PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between John McManus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Carl Diol (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

McManus
vs
Diol

179 cm
21
135 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

187 cm
22
134 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Likes ground

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John McManus!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Carl Diol!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Tiny Johnson and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Diol looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

McManus escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Diol gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
McManus looking to hit a scissor sweep but Diol is one step ahead there.
McManus is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Diol trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
McManus really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Diol won't allow McManus to sweep him here.
McManus keeping moving, preventing Diol from controlling successfully.
McManus striking off his back, scoring a few points.
Diol trying to control the position from guard on top but McManus is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Diol closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Diol lands in his opponent's guard.
Diol trying to control but McManus is working from the bottom.
McManus manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
McManus looking to control but Diol is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Diol is trying to escape the mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diol is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

McManus jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Diol manages to avoid the submission attempt.
McManus is breathing heavily.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Diol is looking to regain half guard here but McManus keeps moving and retains side control.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
McManus scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Diol to see if he's OK.
Diol wants to control but McManus postures up.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Diol will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Horrible takedown by Diol or perhaps it was just good defense by McManus which made him look bad.
Diol shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts McManus as he jumps to the side.
John McManus has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Carl Diol.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McManus with a poor takedown

and Diol counters with a single leg into guard. McManus didn't expect that.

McManus working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Diol doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Diol manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
McManus is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Diol pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. McManus is keeping the position for now.
McManus is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Diol is controlling him.
Diol is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McManus wants to control but Diol passes easily into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McManus wants to get back to full guard.

McManus is defending against the submission attempts here by Diol.
Diol not doing much here.
McManus blocking the ground and pound attempt from Diol.
McManus is trying to get back to full guard.
Diol is looking to advance position but McManus won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Carl Diol dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Diol fails with the takedown
and McManus counters with a low kick, right behind Diol 's knee.
McManus throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Diol throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around McManus's waist but McManus gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Diol off to one side.
McManus misses with a series of wild punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Diol darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Diol lands strikes from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

McManus looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Diol seems to be looking for submissions.
Diol thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed McManus's head.
Diol trying to pass the guard but McManus defending well.
Diol is trying to control the action in half guard but McManus is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
McManus is trying to control but can't.
McManus moves into full guard.
McManus tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two 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.
McManus throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Diol looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for McManus!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Diol tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
McManus regains half guard.
Diol is nestled in close to McManus, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

McManus actively working from the bottom here.
Diol prevents McManus from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McManus moves into full guard.
Diol landing some decent shots from guard.
McManus is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Diol stands up over McManus, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
McManus wants to control the position but Diol says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Diol works his way into side control.
Diol wants to lay and pray for a moment but McManus keeps working.
Diol cracks McManus with an elbow. That is naaassty.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Diol landing strikes.

Diol working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Diol working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
McManus is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Diol asserts his dominance and retains side control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
McManus is not content to let Diol control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Carl Diol showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

A big left from McManus misses.

Diol feints and as McManus raises his hands in defense, Diol changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Diol pushes down on McManus's leg and manages to get into half guard.
McManus is trying to get back to full guard.
Carl Diol has got the better of the ground game so far.

McManus has hold of a guillotine but he's not going to be able to crank on it really with only half guard, so it's no trouble for Diol. Oh but McManus has got full guard now! Oh boy! This one could be over very soon! Diol goes limp - he's gone! McManus jumps up and celebrates with the crowd - fantastic submission finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:02 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). John McManus!