PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Manu Tuilagi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tom Haverford (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Haverford is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Jay-Z & Kanye West - N** In Paris. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Tuilagi
vs
Haverford

174 cm
33
183 lbs
24 - 12 - 0

180 cm
41
185 lbs
18 - 25 - 0

Great wrestler
Decent elbows
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 24 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Manu Tuilagi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 25 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Tom Haverford !
The judges for this bout are Ben Watson, Eliza Hachem and Skip Squint.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Haverford has his takedown stuffed
and Tuilagi counters with a nice uppercut.
Haverford with a lazy takedown attempt
and Tuilagi counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Tuilagi scoring well with a low kick there.
Tuilagi goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Haverford throws a low kick, looking for Tuilagi's leg but Tuilagi calmly moves out of range.
Haverford lands a nice leg kick that just misses Tuilagi's sensitive parts.
Haverford fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Tuilagi is out of range.
Haverford misses with a leg kick
and Tuilagi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Haverford darts in and clinches Tuilagi up against the cage.
Haverford goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Tuilagi manages to break the clinch.
Haverford fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Manu Tuilagi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tom Haverford .
Haverford tries a low kick but Tuilagi avoids it.
It appears Tuilagi was looking to counter with a kick there.
Haverford takes one on the button.

It looks like Tom Haverford has been cut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Haverford misses with an uppercut
enabling Tuilagi to counter with a crisp jab.
Tuilagi avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haverford shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Tuilagi sprawls well. Tuilagi wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Haverford gets slowly back to his feet.
Tuilagi appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

Haverford closes the distance and pushes Tuilagi back into the cage.
Tuilagi working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Tuilagi holding his opponent close, against the cage.

Tuilagi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Haverford misses with a low kick.
Haverford throws a leg kick but Tuilagi sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Haverford lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Tuilagi scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Haverford throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Tuilagi counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Haverford misses with a body shot
and Tuilagi counters with an outside leg kick.
Tuilagi lands with a nice body punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Haverford enables Tuilagi to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Haverford manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tuilagi missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Tuilagi stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Haverford swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Tuilagi missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tuilagi stays in close to Haverford 's body and controls the position.
Tuilagi postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Tuilagi working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Haverford 's head.
Haverford is trying to keep Tuilagi in close.
Tuilagi 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.
Tuilagi controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Haverford wants to get back to his feet but Tuilagi is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Haverford seems keen to control Tuilagi's posture.
Tuilagi is stalling in the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tuilagi won't allow Haverford to sweep him here.
Tuilagi throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Haverford works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Tuilagi controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Haverford trying to control the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
The fight stays on the outside here - Haverford looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Haverford misses with a series of wild punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Haverford attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Tuilagi missing with a left hand there. Haverford was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Tuilagi checks a low kick from Haverford .
Haverford tries to clinch up

and Tuilagi counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Tuilagi distracts Haverford with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Tuilagi in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Tuilagi looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Tuilagi preventing the sweep.
Tuilagi won't allow Haverford to get back to his feet.
Haverford can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Tuilagi controls the pace.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Manu Tuilagi dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Tom Haverford 's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Haverford tries to clinch but Tuilagi moves out of range.
Haverford tries to close the distance and clinch up but Tuilagi swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Haverford tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Tuilagi appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Haverford throws a jab but it's blocked by Tuilagi.
Haverford turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
A low kick from Haverford misses
and Tuilagi counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Haverford throws a low kick but Tuilagi avoids it.
It looked like Tuilagi wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Haverford takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Tuilagi throws a chopping leg kick but Haverford manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Haverford jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Haverford misses with a low kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Haverford misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Haverford throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Haverford swings widly with a right hand
and Tuilagi counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Haverford throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Haverford takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Haverford tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Tuilagi defends well and Haverford ends up having to push Tuilagi into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haverford throws a leg kick that is checked
and Tuilagi makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Haverford throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Haverford tries to clinch but Tuilagi moves out of range.
Tuilagi changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Tuilagi is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Haverford can do to turn this around?
Haverford is breathing heavily.
A decent looking cross lands there for Tuilagi.
Haverford looks to score with a jab to the body but Tuilagi is just out of range.
Tuilagi feinted with a counter takedown.
Tuilagi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Haverford .
Tuilagi lands with a straight right. Haverford didn't see that one coming.
Haverford moves out of range of the body kick.
Tuilagi checks a leg kick.
Haverford tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Tuilagi appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Tuilagi fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Haverford looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Tuilagi moves out of range as Haverford strikes.
Tom Haverford seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Haverford shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Haverford throws a lazy head kick
and Tuilagi counters with a nice uppercut.
Haverford misses with a series of wild punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Haverford throws a leg kick
and Tuilagi counters with a nice uppercut.
A low kick from Haverford is predictable there
and Tuilagi counters with a stiff right hand.
Haverford thows a leg kick but Tuilagi checks it
and Tuilagi counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Haverford throws a series of punches but Tuilagi moves out of range.
Tuilagi keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
A good leg kick by Tuilagi.
A low kick from Haverford is predictable there
and Tuilagi makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Tuilagi lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Haverford wants to clinch.
Manu Tuilagi is winning the standup battle so far.
Tuilagi cracks a nice hook into Haverford 's ribs.
Haverford tries to score with a low kick but Tuilagi moves his leg out of the way.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haverford ducks right into an uppercut from Tuilagi.
Haverford throws a poor cross that misses

