PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Bill Hicks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt Manuel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hicks comes to the cage accompanied by Bang Your Head. Manuel has chosen Lay Low as his entrance music. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the fighters buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Hicks
vs
Manuel

174 cm
23
155 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

172 cm
23
155 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

TFP Graphics

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Bill Hicks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Matt Manuel!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Manuel goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Manuel moves out of range as Hicks strikes.
Hicks scores with the left hand. Manuel knows he should have avoided that one.

It looks like Matt Manuel has been cut.
Hicks throws a series of punches but Manuel avoids them all with ease.
Hicks throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Manuel throws the kick towards the body but Hicks avoids it.
Manuel throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Hicks misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Manuel.
Manuel pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Manuel misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hicks.
Manuel throws a leg kick which misses Hicks's front leg but catches the back leg as Hicks tries to avoid it.
Hicks misses with a few strikes there.
Hicks throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hicks throws a shot from downtown. Manuel moves away and avoids it.
Hicks throws a left and a right that both miss
and Manuel counters with a nice low kick that buckles Hicks's knee momentarily.
Manuel buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Hicks moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Manuel throws a sloppy head kick and Hicks moves out of range easily.
Hicks misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Manuel tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Manuel moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Hicks is breathing heavily.
Manuel ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Manuel lands a with a good body shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Manuel changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice inside leg kick there by Manuel. That's going to slow Hicks down.

Manuel has managed to clinch.
Manuel tries to land knees in the clinch but Hicks avoids the damage to the body.
Manuel tries to land knees in the clinch but Hicks avoids the damage to the body.
Hicks blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Hicks on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Manuel gets through Hicks's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A body shot lands from Manuel.
Manuel landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Hicks on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Manuel landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Manuel missing with knees to the body.
Manuel misses with a knee strike.
Hicks avoiding damage as Manuel throws knees to the body.
Manuel is looking to control Hicks's arms but Hicks gets an underhook and turns him. Now Manuel has his back to the cage.
Hicks on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Manuel missing with knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manuel lands a body punch.
A bit of stalling here from Hicks.
Manuel looking to throw knees to the head but Hicks is blocking nicely.
Hicks managing to block the knees to the body from Manuel.
Hicks avoiding damage as Manuel throws knees to the body.
Hicks blocks a body shot from Manuel.

Hicks pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Bill Hicks seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hicks takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Hicks fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Hicks swinging wilding here.
Hicks has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Manuel lets loose with a powerful body kick. Hicks will feel that in the morning.
Manuel thuds his right hand into Hicks's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Hicks falls off balance throwing a combination
and Manuel counters with a left and a right that stings Hicks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manuel with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Hicks falls off balance throwing a combination
and Manuel counters with a nice body kick.
Hicks takes a kick to the side of the head.
Hicks fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Manuel jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Manuel tries a head kick but it misses.
Manuel jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Manuel connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Manuel ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Hicks shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Manuel counters with a nice low kick that buckles Hicks's knee momentarily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bill Hicks. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Manuel scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Hicks keeps the fight on the outside.

Manuel clinches up against the cage.
Hicks letting Manuel take a breather here.
Hicks avoiding damage as Manuel throws knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Manuel misses with a body punch.
Manuel tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hicks's elbow.
Hicks is looking to break free of the clinch but Manuel has double underhooks.
Manuel just leaning against Hicks, taking a breather.
Manuel tries a body shot but Hicks blocks it.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Hicks. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.

Hicks escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Manuel lands with a slapping head kick.
A nice combination there by Hicks.
Manuel fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hicks manages to avoid it.
Manuel lands a nice hook to Hicks's body. Hicks takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Hicks throws a hook to the side of Manuel's head but Manuel sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Manuel shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hicks misses with a few strikes there.
Manuel lands a nice leg kick that just misses Hicks's sensitive parts.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A solid leg kick lands there for Manuel.
Manuel tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hicks paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hicks looks for a takedown but Manuel sprawls well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Manuel dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Matt Manuel's cut.
That's time! Hicks's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Manuel rushes Hicks and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Hicks manages to break the clinch.
Manuel is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Hicks rather than just go for the knockout.
Hicks throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Hicks throws a right and a left that Manuel avoids nicely.
Hicks has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Manuel.

Manuel darts in and clinches Hicks up against the cage.
Manuel misses with a knee strike.
Manuel missing with knees to the body.
Hicks wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Manuel missing with knees to the body.
Hicks managing to block the knees to the body from Manuel.
Manuel misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Hicks.
Manuel slows down the pace here.
Manuel trying to land knees to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A right hook to the body lands for Manuel.
Manuel trying to land knees to the body.
Manuel tries to land knees in the clinch but Hicks avoids the damage to the body.
Manuel keeps control of Hicks as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Hicks wants to get back to striking at distance but Manuel won't allow it.
Manuel unloads a knee to the mid-section. Hicks lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Manuel connects with a knee to the head.
Hicks on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Manuel landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Hicks avoiding damage as Manuel throws knees to the body.
Manuel trying to land knees to the body.
Manuel tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Manuel misses with a knee strike.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

Hicks manages to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Manuel wants to clinch.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Manuel tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Manuel looks to score with a jab to the body but Hicks is just out of range.
Hicks fails with the takedown
and Manuel counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Hicks takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Hicks throws a one two combo.
Hicks checks a low kick from Manuel.
Hicks's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Hicks duly obliges.

