreid does no damage.
Manfreid tries to close the distance and clinch but Babynin swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Babynin attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Manfreid throws a combination that misses
and Babynin counters with a two punch combo.

Manfreid clinches.

Manfreid's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Manfreid slaps away a takedown attempt from Babynin, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Manfreid lands a high kick!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Babynin shoots in for a takedown but Manfreid shows good takedown defense.
Manfreid misses with a wild combination.
Babynin throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Manny Manfreid dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Michail Babynin's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Manfreid misses with a few strikes there.
Nice takedown defense from Manfreid. No joy for Babynin on that attempt.
Manfreid moves out of range as Babynin throws a body kick.
Babynin throws a low kick but Manfreid moves out of range easily.
Babynin misses with a jab, cross combination.
Babynin tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Manfreid paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Babynin looks for a takedown but Manfreid sprawls well.
Manfreid tests Babynin's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A punch combination from Manfreid misses.
Babynin moves in looking to clinch but Manfreid pushes him off.
Manfreid misses with a wild combination.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Manfreid scores with a jab to the head.

That has opened up Michail Babynin's cut even more.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manfreid misses with a few strikes there.
Babynin shoots in looking for a takedown. Manfreid tries to sprawl out of it but Babynin keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Manfreid manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Manny Manfreid has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michail Babynin.
Manfreid tries to bum rush Babynin with a series of wild strikes but Babynin uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Manfreid.

Manfreid gets caught napping as Babynin dives in and scores a takedown. Manfreid manages to retain guard.
Manfreid wants to stand up but Babynin is controlling him.

Manfreid pushes Babynin off and gets back to his feet.
Babynin keeps the fight on the outside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Babynin gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Babynin jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Manfreid walks away with a smile on his face. Babynin gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Manfreid has Babynin up against the cage in a clinch.

Manfreid escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Babynin keeps the fight on the outside.

Manfreid shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Babynin manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Manfreid wants to get up but he can't break Babynin's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Manfreid gets to his feet. Babynin looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Manfreid moves to clinch but Babynin breaks away

and Babynin counters with a nice double leg into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manfreid is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Babynin is controlling him.
Babynin works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Babynin trying to control the action but Manfreid is working from the bottom.
Babynin seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Babynin wants to pass to mount but Manfreid is defending the position.

Manfreid pushes Babynin off and gets back to his feet.
Manny Manfreid is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Babynin tries to clinch there but Manfreid circles away.
Manfreid moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Manfreid will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Manfreid tries to clinch

and Babynin counters by clinching up.
Still in the clinch, Babynin scores with a nice short uppercut.
Manfreid wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Babynin has him pressed against the cage.

Manfreid breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Babynin is trying hard to land a takedown here. Manfreid sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Manfreid throws a nice looking combination but Babynin bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Michail Babynin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Manfreid fails to land with a series of punches.

And that's the end of the fight!
Manny Manfreid showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Manfreid, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Manny Manfreid!