PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between MIchael Henley (ranked 3517 p4p, 449 weight class) and Pablo Manjuelez (ranked 2983 p4p, 394 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Manjuelez's choice of entrance music: el Jarabe Tapatio. MIchael Henley has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Henley
vs
Manjuelez

186 cm
26
199 lbs
11 - 12 - 1

182 cm
30
200 lbs
15 - 17 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
World class MT
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, MIchael Henley!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Pablo Manjuelez!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Kenichi Hosakawa and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Henley is defended easily by Manjuelez.
Manjuelez looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
MIchael Henley seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Manjuelez is trying hard to land a takedown here. Henley sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Henley shoots for a double leg takedown but Manjuelez sprawls well. He's pushed Henley's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Henley shoots in for a takedown but Manjuelez shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for MIchael Henley. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Manjuelez defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Henley.
No luck for Henley with that takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Henley stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Henley wants it to stay on the feet.
Henley tries to counter with a takedown but Manjuelez is quick to defend against it.
Henley is trying hard to land a takedown here. Manjuelez sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Manjuelez wants to counter the offense by Henley and move into the clinch position.

Manjuelez throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Henley was covering up waiting for the punch and Manjuelez finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Henley is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manjuelez wants to pass the guard but Henley is keeping the position.
Manjuelez trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Manjuelez engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
My spies in 道場 inform me that Manjuelez has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Manjuelez trying to control but Henley is working from the bottom.
Manjuelez is pushing down on Henley's leg trying to pass to half guard. Henley is fighting to maintain full guard but Manjuelez has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Still in half guard, Manjuelez seems content to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Manjuelez trying to control the action but Henley is working from the bottom.
Manjuelez sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Manjuelez's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Manjuelez throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manjuelez perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Henley will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Henley is trying hard to land a takedown here. Manjuelez sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Henley stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Henley wants it to stay on the feet.
Manjuelez tries for a takedown but Henley sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Henley throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Manjuelez's waist but Manjuelez gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Henley off to one side.
Henley shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Manjuelez defends it nicely.
Manjuelez misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nice takedown defense from Manjuelez. No joy for Henley on that attempt.

Manjuelez decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henley slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Manjuelez sitting in guard here, content to control.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Manjuelez accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Henley wants to sweep but no luck.
Manjuelez stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Henley swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Manjuelez wants to control from the top but Henley keeps moving.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Manjuelez tries to free his leg and advance position but Henley is retaining full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Henley throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Manjuelez's waist but Manjuelez gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Henley off to one side.
Manjuelez is looking for the big counter here.

Henley throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Manjuelez was covering up waiting for the punch and Henley finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Pablo Manjuelez has got the better of the ground game so far.
Manjuelez tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Henley wants to stand but Manjuelez has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Manjuelez has control of Henley's left arm, preventing Henley from doing any damage.
Manjuelez has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Manjuelez is trying to hold Henley in close to prevent damage but Henley has managed to pass into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manjuelez tries to roll over but Henley keeps him under control.
Manjuelez is doing well to control the position and prevent Henley from advancing to side control.
Henley wants to pass the guard but Manjuelez is defending well.

Henley decides to stand and escape the position.
Henley shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Manjuelez as he avoids it easily.
Henley misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Manjuelez feints the counter takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for MIchael Henley. That's going to take a lot out of him.

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.
Manjuelez stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Manjuelez wants it to stay on the feet.
Henley fails with the takedown

and Manjuelez counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Manjuelez has Henley pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Henley manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Henley just leaning against Manjuelez, taking a breather.

Manjuelez breaks the clinch.
Manjuelez leaves Henley with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Henley shoots in but Manjuelez avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Henley shoots in looking for a takedown but Manjuelez manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Henley's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Manjuelez as Henley shoots in.
Henley shoots for a double leg takedown but Manjuelez sprawls well. He's pushed Henley's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Despite the aggression on Manjuelez's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Manjuelez stuffs the takedown attempt from Henley. Henley gets slowly back to his feet.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Henley enables Manjuelez to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Henley manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Manjuelez passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Manjuelez tries to advance to mount but can't.
Manjuelez is looking to take a break and control but Henley is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Manjuelez throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Manjuelez creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Henley sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Henley is looking for a sweep.
Manjuelez slows the pace down.
Manjuelez has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Manjuelez sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Manjuelez trying to control but he's not successful this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pablo Manjuelez 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! This is the final round!

Manjuelez keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Manjuelez displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Henley.
Manjuelez looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Manjuelez fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Manjuelez has a takedown stuffed.
Henley shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Manjuelez sprawls well. Manjuelez wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Henley gets slowly back to his feet.
Manjuelez throws a counter combo.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for MIchael Henley. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Manjuelez stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Manjuelez wants it to stay on the feet.
Henley sets himself, and Manjuelez steps forward looking for the clinch! Henley avoids it this time.
Henley shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henley looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Manjuelez is fending him off so far but Henley persists. Nope, Manjuelez circles away and we're back to standing.
Manjuelez shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Henley shoots in looking for a takedown. Manjuelez tries to sprawl out of it but Henley keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Manjuelez manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Manjuelez tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
No luck for Henley with that takedown attempt.
Manjuelez defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Henley.
Manjuelez throws out a counter right but Henley avoids it with no problem.
Manjuelez shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Henley pinned against the cage. Henley gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Manjuelez closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Henley to the mat! Henley manages to get full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manjuelez working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Manjuelez postures up in Henley's guard and throws a big left but Henley blocks it.
Manjuelez looking to pass the guard.
Manjuelez stays in close to Henley's body and controls the position.
Manjuelez makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Manjuelez is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Manjuelez passes Henley's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Manjuelez uses his free foot to push down on Henley's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Henley.
Manjuelez takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Pablo Manjuelez is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
MIchael Henley has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Manjuelez working for a submission but Henley is keeping him at bay.

Manjuelez looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Henley is trying desperately to improve position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pablo Manjuelez comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Manjuelez has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 27:30
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pablo Manjuelez!
Pablo Manjuelez took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, Spirit Bear for their support in the buildup to the fight.