PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Arvo Penaali (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Connor McManus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Penaali comes to the cage accompanied by Immortal Technique - Obnoxius. McManus comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Jeff Danna - 'The Blood of Cú Chulainn' kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Penaali
vs
McManus

180 cm
34
169 lbs
19 - 7 - 1

177 cm
31
167 lbs
14 - 13 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Arvo Penaali!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 13 - 0, fighting out of London, Connor McManus!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A left and a right from Penaali both land. Nice combination.
Penaali just misses with a punch to the body.
McManus has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Penaali tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but McManus swivels and escapes.
McManus wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Penaali throws a big shot that misses.
Nice takedown defense from McManus. No joy for Penaali on that attempt.
Penaali takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
McManus works Penaali's body with a nice hook.
Connor McManus seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McManus scores with a hook to the body. Penaali takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Penaali swinging wildly here.

Penaali forces McManus back against the cage and clinches.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

McManus lands a takedown into guard.
McManus tries to free his leg and advance position but Penaali is retaining full guard.
Penaali utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McManus wants to control from the top but Penaali keeps moving.

Penaali throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

McManus got a little sloppy there for a moment and Penaali has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, McManus has managed to get both his arms back between Penaali's legs - danger averted.
McManus trying to control but Penaali is working from the bottom.

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

That's two 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.
McManus trying to control but Penaali is working from the bottom.

Penaali working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because McManus has passed into half guard!
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with McManus in particular looking to stall.
McManus throwing shots but Penaali is blocking nicely.
McManus works his foot free and advances to mount.
Penaali slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McManus prevents Penaali from improving his position.
McManus is trying to control the action in half guard but Penaali is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
McManus looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

Penaali looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Penaali wants to get back to full guard.
McManus wants to control but Penaali is keeping him busy.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Penaali wants to improve his position but McManus is controlling well.
McManus wants to lay and pray for a moment but Penaali keeps working.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Penaali misses with a wild combination.

Penaali bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
McManus tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Penaali wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
McManus keeps trying to improve his position.
Penaali is working McManus over with some ground and pound from side control.
Penaali scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at McManus to see if he's OK.
McManus is looking for a sweep.
Penaali landing strikes.
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 Arvo Penaali will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

McManus stuffs the takedown.
McManus feints the counter takedown.
McManus misses with an uppercut
and Penaali counters with a left and a right that stings McManus.
Penaali has his takedown stuffed
and McManus counters with a nice uppercut.
Penaali takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Penaali lands a head shot.

Penaali closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Penaali looking to punish the body of his opponent here but McManus is avoiding damage well.
McManus is trying to control Penaali's posture but Penaali avoids it.
McManus is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Penaali off and has taken his back!
Watch the back of the head! Comes the shout from the referee towards McManus.
McManus avoiding Penaali 's attempts to control his hands.
McManus punches Penaali on the ear.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Penaali covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.
Penaali covering up well and avoiding damage.
Penaali is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by McManus.

McManus looking for the choke but no joy.
Penaali tries to escape the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Will McManus go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Penaali turns into McManus and is now in his guard.

McManus is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
McManus keeping moving, preventing Penaali from controlling successfully.

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

McManus is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Penaali content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Penaali wants to control from the top but McManus keeps moving.
Penaali is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Penaali working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
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.
Penaali trying to control the position from guard on top but McManus is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
McManus looking to control.

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.
Penaali content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Penaali trying to control the position from guard on top but McManus is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Penaali missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
McManus looking for a sweep. Not yet McManus, not yet.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
McManus misses with a wild body shot.
Connor McManus seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Penaali looks to land a right hand but McManus moved out of range.
McManus throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
McManus slips a straight right by Penaali.
Penaali lands a jab to the head.
Penaali is looking to clinch but McManus is avoiding it.
McManus misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Penaali.
Penaali moves out of range as McManus throws a body kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Connor McManus will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

McManus looks to land a right hand but Penaali moved out of range.
McManus scores with a hook.
Penaali fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but McManus avoids it really well and circles away.
McManus looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Penaali scores with a nice strike.
McManus throws a low kick but Penaali avoids it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Penaali dives in and scores a takedown into McManus's guard.
McManus is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Penaali regains full guard. Nicely done.

Penaali has his foot on McManus's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. McManus works his way back into a safe position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Penaali wants to stand and escape but McManus is having none of it.
Penaali utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Penaali is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
McManus trying to control but Penaali is working from the bottom.
McManus controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Penaali has his foot on McManus's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. McManus works his way back into a safe position though.

Penaali is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

McManus avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
McManus stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Penaali swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Penaali working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from McManus.
McManus with a nice head shot there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Penaali looking to control but McManus passes into half guard.
Penaali strikes from the bottom but McManus passes into mount!
Penaali sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Arvo Penaali overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
McManus missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
McManus is looking to take a break and control but Penaali is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
McManus wants to free his trapped foot but Penaali is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Penaali actively working from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McManus seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Penaali regains full guard. Nicely done.
Penaali looking for a sweep. Not yet Penaali, not yet.
McManus trying to control the position from guard on top but Penaali is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Penaali is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and McManus defends well.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
McManus with a nice head shot there.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Connor McManus.
I think McManus has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:28
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Connor McManus!
Connor McManus decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.
The defeated Arvo Penaali had this to say: 'i´ll be back and i will fight anyone, anywhere anytime.'.