PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Konstantin Manison (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pepe Lopez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Manison's entrance music is Wherever I May Roam. A fine choice. Pepe Lopez struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 186.9lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Manison
vs
Lopez

185 cm
34
200 lbs
30 - 20 - 0

179 cm
32
202 lbs
16 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Lethal high kicks
Heavy handed

Sully's Bar & Grill

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 30 - 20 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Konstantin Manison!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Pepe Lopez!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Chris Edwards and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Manison, right into the meat.
Manison lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

Lopez forces Manison back against the cage and clinches.
Lopez throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Manisons head.

Manison breaks from the clinch.
Manison dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Lopez. That did some damage!
Lopez throws the left hand but Manison avoids the punch easily.
Manison with a jab.
Lopez closes the distance and clinches up with Manison, looking for a takedown. Lopez pushes Manison against the cage but Manison circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Lopez tries to move into range but Manison moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Lopez swings and misses with a hook to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Lopez drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Lopez throwing strikes from guard but Manison blocks nicely.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Manison is on top in guard.

Manison stopping the sweep attempt from Lopez.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Manison gets to his feet - Lopez follows without any prompting.
Nice straight punches there by Manison. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Manison.
Lopez moves out of range of the body kick from Manison.
Manison throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Lopez moves forwards but Manison connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Konstantin Manison is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Manison takes a swing at Lopez's ribcage but misses.
Manison stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Manison wants it to stay on the feet.
Lopez moves away from the strike by Manison.
Pepe Lopez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Manison scores with a crisp jab that stopped Lopez in his tracks.
Manison misses with a double jab.
Manison lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Manison throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Manison throws a hook to the side of Lopez's head but Lopez sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

Lopez feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lopez is in close to Manison's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lopez postures up in Manison's guard and throws a big left but Manison blocks it.
Manison is trying to keep Lopez in close.
Manison is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at St Petersburg MMA Gym that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
Lopez prevents Manison from getting back to his feet.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Lopez accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!

Manison pushes Lopez off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Manison is looking to chop away at Lopez's legs.
Lopez swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Lopez closes the distance looking to clinch
and Manison counters with a one-two to the body.
Manison misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Lopez looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Lopez ducks under a wild hook from Manison.
Lopez fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Konstantin Manison has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pepe Lopez.
Lopez moves away from the strike by Manison.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Horrible takedown attempt by Lopez or perhaps it was just good defense by Manison, which made it look bad.
Manison lands a body shot.
Lopez scores with a head kick. Manison tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Manison throws the left hand but Lopez avoids the punch easily.
Lopez takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Lopez fails to land the takedown.
An attempted straight right counter from Manison misses the target.
Lopez avoids a punch combination nicely.
Manison scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Manison takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Manison blocks a head kick by Lopez.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Manison keeps the fight on the outside.
Lopez lands a slapping body shot.
Manison scores with a jab. Lopez acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Some bone on bone action there as Lopez checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Manison looks to land a body kick but Lopez moved away.
Manison is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Lopez shoots in for a takedown but Manison shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Manison connects with a right hand. Lopez shakes it off.
Manison stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Manison wants it to stay on the feet.
Lopez looks winded!
Lopez closes the distance but Manison moves to the side
letting Manison counter with a right hand.
Manison lands with a shot to the body.
Lopez slips a straight right by Manison.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Manison lands a head kick. Lopez smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Manison dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Lopez. That did some damage!
Manison cracks Lopez with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Konstantin Manison dominated that round.
That's time! Manison's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Lopez checks a leg kick.
Manison lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Lopez misses with an uppercut
and Manison counters with a stiff right hand.
Lopez misses with a straight right.
Lopez keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Lopez tries to clinch but Manison is having none of it.
A combination from Manison does no damage.
Lopez ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Lopez ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Manison moves away.
Konstantin Manison is winning the standup battle so far.
Manison throws a half hearted mid kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lopez has his takedown stuffed
and Manison counters with a stiff right hand.
Manison throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Lopez sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A jab from Manison misses.
Lopez shoots in for a takedown but Manison shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manison misses with a straight left.
Manison moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Lopez looks for a takedown but Manison sprawls well.
Konstantin Manison has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pepe Lopez.
Lopez is breathing heavily.
Manison jabs Lopez to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Lopez doesn't manage to clinch there - Manison circles away.
Lopez on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Manison scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Manison leaves Lopez with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Lopez keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Manison scores with a punch to the head.
Manison jabbing away but nothing is landing.
The fighters circle momentarily. Manison darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manison lands a nice looking body shot.
Manison fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lopez on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Manison looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Manison throws a chopping leg kick but Lopez manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Manison ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Manison is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Lopez can do to turn this around?

