PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Connor McManus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jato Idrissa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McManus comes to the cage accompanied by Jeff Danna - 'The Blood of Cú Chulainn'. The crowd seem to be enjoying Idrissa's choice of entrance music: Three 6 Mafia - Who Da Fuck You Playin Wit . Man, I cannot wait for this one!

McManus
vs
Idrissa

177 cm
24
167 lbs
9 - 7 - 0

182 cm
24
168 lbs
11 - 4 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Connor McManus!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jato Idrissa!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, William Peck and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Idrissa misses with a straight left.
McManus fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Idrissa manages to avoid it.
McManus throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Idrissa clinches with his opponent.
Idrissa wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
McManus keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Idrissa's efforts to push away.

Idrissa manages to break the clinch.
McManus connects with a looping right hand.
Idrissa misses with a looping right.

McManus looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Idrissa!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Idrissa is looking for a sweep.
McManus cracks Idrissa with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Idrissa trying to control but McManus flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

McManus working for the choke.
McManus keeps control of the position as Idrissa tries to break free.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McManus scores with punches and elbows.
Idrissa can't escape the position.
Idrissa wants to control his opponent's hands but McManus gets his hands free.
Idrissa tries to escape but McManus has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
McManus lands with a big left hand that may well have hurt his opponent. Can Idrissa hold on?!
What can Idrissa do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!
Idrissa tries to escape but McManus has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Idrissa is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by McManus.
McManus has the hooks in. Idrissa is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Will McManus go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McManus has the hooks in. Idrissa is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
This has been an exciting period of action!
McManus is trying to stick to Idrissa's back but Idrissa is turning into McManus. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in McManus's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Idrissa.

Idrissa stands up and waves to McManus to follow him.
McManus bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
McManus lands a really nice looking cross but Idrissa seems unphased.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Idrissa enables McManus to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Idrissa manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Idrissa working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. McManus doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. McManus manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Idrissa working for submissions but it's allowed McManus to get to half guard.
Idrissa trying to control but McManus postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Idrissa avoiding damage under a succession of punches from McManus.
McManus trying to control the action but Idrissa is working from the bottom.
McManus working the head and body with strikes.
Idrissa tries to get to full guard but McManus has control of the leg.
McManus is looking to advance position but Idrissa won't allow it.
McManus controlling the action here.
Idrissa tries to kick McManus off but McManus keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Idrissa is looking for a sweep. McManus is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Idrissa looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
McManus works his way into full mount!
McManus prevents Idrissa from getting the reversal.
Idrissa regains half guard.
McManus trying to control from half guard but Idrissa is working away.
McManus missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
McManus is trying to control the action in half guard but Idrissa is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Idrissa wants to get back to full guard.
McManus wants to lay and pray for a moment but Idrissa keeps working.

Idrissa actively working from the bottom here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Connor McManus dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Idrissa swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by McManus.
Idrissa slips a straight right by McManus.
Some wild striking there from Idrissa.
Idrissa uses good head movement to avoid the hook from McManus.
McManus misses with a double jab.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Idrissa.
Idrissa lands with a hook. McManus tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
McManus misses with an uppercut. Idrissa saw that one coming.
McManus throws a solid leg kick but Idrissa takes the impact on his shin and smiles at McManus.
Idrissa ducks under a wild hook from McManus.
Idrissa takes a jab right on the kisser.
Idrissa scores with a head kick.
McManus tries to close the distance and clinch but Idrissa swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Idrissa lands with a slapping head kick.
Idrissa goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McManus throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McManus tries to clinch but Idrissa is having none of it.
McManus moves out of range as Idrissa strikes.

