PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Chiku Maneno (ranked 338 p4p, 41 weight class) and Bronko Strunz (ranked 372 p4p, 49 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Maneno
vs
Strunz

178 cm
35
177 lbs
33 - 18 - 2

178 cm
31
175 lbs
24 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Aspire Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 33 - 18 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Chiku Maneno!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Bronko Strunz!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Robert Douchet and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maneno misses with a body punch
and Strunz counters with a good low kick that Maneno was not able to check.
Bronko Strunz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Maneno lands with a shot to the body.
Strunz ducks under a wild hook from Maneno.
Maneno on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Maneno throws a body shot but no joy.
Maneno takes a jab right on the kisser.
Maneno misses the shot to the body.
Good standup being displayed there by Strunz as he connects with a hook.
Strunz throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Maneno throws a jab but it's blocked by Strunz.
Strunz throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Maneno connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Maneno takes a swing at Strunz's ribcage but misses.
Strunz blocks a jab.
Maneno scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Strunz is looking to slow Maneno down with leg kicks.
Strunz uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Maneno.
Maneno cracks Strunz with a right hand to the side of the head.
Maneno getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Strunz with a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maneno throws a sloppy body shot
and Strunz counters with a stiff right hand.
A telegraphed right hand from Maneno misses the target.
Maneno throws a body punch but Strunz moves out of range.
Maneno throws an overhand right that lands on Strunz's shoulder, as Strunz tries to avoid the shot.
A head kick from Strunz lands but Maneno takes it in his stride.
Maneno throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Strunz fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Maneno, pushing him back against the cage.
I was talking to Maneno's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Strunz keeps control of Maneno as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Maneno breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Strunz misses with a body shot.
Strunz lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Maneno circles away quickly and effectively.
Strunz bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Strunz throws a left and a right that both miss
and Maneno cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Maneno throws a poor cross that misses
and Strunz counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Strunz throws a lazy uppercut
and Maneno counters with a left to the body.
Maneno connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Maneno chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Strunz can pounce on him.
Strunz lands a nice leg kick that just misses Maneno's sensitive parts.
Strunz looks to throw the jab but Maneno is out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maneno chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Strunz can pounce on him.
Strunz thows a body kick. Maneno tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Maneno connects with a crisp jab.
Strunz closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
An inside leg kick from Strunz misses.
Strunz swinging wildly here.
A jab from Strunz does it's job there.
Maneno blocks a low kick nicely.
Strunz has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Strunz scores with the left hand. Maneno knows he should have avoided that one.
Strunz throws a hook but Maneno blocks it.
A little feinted left hand from Maneno on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Strunz looking to land some kicks to the body here.
A telegraphed right hand from Strunz misses the target.
Strunz pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
It looked like Maneno was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Strunz.
Maneno getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Maneno throws a shot from downtown. Strunz moves away and avoids it.
Strunz misses with a wild body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strunz misses with a kick to the body.
Strunz throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Maneno sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Strunz slips a straight right by Maneno.
Strunz keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Strunz avoids the body shot from Maneno.
Maneno misses with a shot to the body
and Strunz counters with a straight right hand.
Maneno lands with a shot to the body.
Maneno thuds his right hand into Strunz's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Maneno misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Strunz.
A big right from Strunz misses.
Maneno tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Strunz throws a hook to the side of Maneno's head but Maneno sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Maneno takes a swing at Strunz's ribcage but misses.
Maneno lands a right hook to the body.
Maneno on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Strunz. Strunz obviously looking to wear him down.
Maneno misses with a looping left.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Maneno takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Strunz throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Maneno connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Strunz momentarily.
Maneno just misses with a punch to the body.
Good exchange - Maneno coming out on top.
Strunz swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Maneno appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Maneno blocks a low kick nicely.
Strunz rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Maneno connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Strunz moves away from the strike by Maneno.
Strunz scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Strunz lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Maneno has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Maneno and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Maneno lands a slapping body shot.
Strunz tries to clinch but Maneno is having none of it.
Strunz throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Strunz lands a nice shot that snaps Maneno's head back.
Strunz uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Maneno.
Strunz pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Maneno scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Strunz tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Maneno counters with a left to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Bronko Strunz will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Strunz feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Maneno's calf.
Strunz throws a poor cross that misses
and Maneno counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Strunz avoids the body shot from Maneno.
Strunz throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Chiku Maneno is winning the standup battle so far.
Strunz swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Strunz throws a hook but Maneno blocks it.
Strunz connects with an inside leg kick.
Some bone on bone action there as Maneno checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Maneno lands a nice shot to the body.
Maneno cracks Strunz with a right hand to the side of the head.
Strunz throws a combination. Maneno tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Maneno slips a straight right by Strunz.
Maneno throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Good standup being displayed there by Maneno as he connects with a hook.
Strunz scores with a push kick.
Maneno blocks a leg kick.
Maneno throws a body shot but no joy.
Strunz scores with a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Strunz lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Maneno has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Maneno and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Maneno is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Strunz bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Maneno's head.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Strunz, right into the meat.
Strunz tries to land a leg kick but Maneno saw it coming and moves away.
Maneno lands with an overhand left.
Maneno tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Strunz was well out of range. Poor timing from Maneno.
Maneno tries to move into range but Strunz moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Maneno throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Strunz now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Strunz misses with an uppercut.
Maneno is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Maneno throws a body shot but no joy.
Strunz throws a shot from downtown. Maneno moves away and avoids it.
Maneno lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
A big right from Maneno misses.
Maneno cracks a nice hook into Strunz's ribs.
Maneno works the jab nicely.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Strunz delivers a nice body kick.
Maneno misses the shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strunz thumps Maneno with a low kick.
Strunz throws a low kick, looking for Maneno's leg but Maneno calmly moves out of range.
Strunz lands with a thumping leg kick.
A swing and a miss from Maneno.
Maneno tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Strunz was well out of range. Poor timing from Maneno.
Maneno displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Strunz throws out the jab.
Maneno stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Strunz.
Maneno misses the shot to the body.
Strunz connects with a leg kick. Maneno looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Strunz blocks a jab.
Maneno checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
A looping hook to the body misses from Maneno. Strunz does a little dance to reset his feet.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Strunz turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Maneno throws a good cross that connects.
Nice defenses there by Strunz.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Maneno, as that shot connected.
Strunz throws a leg kick that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strunz takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Maneno throws an overhand right that lands on Strunz's shoulder, as Strunz tries to avoid the shot.
Maneno checks the leg kick nicely there.
Strunz slips under a jab.
Maneno circles away from the clinch attempt.
Maneno ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Strunz moves away.
Strunz slips under a jab.
Strunz thinks about the counter body kick.
Strunz lands with a good body shot.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Strunz.
Strunz lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Strunz.
Maneno misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Strunz.
Strunz moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Strunz misses with a jab, cross combination.
Maneno ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Strunz moves away.
Maneno throws a hook to the side of Strunz's head but Strunz sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Strunz has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
A lazy left from Strunz finds it's target.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Strunz connects with a right hand. Maneno shakes it off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Strunz looks to land a right hand but Maneno moved out of range.
Strunz takes one to the side of the head.
Maneno lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Strunz stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Maneno misses with an uppercut.
Maneno takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Strunz's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Strunz duly obliges.
Strunz avoids the body shot from Maneno.
Strunz appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Strunz throws a combination. Maneno tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Maneno swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Strunz throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Maneno looks to land a right hand but Strunz moved out of range.
Strunz takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A telegraphed right hand from Maneno misses the target.
Maneno misses with an uppercut. Strunz saw that one coming.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Strunz.
Maneno steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Strunz.
Maneno was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Bronko Strunz will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. And we move into the final round!