Hicks closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Manuel to the mat! Manuel manages to get full guard.
Manuel manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Hicks manages to get himself to full guard.
Hicks throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Manuel must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Manuel wants to get up but he can't break Hicks's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Hicks manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hicks lands with some strikes.

Hicks is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Manuel has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Manuel!
Hicks thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Hicks keeping full guard, as Manuel tries to pass.
Manuel is looking to stand up but Hicks won't let him.

Hicks working for a triangle but Manuel defends it easily.
Manuel controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hicks keeping moving, preventing Manuel from controlling successfully.

Manuel gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Hicks slips a straight right by Manuel.
Manuel throws a body punch but Hicks moves out of range.
Matt Manuel is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hicks lands a nice shot that snaps Manuel's head back.
Manuel moves in looking to clinch but Hicks pushes him off.
A punch combination from Hicks misses.
Hicks throws a right and a left that Manuel avoids nicely.
Hicks circles away from the clinch attempt.
Manuel takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Manuel ducks under a wild hook from Hicks.
Hicks misses with a wild combination.
A slapping leg kick lands for Manuel.
Manuel tries to close the distance and clinch but Hicks swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Manuel swinging wilding here.
Hicks steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Manuel. That one must have hurt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Matt Manuel will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Matt Manuel's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Hicks circles away from the clinch attempt.
Manuel fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Hicks.
Hicks scores with a jab to the head.
Hicks looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Hicks lands a glancing blow to the side of Manuel's head.
Manuel ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hicks moves away.
Hicks closes this distance looking for a takedown but Manuel circles away.

Manuel clinches.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Manuel.
Manuel missing with knees to the body.
Hicks managing to block the knees to the body from Manuel.
Manuel cracks Hicks with a nice body shot.

Hicks breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hicks throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Manuel makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Hicks is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Manuel fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Hicks.

Manuel pushes Hicks up against the cage in a clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Manuel connects with a nasty looking knee right to Hicks's face.
Hicks wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Manuel has him pressed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hicks letting Manuel take a breather here.
Hicks on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Hicks blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Manuel misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Hicks.
Hicks on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Hicks wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Manuel is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Hicks on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Manuel tries to land knees in the clinch but Hicks avoids the damage to the body.
Hicks on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Manuel goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hicks blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Hicks breaks from the clinch.
Hicks swings for the body but Manuel moves out of range.
Manuel keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hicks misses with a series of wild punches.
A solid leg kick lands there for Manuel.
Manuel tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hicks paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Manuel tries to clinch up but Hicks circles away and keeps his distance.
Manuel throws a wild body kick that Hicks sees coming a mile off.
Hicks throws a series of punches but Manuel moves out of range.

Manuel moves into the clinch.
Hicks on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Hicks manages to break the clinch.
Hicks misses with a looping right.
Hicks takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Manuel feints and then cracks Hicks's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Hicks down.
Manuel throws a leg kick which misses Hicks's front leg but catches the back leg as Hicks tries to avoid it.
Manuel fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hicks looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Manuel is fending him off so far but Hicks persists. Nope, Manuel circles away and we're back to standing.
Hicks throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Manuel's waist but Manuel gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Hicks off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bill Hicks. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Manuel thows a body shot but no joy.

Manuel clinches up with Hicks and pushes him back against the cage.
Manuel is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Manuel is persisting with his attempts to control the action in the clinch, rather than do any real damage.

Hicks breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Hicks.
Manuel tries to clinch up but Hicks circles away and keeps his distance.
Manuel feints and then cracks Hicks's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Hicks down.
Hicks looks to throw the jab but Manuel is out of range.
Manuel tries to clinch but Hicks moves out of range.
Hicks swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Manuel moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Hicks lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Manuel with a jab.

Manuel pushes Hicks up against the cage in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Manuel misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Hicks.

Hicks breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Manuel slips a jab and a cross from Hicks.
Manuel moves in looking to clinch but Hicks pushes him off.

Manuel gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Hicks avoiding damage as Manuel throws knees to the body.
Hicks wants to break the clinch but can't.
Manuel misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hicks blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Bill Hicks has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Hicks escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Hicks looks to land a left hand but Manuel moved out of range nicely.
Manuel throws a head kick that misses.
Hicks misses with a straight left.
Hicks thows a left - swing and a miss!
Matt Manuel is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Manuel connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Manuel wants to clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matt Manuel comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Manuel winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matt Manuel!