McManus gets the takedown into side control.
Idrissa is not content to let McManus control the position.
McManus cracks Idrissa with an elbow. That is naaassty.
McManus tries to advance to mount but Idrissa denies him.
Idrissa is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on McManus's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
McManus tries to pass to full mount but Idrissa defends it.
Idrissa trying to control here.
McManus is trying to control the action in half guard but Idrissa is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Idrissa wants to improve his position but McManus is controlling well.
Idrissa has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. McManus is working away from the top position though.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. McManus lands a nice short elbow.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Idrissa looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Idrissa looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Connor McManus overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
McManus landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
McManus wants to pass to mount but Idrissa is defending the position.
McManus is looking to take a break and control but Idrissa is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McManus is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Idrissa defends it well.
McManus stops Idrissa from getting back to his feet.

Idrissa looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Idrissa looking for submissions off his back.
McManus is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Idrissa wants to control but McManus is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McManus sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
McManus 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.
Idrissa is wriggling around trying to escape.
Idrissa wants to hold on but McManus pushes him away.
McManus connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
McManus trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Idrissa can't escape the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Idrissa is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
McManus unloading with bombs!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Idrissa manages to regain half guard. Good work.
McManus drops an elbow to the side of Idrissa's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Connor McManus dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

McManus is looking to clinch but Idrissa is avoiding it.
Idrissa misses with a hook. McManus ducked under it nicely.
Idrissa misses with a head kick.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from McManus. Idrissa shrugs it off though.
Idrissa throws a push kick but McManus slaps the foot to one side.
McManus takes one on the chin but seems OK.
A nice leg kick lands there from McManus.
Idrissa throws a right hand that McManus ducks under and follows up with a left that McManus also avoids with ease.
Idrissa loads up on a big right hand but McManus slips the punch.
Idrissa misses with a kick to the body.
McManus connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
McManus feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Idrissa's calf.
Connor McManus is winning the standup battle so far.
Idrissa takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Idrissa throws a head kick but McManus moves out of range.
McManus moves out of range of the body kick from Idrissa.
McManus is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Idrissa.
Idrissa throws a head kick but McManus moves out of range.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A lazy body kick from Idrissa
and McManus counters with a good, hard body kick but Idrissa shrugs it off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Idrissa avoids the body shot from McManus.
McManus lands with a nice body kick.

McManus manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Idrissa on his heels. He'll look to pass Idrissa's guard now, I'm sure.
McManus stands and throws Idrissa's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Idrissa tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but McManus presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
McManus with shots to the head and body - Idrissa looks very uncomfortable down there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McManus trying to control but Idrissa is having none of it.
Idrissa is working to get back to half guard.
McManus lands a couple of good shots and Idrissa has given up his back, trying to escape the position!

McManus is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Idrissa has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Idrissa is trying to break free.
Idrissa is trying to get back to his feet but McManus has full control of the position and if anything, Idrissa has just worked his way into a worse spot.
McManus is not going to allow Idrissa to sit and survive in this position.
Idrissa tries to escape the position.
McManus punches Idrissa on the ear.
McManus biding his time, looking for the opening.
Idrissa is trying to get back to his feet but McManus has full control of the position and if anything, Idrissa has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Idrissa is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Idrissa is keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McManus is not going to allow Idrissa to sit and survive in this position.
McManus is throwing punches to the body, looking to soften Idrissa up.
McManus softening up his opponent with strikes here.
Idrissa is trying to remain composed but McManus is hammering down strikes to the side of his head.
Idrissa is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Watch the back of the head! Comes the shout from the referee towards McManus.
McManus is riding his opponent, not letting Idrissa buck him off.
McManus trying to control momentarily.
Jato Idrissa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McManus scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.
Connor McManus is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Idrissa trying to control the hands but McManus breaks the grip.
McManus is riding his opponent, not letting Idrissa buck him off.
McManus seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Idrissa for as long as he can get away with.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
McManus is looking to control Idrissa but Idrissa is wriggling around and keeping busy.

And that's the end of the fight!
Connor McManus showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for McManus, 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 Yves DeLean scores the fight 30:27
Judge William Peck scores the fight 30:27
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Connor McManus!
During a confident post fight interview, Connor McManus thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.