PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Dorian Manowar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rafal Arsic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Manowar
vs
Arsic

172 cm
20
142 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

167 cm
22
142 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Dorian Manowar!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rafal Arsic!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Chris Downing and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Arsic forces Manowar back against the cage and clinches.
Arsic lands an uppercut.
Manowar takes an elbow to the temple.

It looks like Dorian Manowar has been cut.

Manowar manages to break the clinch.
A combination from Manowar does no damage.

Manowar moves into the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Manowar.
Manowar digs a right hand underneath Arsic's ribcage. Arsic let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Arsic blocks a body shot from Manowar.
Arsic lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
A right handed body shot lands from Manowar.
Arsic letting Manowar take a breather here.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Manowar gets through Arsic's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Manowar lands a hook to the side of the head.
With the fighters up against the cage, Arsic throws an elbow but misses.

Manowar's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Manowar closes the distance and clinches.

Manowar breaks the clinch.
Manowar moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manowar stuffs the takedown attempt from Arsic. Arsic gets slowly back to his feet.
Nice shot lands for Manowar.
No joy there for Arsic, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Manowar throws a body shot but no joy.

Manowar closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Manowar lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Manowar displaying some good clinch control by pressing Arsic up against the cage.
Manowar is pressed up against the cage. Arsic has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Manowar down to the mat. Manowar avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Manowar looks to land a combination but Arsic avoids it well.
Arsic has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.

Manowar fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Arsic, pushing him back against the cage.
Manowar lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Arsic goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Manowar manages to break the clinch.
A leg kick checked by Manowar.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Arsic tries to keep at a distance but Manowar has taken the fight into the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Manowar's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Arsic throws a punch but it's blocked by Manowar.
Arsic lands with a left to the head.
Arsic has a couple of punches blocked by Manowar.

Manowar pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Manowar takes the fight into the clinch.

Manowar manages to break the clinch.
Arsic scores with the left hand. Manowar knows he should have avoided that one.
Manowar misses with a double jab.

Manowar tries to keep at a distance but Arsic has taken the fight into the clinch.
Arsic throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Manowar trying to stall but Arsic improves his position.
Manowar tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Arsic's elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arsic lands a nice elbow.
Arsic keeps control of Manowar as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Arsic changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Manowar fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Dorian Manowar has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rafal Arsic.
Arsic ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
No joy there for Arsic, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Manowar throws a series of punches but Arsic avoids them all with ease.
Arsic's corner calls for a 1-2. Arsic obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

Arsic gets tackled into the cage by Manowar. Manowar maintains the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Manowar.
Manowar blocks an uppercut.
Arsic takes a shot to the head.
A right hook to the body lands for Manowar.
Arsic lands a hook that snaps the head of Manowar backwards.
Manowar lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Arsic is trying to drag Manowar to the mat but Manowar just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Manowar lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
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!
Arsic working aggressively here.

Manowar manages to break the clinch.
Manowar throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Arsic.
A shot to the liver by Manowar. Beautiful body shot.
Arsic needs to keep his hands up - Manowar had a free shot at his head there.
Manowar looks to score with a jab to the body but Arsic is just out of range.
A slow jab from Arsic misses its intended target.

Arsic gets tackled into the cage by Manowar. Manowar maintains the clinch.
Arsic misses with some punches.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Manowar's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Arsic closes the distance and clinches.
Manowar avoids a wild elbow strike from Arsic.
Manowar gets through Arsic's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dorian Manowar dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Dorian Manowar's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Arsic looks to land a left hand but Manowar moved out of range nicely.
Arsic misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Manowar throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Arsic.

Arsic moves into the clinch.
Arsic misses with the head strike.
Arsic stalling in the clinch but Manowar improves position.
Manowar tries to stall but Arsic uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Manowar lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Manowar taking a breather.
Arsic taking a breather.
Arsic throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Manowar avoiding damage.
Manowar lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Arsic misses with some punches.
Arsic throws a head punch that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Arsic is trying to stall.
Arsic throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Manowars head.
Manowar is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Arsic misses with the head strike.
Arsic lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Manowar backwards.
Arsic scores with an uppercut up the middle.

Manowar manages to break the clinch.
Arsic throws a jab but it's blocked by Manowar.
Arsic swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Manowar makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Arsic throws a hook but Manowar avoids it easily.
Manowar steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Arsic.
Arsic lands a jab.
Dorian Manowar seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Manowar showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Arsic.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manowar blocks a jab.

