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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Daniel Spong (ranked 1282 p4p, 1544 weight class) and Akuma Manivong (ranked 189 p4p, 221 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.
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| 179 cm
25
255
6 - 3 - 0 |
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193 cm
26
266
6 - 6 - 0 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine |
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Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank |
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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 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Daniel Spong!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Akuma Manivong!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Paul Tew and Daniel Bishop.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Spong misses with a jab to the body
and Manivong counters with a nice body shot.
Manivong moves into the clinch successfully.
Spong blocking some punches.
Spong takes a shot to the head.
Manivong goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Spong throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Spong blocking some punches.
We've been hearing reports that Spong has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Spong stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Spong jumps into guard, dragging Manivong to the mat.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Manivong accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Manivong trying to control but Spong is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Spong looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Manivong postures up in Spong's guard and throws a big left but Spong blocks it.
Manivong is looking to work some ground and pound but Spong has wrist control.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Spong tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Spong had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Manivong defends it easily.
Spong is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Manivong defends well.
Manivong trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Manivong trying to control but Spong is working from the bottom.
Manivong has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Manivong accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Manivong slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Spong stops Manivong from passing to mount.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manivong is trying to ground and pound but Spong uses the momentary lack of control by Manivong to regain half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Spong manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Spong wants to sweep here but Manivong controlling him for the moment.
Spong preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Manivong lands a couple of digs.
Manivong distracts Spong with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Spong is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Spong is trying to hold Manivong in close to prevent damage but Manivong has managed to pass into half guard.
Manivong not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manivong wants to pass to mount but Spong is defending the position.
Spong is looking for a sweep. Manivong is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The fighters are battling for position here. Spong manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Spong trying to keep a closed guard but Manivong is proving a slippery customer.
Manivong slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Manivong looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Manivong fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Manivong tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Manivong has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Spong struggling a bit here.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Manivong tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Spong manages to get back to half guard.
Spong wants to improve his position but Manivong is controlling well.
Spong might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Manivong looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Manivong throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Akuma Manivong dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.
Spong throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Manivong replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Spong blocks it well.
Spong rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Manivong counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Good standup being displayed there by Spong as he connects with a hook.
Manivong chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Manivong displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Spong throws out the jab.
A little jabbing left from Manivong on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Spong throws an off balance right hand
and Manivong counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Manivong has Spong up against the cage in a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Manivong.
Spong cracks Manivong with a nice body shot.
Spong tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Manivong's elbow.
Spong pulls guard successfully.
Manivong sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Spong's guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Manivong is looking for a kimura here.
Manivong is looking to advance position but Spong won't allow it.
Spong slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Manivong scoring with punches to the head and body.
Manivong pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Spong is keeping the position for now.
Spong avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Manivong is pushing down on Spong's leg trying to pass to half guard. Spong is fighting to maintain full guard but Manivong has managed to sneak the leg through.
Manivong is looking for a kimura but Spong is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Manivong to get the leverage.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spong trying to control but Manivong postures up.
Spong is looking for a sweep. Manivong is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Manivong seems to be looking for submissions.
Spong is defending against the submission attempts here by Manivong.
Spong gets full guard.
Manivong trying to control the position from guard on top but Spong is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Manivong drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Manivong jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Spong keeping moving, preventing Manivong from controlling successfully.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manivong in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Manivong throws a big right hand that misses.
Manivong pushing down on Spong's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Spong wants to improve his position but Manivong is controlling well.
Manivong throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Akuma Manivong has got the better of the ground game so far.
Manivong throws a strike but Spong avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Manivong works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Manivong thows a huge punch but Spong dodges it nicely.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Manivong is trying to work for a kimura but Spong is defending well.
Manivong prevents Spong from improving his position.
Spong is working hard here to advance position.
Manivong is pressing down on Spong's thigh, looking to free his foot. Spong is holding on for now.
Manivong trying to control the action but Spong is working from the bottom.
Manivong is working for a submission of some sort.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Spong wants to improve his position but Manivong is controlling well.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Akuma Manivong showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!
Manivong throws out a loose jab but Spong uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nice defenses there by Manivong.
Manivong uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Manivong throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Spong waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Manivong.
Spong takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Spong is defended easily by Manivong.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Manivong tries to clinch
and Manivong takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Manivong slips under a jab from Spong.
Manivong throws a quick inside leg kick.
Nice defenses there by Manivong.
Manivong throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Spong was covering up waiting for the punch and Manivong finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Spong keeping moving, preventing Manivong from controlling successfully.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Spong is on top in guard.
Spong trying to control but Manivong is working from the bottom.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manivong throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Manivong looking for a guillotine here but Spong defends easily.
Spong is pushing down on Manivong's leg trying to pass to half guard. Manivong is fighting to maintain full guard but Spong has managed to sneak the leg through.
Manivong wants to get back to full guard.
Manivong trying to control from the bottom.
Manivong wants to get back to full guard.
Spong lands with a punch from half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Manivong tries to roll over but Spong keeps him under control.
Spong winds up and cracks Manivong with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spong is trying to work for a kimura but Manivong is defending well.
Manivong has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Manivong wants to control but Spong is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Spong keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Manivong has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Spong is working away from the top position though.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Spong lands a nice short elbow.
Manivong trying to control from the bottom.
Manivong wants to get back to full guard.
Spong tries to pass the half guard into mount. Manivong knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
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.
Manivong regains full guard. Nicely done.
Manivong is trying to control the position but Spong postures up.
Manivong being controlled here, momentarily.
Manivong looking for a sweep. Not yet Manivong, not yet.
Manivong controls Spong momentarily but Spong frees himself.
Akuma Manivong is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Spong scoring with some ground and pound.
Spong trying to control but Manivong is working from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Spong is in close to Manivong's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Spong is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Daniel Spong has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Spong cracks Manivong with a solid left hand.
And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Daniel Spong.
Well Manivong 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 James Ackerman scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 28:29
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Akuma Manivong!
Akuma Manivong decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
31% |
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