PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Sonny Pistol (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Melvin Manhoef (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pistol's entrance music is RHCP - Can't Stop. A fine choice. Melvin Manhoef has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Pistol
vs
Manhoef

183 cm
20
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

173 cm
18
185 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Sonny Pistol!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Melvin Manhoef!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Mauricio Rocha and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Manhoef throws a chopping leg kick but Pistol manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Manhoef misses with a wild combination.
Manhoef throws a hook but Pistol avoids it easily.
Manhoef takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Manhoef throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Manhoef tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A telegraphed right hand from Manhoef misses the target.
Manhoef throws a series of punches but Pistol moves out of range.
Pistol takes a jab right on the kisser.
A nice inside leg kick there by Manhoef. That's going to slow Pistol down.
Pistol throws a nice looking combination but Manhoef bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Pistol misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Manhoef throws a combination that misses
and Pistol counters with a nice uppercut.
Manhoef throws a sloppy head kick and Pistol moves out of range easily.
Pistol throws a combination that misses
and Manhoef counters with a one-two to the body.
Manhoef tries a head kick but it misses.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Manhoef.
Pistol takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Pistol shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Manhoef finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Manhoef 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.
Manhoef scores with a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manhoef throws a leg kick that is checked

and Pistol moves into the clinch.
Pistol tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sonny Pistol. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Manhoef breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Pistol misses with a takedown
and Manhoef counters with an inside leg kick.
Pistol is breathing heavily.
Pistol doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Manhoef counters with a one-two to the body.
Manhoef lands a glancing blow to the side of Pistol's head.
Manhoef throws a series of punches but Pistol avoids them all with ease.
Manhoef circles away from the clinch attempt.
Pistol fails with the takedown
and Manhoef counters with a nice body kick.
Manhoef lands a jab to the nose.
A solid leg kick lands there for Manhoef.
Pistol with a poor takedown
and Manhoef counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Manhoef misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Pistol takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manhoef lands with a kick to the temple. Pistol shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Manhoef tries a head kick but it misses.
Melvin Manhoef is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Pistol shoots and misses
and Manhoef counters with a nice body kick.
Manhoef throws a nice outside leg kick.
Manhoef avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Pistol shoots in for a takedown but Manhoef shows good takedown defense.
Pistol misses with a series of wild punches.
Pistol blocks a head kick by Manhoef.
Pistol fails to land with a series of punches.
Pistol is looking to clinch but Manhoef is avoiding it.
Manhoef tries to land a front kick but Pistol steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Pistol with a lazy takedown attempt
and Manhoef counters with a left to the body.
Pistol wants to clinch up but Manhoef keeps it at a distance.
Pistol misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Pistol is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Pistol doesn't manage to clinch there - Manhoef circles away.
Melvin Manhoef seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pistol shoots and misses
and Manhoef counters with a left and a right that stings Pistol.
Pistol clinches but Manhoef breaks the clinch
and Manhoef counters with a solid body kick.
Manhoef circles away from the clinch attempt.
Manhoef scoring well with a low kick there.
Pistol punishes Manhoef's body with a nice straight punch.
Pistol with a lazy takedown attempt
and Manhoef counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Pistol shoots in and drives through. Manhoef sprawls well.
Pistol wants to clinch up but Manhoef keeps it at a distance.
Some wild striking there from Manhoef.
Manhoef misses with a wild combination.
Pistol with a lazy takedown attempt
and Manhoef counters with a leg kick.
Nice takedown defense from Manhoef. No joy for Pistol on that attempt.
Horrible takedown by Pistol or perhaps it was just good defense by Manhoef which made him look bad.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Manhoef throws a right and a left that both miss.
Manhoef has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

Pistol fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Manhoef sprawls well initially but Pistol persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Manhoef pushes Pistol off looking to stand but Pistol dives back in and keeps control.
Pistol looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Manhoef is defending against the submission attempts here by Pistol.

