PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Stefan Manning (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Stephen Warner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stefan Manning has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Manning
vs
Warner

173 cm
24
151 lbs
0 - 5 - 0

177 cm
23
155 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Stefan Manning!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Stephen Warner!
The judges for this bout are Alyssa Summers, Anthony Taglia and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Warner throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Manning tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Warner is in Manning's guard.

Manning is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Warner presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Manning is looking to break free of the clinch but Warner has double underhooks.
Manning tries to pull guard but Warner holds him up against the cage and eventually Manning drops back down to his feet.

Manning manages to break the clinch.

Manning clinches up with Warner and pushes him back against the cage.

Warner manages to break the clinch.
Manning dives in and grabs Warner's left leg, looking for a takedown. Warner pushes down on Manning's head and hops out.
Warner lands with a kick to the temple. Manning shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Warner throws a head kick that Manning semi-blocks.

It looks like Stefan Manning has been cut.
A head kick misses from Warner.

Warner clinches up with Manning and pushes him back against the cage.
Manning tries to break the clinch but Warner is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manning dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

Manning's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Warner pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Manning fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Stefan Manning. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Warner feints and as Manning raises his hands in defense, Warner changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Manning has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Warner has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.

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

Warner has Manning up against the cage in a clinch.
Manning tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Warner avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manning has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Manning's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Warner shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Warner showed some decent athleticism there.

Manning manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Manning shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Warner but Warner pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Warner throws a nice looking combination but Manning bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Warner throws a series of punches but Manning avoids them all with ease.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Warner goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Warner lands a head kick. Manning smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Warner tries to bum rush Manning with a series of wild strikes but Manning uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Warner shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Manning manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Manning manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.

Warner has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Manning clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!

Manning is looking to stand back up. He's having to work hard to escape but eventually he manages it.
Warner looks winded!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Manning has a takedown stuffed.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Warner shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Warner was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Manning explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Manning tries to close the distance and clinch but Warner swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Warner closes the distance and clinches.

Warner breaks from the clinch.
Stephen Warner seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Warner throws a head kick but Manning moves out of range.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Warner throws a head kick that Manning semi-blocks.

Warner manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Manning on his heels. He'll look to pass Manning's guard now, I'm sure.
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 Stefan Manning will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Stefan Manning's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Manning tries to close the distance and clinch up but Warner swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Warner!
Manning shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Warner throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Manning tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Warner is in Manning's guard.

Manning has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Warner is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Warner lands with a short head shot on the inside.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Stalling in the clinch from Manning.

Warner is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Manning can't fight it off and eventually Warner manages to take the fight to the floor. Manning looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Warner gets to his feet. Manning looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Manning wants to clinch up but Warner keeps it at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Warner misses with a double jab
and Manning counters with a body kick.

Warner gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Manning looking to slow down the pace here.

Warner's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Warner misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Stefan Manning is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Manning clinches with his opponent.

Warner breaks from the clinch.

Warner moves into the clinch successfully.

Manning breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Warner throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Manning with a lazy takedown attempt
and Warner counters with a one-two to the body.

Warner has Manning up against the cage in a clinch.

Manning manages to pull guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Warner accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Warner stands up and waves to Manning to follow him.
Manning fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Warner avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Stefan Manning. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Warner drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Manning is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Warner presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Warner is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Manning is defending well for now.
Warner scores with a shot to the side of Manning's head.

Warner breaks the clinch.
Manning takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Warner is breathing heavily.
Manning tries to score a power double leg takedown but Warner sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Manning somewhat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Manning blocks a head kick by Warner.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Manning avoids the head kick by Warner.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Manning tries to stall but Warner uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Manning looking to stall.

Warner ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Warner no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Manning postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Warner is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Manning, into his guard.

Manning utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stephen Warner showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Stefan Manning's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Warner shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Warner was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Manning explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Warner throws a head kick but Manning moves out of range.
Warner misses with a head kick.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Manning enables Warner to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Manning manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Manning pushes Warner off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Warner takes the fight into the clinch.
Manning manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Warner escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Manning wants to clinch.
Warner's corner calls for a 1-2. Warner obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Manning shoots in looking for a takedown. Warner tries to sprawl out of it but Manning keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Warner manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Warner misses with a two punch combination.
Manning tries to counter with a takedown but Warner is quick to defend against it.
Manning fails to land with a series of punches.
Warner throws a combination. Manning tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Manning tries for a takedown but Warner sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Warner throws a head kick that misses
and Manning counters with a two punch combo.
Manning tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Warner swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Stefan Manning. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Warner moves into range and clinches up with Manning.

Warner breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Warner has Manning up against the cage in a clinch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Manning is trying to maintain a safe position but Warner gets an underhook and turns Manning into the cage.
Manning tries to pull guard but Warner won't allow it.

Manning pulls guard successfully.

Manning is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Warner presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Manning wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Warner has him pressed against the cage.
Warner scores with a nice hook to the head.

Warner successfully pulls guard.
Manning sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Manning trying to control but Warner is working from the bottom.
Manning won't allow Warner to sweep him here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Warner has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Manning has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Manning is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Warner landing knees to the head.
Warner scores with an uppercut up the middle.

Warner breaks from the clinch.
Manning takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

Warner drives through with a takedown into guard.

Manning wriggles free and stands up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Stefan Manning showed his dominance in that final round.
I have no idea who won that fight. Let's wait and see whether the judges are as confused as me! Time for a split decision perhaps?!. 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 Alyssa Summers scores the fight 29:28
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 29:28
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Stefan Manning!