Lopez rushes Manison and presses him up against the cage.
Manison lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Manison breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Lopez shoots and misses
and Manison counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Manison with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Manison is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Lopez.
Lopez looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Lopez moves out of range of the strikes.
Manison connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manison throws a right and a left that Lopez avoids nicely.
Manison scores with a hook to the body. Lopez takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Manison catches Lopez with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Manison closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Manison misses with the combination.
A telegraphed right hand from Manison misses the target.
Lopez dives in and grabs Manison's left leg, looking for a takedown. Manison pushes down on Lopez's head and hops out.
It looked like Manison wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Manison lands an overhand right.
Manison throws a front kick aimed at Lopez's knee but Lopez avoids it well.
Manison dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Lopez. That did some damage!
Lopez misses with a takedown
and Manison cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Lopez fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Manison avoids it really well and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Manison fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Lopez fails in his attempt to clinch.
Lopez shoots for a takedown but Manison saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Manison throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Lopez.
Lopez throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A jab from Manison misses.
Manison chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Manison lands a jab to the nose.
Lopez slips under a jab from Manison.
Manison throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Lopez misses with a head kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Konstantin Manison dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Lopez shoots for a double leg takedown but Manison sprawls well. He's pushed Lopez's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Manison ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Lopez moves away.
Lopez throws a lazy uppercut
and Manison counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Manison's jab looks to have found its range, popping Lopez under the eye.
Lopez shoots in for a takedown but Manison shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Manison scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Lopez misses the shot to the body.
Lopez takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Lopez fails with an attempt to clinch.
Lopez scores with a shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Manison lands a really nice looking cross but Lopez seems unphased.
Lopez takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Manison swinging wildly here.
Lopez takes a shot right to the bread basket.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Manison.
Lopez throws a head kick that misses.
Manison half committed to a counter leg kick.
Lopez has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Lopez slips a jab and a cross from Manison.
Lopez is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Manison delivers a nice body kick.
Lopez dives in and grabs Manison's left leg, looking for a takedown. Manison pushes down on Lopez's head and hops out.
Konstantin Manison has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pepe Lopez.
Manison lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Lopez backs up against the cage.
Manison scores with a nice right hand.
Manison dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Lopez. That did some damage!
Manison thows a left - swing and a miss!
Lopez is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Manison scores with a three punch combo!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
An inside leg kick lands from Manison.
Some wild striking there from Manison.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manison cracks Lopez with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Manison with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Lopez's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Lopez throws a shot from downtown. Manison moves away and avoids it.
A decent looking cross lands there for Manison.
Manison moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Lopez crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Manison - the referee stops the clock and Lopez gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Manison. Lopez manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Lopez shoots in for a double leg but Manison sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Lopez tries a head kick but it misses.
An attempted straight right counter from Manison misses the target.
Lopez throws a lazy uppercut
and Manison cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Lopez is rocked!
Lopez walks into a left hand.
Lopez is still on wobbly legs! Can Manison finish him?
A chopping leg kick lands by Manison.
Lopez seems to have recovered his senses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Manison finds it's way through Lopez's defenses.
Lopez looks for a takedown but Manison sprawls well.
Lopez looks for a takedown but Manison sprawls well.
Manison takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Lopez takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Manison dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Lopez. That did some damage!
Konstantin Manison is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Manison buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Manison darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Manison cracks the inside of Lopez's front leg.
Nice uppercut lands for Manison. That snapped Lopez's head back.
Manison digs a good body shot into Lopez's ribs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lopez throws a sloppy head kick and Manison moves out of range easily.
Manison looks to land a combination but Lopez avoids it well.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Manison fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Lopez fails with the takedown.
Manison bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Lopez's head backwards.
Lopez takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Manison lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Manison connects with a single shot there.
Lopez tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Manison was well out of range. Poor timing from Lopez.
Manison feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Manison throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Lopez is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Pepe Lopez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nice takedown defense from Manison. No joy for Lopez on that attempt.
Manison moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Konstantin Manison showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Manison, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Richard Clark scores the fight 30:25
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 30:25
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 30:25

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