PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Carlos Cutwood (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Toni Manel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Manel has chosen A Portuguesa as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Cutwood
vs
Manel

197 cm
33
285 lbs
31 - 14 - 0

190 cm
30
250 lbs
29 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

GREEN!160
Arcticus University: London

Spartan Nutrition
Mohito Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 31 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Carlos Cutwood!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 29 - 10 - 0, fighting out of New York, Toni Manel!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Elvis Blanc and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Manel blocks a jab.
Cutwood throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Manel drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Cutwood defends it well.
Manel thumps Cutwood with a low kick.
Manel takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Carlos Cutwood seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cutwood throws a leg kick

so Manel counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Manel throwing strikes from guard but Cutwood blocks nicely.
Manel missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cutwood is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Cutwood pulls Manel in to control the position.
Manel is looking to advance position but Cutwood has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manel keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Cutwood throwing strikes here but Manel is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Cutwood looking to control and managing it successfully.
Manel tries to lock up and control but Cutwood gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Cutwood manages to capitalize on a mistake by Manel to take his back!
Cutwood is hanging on to Manel's back as he tries to escape.
Manel is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Cutwood.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Manel wants to escape the position.
Cutwood struggling to keep hold of the position.
Manel is defending well here and trying to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cutwood trying to control momentarily.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
Manel wants to escape the position.
Cutwood biding his time, looking for the opening.
Manel tries to escape but Cutwood has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Cutwood struggling to land strikes to the head as Manel covers up.
Cutwood is not going to allow Manel to sit and survive in this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Cutwood controlling the positon.
Cutwood gets his hands free as Manel looks to control.
You can see the frustration on Manel's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

Cutwood has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Manel has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Manel is trying to break free.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Cutwood is looking to control Manel but Manel is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Cutwood trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Manel doesn't escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cutwood not allowing Manel to control his hands.

Cutwood looking for the choke but no joy.
Manel staying busy and making it hard for Cutwood to control.
Manel is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Manel turns into Cutwood and is now in his guard.
Manel is in close to Cutwood's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Manel trying to control the position from guard on top but Cutwood is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Carlos Cutwood dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Cutwood is looking to score with low kicks.
Cutwood scores with a push kick.
Cutwood fails to land with a series of punches.
Manel changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
A left lands for Cutwood.

Cutwood clinches up with Manel and pushes him back against the cage.
Manel is looking for a takedown.
Cutwood lands a shot to the body.
Cutwood scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Manel wants a takedown but no success here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Cutwood ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Cutwood no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Manel is breathing heavily.
Cutwood 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.
Cutwood is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Cutwood looking for a sweep. Not yet Cutwood, not yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cutwood controlling the position.
Cutwood looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Manel throws an elbow that misses. Cutwood uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Manel's guard. Nice move by Cutwood!

Manel looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Cutwood engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Manel keeping moving, preventing Cutwood from controlling successfully.
Cutwood is fighting to break Manel's control of his arms but Manel is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

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.
Cutwood wants to control from the top but Manel keeps moving.
Cutwood not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Cutwood passes Manel's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Cutwood wants to pass to mount but Manel is defending the position.
Manel is looking for a sweep. Cutwood is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Manel is doing well to control the position and prevent Cutwood from advancing to side control.
Cutwood wants to free his trapped foot but Manel is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Cutwood is looking to take a break and control but Manel is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cutwood misses with a hook.
Manel ducks under a wild hook from Cutwood.
Manel tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Cutwood throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Cutwood scores with a nice strike.
Cutwood misses with a low kick as Manel jumps back.
Nice jab there from Cutwood.
Cutwood takes a swing at Manel's ribcage but misses.
Manel is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Cutwood staying out of range there.
Cutwood ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Manel moves away.
Jab from Manel.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cutwood misses with a takedown attempt

so Manel counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Manel in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Manel throws a big right hand that misses.
Manel pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Cutwood is keeping the position for now.
Cutwood is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Manel gets full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cutwood won't allow Manel to sweep him here.
Cutwood passes into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Carlos Cutwood dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Cutwood fails with the takedown.
And Manel tries to counter it with a takedown but Cutwood pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Cutwood lands with a good body shot.
Carlos Cutwood is winning the standup battle so far.

Cutwood feints and as Manel raises his hands in defense, Cutwood changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Cutwood pushes down on Manel's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Cutwood wants to pass the guard but Manel is defending well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Manel moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cutwood stopping the sweep attempt from Manel.
Cutwood controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Cutwood trying to control but Manel is working from the bottom.
Manel controls Cutwood momentarily but Cutwood frees himself.
Cutwood is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Manel can do to turn this around?
Manel looking for a sweep. Not yet Manel, not yet.
Cutwood showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

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

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Cutwood lands a slapping body shot.
Cutwood throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Manel feints the counter takedown.

