PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Iggy Manley (ranked 1850 p4p, 247 weight class) and Corwin Valentine (ranked 1413 p4p, 192 weight class). Manley's entrance music is Born in the USA. A fine choice. Valentine comes into a darkened arena with his song building. I'm the Man kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Corwin Valentine will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Manley
vs
Valentine

180 cm
32
192 lbs
14 - 9 - 0

182 cm
29
187 lbs
17 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)
Voodoo Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Iggy Manley!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Corwin Valentine!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, Lou da Vinci and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Manley misses with an uppercut.

Manley pushes Valentine up against the cage in a clinch.
Manley is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Valentine utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Manley has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Valentine avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Manley fails to pull the fight into his guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Iggy Manley. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Valentine with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Valentine scores a nice knee to the body.
Manley is breathing heavily.
Valentine scores with a knee to the head.
Valentine lands a knee to the head.

Manley jumps into guard, dragging Valentine to the mat.
Valentine wants to stand but Manley has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Manley lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

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!
Manley throws a strike but Valentine rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manley wants to sweep but no luck.
Manley trying to keep a closed guard but Valentine is proving a slippery customer.
Manley is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Valentine would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Valentine won't allow Manley to sweep him here.
Valentine wants to stand but Manley is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Valentine postures up.
Manley seems keen to control Valentine's posture.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Valentine has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Manley is proving hard to escape from.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Valentine clinches.
Manley has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Valentine is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Valentine unloads a knee to the mid-section. Manley lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Valentine stops a takedown attempt from Manley.
Valentine scores with a knee to the head.
A knee to the head by Valentine.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valentine looking to throw knees to the head but Manley is blocking nicely.
A knee to the head by Valentine.
Valentine working Manley over with knees to the body.
Valentine tries a knee to the head but Manley blocks it.
Valentine with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Valentine lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Valentine stops a takedown attempt from Manley.
Valentine crunches a lovely knee into Manley's ribcage.
Valentine throws a knee to the head but misses.
Valentine with a knee to the head.
Valentine putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Manley in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Manley can't get the takedown.
Valentine looking to throw knees to the head but Manley is blocking nicely.
Valentine tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Valentine gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Manley.
Valentine landing knees to the head.

Manley turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

Valentine explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Valentine has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Manley is landing a low percentage of strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Valentine closes the distance and clinches.
Valentine misses with a knee strike.
Manley jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Valentine walks away with a smile on his face. Manley gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Valentine has taken the fight to the clinch.
Valentine crunches a lovely knee into Manley's ribcage.

Manley has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Valentine is trying to keep an underhook but Manley manages to get the takedown into half guard.

Valentine has one foot on Manley's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Manley misses with a jab, cross combination.

Valentine clinches up with Manley and pushes him back against the cage.
Valentine is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Valentine tries to land a knee to the head but Manley blocks with his arms.
Valentine tries to land a knee to the head but Manley blocks with his arms.
Valentine with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Valentine misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Manley.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Valentine using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Valentine looking to throw knees to the head but Manley is blocking nicely.
Manley drops down looking for an ankle pick but Valentine pulls his leg out and moves away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Corwin Valentine dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Valentine jabs Manley right on the nose. Manley blinks but takes it well.

Valentine has closed the distance and engaged Manley in a clinch.
Valentine with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Valentine lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Valentine misses with a knee strike.
Valentine throws a knee to the head but misses.
Valentine is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Manley has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Valentine after a bit of a struggle.
Manley is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Valentine gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Iggy Manley. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Valentine gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Manley.
Manley stalling in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Valentine tries to land a knee to the head but Manley blocks with his arms.
A knee to the head by Valentine.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Valentine with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Valentine tries a knee to the head but Manley blocks it.
Manley has Valentine pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Valentine manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valentine connects with a knee to the head.
Valentine using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Manley has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Valentine throws a knee to the head but misses.
Manley is trying to pull guard but Valentine turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Valentine tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Valentine lands a knee to the body.
Manley has Valentine pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Valentine manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Valentine prevents a takedown attempt there.
Valentine landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Manley takes a knee right on the jaw!
Valentine with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Valentine gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Manley.
Manley stalling in the clinch but Valentine improves position.
Corwin Valentine seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Valentine tries to land a knee to the head but Manley blocks with his arms.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Valentine obliges.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valentine scores a nice knee to the body.
Valentine tries a knee to the head but Manley blocks it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Valentine tries a knee to the head but Manley blocks it.
Valentine lands a good knee to the midsection. Manley won't want to take too many of those.
Valentine tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Valentine looking to throw knees to the head but Manley is blocking nicely.
Manley tries for a takedown. No joy.
Valentine looking to throw knees to the head but Manley is blocking nicely.
Manley manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Valentine tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Valentine tries to land a knee to the head but Manley blocks with his arms.
Manley changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Valentine fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Valentine drives through and clinches with Manley against the cage.
Valentine throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Manley blocks it with crossed arms.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valentine with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Valentine prevents the takedown attempt.
Valentine with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Valentine tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Valentine tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Manley avoids it.
Manley tries to pull guard but Valentine holds him up against the cage and eventually Manley drops back down to his feet.
Valentine using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Manley has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Manley lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Valentine manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Manley keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Valentine tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Valentine tries to land a knee to the head but Manley blocks with his arms.
Valentine throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Manley blocks it with crossed arms.
Valentine throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Manley blocks it with crossed arms.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Valentine prevents the takedown attempt.
Valentine misses with a knee strike.

Manley jumps into guard, dragging Valentine to the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Manley tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Corwin Valentine has got the better of the ground game so far.
Manley bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Valentine's guard.

Manley is in close to Valentine's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Manley working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Manley wants to pass the guard but Valentine is keeping the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Manley throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Corwin Valentine showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Manley with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Valentine to score with a decent uppercut.

Valentine clinches.
Manley taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

Manley gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Manley keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Valentine's head.
Manley controls from within his opponent's guard.
Manley content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Manley looking to sit in guard and control but Valentine gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Valentine stopping the sweep attempt from Manley.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Manley working a defensive guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manley wants to improve his position but instead Valentine has moved into half guard.
Valentine is thwarting Manley's attempts to control the position.
Valentine is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Valentine prevents Manley from improving his position.
Valentine has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Valentine wants to stand up but Manley has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Valentine prevents Manley from improving his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Manley is positioning himself well to prevent Valentine advancing to mount.
Manley's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
It looks like Valentine is going to stand back up.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Manley scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Valentine keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Manley slips a nice elbow through Valentine's hands, connecting with Valentine's forehead.
Valentine is trying to stand up here but Manley is controlling him well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Corwin Valentine is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Manley missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Manley throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Manley missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Manley sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Valentine defending well though.
Manley winds up and cracks Valentine with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Manley tries to pass to full mount but Valentine defends it.
Manley seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Manley has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's four 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.
Manley missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Valentine pushes Manley off looking to stand but Manley dives back in and keeps control.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Valentine throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Manley slips a straight right by Valentine.
Valentine lands a glancing blow to the side of Manley's head.
Manley shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Valentine as he avoids it easily.
Manley looks for a takedown but Valentine sprawls well.
Valentine stuffs the takedown attempt from Manley. Manley gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Iggy Manley. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Valentine throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Manley sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Manley tries to score a power double leg takedown but Valentine sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Manley somewhat.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Corwin Valentine.
I've got Valentine winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 27:30
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Corwin Valentine!
During a confident post fight interview, Corwin Valentine thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.