PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Peter Manuel (ranked 150 p4p, 19 weight class) and Jiri Sayonara (ranked 305 p4p, 36 weight class). Sayonara has chosen Edge Of The Blade as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. 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.

Manuel
vs
Sayonara

163 cm
27
146 lbs
16 - 7 - 0

178 cm
34
138 lbs
27 - 15 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Hell's Balls Recovery (160)
THE END 32

HELLBENT
THE END 32

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Peter Manuel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 15 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jiri Sayonara!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sayonara looks to land a body kick but Manuel moved away.
Sayonara throws a jab when Manuel was well out of range.
Manuel is looking to counter punch.
Manuel moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Manuel throws a head kick but Sayonara moves out of range.
Sayonara is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Manuel with a body shot.
Manuel throws a hook to the side of Sayonara's head but Sayonara sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Manuel swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Manuel stuffs the takedown attempt from Sayonara. Sayonara gets slowly back to his feet.
Manuel throws a push kick but Sayonara slaps the foot to one side.
Manuel misses with a looping right.
Sayonara lands a nice hook to Manuel's body. Manuel takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Sayonara misses the shot to the body.
Sayonara dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sayonara avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Manuel misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sayonara.
Manuel misses the jab.
Manuel swings widly with a right hand
and Sayonara counters with a left to the body.
Manuel throws a head kick that misses.
Despite the aggression on Sayonara's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
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!
Manuel throws an off balance right hand
and Sayonara cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manuel tries a head kick but it misses.
Manuel throws an off balance right hand
and Sayonara counters with a nice uppercut.
Manuel lands a nice looking body shot.
Sayonara is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Manuel throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sayonara takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Sayonara throws a body punch but Manuel moves out of range.
Sayonara uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Manuel has time to react.
Sayonara finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Manuel throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Sayonara stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Sayonara takes a shot to the body in his stride.
We've been hearing reports that Manuel has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Peter Manuel seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sayonara misses with a body shot.
Sayonara ducks under a wild hook from Manuel.
Sayonara misses with a body shot.
Sayonara tries to score a power double leg takedown but Manuel sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sayonara somewhat.
Sayonara walks into a straight right hand from Manuel.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Manuel swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sayonara stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
A punch lands to the side of Manuel 's head but he takes it in his stride.

Sayonara drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Manuel has his foot on Sayonara's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sayonara works his way back into a safe position though.
Manuel working a defensive guard but Sayonara manages to pass into side control anyway.
Sayonara in side control, throwing shots but Manuel defends.
Sayonara trying to control the action but Manuel is working from the bottom.
You can see the frustration on Manuel's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sayonara misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Sayonara throwing strikes but Manuel manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Sayonara is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Manuel wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sayonara keeps working.

Manuel is trying to get an arm triangle but Sayonara is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Sayonara's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Manuel is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Sayonara knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Manuel creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Sayonara sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Sayonara dodges the ground and pound from Manuel.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jiri Sayonara will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Sayonara misses with a body shot.
Sayonara has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Sayonara blocks a jab.
Manuel throws a jab when Sayonara was well out of range.
Sayonara is looking for the big counter here.
Manuel swings for the body but Sayonara moves out of range.
Manuel on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Sayonara moves away from the strike by Manuel.
Manuel uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sayonara.
Manuel appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Manuel dives in for a single leg takedown but Sayonara sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Manuel looks to land a left hand but Sayonara moved out of range nicely.
Sayonara moves out of range as Manuel strikes.
Manuel stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Sayonara.

Manuel shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Manuel slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Manuel avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Manuel trying to control but Sayonara is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manuel preventing the sweep.
Sayonara working a defensive guard here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sayonara keeping moving, preventing Manuel from controlling successfully.
Manuel's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Sayonara keeping moving, preventing Manuel from controlling successfully.
Sayonara looking for a sweep. Not yet Sayonara, not yet.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Manuel trying to control but Sayonara is working from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Sayonara scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

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.
Sayonara moves away from the strike by Manuel.
Manuel closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Manuel swinging wildly here.
Manuel throws a hook to the side of Sayonara's head but Sayonara sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Sayonara avoids the body shot from Manuel.
Manuel throws a lazy right hand but Sayonara sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Sayonara is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Manuel with a body shot.
Sayonara uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Manuel.
Manuel thows a left - swing and a miss!
Sayonara is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Manuel.
Sayonara is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Sayonara lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Manuel throws a big shot that misses.
Manuel lands a glancing blow to the side of Sayonara's head.
Sayonara slips a jab from Manuel.
Sayonara changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
A slow jab from Manuel misses its intended target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manuel misses the body punch
and Sayonara counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Sayonara throws a body shot but no joy.
Manuel needs to keep his hands up - Sayonara had a free shot at his head there.
Sayonara throws a body punch but Manuel moves out of range.
Manuel shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Sayonara defends it nicely.
Manuel fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sayonara manages to avoid it.
Manuel pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Sayonara swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Sayonara fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Manuel manages to avoid it.
Manuel throws a hook to the side of Sayonara's head but Sayonara sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Sayonara displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Manuel throws out the jab.
Sayonara feints the counter takedown.
Manuel bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Manuel ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Manuel misses with a double jab.
Manuel dodges the punch combination from Sayonara.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sayonara uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Manuel.
Sayonara scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Sayonara misses with a looping left.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sayonara throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Sayonara ducks under a wild hook from Manuel.
Manuel swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Sayonara lands with a right hand.
Sayonara blocks a head kick by Manuel.
Sayonara throws a body punch but Manuel moves out of range.
Sayonara comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Manuel fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Sayonara is out of range.
Manuel lands a glancing blow to the side of Sayonara's head.
Sayonara throws a jab but it's blocked by Manuel.
Sayonara swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Manuel throws a right hand that misses
and Sayonara counters with a nice body kick.
Manuel takes a shot right to the bread basket.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jiri Sayonara will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Manuel swings widly with a right hand
and Sayonara counters with a left to the body.
Sayonara fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Manuel manages to avoid it.
Manuel shoots for a takedown but Sayonara saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Manuel throws a hook but Sayonara blocks it.
Sayonara moves into range and lands a nice body kick.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Sayonara enables Manuel to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Sayonara manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Manuel being controlled here momentarily.
Sayonara looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sayonara is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Sayonara working for a triangle but Manuel defends it easily.
Manuel wants to control from the top but Sayonara keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sayonara looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Sayonara manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Manuel manages to get himself to full guard.

Manuel might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Sayonara working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Manuel tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Manuel has an active guard here but Sayonara has managed to pass into half guard.
Sayonara wants to control but Manuel is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manuel is looking to improve his position.
Sayonara seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Manuel blocking the ground and pound attempt from Sayonara.

Manuel looking for a kimura from the bottom but Sayonara passes into side control!
Sayonara scores with a couple of short elbows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sayonara tries to score with some ground and pound. Manuel controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
My spies in Just Scrap MMA and BJJ inform me that Sayonara has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Manuel wants to control but Sayonara postures up.
Manuel manages to get back to half guard.

Manuel looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Manuel wants to control but Sayonara is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Manuel wants to get back to full guard.
Sayonara throws a strike but Manuel avoids it easily and moves to full guard.

Manuel had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Sayonara defends it easily.
Sayonara content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Peter Manuel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sayonara avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Sayonara with a flurry of punches that miss.
Jiri Sayonara is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Jiri Sayonara has got the better of the ground game so far.
Sayonara is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sayonara connects with a right hand. Manuel shakes it off.
Sayonara lands a nice looking body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jiri Sayonara comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Sayonara 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jiri Sayonara!
A victorious Jiri Sayonara thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.