PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Zackary Finyard (ranked 2304 p4p, 110 weight class) and Manus Grant (ranked 1913 p4p, 88 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Finyard might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Your pussy's glued to a building on fire. Grant has chosen Thunderstruck - AC/DC as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Finyard
vs
Grant

173 cm
40
96 lbs
22 - 17 - 1

170 cm
40
140 lbs
28 - 19 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 17 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Zackary Finyard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Manus Grant!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Seu Braga and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Grant lands a jab to the nose.

Finyard fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Grant sprawls well initially but Finyard persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Grant is trying is best to control the position here.
Grant tries to get to full guard but Finyard has control of the leg.
Finyard working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Grant's thigh. Grant counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Finyard wanted to stand there but Grant had control of the position.
Finyard missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Finyard really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Grant wants to sweep but no luck.
Finyard is working Grant over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Grant wants to improve his position but instead Finyard has moved into half guard.
Grant trying to control from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grant on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Finyard is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Grant has managed to free his arm - good work.
Finyard is trying to control. Grant wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Grant controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Finyard working the head and body with strikes.
Finyard controlling the action here.
Grant won't allow Finyard to pass to mount.

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.

Grant has one foot on Finyard's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

Finyard closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Grant quickly recovers to half guard.
Finyard controlling the action here.
Grant is doing well to control the position and prevent Finyard from advancing to side control.
Finyard looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Grant with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Grant is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Finyard's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Finyard's back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Finyard wants to control his opponent's hands but Grant gets his hands free.
Finyard can't escape the position.
Finyard rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.

Grant gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Finyard dives in for a single leg takedown but Grant sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Finyard shoots in for a takedown but Grant shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Grant fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Finyard looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Grant darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Grant throws a hook to the side of Finyard's head but Finyard sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Grant circles away from the clinch attempt.
Finyard doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

Finyard closes the distance and clinches.
Grant is trying to break the clinch but Finyard is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Finyard tries to pull guard but Grant holds him up against the cage and eventually Finyard drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zackary Finyard. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Grant's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Manus Grant is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Grant throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Finyard shoots in for a takedown but Grant shows good takedown defense.
Grant looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Grant throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Grant keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Finyard tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Grant let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Manus Grant seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Finyard shoots for a double leg takedown but Grant sprawls well. He's pushed Finyard's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Grant throws a jab when Finyard was well out of range.
Grant looks to score with a jab to the body but Finyard is just out of range.
Finyard is looking for a counter combo.
Grant throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Good leg kick by Grant there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Finyard tries for a takedown but Grant sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Finyard steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Grant.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Manus Grant dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Grant tries a head kick but it misses.
Finyard looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Grant is fending him off so far but Finyard persists. Nope, Grant circles away and we're back to standing.
Finyard shoots in for a double leg but Grant sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Finyard swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Grant counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Grant throws a head kick that misses.
Grant pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Finyard avoids the head kick by Grant.
A jab from Finyard finds it's way through Grant's defenses.
Grant throws a leg kick
and Finyard counters with a nice uppercut.

Finyard has closed the distance and engaged Grant in a clinch.
Grant lands a body shot.
Finyard is looking to take this one to the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zackary Finyard. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Finyard manages to pull guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Grant trying to control but Finyard is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Finyard has his foot on Grant's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Grant works his way back into a safe position though.
Finyard tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Finyard is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Grant has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Grant is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Finyard prevents Grant from standing back up.
Grant wants to get back to full guard but Finyard has mounted him!
Finyard is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Grant can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grant is working to get back to half guard.
Finyard scoring with strikes but Grant is staying in there.
Finyard lands with some strikes.
Grant is squirming around, avoiding Finyard's attempts to control the action.
Grant tries to reverse the position but Finyard maintains control.

Finyard has control of Grant's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Grant regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Finyard can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Grant is looking to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grant tries to hold on but Finyard postures up.
Grant taking shots to the head.
Grant can't escape the position.
Grant wants to control but Finyard is having none of it.
Grant might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Finyard haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Finyard wants to get back to his feet but Grant is holding on tight.

Finyard goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Grant turns into him and now he's in Finyard's guard.
Finyard wants to get back to his feet but Grant is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Finyard wants to sweep but no luck.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Finyard not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Grant trying to control but Finyard is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zackary Finyard dominated that second round.
That's time! Finyard's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Grant lands a jab to Finyard's midsection.
Grant ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Finyard moves away.
Nice sprawl there from Grant as Finyard shoots in.
Zackary Finyard is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Grant tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Finyard is able to avoid easily.
Finyard seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Grant throws a leg kick but Finyard sees it coming and moves out of range.
Grant throws a body punch but Finyard moves out of range.
Finyard closes the distance and clinches up with Grant, looking for a takedown. Finyard pushes Grant against the cage but Grant circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Grant throws a sloppy head kick and Finyard moves out of range easily.
Finyard appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Grant circles away from the clinch attempt
and Grant connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Finyard wants to clinch up but Grant keeps it at a distance.
Finyard tries for a takedown but Grant sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zackary Finyard. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Grant throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Finyard tries to move into range but Grant moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good leg kick by Grant there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
A head kick by Grant misses
and Finyard counters with a right hand to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Grant misses the target.
Grant keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
A countering left hand to the body from Grant misses.
Nice sprawl there from Grant as Finyard shoots in.
Finyard shoots for a takedown but Grant saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Finyard takes a jab right on the kisser.

Finyard is rocked!
Finyard uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Grant.
Grant scores with a jab to the body.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Finyard.
Finyard blocks a head kick by Grant.
Finyard shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Grant as he avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grant avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Grant changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Grant ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Finyard moves away.
Finyard shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Grant defends it nicely.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Grant throws a lazy head kick

and Finyard counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Finyard sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Finyard throwing strikes from guard but Grant blocks nicely.
Grant looking for a sweep. Not yet Grant, not yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grant wants to stand up but Finyard is controlling him.
Grant not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Grant is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Finyard wants to get back to his feet.
Grant is looking to take a break and control but Finyard is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Finyard trying to control here.
Grant trying to advance position but Finyard counters by regaining guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Finyard is adopting a defensive guard.
Finyard looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Finyard is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Grant defends well.

Grant decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Finyard, up you get!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Grant with a body punch. A glancing blow.
A bone on bone clash there as Finyard blocks the leg kick.
Grant tries to land a leg kick but Finyard saw it coming and moves away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Manus Grant comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Grant has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 28:29
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Manus Grant!
Our winner, Manus Grant, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.