PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Pierre Garcon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Connor MacManus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Garcon
vs
MacManus

165 cm
22
142 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

160 cm
21
140 lbs
2 - 1 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Conviction
Héritage!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Pierre Garcon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 1, fighting out of New York, Connor MacManus!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Roger Salmon and Josh West.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Garcon throws a half hearted mid kick.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by MacManus.
MacManus throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Garcon throws a low kick but it's checked well by MacManus.
And MacManus responds with a good body kick, but Garcon manages to step out the way in time.
MacManus throws a lazy right hand but Garcon sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Garcon thows a left - swing and a miss!
MacManus misses with a kick to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from MacManus. Garcon does a little dance to reset his feet.
Garcon fakes high and swings low for a body shot but MacManus manages to avoid it.
Garcon ducks down and throws a hook to the body but MacManus moves away.
MacManus is looking to land body kicks.
MacManus fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Garcon checks it well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
MacManus scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Garcon has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Gym of the Gods in the buildup to the fight.
Garcon lands a nice looking body kick.
An inside leg kick from MacManus misses.
Garcon closes this distance looking for a takedown but MacManus circles away.
Garcon misses the shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MacManus takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Garcon is looking to score with low kicks.
MacManus keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Garcon throws a jab when MacManus was well out of range.
Some wild striking there from MacManus.
Garcon misses with a double jab.
MacManus throws out a counter right but Garcon avoids it with no problem.
MacManus misses with a body kick.
Garcon lands with a good body shot.

Garcon clinches.
MacManus working aggressively here.
MacManus misses with a hook to the ribs.
MacManus lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Garcon is trying to drag MacManus to the mat but MacManus just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
MacManus has a couple of punches blocked by Garcon.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, MacManus creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Garcon is trying to pull guard but MacManus turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pierre Garcon. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Garcon pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
MacManus misses with a shot to the body
and Garcon counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
MacManus throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Garcon tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Garcon throws an ugly left hook that misses
and MacManus counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Garcon on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by MacManus. MacManus obviously looking to wear him down.
Garcon swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
MacManus lands a leg kick that knocks Garcon off balance momentarily.
MacManus lands a front kick.
No joy there for Garcon, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Garcon tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but MacManus was well out of range. Poor timing from Garcon.
MacManus is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Garcon with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Garcon throws a combination. MacManus tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
MacManus throws a leg kick
and Garcon counters with a stiff right hand.
Garcon misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
MacManus swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Garcon throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
MacManus takes a kick to the side of the head.
Garcon thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on MacManus if he has to take too many more of those.
MacManus connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

Garcon fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with MacManus, pushing him back against the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by MacManus.
MacManus swings wildly with an uppercut but Garcon uses good head movement to avoid it.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
MacManus goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
MacManus tries to work over Garcon's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
MacManus tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Garcon drops down looking for an ankle pick but MacManus pulls his leg out and moves away.
Garcon keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Garcon throws a lazy uppercut
and MacManus counters with a straight right hand.
Garcon throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent MacManus stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Garcon has his takedown stuffed
and MacManus counters with a left and a right that stings Garcon.
Garcon throws a one two combo.

Garcon rushes MacManus and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Garcon taking a breather.
Garcon is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
MacManus cracks Garcon with a nice body shot.
Garcon taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
MacManus misses with a body punch.
MacManus misses with a shot to the kidneys.
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 Pierre Garcon will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Garcon throws a shot to the body.
Garcon misses with a straight right.
A nice inside leg kick there by Garcon. That's going to slow MacManus down.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from MacManus in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Good work by MacManus as he checks the leg kick.
MacManus moves forwards but Garcon connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Garcon tries to clinch there but MacManus circles away.
MacManus lands a leg kick that knocks Garcon off balance momentarily.
MacManus blocks a head kick by Garcon.
Garcon defending well as MacManus loads up on a big left hand.
MacManus throws a half hearted mid kick.

