PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Toni Manel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vidar Nord (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Manel comes to the cage accompanied by A Portuguesa. Vidar Nord has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Manel
vs
Nord

190 cm
31
250 lbs
30 - 12 - 0

185 cm
26
239 lbs
14 - 4 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Spartan Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 30 - 12 - 0, fighting out of London, Toni Manel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Vidar Nord!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Daniel Bishop and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nord takes a kick to the side of the head.
Nord has a takedown stuffed.
Nord displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Manel.
Nord throws out a counter right but Manel avoids it with no problem.
Manel tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Manel tries to score with a low kick but Nord moves his leg out of the way.
Nord slaps away a takedown attempt from Manel, before circling back to the center of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nord moves out of range of the leg kick from Manel.
Manel throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Nord let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Nord. Manel shrugs it off though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nord tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Manel misses with a head kick.
Nord displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Manel.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Toni Manel. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nord lands with a kick to the ribs.
Nord just misses with a punch to the body.
Manel takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Manel scoring well with a low kick there.
Manel turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Manel connects with a leg kick. Nord looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A solid body kick from Manel.
Manel fails with a takedown attempt.
That kick from Manel tenderised Nord's leg. Nord is trying to keep his angry face on.
Manel tries a head kick but it misses.
Nord fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Manel looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nord throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Manel sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Manel lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Manel takes a shot to the body in his stride.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good standup being displayed there by Nord as he connects with a hook.
Manel shoots in but Nord avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Manel displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Nord throws out the jab.
Nord just misses with a punch to the body.
Manel has his takedown stuffed
letting Nord counter with a right hand.
Manel misses with a kick to the body
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Manel throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Nord sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Nord raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Nord takes a swing at Manel's ribcage but misses.
Manel feinted with a counter takedown.
Manel shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nord slips a straight right by Manel.
Manel backing away here, and Nord unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
A jab from Nord misses.
A bone on bone clash there as Nord blocks the leg kick.
Nord looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Manel is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
Nord steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Manel.
A slapping leg kick lands for Manel.
Nord takes a swing at Manel's ribcage but misses.
Manel has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Nord.
Manel throws a leg kick
and Nord counters with a straight right hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nord looks to throw a body kick

and Manel counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Nord looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Nord bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Manel's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vidar Nord dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Manel tries to land a leg kick but Nord saw it coming and moves away.
Manel walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Nord checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Manel dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Nord. That did some damage!

Manel darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Manel not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Nord manages to get to full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nord looking to hit a scissor sweep but Manel is one step ahead there.
Nord has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Manel has passed into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manel fails to land a wild elbow strike.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Manel working away.
Manel has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Manel tries to advance to mount but can't.
Manel in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Nord prevents Manel from moving into mount.

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

That's two 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.
Manel throws a leg kick
and Nord counters with a body kick.
Manel throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Nord counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Manel misses with a left hand
and Nord counters with a straight right hand.
Manel throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Nord bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nord misses with a low kick.
Nord tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Manel was well out of range. Poor timing from Nord.
Nord misses with a body kick.
Manel changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Nord lands a front kick.
Manel slips a straight right by Nord.
Nord throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nord throws a sloppy head kick and Manel moves out of range easily.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Manel - that will leave a mark!
Nord throws a hook to the side of Manel's head but Manel sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Manel tries to counter with a takedown but Nord is quick to defend against it.
Manel misses with an attempted mid kick.
Nord keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Manel buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Manel checks a leg kick.
Manel throws a leg kick
and Nord counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Nord throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Manel shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Nord sprawls well. Nord wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Manel gets slowly back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Manel has his takedown stuffed
and Manel takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Nord has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Manel misses with a takedown attempt
and Nord counters with a left to the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Toni Manel. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nord throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nord checks a low kick from Manel.
Manel misses with a kick to the body
and Nord counters with a nice low kick that buckles Manel's knee momentarily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Manel slips under a jab.
Toni Manel seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A clash of legs there as Nord blocks the low kick.
Nord only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Nord tries to bum rush Manel with a series of wild strikes but Manel uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vidar Nord showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Manel's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Manel misses with an uppercut.
Nord throws a body shot but no joy.
Manel drops down looking for a counter takedown but Nord sprawls and moves away.
Manel throws a front kick aimed at Nord's knee but Nord avoids it well.
A little jabbing left from Nord on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Nord throws a body shot but no joy.
Manel attempts a counter takedown but Nord avoids it well and moves away.
Manel fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Nord avoids it really well and circles away.
Nord follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Manel checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nord misses with a hook.
Vidar Nord seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Manel throws the kick towards the body but Nord avoids it.
Manel buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nord blocks a low kick nicely.
Nord tries a quick counter leg kick but Manel is wise to it.
Manel tries a head kick but it misses.

Nord gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Manel to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Nord wants to sweep but no luck.
Nord trying to keep a closed guard but Manel is proving a slippery customer.
Manel trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Manel wants to control from the top but Nord keeps moving.
Manel postures up.
Toni Manel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manel throwing strikes from guard but Nord blocks nicely.
Nord is pulling down on Manel's head to control his posture.
Manel looking to pass the guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Nord.
Nord lands a body shot.
Nord has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nord takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Nord doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Manel counters with a nice double leg into side control. Nord won't be happy with that.
Nord struggling a bit here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manel lands an elbow.
Manel working away.
Nord manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Manel wants to get back to full guard but Nord has mounted him!
Manel tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Manel taking shots to the head.
Manel working to try and regain 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.
Manel bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Manel loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Toni Manel overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Manel lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Manel preventing the sweep.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Manel has his takedown stuffed
and Nord counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Manel closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Nord regains half guard.
Nord avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Manel.

And that's the end of the fight!
Toni Manel showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Nord 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 Richard Clark scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 28:29
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vidar Nord!
Vidar Nord made sure to mention his sponsor, Reaper Combatwear in his post fight interview.