PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kasey Lynch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lionel Mancuso (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mancuso has chosen Feel The Beat as his entrance music. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Lynch
vs
Mancuso

199 cm
18
193 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

190 cm
18
180 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Likes musicals

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Kasey Lynch!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Lionel Mancuso!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Luis Engracia and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lynch doesn't manage to clinch there - Mancuso circles away.
Mancuso dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Lynch takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Lynch looking for a takedown.
Lynch really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Mancuso has Lynch pressed against the cage, preventing Lynch from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Mancuso prevents the takedown attempt.
Lynch tries to circle away but Mancuso has him pinned against the cage.
Lynch is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Mancuso pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kasey Lynch. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lynch wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Mancuso's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Lynch looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Lynch manages to break the clinch.
Mancuso falls off balance throwing a combination
and Lynch counters with a right hand to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lynch swats away the attempt to clinch by Mancuso.
Mancuso throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Lynch counters with a one-two to the body.

Lynch closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Lynch lands in his opponent's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lynch working some strikes from top position.

Lynch gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Lynch stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Lynch wants it to stay on the feet.
Lynch avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mancuso misses with a straight right.
Lynch is looking for a counter combo.
Lynch walks into a left hand.
Mancuso tries to clinch but Lynch moves out of range.
Lynch is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Mancuso looks winded!
Mancuso tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Lynch counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Lynch looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mancuso lands a slapping body shot.
Nice straight punches there by Mancuso. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Mancuso.
Mancuso misses with a two punch combination.
Lynch is trying hard to land a takedown here. Mancuso sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Mancuso shoots in for a double leg but Lynch sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Lynch fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Mancuso gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lynch throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Lynch is looking to work some ground and pound but Mancuso has wrist control.

Lynch postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Mancuso is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Lynch, into his guard.

Mancuso trying to control but Lynch is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Lynch working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Mancuso.
Lynch is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Mancuso is controlling him.
Mancuso throwing strikes but missing.
Lynch trying to keep a closed guard but Mancuso is proving a slippery customer.
Mancuso pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Lynch is keeping the position for now.
Lynch looking to hit a scissor sweep but Mancuso is one step ahead there.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Lionel Mancuso will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Lynch shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Mancuso counters by clinching up.

Mancuso successfully pulls guard.
Lynch is working Mancuso over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Mancuso working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Lynch doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Lynch manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Mancuso wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Lynch is now in half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lynch thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Mancuso's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lynch thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Mancuso is staying active underneath Lynch, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Mancuso has his hands clasped together around Lynch's back. He's all about the action.
Mancuso is breathing heavily.

Lynch is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Mancuso doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Lynch.
Mancuso throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

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.
Horrible takedown attempt by Lynch or perhaps it was just good defense by Mancuso, which made it look bad.
Mancuso tries to close the distance and clinch but Lynch swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Mancuso jabs at Lynch's body.
Lynch takes one to the side of the head.

Mancuso closes the distance and clinches.
Mancuso lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Lynch wants to break the clinch but can't.
Lynch is looking to break free of the clinch but Mancuso has double underhooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lynch keeps control of Mancuso as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Lynch has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Mancuso after a bit of a struggle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kasey Lynch. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lynch is looking to control Mancuso's arms but Mancuso gets an underhook and turns him. Now Lynch has his back to the cage.
Mancuso prevents Lynch from breaking the clinch.
Mancuso can't break the clinch.
Lynch tries to break the clinch but Mancuso is controlling the position.
Mancuso wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Lynch has him pressed against the cage.
Lynch is looking to control Mancuso's arms but Mancuso gets an underhook and turns him. Now Lynch has his back to the cage.
Lynch tries to stall but Mancuso uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Maybe Lynch would be better served going for some more strikes rather than trying to control so much.
Mancuso has Lynch pressed against the cage, preventing Lynch from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Lynch manages to break the clinch.
Mancuso leaves Lynch with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

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.
Mancuso moves in looking to clinch but Lynch pushes him off.
It looked like Lynch was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Lynch bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Mancuso fails to land with a series of punches.
Lynch takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Mancuso has his takedown stuffed
and Mancuso takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Lynch tries to clinch up but Mancuso circles away and keeps his distance.
A cross from Lynch lands.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Mancuso has managed to clinch.

Lynch manages to break the clinch.
Danga de danga de dang - Mancuso scores with a four punch combination!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lionel Mancuso showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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!

Mancuso lands a nice looking body shot.
Lynch shoots in for a takedown but Mancuso shows good takedown defense.
A combination from Mancuso does no damage.
Lynch swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Kasey Lynch is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Mancuso fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Lynch, pushing him back against the cage.
Lynch wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Lynch breaks the clinch.
Mancuso jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Mancuso gets caught napping as Lynch dives in and scores a takedown. Mancuso manages to retain guard.
Mancuso trying to keep a closed guard but Lynch is proving a slippery customer.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Lynch postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Mancuso is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Lynch, into his guard.

Mancuso takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mancuso stands and steps away. Lynch gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Lionel Mancuso seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Mancuso takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

Mancuso moves into the clinch.
Mancuso wants a takedown.
Mancuso is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Lynch tries to break the clinch but Mancuso is controlling the position.

Lynch's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Lynch doesn't manage to clinch there - Mancuso circles away.
Lynch is looking to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lynch looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Mancuso is fending him off so far but Lynch persists. Nope, Mancuso circles away and we're back to standing.
Mancuso pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Lynch back to the cage. Mancuso follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Lionel Mancuso seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mancuso swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Lynch fails in his attempt to clinch.
Lynch swats away the attempt to clinch by Mancuso.
Mancuso misses with a few strikes there.
Lynch looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kasey Lynch. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lynch throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Mancuso's waist but Mancuso gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Lynch off to one side.
Mancuso tries to clinch but Lynch is having none of it.

Lynch gets a clinch.
Mancuso has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lynch fails to pull guard.
Mancuso is trying to break the clinch but Lynch has him pressed against the cage.

Lynch breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Lynch closes the distance and clinches.
Mancuso wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Lynch has him pressed against the cage.
Lynch goes for a takedown in the clinch but Mancuso prevents it.

Lynch manages to break the clinch.
Mancuso is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
A combination from Mancuso does no damage.
The fight stays on the outside here - Mancuso looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
As Mancuso looks to move away, Lynch throws a big counter combo bu Mancuso just gets out of the way.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A left and a right from Mancuso both land. Nice combination.

Lynch has Mancuso up against the cage in a clinch.

Lynch turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mancuso is trying to get back to half guard.
The ground and pound from Lynch seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Kasey Lynch has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lionel Mancuso is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Lynch creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lionel Mancuso comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Mancuso 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 Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 27:30
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lionel Mancuso!
In his post fight interview, Lionel Mancuso started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.