Maneno throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Maneno moves out of range of the leg kick from Strunz.
Maneno scores with a punch to the head.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Maneno.
Strunz cracks the inside of Maneno's front leg.
Maneno misses with a hook. Strunz ducked under it nicely.
Strunz swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Maneno misses with a body punch
enabling Strunz to counter with a crisp jab.
Maneno throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Strunz throws a jab when Maneno was well out of range.
Maneno ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Strunz moves away.
Maneno just misses with a punch to the body.
Strunz is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
A big right from Strunz misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Strunz fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Strunz slips under a jab.
A punch lands to the side of Maneno 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Maneno misses the shot to the body.
Strunz with a body punch. A glancing blow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strunz throws out a leg kick but Maneno moves out of range and Strunz only half commits.
Maneno avoids the head kick by Strunz.
Maneno misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Strunz.
Maneno lands with a nice body punch.
Strunz misses with a hook. Maneno ducked under it nicely.
Strunz keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Strunz scores with a leg kick.
Strunz scoring well with a low kick there.
Strunz turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Strunz motions for Maneno to come forward. Strunz throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Maneno was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Strunz looks to land a left hand but Maneno moved out of range nicely.
Strunz misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Maneno.
Strunz throws a big shot that misses.
Maneno takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Maneno looks to score with a jab to the body but Strunz is just out of range.
Strunz throws a quick inside leg kick.
Maneno throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maneno ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Strunz moves away.
Good shot there by Maneno.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Strunz works the jab nicely.
Donk. Maneno catches Strunz right on the button with a cross.
Maneno misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Strunz.
Nice jab there from Maneno.
Maneno lands with a good body shot.
Strunz pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Strunz scores with a crisp jab that stopped Maneno in his tracks.
Strunz swings away with a leg kick that misses.
A clash of legs there as Maneno blocks the low kick.
Maneno lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Donk. Maneno catches Strunz right on the button with a cross.
Maneno takes a swing at Strunz's ribcage but misses.
Strunz connects with a leg kick. Maneno looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Maneno checks a low kick from Strunz.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Maneno.
Strunz tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Maneno was well out of range. Poor timing from Strunz.
Strunz throws a jab when Maneno was well out of range.
It looked like Maneno was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Strunz.
Strunz takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Maneno swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Maneno swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Strunz misses with a body kick.
Nice defenses there by Strunz.
Maneno misses with a body shot.
Strunz on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Maneno thows a left - swing and a miss!
Strunz lands with a thumping leg kick.
Strunz attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Strunz attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Strunz throws a lazy uppercut
and Maneno counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
The fighters circle momentarily. Strunz darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maneno fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Strunz manages to avoid it.
Strunz throws a combination that misses
and Maneno counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Strunz thinking.
Strunz takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Maneno takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Strunz tries to clinch up
and Maneno counters with a straight right hand.
Strunz throws a sloppy head kick and Maneno moves out of range easily.
Maneno misses with a straight right.
Strunz throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Strunz tries to land a front kick but Maneno steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
A counter left hand to the body from Maneno misses its target.
Strunz takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Maneno misses with a body shot.
Strunz misses with a left hand
and Maneno counters with a nice uppercut.
A slow jab from Maneno misses its intended target.
Maneno connects with a single shot there.
Chiku Maneno has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Maneno throws a body punch but Strunz moves out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chiku Maneno showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Strunz 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 William Peck scores the fight 28:29
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 30:28
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Chiku Maneno!
A very excited looking Chiku Maneno made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.