Pistol is working for a submission of some sort.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Melvin Manhoef dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Manhoef takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Manhoef throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Manhoef throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Manhoef tries a head kick but it misses.
Pistol fails in his attempt to clinch.
Manhoef throws a sloppy head kick and Pistol moves out of range easily.
Manhoef throws a jab when Pistol was well out of range.
Pistol is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Pistol misses with a combination
and Manhoef counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pistol checks a leg kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Pistol looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Manhoef is breathing heavily.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Manhoef gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Pistol is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manhoef is looking to stand up but Pistol isn't so interested in that idea.
Pistol trying to control but Manhoef is working from the bottom.
Manhoef wants to stand but Pistol is controlling the position.
Pistol trying to control but Manhoef is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Pistol drops back looking for a leg! Manhoef is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Manhoef manages to kick Pistol off! Pistol jumps back into Manhoef's guard.
Pistol trying to control but Manhoef is working from the bottom.
Manhoef keeping full guard, as Pistol tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Manhoef tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Manhoef swats away the attempt to clinch by Pistol.
Manhoef throws a series of punches but Pistol moves out of range.
Pistol with a poor takedown
and Manhoef counters with a leg kick.
Nice sprawl there from Manhoef as Pistol shoots in.
Manhoef throws a combination that misses
and Pistol counters with a left and a right that stings Manhoef.
Manhoef throws out a loose jab but Pistol uses good head movement to avoid it.
Pistol shoots in for a double leg but Manhoef sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sonny Pistol. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pistol misses with a takedown attempt - Manhoef sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Manhoef throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Manhoef lands with a slapping head kick.
Pistol looks to land a combination. Manhoef sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Pistol changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Manhoef tries to avoid it but Pistol manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Manhoef to the ground. Manhoef escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pistol tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Manhoef swivels and escapes.
Manhoef misses with a combination

and Pistol counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Manhoef's guard now.
Pistol wants to control from the top but Manhoef keeps moving.
Manhoef wants to get back to his feet but Pistol is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Pistol trying to control but Manhoef is working from the bottom.
Manhoef wants to stand but Pistol is controlling the position.
Manhoef keeping moving, preventing Pistol from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sonny Pistol dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Pistol misses with a takedown attempt - Manhoef sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Pistol tries to clinch but Manhoef moves out of range.
Manhoef throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Pistol changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Manhoef tries to avoid it but Pistol manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Manhoef to the ground. Manhoef escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Pistol is looking to clinch.
Manhoef throws a head kick but Pistol moves out of range.
Pistol closes the distance and clinches up with Manhoef, looking for a takedown. Pistol pushes Manhoef against the cage but Manhoef circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sonny Pistol. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice uppercut lands for Manhoef. That snapped Pistol's head back.
Manhoef throws a right hand that Pistol ducks under and follows up with a left that Pistol also avoids with ease.
Manhoef pulls out of a head kick attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Manhoef throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Pistol fails with the takedown.
Manhoef throws a head kick but Pistol moves out of range.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Pistol blocks a head kick by Manhoef.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pistol tries to close the distance and clinch but Manhoef swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Pistol throws a left and a right that both miss
and Manhoef counters with a big head kick but Pistol shrugs it off.
Pistol has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Some bone on bone action there as Pistol checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Sonny Pistol is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Pistol tries for a takedown but Manhoef sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Manhoef throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Pistol's head.
Pistol changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Manhoef tries to avoid it but Pistol manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Manhoef to the ground. Manhoef escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Manhoef doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Manhoef misses with a head kick.
Manhoef throws a combination that misses
and Pistol counters with a two punch combo.
Pistol jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Pistol tries to clinch up.
Pistol misses with a takedown
and Manhoef counters with a two punch combo.
Manhoef moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Manhoef throws a head kick but Pistol moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Pistol tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Manhoef counters with a solid body kick.
Pistol closes the distance and clinches up with Manhoef, looking for a takedown. Pistol pushes Manhoef against the cage but Manhoef circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Manhoef misses with the combination.
Pistol tries for a takedown but Manhoef sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Pistol closes the distance and clinches up with Manhoef, looking for a takedown. Pistol pushes Manhoef against the cage but Manhoef circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Pistol moves out of range of the body kick.
Pistol looks for a takedown but Manhoef sprawls well.
Manhoef looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
No joy there for Manhoef, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Pistol pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Manhoef swats away the attempt to clinch by Pistol.
Pistol takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Some wild striking there from Manhoef.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Pistol checks a leg kick.
Manhoef throws a head kick that misses.
Manhoef keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Pistol misses with a takedown attempt - Manhoef sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Manhoef throws a left and a right that both miss
and Pistol counters with a three punch combo that has Manhoef backing up. Manhoef nods at Pistol to acknowledge the strikes.
Manhoef misses with a combination
and Pistol counters with a two punch combo.
Pistol doesn't manage to clinch there - Manhoef circles away.
No luck for Pistol with that takedown attempt.
Manhoef fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Pistol.
Manhoef misses with a combination

and Pistol counters by clinching up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pistol fails to pull guard.

Manhoef breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Pistol fails to land the takedown.
Pistol shoots and misses
and Manhoef counters with a leg kick.
Manhoef lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Pistol fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Manhoef will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Manhoef misses with a combination

so Pistol counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Manhoef is looking to stand up but Pistol isn't so interested in that idea.
Manhoef keeping moving, preventing Pistol from controlling successfully.
Pistol trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Melvin Manhoef.
I think Manhoef has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 28:29
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 28:29
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Melvin Manhoef!