and Tuilagi counters with a takedown into side control.
Tuilagi is putting a hurting on Haverford here, landing some big shots from side control.
Haverford takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Haverford is being controlled here.
Manu Tuilagi overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Haverford parries the strikes from Tuilagi easily there. Tuilagi is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Haverford to escape.
Tuilagi scoring with punches and elbows.
Tuilagi controlling the position.
Tuilagi working the ground and pound.

Tuilagi working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Haverford is looking to regain half guard here but Tuilagi keeps moving and retains side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tuilagi tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Tuilagi has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Tuilagi working the head with strikes.
Check out the look on Tuilagi's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Haverford tries to buck Tuilagi off but Tuilagi is having none of it.
Tuilagi trying to control the action but Haverford is working from the bottom.
Tuilagi scores with punches from side control.
Haverford is trying to control Tuilagi's posture but Tuilagi avoids it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Manu Tuilagi dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Tom Haverford 's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Tuilagi slips under a jab from Haverford .
Haverford throws a hook to the side of Tuilagi's head but Tuilagi sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Tuilagi takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Tuilagi blocks a leg kick.
Tuilagi is looking to counter punch.
A low kick from Haverford is predictable there
and Tuilagi counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Tuilagi misses with a head kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Haverford looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Tuilagi just misses with a punch to the body.
Haverford shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
A little feinted left hand from Tuilagi on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Haverford throws a low kick but Tuilagi avoids it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tuilagi tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Haverford is looking to chop away at Tuilagi's legs.
Haverford throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Haverford misses with a leg kick
and Tuilagi counters with a nice uppercut.
Haverford thows a leg kick but Tuilagi checks it
and Tuilagi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tuilagi connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Tuilagi is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
A low kick from Haverford misses
and Tuilagi counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Haverford thinking.
Haverford takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Haverford doesn't manage to clinch there - Tuilagi circles away.
Haverford throws a leg kick that is checked

and Tuilagi counters with a single leg into guard. Haverford didn't expect that.
Haverford wants to get back to his feet but Tuilagi is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Tuilagi is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Tuilagi working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Haverford 's head.
Tuilagi sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Tuilagi passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haverford taking punishment in the form of punches.
Haverford is working to avoid the ground and pound but Tuilagi connects with a decent elbow.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tuilagi controlling from side mount.
Haverford tries to bench press Tuilagi off him but Tuilagi keeps the position.
Haverford dodges the ground and pound from Tuilagi.
Tuilagi trying to control the position but Haverford is working away.
You can see the frustration on Haverford 's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Haverford tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Tuilagi wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Tuilagi connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Haverford some visible discomfort.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tuilagi is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Haverford 's shoulder. That is not cool.

Tuilagi goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Haverford has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Tuilagi but great work by Haverford .
Tuilagi is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Haverford off and has taken his back!
Tuilagi controls the position.
Tuilagi looking to soften up his opponent with punches.
Haverford trying to control the action but Tuilagi just sinks the hooks in.
Haverford wants to escape the position.
Haverford is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Tuilagi off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.

Tuilagi has his arm under Haverford 's chin here. Game over son! Tuilagi squeezes tightly and Haverford is forced to tap out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Manu Tuilagi!
Manu Tuilagi managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, HERITAGE Threads, into his post fight interview.