PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Sean Manuwa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jenean Garafallo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Manuwa
vs
Garafallo

178 cm
26
145 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

152 cm
25
141 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
Solid chin

Nutrition Down Under
Sydney Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Sean Manuwa!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jenean Garafallo!
The judges for this bout are Francis DeMontford, Skip Squint and Ben Watson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Garafallo avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Garafallo.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Garafallo working away.
Manuwa is looking to regain half guard here but Garafallo keeps moving and retains side control.
Garafallo tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Manuwa tries to bench press Garafallo off him but Garafallo keeps the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
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The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Manuwa is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Garafallo's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Garafallo is trying to control the action in half guard but Manuwa is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Garafallo is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Manuwa looking for submissions off his back.
Manuwa definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Garafallo thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Manuwa's head.
My spies in Arvins Bootcamp inform me that Garafallo has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!

That's two 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.
Manuwa keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Garafallo not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Manuwa is trying to get back to full guard.
Still in half guard, Garafallo seems content to control.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Garafallo is looking to take a break and control but Manuwa is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Manuwa dives in for a single leg takedown but Garafallo sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Garafallo with the counter takedown but Manuwa avoids it easily.
A punch combination from Garafallo misses.
Garafallo tries to clinch up
and Manuwa counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manuwa blocks a head kick by Garafallo.
A head kick misses from Garafallo.
Garafallo fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Manuwa scores with a jab to the jaw.
Garafallo darts in trying to clinch
and Manuwa counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Garafallo tries a head kick but it misses.

Garafallo shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Manuwa napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Manuwa is looking for a sweep.
Manuwa wants to control but Garafallo postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Manuwa throws a couple of punches but he's in a bad position and they don't land.
Manuwa can't do much from the bottom here.

Garafallo tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Garafallo lands a few punches from side control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Manuwa tries to improve position but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Manuwa misses with an uppercut.
Garafallo closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Garafallo throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Garafallo throws a sloppy head kick and Manuwa moves out of range easily.
Garafallo goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Garafallo misses the shot to the body.
Garafallo throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Garafallo misses with a hook

so Manuwa counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Manuwa trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Manuwa loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Manuwa landing with the ground and pound.

Manuwa is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Garafallo is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Garafallo has escaped and now he's on top!

Manuwa looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Garafallo passes into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Check out the look on Garafallo's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Garafallo scoring with punches from side control.
Manuwa is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Garafallo's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Manuwa is looking to control Garafallo's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Manuwa avoid being mounted?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Garafallo trying to control the action but Manuwa is working from the bottom.
Garafallo throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Manuwa to regain full guard.
Garafallo wants to control from the top but Manuwa keeps moving.
Garafallo loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Garafallo throws a big right hand that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manuwa is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Garafallo must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Manuwa working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Garafallo has passed into half guard!
Manuwa is not content to let Garafallo control the position.
Manuwa flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Garafallo is trying to control. Manuwa wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Manuwa actively working from the bottom here.

That's four 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.
Garafallo trying to control the action but Manuwa is working from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Garafallo doesn't manage to clinch there - Manuwa circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Garafallo looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Garafallo throws a head kick that misses.
Manuwa tries to counter with a takedown but Garafallo is quick to defend against it.
Garafallo throws a hook but Manuwa blocks it.

Garafallo scores with a takedown into Manuwa's guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Manuwa looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Garafallo has picked Manuwa up and slammed him! Manuwa can't keep hold of the triangle and Garafallo manages to pass to side control!
Jenean Garafallo has got the better of the ground game so far.
An elbow from Garafallo crashes against the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jenean Garafallo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Garafallo looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Manuwa tries to counter with a takedown but Garafallo is quick to defend against it.
Garafallo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A head kick misses from Garafallo.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Garafallo.
Garafallo throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Garafallo trying to control the position but Manuwa is working away.
Garafallo really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Manuwa. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Garafallo misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Manuwa regains half guard.
Garafallo tries to pass to full mount but Manuwa defends it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Manuwa looking for submissions off his back.

