PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between John Howard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bradford Manning (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Manning has chosen Enter Sandman as his entrance music. John Howard has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Howard
vs
Manning

185 cm
34
247 lbs
24 - 14 - 0

190 cm
23
250 lbs
4 - 8 - 0

Good takedowns
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

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 24 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, John Howard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Bradford Manning!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Manning gets caught napping as Howard dives in and scores a takedown. Manning manages to retain guard.
Howard is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Howard pushing down on Manning's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Howard content to control rather than advance.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Howard has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

The ref stands the fighters back up because John Howard just wasn't active enough.
A bone on bone clash there as Manning blocks the leg kick.
Howard avoids the head kick by Manning.

Manning gets caught flat footed, as Howard shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Howard not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Howard got a little sloppy there for a moment and Manning has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Howard has managed to get both his arms back between Manning's legs - danger averted.
Howard is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Manning should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

John Howard has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Howard closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Manning's guard.
Howard slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Howard prevents Manning from getting back to his feet.
Manning can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Howard controls the pace.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

The ref stands the fighters back up because John Howard just wasn't active enough.

Howard shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Manning's guard.
Howard controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Howard's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of John Howard.

Manning closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Howard quickly recovers to half guard.

Howard is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Manning pulls his head out easily.
Manning is keen to just control but Howard is a slippery customer.
Howard striking from the bottom.

Howard actively working from the bottom here.
Howard trying to control from the bottom.
Howard slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Howard has managed to work for a loose triangle. I think Manning should be able to defend this one pretty easily though. Oh, Howard has tightened it up now! Manning should have reacted faster there - he's in big trouble and yes, he's tapped out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). John Howard!
John Howard really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that BioPharm Nutrition logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.