Manowar clinches up with Arsic and pushes him back against the cage.

Manowar pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Arsic darts in and clinches Manowar up against the cage.
Arsic lands with a left to the head.
Manowar wants to get back to striking at distance but Arsic won't allow it.
Arsic has a couple of punches blocked by Manowar.
Manowar blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Arsic misses with a hook from the clinch.
Manowar lands a right hand.

Manowar manages to break the clinch.
A big right from Arsic misses.
A nice combination there by Manowar.
Manowar throws a good cross that connects.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manowar misses with a two punch combination.
A bone on bone clash there as Manowar blocks the leg kick.
Manowar lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Manowar moves out of range as Arsic strikes.
Manowar digs a good body shot into Arsic's ribs.
Manowar misses the shot to the body.

Manowar clinches up against the cage.
Manowar blocks an elbow strike.

Manowar breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Arsic fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Manowar manages to avoid it.

Manowar closes the distance and clinches.
Arsic throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Manowar looking to stall.
Arsic throws an elbow but it misses.
Arsic lands a damaging elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Manowar has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Manowar has had enough of the clinch but Arsic keeps him there for the moment.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Arsic lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Manowar backwards.
Manowar is struggling to control the position.
Manowar softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Manowar lands a body punch.
Arsic swings wildly with an uppercut but Manowar uses good head movement to avoid it.
Manowar stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
A short left from Arsic.
Dorian Manowar has scored more points in the clinch so far.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Arsic scores with a shot to the side of Manowar's head.
A body shot lands from Manowar.
Manowar blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Arsic looking to stall.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Dorian Manowar will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Dorian Manowar's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Arsic clinches with his opponent.
Manowar tries a body shot but Arsic blocks it.

Manowar breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Manowar misses with a body punch
and Arsic counters with a nice body shot.
A punch combination from Manowar misses.
Arsic drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Manowar lands a nice hook to Arsic's body. Arsic takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

Manowar takes the fight into the clinch.
Manowar is trying to stall.
Manowar works on Arsic's body with a couple of short punches.
A nice left hand lands by Manowar.

Manowar breaks the clinch.
Manowar is looking to wear down Arsic with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.

Manowar clinches with his opponent.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Manowar breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Manowar rushes Arsic and presses him up against the cage.
Arsic fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Manowar looking to slow down the pace here.
Arsic has a couple of punches blocked by Manowar.

Manowar breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Arsic on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Manowar swings for the body but Arsic moves out of range.

Arsic has closed the distance and engaged Manowar in a clinch.
Arsic misses with a hook from the clinch.
Arsic throws an elbow that misses.
Manowar tries to work over Arsic's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Arsic prevents Manowar from breaking the clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Manowar looking to slow down the pace here.

Manowar breaks the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Arsic swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Dorian Manowar is winning the standup battle so far.
Manowar throws out a loose jab but Arsic uses good head movement to avoid it.

Manowar gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A nice left hand lands by Arsic.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Manowar blocks an uppercut.
Arsic trying to control the position but instead, Manowar has worked for underhooks and has pushed Arsic into the cage.

Manowar pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Arsic takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Manowar just misses with a punch to the body.
Arsic swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Manowar gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Manowar blocks an uppercut.
Arsic lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Manowar backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manowar tries to break free but Arsic pushes him back against the cage.
Manowar blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Manowar manages to break the clinch.
Arsic misses with a straight right.
Manowar swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Manowar takes a jab right on the kisser.
Arsic on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Manowar misses with a jab, cross combination.
Arsic avoids the body shot from Manowar.
Arsic shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Arsic cracks a nice hook into Manowar's ribs.
Manowar throws a series of strikes that have Arsic backpedaling.

Arsic closes the distance and clinches.
Manowar is trying to stall.
Manowar can't find room to land a body shot as Arsic controls the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Manowar wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Manowar tries a body shot but Arsic blocks it.
Arsic tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Arsic blocks a body shot from Manowar.
Arsic is trying to stall.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Arsic throws a head punch that misses.
Arsic swings away with an uppercut that misses.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Arsic just misses with a elbow thrown towards Manowar's brow.
Arsic is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Manowar is keeping busy.
Manowar scores with a nice hook to the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Manowar taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Arsic prevents a body shot from Manowar.
Arsic changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Manowar fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Rafal Arsic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

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

And that's the end of the fight!
Dorian Manowar showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Manowar 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 29:28
Judge George Francis scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dorian Manowar!
An out of breath Dorian Manowar thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.