Manel manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Cutwood on his heels. He'll look to pass Cutwood's guard now, I'm sure.
Cutwood has momentary wrist control but Manel slips an elbow through the middle.
Manel throwing strikes but missing.
Manel postures up in Cutwood's guard and throws a big left but Cutwood blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cutwood looking for a sweep. Not yet Cutwood, not yet.
Manel throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Cutwood works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Manel scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Manel looking to sit in guard and control but Cutwood gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Manel wants to sweep but no luck.
Manel is adopting a defensive guard.
Manel looking to hit a scissor sweep but Cutwood is one step ahead there.
Cutwood passes Manel's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Manel is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Manel is still trying to improve position.
Cutwood is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Cutwood has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Cutwood is thwarting Manel's attempts to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Carlos Cutwood clearly takes that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Cutwood tries to clinch but Manel moves out of range.
Cutwood misses with a hook to the body

and Manel counters with a shoot takedown. Cutwood fights it but they end up in guard.
Manel trying to control the position from guard on top but Cutwood is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Manel trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Manel throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Manel missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Cutwood wants to sweep here but Manel controlling him for the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cutwood is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Manel passes Cutwood's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manel thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Cutwood's head.
Manel winds up and cracks Cutwood with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
The fighters are battling for position here. Cutwood manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Manel lands a couple of elbows.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Manel's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Manel trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Manel throws a big elbow that misses.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Manel tries a low kick but Cutwood avoids it.
Cutwood fires out a quick counter leg kick but Manel just manages to avoid it.
Cutwood misses with a wild body shot.

That's two 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.
Cutwood tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Manel was well out of range. Poor timing from Cutwood.
Manel tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Cutwood looks to score with a jab to the body but Manel is just out of range.
Manel tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Cutwood throws a leg kick but Manel moved away.
Cutwood lands a body shot.
Nice defenses there by Manel.
Cutwood tries to clinch there but Manel circles away.
Manel changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Cutwood thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Manel if he has to take too many more of those.
Manel is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Cutwood looks to score with a jab to the body but Manel is just out of range.
Cutwood loads up on a big right hand but Manel slips the punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manel blocks the body kick.
And Manel tries to counter it with a takedown but Cutwood pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Cutwood tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Manel was well out of range. Poor timing from Cutwood.
Manel feints the counter takedown.
Nice sprawl there from Manel as Cutwood shoots in.
Manel is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Cutwood fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Manel manages to avoid it.
Manel is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Cutwood misses with a lunging right hand

and Manel counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Manel has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Manel working Cutwood over with strikes.
Manel not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Cutwood trying to control from the bottom.
Manel missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Manel working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Manel sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Cutwood defending well though.
Manel looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Cutwood keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Cutwood fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Cutwood stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Cutwood wants it to stay on the feet.
Cutwood throws a hook but Manel blocks it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Manel ducks right into an uppercut from Cutwood.
Manel throws a leg kick but Cutwood moved away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Toni Manel will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

A looping hook to the body misses from Cutwood. Manel does a little dance to reset his feet.
Manel takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Cutwood fails with an attempt to clinch.
Cutwood tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Manel manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Manel feints the counter takedown.
Cutwood throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Cutwood fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Manel feints the counter takedown.
Cutwood rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Manel counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Cutwood!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Manel scores with a couple of short elbows.
Cutwood avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Manel.
Cutwood is looking for a sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manel tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Manel wants to lay and pray for a moment but Cutwood keeps working.
Manel lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Cutwood is trying to improve his position.
Cutwood stops Manel from passing to mount.
Cutwood managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Manel.
Toni Manel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

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.
Manel grinds an elbow into Cutwood's temple.
Manel trying to control the position but Cutwood is working away.
Manel working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Cutwood can't do much from the bottom here.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Cutwood is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Manel.
Cutwood throws an off balance right hand

and Manel counters with a nice double leg into side control. Cutwood won't be happy with that.
Manel has knee on belly momentarily but Cutwood bucks him off and regains half guard.
Manel tries to pass to full mount but Cutwood defends it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cutwood trying to hold on to Manel's head to control him but Manel postures up.
Toni Manel has got the better of the ground game so far.
Manel thows a huge punch but Cutwood dodges it nicely.
Manel tries to pass the half guard into mount. Cutwood knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Manel lands with a punch from half guard.
Manel seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Cutwood does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Manel lands strikes from half guard.

That's four 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.
Cutwood trying to control here.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Manel throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Cutwood throws a low kick, looking for Manel's leg but Manel calmly moves out of range.
Cutwood stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Manel.
Manel circles away from the clinch attempt.
Cutwood looks to throw a body kick

and Manel counters with a takedown into side control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cutwood tries to buck Manel off but Manel is having none of it.
Manel cracks Cutwood with a big elbow.
Manel creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.

And that's the end of the fight!
Toni Manel comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Cutwood 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 48:47
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 48:47
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Carlos Cutwood!
Carlos Cutwood is the new heavyweight champion!
A relieved looking Carlos Cutwood thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.