PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between The Royal Savage (ranked 187 p4p, 421 weight class) and Reni Manfield (ranked 31 p4p, 71 weight class). The Royal Savage has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Savage
vs
Manfield

175 cm
31
162
16 - 3 - 0

163 cm
22
153
11 - 2 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

Bondi MMA 🏝️
HELLBENT

Brooklyn Threads
Bondi MMA 🏝️

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, The Royal Savage!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 2 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Reni Manfield!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Daniel Franklin and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fighters circling - Manfield throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
We've been told by Savage's head coaches at Blood and Iron Training that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Savage lands a jab to the head.
Manfield is looking to slow Savage down with leg kicks.
The Royal Savage seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Left hook, right uppercut from Manfield.
Manfield staying out of range there.

Manfield throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Savage tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Manfield is in Savage's guard.
Savage wants to stand up but Manfield is controlling him.
Manfield passes Savage's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Savage is not content to let Manfield control the position.

Manfield 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.
Manfield performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manfield tries to pass the half guard into mount. Savage knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Manfield is stalling here. Savage is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Manfield seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Savage has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Manfield is trying to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manfield is trying to work for a sweep but Savage has mounted him!
Manfield keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Savage is looking to stand but Manfield has his arms wrapped tightly around him, looking to prevent the damage.
Manfield is trying desperately to improve position.
Manfield slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Savage tries to stand but can't do so whilst Manfield controls his leg.
Manfield is pressing down on Savage's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manfield looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Savage puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Manfield trying to control here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Savage prevents Manfield from improving his position.
Manfield moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Manfield wants to improve his position but instead Savage has moved into half guard.
Savage prevents Manfield from improving his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Savage tries to stand and escape but Manfield is controlling the position.
Manfield wants to improve his position but Savage is controlling well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Savage tries to stand and escape but Manfield is controlling the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Reni Manfield will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Savage is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Savage misses with the combination.
Savage swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Manfield.
Manfield throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Manfield moves into range and clinches up with Savage.
Savage working aggressively here.
Savage throws a head punch that misses.
Savage prevents a takedown attempt there.
Savage swings away with an uppercut that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Savage misses with some punches.
Manfield blocks an uppercut.
Manfield blocks an uppercut.

Manfield has clasped his hands together around Savage's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Manfield is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Savage is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Savage wants to get back to his feet.
Reni Manfield has got the better of the ground game so far.
Savage regains half guard there - taking advantage of Manfield's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
Manfield not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Manfield not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Manfield is pressing down on Savage's thigh, looking to free his foot. Savage is holding on for now.
Manfield trying to control the action but Savage is working from the bottom.
Manfield thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Manfield thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Manfield wants to pass to mount but Savage is defending the position.
Manfield is keen to just control but Savage is a slippery customer.
Manfield missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manfield wants to lay and pray for a moment but Savage keeps working.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Manfield throws a front kick aimed at Savage's knee but Savage avoids it well.
Savage throws a series of punches but Manfield avoids them all with ease.
Manfield just misses with a punch to the body.
Savage just misses with a punch to the body.
Savage throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Manfield.
Manfield goes for a double leg but Savage avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Savage continues to drive forward.
Manfield walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

Manfield drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Manfield cracks Savage with a big right hand but Savage just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Manfield throws a strike aimed at the side of Savage's head but Savage avoids it well.

Manfield tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Savage is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Manfield is controlling him well.

Manfield tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Manfield taking a break here but Savage is having none of it and regains half guard.
Manfield is keen to just control but Savage is a slippery customer.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

The Royal Savage dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Savage misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Manfield.
Manfield has a takedown stuffed.
Manfield tries for a takedown but Savage circles away easily
and Savage counters with a straight right hand.
Savage throws a poor cross that misses
and Manfield counters with a right hand to the body.
Savage waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Manfield.
Savage loads up on a big right hand but Manfield slips the punch.
Manfield feints the counter takedown.
Savage on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Manfield moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Savage scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

It looks like Reni Manfield has been cut.

