PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Connor McManus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and OKNP GGHF (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

McManus
vs
GGHF

177 cm
21
175 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

195 cm
18
175 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Connor McManus!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, OKNP GGHF!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

McManus shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in GGHF's guard.
McManus with a nice head shot there.

GGHF had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. McManus is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. GGHF Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take McManus's back instead.
McManus knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for GGHF on the ground.
GGHF controlling well, preventing McManus from escaping the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
GGHF is riding his opponent, not letting McManus buck him off.
McManus is in bad spot here.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - GGHF's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
McManus is trying to break free.

GGHF looking to break McManus's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. McManus remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise GGHF will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
McManus rolls, trying to escape but GGHF keeps control of the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
GGHF struggling to keep hold of the position.
McManus wants to escape the position.
GGHF is looking to control McManus but McManus is wriggling around and keeping busy.
GGHF has the hooks in. McManus is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
McManus is breathing heavily.
GGHF biding his time, controlling McManus.
GGHF has the hooks in. McManus is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
GGHF trying to control momentarily.
You can see the frustration on McManus's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

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.
GGHF tries to get the hooks in deep but McManus pushed the leg off.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
GGHF controls the position.
GGHF misses with a punch to the head.
You can see the frustration on McManus's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
GGHF controlling the position well here. McManus rolled but GGHF kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.

McManus is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
McManus tries to roll but GGHF sticks to his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
GGHF wants to control but McManus is keeping busy.
McManus might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
McManus is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
GGHF trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
GGHF is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
GGHF has the hooks in. McManus is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
McManus is working hard here to advance position.
GGHF struggling to land strikes to the head as McManus covers up.
GGHF struggling to keep hold of the position.
GGHF really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for McManus.

Despite being in the dominant position, OKNP GGHF just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
GGHF keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from McManus.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
GGHF is looking to clinch.
McManus jabbing away but nothing is landing.
McManus shoots in for a takedown but GGHF shows good takedown defense.
GGHF wants to clinch.
GGHF fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Horrible takedown by McManus or perhaps it was just good defense by GGHF which made him look bad.
McManus tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but GGHF was well out of range. Poor timing from McManus.

GGHF closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
GGHF lands on the inside with an uppercut.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
GGHF working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
GGHF is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
GGHF landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
GGHF lands a nice elbow.
GGHF scores with a knee to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Connor McManus will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

GGHF fails with an attempt to clinch.
GGHF tries to clinch up but McManus circles away and keeps his distance.
A punch combination from McManus misses.
GGHF drops his hands momentarily and McManus takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
A big left from McManus misses.
GGHF tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but McManus swivels and escapes.
GGHF tries to clinch up but McManus circles away and keeps his distance.
McManus throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
McManus waving his hands out infront of him, looking to distract GGHF.
McManus scores with a jab. GGHF acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
GGHF shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
McManus loads up on a big right hand but GGHF slips the punch.
GGHF tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
McManus fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
GGHF tries to clinch up.

GGHF drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
GGHF wanted to stand there but McManus had control of the position.
GGHF trying to control but McManus is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McManus throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
McManus thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
GGHF in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
McManus is striking from the bottom but GGHF uses the opportunity to pass into half guard.
McManus on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if McManus tries to get out of the position.
McManus tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
McManus circles away from the clinch attempt.
McManus fails to land the takedown.
GGHF tries to close the distance and clinch up but McManus swats him away and circles back towards the center.
GGHF shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
McManus misses with a body shot.
OKNP GGHF is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
GGHF tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
GGHF keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from McManus.
GGHF tries to close the distance and clinch up but McManus swats him away and circles back towards the center.
GGHF fails with an attempt to clinch.

