PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Peyton Manning (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Konstantin Saraste (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Konstantin Saraste told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Manning
vs
Saraste

180 cm
22
205 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

175 cm
21
205 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Brawler
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Sun-Tzu

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Peyton Manning!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Konstantin Saraste!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Wesley Smith and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Saraste closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Manning quickly recovers to half guard.
Saraste looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Saraste connects with a nice short shot to Manning's temple.
Saraste throwing shots but Manning is blocking nicely.
Manning is looking to control Saraste's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Manning avoid being mounted?
Manning is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at DOG HOUSE!!, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Saraste working Manning over with strikes.
Saraste throwing shots but Manning is blocking nicely.
Manning trying to control here.
Manning could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saraste trying to control the pace.

Manning looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saraste looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Manning tries to get to full guard but Saraste has control of the leg.
Manning is trying to control but can't.
Saraste is nestled in close to Manning, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Saraste controlling the pace.
Manning has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Saraste is working away from the top position though.

That's two 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.
Saraste wants to free his trapped foot but Manning is holding on for dear life with his legs.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Manning wants to control but Saraste is keeping busy and won't allow it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Manning gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Manning looking to control.
Saraste has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Nyrkkipaja. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Saraste controlling from the top position.
Saraste makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Manning controls Saraste momentarily but Saraste frees himself.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manning keeping full guard, as Saraste tries to pass.
Saraste controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Manning is looking for a triangle but Saraste pushes his legs off easily.
Saraste controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Saraste works over Manning with some ground and pound from guard.

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.
Saraste is stalling in the full guard.
Manning working a defensive guard here.
Saraste stays in close to Manning's body and controls the position.

Manning is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Saraste defends well.
Saraste chips away with some ground and pound.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Manning is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Saraste slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Manning misses with a body shot.

Saraste closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Manning quickly recovers to half guard.
Saraste is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Manning is looking to improve his position.
Konstantin Saraste has got the better of the ground game so far.
Saraste is keen to just control but Manning is a slippery customer.
Saraste sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Manning makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Manning.
Saraste must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Manning is trying to keep Saraste in close.
Saraste stands up over Manning, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Saraste slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Manning had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Saraste defends it easily.
Saraste slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Manning working for submissions but it's allowed Saraste to get to half guard.
Manning wants to get back to full guard but Saraste has passed into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Saraste landing a few strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manning is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Saraste happy to just control the position for now.
Manning takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Saraste has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Manning manages to work his way to half guard, despite Saraste's best efforts.
Ground and pound from Saraste.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Manning trying to hold on to Saraste's head to control him but Saraste postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ground and pound from Saraste.
Manning is looking for a sweep. Saraste is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Saraste not doing much here.

Manning actively working from the bottom here.
Manning is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Saraste scores with a couple of nice shots.

Manning actively working from the bottom here.
Saraste stalling.

That's four 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.
Manning wants to get back to full guard.
Manning is looking to control Saraste's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Manning avoid being mounted?
Saraste is taking a breather. Manning says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

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

Saraste drives through with a takedown into guard.
Saraste slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Manning is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Manning can't keep his opponent in guard - Saraste advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Konstantin Saraste showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Saraste looking to score a takedown here. Manning is defending well but Saraste drives through and ends up in Manning's guard.
Saraste is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Manning is trying to control the position but Saraste postures up.

Manning throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Saraste slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Manning looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saraste is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manning bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Saraste's guard.

Saraste looking for a sweep. Not yet Saraste, not yet.
Saraste controlling the position.
Manning wants to control from the top but Saraste keeps moving.
Saraste looking to hit a scissor sweep but Manning is one step ahead there.
Saraste is looking to sweep but instead, Manning has passed into half guard.
Saraste moves into full guard.
Manning preventing the sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manning tries to free his leg and advance position but Saraste is retaining full guard.
Saraste looking for a sweep. Not yet Saraste, not yet.
Saraste is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Saraste slips a nice elbow through Manning's hands, connecting with Manning's forehead.
Manning is pressing down on Saraste's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Saraste stays in close to Manning's body and controls the position.
Manning is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Manning is trying to work for a kimura but Saraste is defending well.
Manning content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Saraste is positioning himself well to prevent Manning advancing to mount.
Saraste is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Saraste is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Saraste moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Manning trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Manning works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Manning perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

Manning is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Manning is looking for a kimura but Saraste is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Manning to get the leverage.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Konstantin Saraste.
I've got Saraste winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 28:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:30
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Konstantin Saraste!
An out of breath Konstantin Saraste thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.