PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jimi Manuwa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Siri Broadway (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.

Manuwa
vs
Broadway

187 cm
25
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
18
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight 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, Jimi Manuwa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Siri Broadway!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Seu Braga and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Broadway fails with the takedown
and Manuwa finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Broadway has his takedown stuffed
and Manuwa counters with a left and a right that stings Broadway.

Manuwa manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Broadway on his heels. He'll look to pass Broadway's guard now, I'm sure.
Manuwa wants to control from the top but Broadway keeps moving.
Manuwa has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Broadway is trying to control the position but Manuwa postures up.
Manuwa trying to control but Broadway is working from the bottom.
Manuwa showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

We're going to have a standup here because Jimi Manuwa wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Broadway shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Manuwa counters with a nice uppercut.
Jimi Manuwa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Siri Broadway.
Broadway looks winded!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Broadway fails with the takedown
and Manuwa counters with a nice kick to the body.
Nice body kick from Manuwa.
Manuwa fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Manuwa lands with a kick to the temple. Broadway shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

Manuwa fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Broadway, pushing him back against the cage.

Manuwa jumps guard and drags Broadway to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manuwa keeping moving, preventing Broadway from controlling successfully.
Manuwa has his hands on Broadway's head, controlling the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Manuwa looking for a sweep. Not yet Manuwa, not yet.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Broadway being controlled here momentarily.

Jimi Manuwa has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Manuwa throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Broadway.
Broadway takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Siri Broadway seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Manuwa drives through and clinches with Broadway against the cage.
Manuwa throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

Manuwa is trying to trip Broadway. He has hold of a leg but Broadway is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Manuwa persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Manuwa wants to control from the top but Broadway keeps moving.
Broadway trying to keep a closed guard but Manuwa is proving a slippery customer.

Broadway looking for a guillotine here but Manuwa defends easily.
Broadway keeping moving, preventing Manuwa from controlling successfully.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Manuwa has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Broadway is proving hard to escape from.
Manuwa trying to control but Broadway is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jimi Manuwa has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Broadway shoots and misses
and Manuwa counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Broadway is lucky that one didn't land flush.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Manuwa.

Broadway gets tackled into the cage by Manuwa. Manuwa maintains the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Manuwa.

Manuwa manages to pull guard.
Manuwa keeping full guard, as Broadway tries to pass.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Manuwa is on top in guard.
Manuwa wants to get up but he can't break Broadway's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Manuwa trying to control the position from guard on top but Broadway is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Broadway is trying to keep Manuwa in close.
Broadway looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Manuwa avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Broadway wants to sweep but no luck.
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!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Manuwa got a little sloppy there for a moment and Broadway has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Manuwa has managed to get both his arms back between Broadway's legs - danger averted.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Manuwa looking to pass the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jimi Manuwa dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Manuwa closes the distance and lands a one-two.

Manuwa gets the takedown into side control.
Manuwa throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Manuwa trying to control the position but Broadway is working away.
Broadway is trying to get back to half guard.
Broadway is not content to let Manuwa control the position.
Broadway is trying to improve his position.
Broadway manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Broadway is looking for a sweep. Manuwa is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Broadway is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Manuwa is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Manuwa wants to control but Broadway is keeping him busy.
Broadway is looking for a sweep. Manuwa is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Manuwa thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Manuwa content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Manuwa wants to get back to his feet.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Jimi Manuwa just wasn't active enough.
Broadway fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Broadway fails with the takedown
and Manuwa counters with a big head kick but Broadway shrugs it off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manuwa scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Manuwa scores with a head kick.
Manuwa listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Broadway misses with a takedown attempt
and Manuwa counters with a head kick. That will keep Broadway thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Jimi Manuwa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Siri Broadway.
Broadway with a lazy takedown attempt
and Manuwa counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Manuwa lands a high kick!
Manuwa lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Broadway looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Broadway shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Manuwa counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Manuwa scores with a head kick. Broadway tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Broadway shoots in looking for a takedown but Manuwa manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Broadway's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Broadway tries for a takedown but Manuwa circles away easily
and Manuwa counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Broadway tries for a takedown but Manuwa circles away easily
and Manuwa counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Manuwa. Those never looked like landing.
Broadway misses with a takedown
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.

Manuwa closes the distance and pushes Broadway back into the cage.

Manuwa gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Manuwa takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Broadway manages to get to full guard.
Manuwa throwing strikes from guard but Broadway blocks nicely.

Broadway had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Manuwa defends it easily.
Manuwa is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Manuwa stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Broadway swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Jimi Manuwa overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Broadway throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Broadway is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Manuwa trying to control but Broadway postures up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Broadway moves nicely into side control.
Manuwa knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Broadway on the ground.
Broadway wants to lay and pray for a moment but Manuwa keeps working.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jimi Manuwa dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

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

Broadway looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Manuwa throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Broadway wants to control but Manuwa is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Manuwa not doing much here.
Manuwa thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Broadway's head.
Manuwa wants to pass the guard but Broadway is defending well.
Broadway trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Manuwa looking to control and managing it successfully.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Broadway is just holding on here. Manuwa manages to take his back.

Manuwa is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Broadway is defending well though. Manuwa let's go of the attempt for now.

Broadway showing good submission defense here.
Broadway wants to control his opponent's hands but Manuwa gets his hands free.

Manuwa is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Broadway defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Broadway rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manuwa throwing shots but Broadway is blocking nicely.
Manuwa is keen to just control but Broadway is a slippery customer.
Manuwa is thwarting Broadway's attempts to control the position.
Manuwa seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Broadway does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Manuwa thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

We're going to have a standup here because Jimi Manuwa wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Manuwa plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

Broadway gets a takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manuwa wants to get back to full guard.
Manuwa is trying to stand.
Manuwa avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Broadway.

Broadway wants to work for an arm triangle but Manuwa is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Manuwa wants to improve his position but Broadway is controlling well.
Manuwa is trying to stand up here but Broadway is controlling him well.
Manuwa wants to control but Broadway is keeping busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

Broadway looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Broadway is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Manuwa has managed to free his arm - good work.
Siri Broadway has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Broadway throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Jimi Manuwa.
Well Manuwa has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 30:27
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 30:27
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jimi Manuwa!