GGHF gets in close and instigates a clinch.
GGHF with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
GGHF doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A nice glancing elbow lands by GGHF.
GGHF gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from McManus.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Connor McManus. That's going to take a lot out of him.
GGHF connects with a knee to the head.
McManus tries for a takedown but GGHF manages to get underhooks.
GGHF scores with a knee to the head.
McManus is looking for a takedown up against the cage. GGHF gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
GGHF content to slow the pace in the clinch.
GGHF scores a nice knee to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McManus on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
GGHF is looking to control McManus's arms but McManus gets an underhook and turns him. Now GGHF has his back to the cage.
GGHF tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
McManus changes levels and goes for a takedown here. GGHF fights it off and pushes away nicely.
GGHF fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

McManus scores with a takedown into GGHF's guard.
McManus won't allow GGHF to get back to his feet.
McManus lands a couple of decent looking shots.
McManus stops GGHF from standing up.
McManus with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McManus loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
McManus won't allow GGHF to get back to his feet.
McManus throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

GGHF has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes McManus off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
McManus looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Connor McManus seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

GGHF moves into range and clinches up with McManus.
GGHF throws a head punch that misses.
GGHF stops a takedown attempt from McManus.
GGHF just leaning against McManus, taking a breather.
GGHF landing knees to the body.
Knees to the body from GGHF.
A looping hook to the body misses from GGHF. McManus does a little dance to reset his feet.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
McManus misses with a series of wild punches.

GGHF closes the distance and pushes McManus back into the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but OKNP GGHF will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

McManus misses with a straight left.
A jab from McManus misses.
McManus fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
GGHF tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but McManus paws at him with a jab and circles away.
GGHF shoots in looking for a takedown. McManus tries to sprawl out of it but GGHF keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. McManus manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
McManus stuffs the takedown.
McManus circles away from the clinch attempt.
McManus slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
GGHF tries to clinch but McManus moves out of range.
McManus fakes high and swings low for a body shot but GGHF manages to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
GGHF tries to close the distance and clinch but McManus swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
GGHF avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

GGHF has McManus up against the cage in a clinch.
GGHF lands an elbow that stopped McManus in his tracks for a moment.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
GGHF wants to stall.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McManus has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. GGHF is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
GGHF misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from McManus.
GGHF struggles to land a body shot inside as McManus controls his hands.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from GGHF.
McManus is looking for a takedown up against the cage. GGHF gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Connor McManus. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A nice right hand lands inside from GGHF.
Nice elbow from GGHF.
GGHF is trying to stall.
GGHF gets through McManus's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
McManus is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
GGHF creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through McManus's defenses.
GGHF looks to throw an elbow but misses.

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.
GGHF goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
GGHF misses with a hook from the clinch.
GGHF trying to land knees to the body.
McManus is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
GGHF tries a knee to the head but McManus blocks it.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
GGHF throws a knee to the head but misses.
GGHF scores a nice knee to the body.
GGHF misses with a body punch.
McManus goes for a takedown in the clinch but GGHF prevents it.
GGHF misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from McManus.
McManus has GGHF pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. GGHF manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
GGHF with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
McManus goes for a takedown in the clinch but GGHF prevents it.
GGHF tries to throw a body punch but McManus avoids it by throwing GGHF back against the cage.
GGHF scores with a knee to the head.
GGHF tries to throw a body punch but McManus avoids it by throwing GGHF back against the cage.
GGHF misses with a punch to the body.
GGHF tries a body shot but McManus blocks it.
McManus wants a takedown but no success here.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by McManus as GGHF tries to tie him up.
GGHF swings away with an uppercut that misses.
McManus on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
McManus wants a takedown.
GGHF throws a blind hook that connects with the side of McManuss head.

That's four 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.
McManus on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
GGHF is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
GGHF is pushing McManus up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
McManus drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
McManus tries for a takedown. No joy.
GGHF throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
GGHF scores with an uppercut up the middle.
GGHF is trying to maintain a safe position but McManus gets an underhook and turns GGHF into the cage.
GGHF tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
McManus dodges an elbow strike from GGHF.

And that's the end of the fight!
OKNP GGHF comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think GGHF 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... OKNP GGHF!