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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Reni Manfield (ranked 144 p4p, 275 weight class) and Olenev Stepanovich (ranked 26 p4p, 45 weight class). Stepanovich is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Swallowing Dust. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.
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| 163 cm
23
153
13 - 2 - 1 |
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186 cm
27
165
14 - 3 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick |
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Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank |
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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 13 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Reni Manfield!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Olenev Stepanovich!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Percy O'Donnell and Jack Bonds.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Manfield fails with the takedown.
Manfield displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Stepanovich throws out the jab.
Manfield takes the fight into the clinch.
Stepanovich breaks from the clinch.
Manfield avoids the body shot from Stepanovich.
Manfield drops down looking for a counter takedown but Stepanovich sprawls and moves away.
No luck for Manfield with that takedown attempt.
Stepanovich swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stepanovich misses with a leg kick
and Manfield counters with a shoot takedown. Stepanovich fights it but they end up in guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Stepanovich is pulling down on Manfield's head to control his posture.
Stepanovich wants to stand but Manfield is controlling the position.
Manfield trying to control but Stepanovich is working from the bottom.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Manfield throws a big elbow that misses.
Stepanovich wants to sweep but no luck.
Manfield controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Stepanovich has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Stepanovich wants to stand and escape but Manfield is having none of it.
Manfield trying to control the position from guard on top but Stepanovich is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stepanovich pulls Manfield in to control the position.
Manfield pushing down on Stepanovich's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Manfield landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Manfield has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Stepanovich is refusing to be controlled, as Manfield sits in half guard.
Manfield working over Stepanovich with some ground and pound. Stepanovich looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stepanovich is positioning himself well to prevent Manfield advancing to mount.
Manfield prevents Stepanovich from improving his position.
Stepanovich is refusing to be controlled, as Manfield sits in half guard.
Stepanovich is looking to escape.
Manfield is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Stepanovich kicks Manfield off and gets back to his feet.
Stepanovich lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Manfield at a distance.
Stepanovich throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Stepanovich swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Manfield.
Stepanovich avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Stepanovich only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Olenev Stepanovich is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Stepanovich avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Horrible takedown attempt by Manfield or perhaps it was just good defense by Stepanovich, which made it look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Reni Manfield. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Manfield darts in looking for a takedown but Stepanovich gets double underhooks and turns Manfield into the cage.
Manfield has Stepanovich pressed against the cage, preventing Stepanovich from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Stepanovich tries to throw a body punch but Manfield avoids it by throwing Stepanovich back against the cage.
Stepanovich doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Stepanovich breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Manfield scores with a takedown into Stepanovich's guard.
Stepanovich keeping full guard, as Manfield tries to pass.
Manfield has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Stepanovich pulls Manfield in to control the position.
Manfield trying to control the position from guard on top but Stepanovich is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stepanovich looking for a sweep. Not yet Stepanovich, not yet.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stepanovich wants to stand but Manfield is controlling the position.
Stepanovich has Manfield pulled in close to control his posture.
Stepanovich uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Manfield fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Manfield shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Stepanovich as he avoids it easily.
Manfield shoots in for a takedown but Stepanovich shows good takedown defense.
Stepanovich swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Stepanovich scores with a sloppy right hand. Manfield should have avoided that one.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Stepanovich connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Manfield takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Horrible takedown attempt by Manfield or perhaps it was just good defense by Stepanovich, which made it look bad.
Stepanovich is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Manfield with a body shot.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Olenev Stepanovich dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!
Stepanovich lands with a shot to the body.
Manfield darts in looking for a takedown but Stepanovich gets double underhooks and turns Manfield into the cage.
Stepanovich swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Manfield pulls guard.
Manfield looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Stepanovich has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Manfield is working hard here to advance position.
Stepanovich would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Manfield keeping full guard, as Stepanovich tries to pass.
Stepanovich's corner is telling him to maintain position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Manfield escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Stepanovich gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Stepanovich preventing the sweep.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Manfield looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Stepanovich gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Manfield fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Stepanovich sprawls well initially but Manfield persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Stepanovich is trying to stand back up but Manfield is controlling him
Stepanovich is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Stepanovich is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Stepanovich controlling the position for now.
Stepanovich trying to control here.
Manfield wants to pass the guard but Stepanovich is defending well.
Manfield scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stepanovich is trying to stand back up but Manfield is controlling him
Manfield wants to lay and pray for a moment but Stepanovich keeps working.
Stepanovich is trying to stand back up but Manfield is controlling him
Stepanovich gets full guard.
Manfield stopping the sweep attempt from Stepanovich.
Stepanovich preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Manfield trying to control but Stepanovich is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stepanovich utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Manfield won't allow Stepanovich to get back to his feet.
Manfield wants to control from the top but Stepanovich keeps moving.
Stepanovich wants to sweep here but Manfield controlling him for the moment.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manfield is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Manfield trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Stepanovich is trying to control the position but Manfield postures up.
