PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Manny Berao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Colin Babineaux (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Berao
vs
Babineaux

175 cm
25
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

170 cm
25
151 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Very confident

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Manny Berao!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Colin Babineaux!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Timothy Bukovac and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Babineaux looks for a takedown but Berao sprawls well.

Berao has managed to clinch.
Babineaux wants a takedown.

Berao has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Babineaux uses from the top position.
Berao is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Babineaux looking to pass the guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Babineaux 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.
Babineaux trying to control the position from guard on top but Berao is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Berao working a defensive guard here.
Berao keeping full guard, as Babineaux tries to pass.
Babineaux works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Babineaux wants to pass to mount but Berao is defending the position.

Babineaux wants to work for an arm triangle but Berao is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Berao tries to get to full guard but Babineaux has control of the leg.

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.

Babineaux seems to be working for a kimura but Berao defends the submission attempt.
Babineaux is keen to just control but Berao is a slippery customer.
Berao is trying to get back to full guard.

Babineaux seems to be looking for submissions.

Babineaux is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Berao sees it coming and defends easily.
Berao is trying to maintain the position but Babineaux is very close to passing his half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Babineaux is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Berao has managed to free his arm - good work.
Babineaux looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Berao tries to close the distance and clinch up but Babineaux swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Berao slaps away a takedown attempt from Babineaux, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Manny Berao has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Colin Babineaux.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Babineaux leaves Berao with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Berao looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Babineaux is fending him off so far but Berao persists. Nope, Babineaux circles away and we're back to standing.
Babineaux with a lazy takedown attempt

and Berao counters with a shoot takedown. Babineaux fights it but they end up in guard.

Babineaux is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Babineaux keeping moving, preventing Berao from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Manny Berao will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Babineaux.
Babineaux closes this distance looking for a takedown but Berao circles away.
Berao swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Babineaux.
Manny Berao is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Babineaux stuffs the takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Babineaux shoots in but no luck this time.
Manny Berao has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Colin Babineaux.
Babineaux shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Berao but Berao pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Berao gets a takedown into half guard.
Babineaux is looking for a sweep. Berao is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Babineaux regains full guard. Nicely done.
Berao with a nice head shot there.
Babineaux utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Berao scoring with some ground and pound.

Babineaux escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Berao gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Babineaux looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Berao throwing strikes but missing.
Berao trying to control but Babineaux is working from the bottom.

Babineaux working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Berao doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Berao manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Babineaux is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Babineaux is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Babineaux looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Berao has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Babineaux is proving hard to escape from.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Berao postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Babineaux is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Berao is aware though and is defending well.
Berao is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Babineaux can do to turn this around?
Babineaux keeping moving, preventing Berao from controlling successfully.

Babineaux has his foot on Berao's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Berao works his way back into a safe position though.
Berao controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Babineaux looks for the body kick but Berao saw that one coming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Babineaux with a lazy takedown attempt

and Berao counters with a takedown into side control.

Berao thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Berao is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Babineaux knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Berao content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Manny Berao dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Babineaux stuffs the takedown attempt from Berao. Berao gets slowly back to his feet.
Berao with a lazy takedown attempt

and Babineaux counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Berao has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Babineaux can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Babineaux thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Babineaux slips nicely into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Babineaux is thwarting Berao's attempts to control the position.
Babineaux is keen to just control but Berao is a slippery customer.

Babineaux is trying to work for a kimura but Berao is defending well.
Babineaux trying to control the action but Berao is working from the bottom.

Babineaux is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Berao is just riding it out for now. Babineaux eventually gives up the hold.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Babineaux seems to be looking for submissions.
Babineaux is looking to take a break and control but Berao is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Babineaux seems to be looking for submissions.
Berao tries to roll over but Babineaux keeps him under control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Berao is trying to control but can't.
Babineaux prevents Berao from standing back up.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Berao gets full guard.
Babineaux wants to control from the top but Berao keeps moving.
Babineaux is pushing down on Berao's leg trying to pass to half guard. Berao is fighting to maintain full guard but Babineaux has managed to sneak the leg through.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Babineaux is looking for a kimura here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Babineaux is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Berao defends it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Babineaux is thwarting Berao's attempts to control the position.
Babineaux wants to lay and pray for a moment but Berao keeps working.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Berao has his takedown stuffed

and Babineaux counters with a single leg into guard. Berao didn't expect that.
Colin Babineaux has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Manny Berao is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Manny Berao. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Babineaux won't allow Berao to sweep him here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Colin Babineaux comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Berao has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 29:28
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Manny Berao!