Manfield gets a takedown into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Manfield wants to advance to full mount but Savage doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manfield advances to half guard.
Manfield not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Manfield slows the pace down in half guard.
Savage pushes Manfield off looking to stand but Manfield dives back in and keeps control.
Savage keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Manfield wants to pass the guard but Savage is defending well.
Manfield works his foot free and advances to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Savage tries to buck Manfield off but he can't manage it.
Savage avoids a series of strikes thrown by Manfield.
Manfield can't control as he wanted to and Savage manages to get the fight back to his half guard.
Savage is not content to let Manfield control the position.
Manfield thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manfield wants to pass the guard but Savage is defending well.
Manfield is keen to just control but Savage is a slippery customer.
Manfield thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Savage's head.
Manfield trying to control the action but Savage is working from the bottom.
Manfield wants to free his trapped foot but Savage is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Manfield trying to control from half guard but Savage is working away.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
A nice leg kick lands there from Manfield.
The Royal Savage is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's four 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.
Manfield has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Manfield there as he acknowledges the shot.
Savage is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Savage throws an overhand right that lands on Manfield's shoulder, as Manfield tries to avoid the shot.
Savage is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Manfield is looking to clinch.
Savage thows a left - swing and a miss!
Manfield lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Manfield avoids the body shot from Savage.
Savage tries to bum rush Manfield with a series of wild strikes but Manfield uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Manfield tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Savage misses with a series of wild punches.

Manfield shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Manfield showed some decent athleticism there.
Savage is looking to get back to is feet but Manfield passes into side control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Reni Manfield just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Reni Manfield's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

The Royal Savage is winning the standup battle so far.
Savage lands a body shot.
Manfield attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Savage loads up on a big right hand but Manfield slips the punch.
A jab from Manfield does it's job there.
Savage catches Manfield with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Savage throws a big shot that misses.

Manfield gets a double leg takedown into Savage's guard.
Manfield wants to pass the guard but Savage is keeping the position.
Manfield controlling from the top position.
Manfield looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manfield trying to control the position from guard on top but Savage is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Manfield wants to pass the guard but Savage is keeping the position.
Manfield sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Savage's guard.
Manfield wants to pass the guard but Savage is defending well.

Manfield seems to be working for a kimura but Savage defends the submission attempt.
Savage is trying to stand.

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.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Manfield tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Savage manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Manfield clinches up against the cage.
Manfield blocking some punches.
Savage has a couple of punches blocked by Manfield.
Manfield is trying to pull guard but Savage turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Savage swings wildly with an uppercut but Manfield uses good head movement to avoid it.
Savage misses with a punch on the inside.
Manfield is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Savage pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Savage misses with a hook from the clinch.
Manfield tries to pull guard but Savage won't allow it.
The Royal Savage has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Reni Manfield.
A nice right hand lands inside from Savage.
Savage lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Savage throws a punch but it's blocked by Manfield.
Manfield lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Savage gets underhooks to prevent Manfield's takedown attempt.
Savage swings wildly with an uppercut but Manfield uses good head movement to avoid it.
Manfield blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Savage can't find room to land a body shot as Manfield controls the action.
Savage tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Savage struggles to land a body shot inside as Manfield controls his hands.
Savage avoiding damage as Manfield throws knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Savage tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A short left from Manfield.
Savage misses with a punch on the inside.
A right hand to the body from Savage.
Manfield blocks an uppercut.
Manfield is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Savage to keep the fight standing.
Savage lands a right hand.
Savage doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Manfield blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Savage misses with some punches.
Savage working aggressively here.
Savage goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Manfield blocking some punches.

Manfield jumps into guard, dragging Savage to the mat.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

The Royal Savage had his way with Reni Manfield in that round.
The cut man is working on Reni Manfield's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Manfield scores with a body shot.
Savage with a hook.
Manfield tries to score a power double leg takedown but Savage sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Manfield somewhat.
Savage scores with a decent looking hook.
Savage misses with a double jab

and Manfield counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Manfield engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Savage wants to stand and escape but Manfield is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manfield stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Savage swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Manfield trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Savage manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Manfield wants to sweep here but Savage controlling him for the moment.

Manfield working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Savage doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Savage manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Manfield is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Manfield pushes a forearm under Savage's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, Savage is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:31 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Reni Manfield!
Reni Manfield is the new lightweight champion!
Reni Manfield thanked the fans post fight for their support.