Garcon closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Garcon lands in his opponent's guard.
MacManus is trying to control the position from the bottom.
MacManus wants to sweep but no luck.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MacManus keeping moving, preventing Garcon from controlling successfully.
Garcon looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Garcon trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but MacManus manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

MacManus in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Garcon preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
MacManus won't allow Garcon to sweep him here.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as MacManus accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Garcon manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
MacManus misses with a shot to the kidneys.
MacManus prevents a takedown attempt there.
MacManus keeps control of Garcon as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Garcon pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
MacManus looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Garcon goes for a double leg but MacManus avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as MacManus continues to drive forward.
MacManus punishes Garcon's body with a nice straight punch.
Garcon with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
MacManus thumps Garcon with a low kick.
Garcon uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from MacManus.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Garcon ducks down and throws a hook to the body but MacManus moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Garcon takes the fight into the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from MacManus fails to land.
MacManus lands with a short punch from the clinch.
MacManus swings wildly with an uppercut but Garcon uses good head movement to avoid it.
MacManus can't find room to land a body shot as Garcon controls the action.

Garcon breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from MacManus lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Garcon has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Garcon and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Some wild striking there from Garcon.
MacManus lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Pierre Garcon seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
MacManus comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
MacManus lands a body punch in the clinch.

Garcon escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Garcon checks a low kick from MacManus.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from MacManus.
Garcon has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from MacManus.
Garcon is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
This has been an exciting period of action!
MacManus turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Garcon tries to clinch up.
MacManus lands a jab to the nose.
A head kick misses from Garcon.
Garcon misses with a takedown
and MacManus counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pierre Garcon. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Garcon slips under a jab.

Garcon has managed to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Connor MacManus will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Garcon lands the left hand.
MacManus misses with a low kick.
Garcon fails with an attempt to clinch.
MacManus looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

MacManus tries to keep at a distance but Garcon has taken the fight into the clinch.
Garcon jumps guard but MacManus turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Nice body punch from MacManus - that landed with a thud.
MacManus misses with some punches.
A right hook to the body lands for MacManus.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Garcon manages to break the clinch.
Garcon paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
MacManus throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Some wild striking there from MacManus.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MacManus moves out of range of the body kick from Garcon.
Garcon tries to clinch there but MacManus circles away.
Connor MacManus is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
That kick from MacManus tenderised Garcon's leg. Garcon is trying to keep his angry face on.
Pierre Garcon is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
MacManus clobbers Garcon with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Garcon throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
MacManus throws the kick towards the body but Garcon avoids it.
MacManus takes a shot right to the bread basket.
MacManus fakes the leg kick and cracks Garcon in the body.
Garcon thuds his right hand into MacManus's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Garcon misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
MacManus looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Garcon scores with a kick to the midsection.
Garcon lands with a good body shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
MacManus wants to land a leg kick but Garcon is out of range.
Garcon darts in trying to clinch
and Garcon takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MacManus keeps the fight on the outside.
MacManus ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Garcon moves away.
Garcon wants to slow MacManus down by chopping away at his legs.
MacManus keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Garcon walks into a jab.
Connor MacManus seems to be getting the better of the standup.
MacManus ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Garcon doesn't succeed with the takedown
and MacManus counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Garcon scores with a crisp jab that stopped MacManus in his tracks.
MacManus misses with a body kick.
MacManus looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Garcon looks to score with a jab to the body but MacManus is just out of range.
Garcon tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
MacManus only half commits to the counter leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MacManus misses with a looping left.
Garcon is looking for a counter combo.
Garcon with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Nice shot by MacManus.
MacManus keeps the fight on the outside.
Garcon dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
MacManus throws a body punch but Garcon moves out of range.
Garcon takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Garcon tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Garcon uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by MacManus.
Garcon shoots and misses
and MacManus counters with a straight right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pierre Garcon. That's going to take a lot out of him.
MacManus walks into a straight right hand from Garcon.

Garcon forces MacManus back against the cage and clinches.
Garcon wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Garcon blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
MacManus lands a right hand that snaps the head of Garcon backwards.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
MacManus misses with a punch on the inside.
MacManus goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Garcon tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Garcon blocks a body shot from MacManus.
Garcon blocks a body shot from MacManus.
MacManus pushes Garcon back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Garcon.
MacManus tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
MacManus presses Garcon against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
MacManus goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Garcon pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

And that's the end of the fight!
Connor MacManus comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think MacManus 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 Paul Gruel scores the fight 28:29
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 28:29
Judge Josh West scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Connor MacManus!
After winning the bout, Connor MacManus thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.