Manuwa looking for submissions off his back.
Garafallo wants to pass the guard but Manuwa is defending well.
Manuwa trying to control here.

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.
Garafallo missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Manuwa trying to control here.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

Manuwa looking for submissions off his back.

Manuwa actively working from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Garafallo is looking to advance position but Manuwa won't allow it.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Garafallo will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Garafallo throws a poor cross that misses
and Manuwa counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Manuwa pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Garafallo is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Garafallo pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A swing and a miss from Garafallo.
Manuwa is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

Garafallo shoots in and bounces Manuwa off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Garafallo passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Manuwa is looking for a sweep.
Manuwa is trying to control Garafallo's posture but Garafallo avoids it.
Garafallo tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Garafallo cracks Manuwa with a big elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jenean Garafallo really dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Manuwa looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Garafallo kicks Manuwa off and gets to his feet.
Manuwa jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Manuwa avoids the head kick by Garafallo.
Manuwa tries to counter with a takedown but Garafallo is quick to defend against it.

Garafallo closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Manuwa quickly recovers to half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Manuwa trying to control here.
Garafallo wants to pass the guard but Manuwa is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Garafallo is keen to just control but Manuwa is a slippery customer.
Manuwa is positioning himself well to prevent Garafallo advancing to mount.

Garafallo seems to be working for a kimura but Manuwa defends the submission attempt.
Manuwa wants to get back to full guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Garafallo feints and as Manuwa raises his hands in defense, Garafallo changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Garafallo is standing up over Manuwa. Manuwa looks to escape but Garafallo dives into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Manuwa gets back to half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Manuwa manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Manuwa trying to keep a closed guard but Garafallo is proving a slippery customer.

Manuwa has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Garafallo can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Garafallo trying to control the position from guard on top but Manuwa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Garafallo cracks Manuwa with a solid left hand.

Manuwa looking for a guillotine here but Garafallo defends easily.
Manuwa is trying to keep Garafallo in close.

That's four 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.
Garafallo lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Manuwa escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Garafallo gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Garafallo throws a big right hand that misses.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Garafallo engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jenean Garafallo dominated that fourth round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Garafallo will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Jenean Garafallo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Garafallo misses with a head kick.
Garafallo doesn't manage to clinch there - Manuwa circles away.
Manuwa tries to clinch but Garafallo is having none of it.
Garafallo tries to close the distance and clinch up but Manuwa swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Garafallo walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Manuwa checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Garafallo throws a combination that misses

and Manuwa counters with a nice double leg into guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Manuwa drops back looking for a leg! Garafallo is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Garafallo manages to kick Manuwa off! Manuwa jumps back into Garafallo's guard.
Manuwa pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Garafallo is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manuwa trying to control but Garafallo is working from the bottom.
Garafallo preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Garafallo keeping moving, preventing Manuwa from controlling successfully.
Garafallo avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Manuwa scoring with punches to the head and body.

Manuwa drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Manuwa jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Manuwa will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Manuwa trying to control but Garafallo is working from the bottom.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

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

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.
Garafallo keeping moving, preventing Manuwa from controlling successfully.
Garafallo preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Manuwa working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Manuwa postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

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

Garafallo has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Garafallo pushes down on Manuwa's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Manuwa is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Garafallo pulls his head out easily.
Manuwa is looking to control Garafallo's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Manuwa avoid being mounted?

Garafallo is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Garafallo is looking to stall in half guard but Manuwa is in no mood to hang around. He's locked up a Kimura from the bottom and has used it to sweep! He's held on to the kimura and is looking to finish here... will he get it... YES! Garafallo taps out and the crowd goes crazy! Great finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Sean Manuwa!
Sean Manuwa is the new bantamweight champion!
An out of breath and clearly excited Sean Manuwa thanked Sydney Fight Gear for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).