PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Scott Thompson (ranked 5416 p4p, 24059 weight class) and Akuma Manivong (ranked 466 p4p, 547 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Thompson
vs
Manivong

196 cm
19
275
1 - 2 - 0

193 cm
21
266
0 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

The Stuff
Knockaround Guys Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Scott Thompson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Akuma Manivong!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Alec Ball and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thompson tries to close the distance and clinch but Manivong swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Thompson sets himself, and Manivong steps forward looking for the clinch! Thompson avoids it this time.

Thompson pushes Manivong up against the cage in a clinch.
Thompson has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Manivong after a bit of a struggle.
Manivong pushes Thompson back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

It looks like Scott Thompson has been cut.
Manivong lands a left hand that snaps the head of Thompson backwards.
Manivong lands a body punch in the clinch.
Thompson takes a shot to the head.
I was talking to Thompson's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Manivong scores with a shoulder strike.
Manivong trying to control the position but instead, Thompson has worked for underhooks and has pushed Manivong into the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Manivong creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Manivong working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Manivong is trying to maintain a safe position but Thompson gets an underhook and turns Manivong into the cage.
Thompson is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Manivong gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Manivong lands a body punch.
Thompson is breathing heavily.
Manivong lands a hook that snaps the head of Thompson backwards.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Good body shot from Manivong.
Manivong working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A short right from Manivong.
Manivong is working Thompson over against the cage.
A short left from Manivong.
A body shot lands from Manivong.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Manivong escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Manivong waves his right hand out in front of him, looking to distract Thompson. Oh, he's unloaded a beast of a left hand - it worked! He's dropped Thompson to the canvas! Can he finish him!?

Thompson is rocked!
Manivong wants to control from the top but Thompson keeps moving.
Thompson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Manivong drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Thompson manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Manivong has Thompson in his guard.

There's a bit of a scramble here and now Manivong is on top in guard.

We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Manivong trying to control the position from guard on top but Thompson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Manivong won't allow Thompson to sweep him here.
Manivong stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Thompson swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manivong being controlled here momentarily.
Thompson keeping moving, preventing Manivong from controlling successfully.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Manivong accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Thompson keeping moving, preventing Manivong from controlling successfully.
Manivong passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Manivong looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Thompson is looking for a sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson is not content to let Manivong control the position.
Thompson is trying to get back to half guard.

Manivong tries for a kimura but Thompson is defending well.
Thompson knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Manivong on the ground.
Thompson is not content to let Manivong control the position.
Thompson struggling a bit here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thompson defending against the ground and pound.

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.
Thompson tries to buck Manivong off but Manivong is having none of it.
Manivong wants to lay and pray for a moment but Thompson keeps working.
Thompson struggling a bit here.

Manivong looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Thompson on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Thompson tries to get out of the position.
Manivong throws a strike aimed at the side of Thompson's head but Thompson avoids it well.
Thompson is looking for a sweep.
Manivong trying to control the position but Thompson is working away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Akuma Manivong dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Scott Thompson's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Manivong lands with a cross.

Thompson closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Thompson is looking for a takedown.
Thompson wants a takedown but no success here.
Manivong lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Thompson.
Good body shot from Manivong.
Manivong lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Thompson.
Manivong presses Thompson against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Manivong lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A nice left hand lands by Manivong.

Manivong breaks the clinch.
A solid leg kick lands there for Manivong.

Thompson ducks straight into an uppercut from Manivong and tumbles to the canvas! It’s a flash knockdown though - Thompson manages to regain guard straight away.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Thompson keeping moving, preventing Manivong from controlling successfully.
Manivong pushing down on Thompson's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Manivong is working for a kimura but Thompson is defending it quite comfortably.
Akuma Manivong has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Manivong is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Thompson defends it well.
Thompson is looking to control Manivong's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Thompson avoid being mounted?
Manivong thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Thompson's head.
Thompson is not content to let Manivong control the position.
Manivong works his foot free and advances to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Manivong looking for a guillotine from mount but Thompson is having none of it.
Manivong lands a big shot there that rocks Thompson but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Manivong manages to capitalize on a mistake by Thompson to take his back!

Manivong looking for the RNC.

Manivong working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Thompson trying to control but not successfully.

Manivong looking to break Thompson's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Thompson remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Manivong will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Manivong is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Thompson has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.

Manivong working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Thompson prevents Manivong from getting a body triangle.
Thompson trying to control the action but Manivong just sinks the hooks in.

Manivong has the rear naked choke here! This is very bad for Thompson! Can he survive? No! He's out! Manivong gets to his feet and celebrates with his cornermen. He looks absolutely delighted. In the post fight interviews he takes time to thank his parents and everyone who has believed in him from the start. How sweet.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:56 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Akuma Manivong!
A very excited looking Akuma Manivong rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.