PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rashad Manning (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jimmy Sphinx (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the ring.

Manning
vs
Sphinx

180 cm
25
160 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

182 cm
19
162 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Urban Fighter

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rashad Manning!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jimmy Sphinx!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Jorge Garcia and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sphinx tries a head kick but it misses.
Sphinx throws a chopping leg kick but Manning manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Sphinx misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sphinx misses with a body shot.
Manning seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

Sphinx tries to sprawl but Manning drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Manning is trying to control the action in half guard but Sphinx is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Sphinx gets back to full guard.
Manning would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Sphinx not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Sphinx has his foot on Manning's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Manning works his way back into a safe position though.
Manning wants to pass the guard but Sphinx is keeping the position.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Manning stopping the sweep attempt from Sphinx.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manning trying to control but Sphinx is working from the bottom.
Sphinx working a defensive guard but Manning manages to pass into side control anyway.
Manning wants to control but Sphinx is keeping him busy.
Manning lands some shots froms side control.
Manning is looking to take a break and control but Sphinx is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Sphinx prevents Manning from improving position.
Manning knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Sphinx on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sphinx is trying to control Manning's posture but Manning avoids it.
Manning throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

Manning is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Sphinx knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Sphinx wants to control but Manning postures up.
Sphinx gets back to half guard.
Sphinx keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sphinx keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Sphinx is looking to improve his position.
Manning trying to control from half guard but Sphinx is working away.
Sphinx works his way to full guard. Good work.
Sphinx is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Sphinx is pulling down on Manning's head. It's preventing any offense from Manning, at least for the moment.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Manning wants to clinch.

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.

Manning dives in and scores a takedown into Sphinx's guard.
Manning has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Sphinx is proving hard to escape from.

Sphinx is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Manning defends well.

Sphinx working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Manning doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Manning manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Manning wants to control from the top but Sphinx keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rashad Manning dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Manning wants to clinch up but Sphinx keeps it at a distance.
Manning moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

Manning clinches with his opponent.

Manning pulls Sphinx into guard.

Manning looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Sphinx trying to control the position from guard on top but Manning is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Manning managing to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sphinx wants to pass the guard but Manning is keeping the position.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Manning trying to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manning keeping moving, preventing Sphinx from controlling successfully.
Manning trying to control the position.
Sphinx trying to control but Manning is working from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Sphinx has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Manning tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Sphinx throws a series of punches but Manning moves out of range.

Manning darts in and clinches Sphinx up against the ropes.

Manning ties up his opponent against the ropes and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Manning no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Sphinx throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manning tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Sphinx trying to control but Manning is working from the bottom.
Manning trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Sphinx trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Sphinx postures up in Manning's guard and throws a big left but Manning blocks it.
Manning can't keep his opponent in guard - Sphinx advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Sphinx perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Sphinx passes the guard and advances to mount!
Manning tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sphinx trying to control but Manning is having none of it.
Sphinx throwing strikes here but Manning is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Sphinx throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Manning because Sphinx loaded up on that one.
Sphinx tries to control but Manning wriggling away.
Sphinx thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Sphinx trying to control but Manning is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sphinx prevents Manning from getting the reversal.
Manning is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Manning is desperately trying to improve his position but Sphinx has a good base and remains in mount.
Sphinx looking to finish with strikes here!
Sphinx looking to finish with strikes here!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sphinx controlling the pace for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jimmy Sphinx showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

No luck for Sphinx with that takedown attempt.
No joy there for Sphinx, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Manning looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Sphinx 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 Manning. Oh but Sphinx has got full guard now! Oh boy! This one could be over very soon! Manning goes limp - he's gone! Sphinx jumps up and celebrates with the crowd - fantastic submission finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:37 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Jimmy Sphinx!