Stepanovich 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.
Stepanovich trying to keep a closed guard but Manfield is proving a slippery customer.
Manfield sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Manfield is pushing down on Stepanovich's leg trying to pass to half guard. Stepanovich is fighting to maintain full guard but Manfield has managed to sneak the leg through.
Stepanovich is positioning himself well to prevent Manfield advancing to mount.
Manfield takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Stepanovich taking some punishment here, with Manfield in his half guard.
Stepanovich is looking to improve his position.
Manfield scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Manfield is thwarting Stepanovich's attempts to control the position.
Manfield wants to pass the guard but Stepanovich is defending well.
Manfield is trying to control the action in half guard but Stepanovich is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Stepanovich is trying to stand up here but Manfield is controlling him well.
Stepanovich controlling the position well.
Stepanovich is pressing down on Manfield's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Manfield might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Stepanovich 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.
Stepanovich trying to control the position here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Reni Manfield dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
Manfield lands with an overhand left.
Stepanovich misses with a looping right.
Manfield throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Stepanovich was covering up waiting for the punch and Manfield finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Stepanovich kicks Manfield off and gets to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Manfield closes the distance and clinches up with Stepanovich, looking for a takedown. Manfield pushes Stepanovich against the cage but Stepanovich circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Stepanovich looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Manfield is trying hard to land a takedown here. Stepanovich sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Stepanovich uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Manfield.
Olenev Stepanovich seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A swing and a miss from Stepanovich.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Stepanovich throws a lazy right hand but Manfield sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Manfield was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Stepanovich misses with a looping right.
Manfield shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Reni Manfield. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Manfield is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Manfield scores with a decent looking hook.
Manfield ducks under a wild hook from Stepanovich.
Stepanovich misses the shot to the body.
It looked like Manfield was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Stepanovich takes a swing at Manfield's ribcage but misses.
Manfield drops down looking for a counter takedown but Stepanovich sprawls and moves away.
The fighters circling - Stepanovich throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Manfield walks into a left hand.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stepanovich misses the jab.
Stepanovich stuffs the takedown attempt from Manfield. Manfield gets slowly back to his feet.
Stepanovich lands a really nice looking cross but Manfield seems unphased.
Manfield throws a hook to the side of Stepanovich's head but Stepanovich sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Manfield tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Stepanovich defends well and Manfield ends up having to push Stepanovich into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Stepanovich manages to break the clinch.
Manfield is trying hard to land a takedown here. Stepanovich sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Stepanovich throws out a counter right but Manfield avoids it with no problem.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Stepanovich gets caught flat footed, as Manfield shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Stepanovich uses the cage to get back to his feet.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manfield shoots in looking for a takedown but Stepanovich manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Manfield's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Stepanovich looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Manfield shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Stepanovich connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Manfield momentarily.
Stepanovich throws a hook to the side of Manfield's head but Manfield sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Manfield tried to counter with a leg kick but Stepanovich avoided it.
Manfield scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Manfield shoots for a takedown but Stepanovich saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Stepanovich let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Stepanovich blocks the body kick.
Nice defenses there by Manfield.
Manfield misses with a low kick.
Stepanovich appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stepanovich misses with a looping right.
Stepanovich paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
The fighters circling - Stepanovich throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Manfield on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Manfield takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
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!
Manfield ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Manfield shoots in for a takedown but Stepanovich shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Stepanovich lands a head shot.
Stepanovich is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Manfield shoots for a takedown but Stepanovich saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Olenev Stepanovich really dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!
Stepanovich misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Manfield.
Stepanovich misses with a body shot.
Manfield drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
You can see the frustration on Stepanovich's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stepanovich tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Manfield wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Manfield tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Manfield has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Stepanovich is looking to reverse the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Manfield is trying to get an arm triangle but Stepanovich is defending well.
Stepanovich is not content to let Manfield control the position.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Stepanovich manages to work his way to half guard, despite Manfield's best efforts.
Manfield prevents Stepanovich from improving his position.
Stepanovich is trying to stand.
Stepanovich tries to roll over but Manfield keeps him under control.
Stepanovich wants to control but Manfield is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Manfield works his way into side control.
Stepanovich regains half guard.
Stepanovich tries to roll over but Manfield keeps him under control.
Manfield is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stepanovich has his hands clasped together around Manfield's back. He's all about the action.
Stepanovich is pressing down on Manfield's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Stepanovich has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Manfield is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Stepanovich breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Manfield shoots and misses
and Stepanovich counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Manfield closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Stepanovich to the mat! Stepanovich manages to get full guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stepanovich 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.
Manfield scoring with some ground and pound.
Manfield scoring with punches to the head and body.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stepanovich not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Stepanovich keeping full guard, as Manfield tries to pass.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Stepanovich holds on and takes a little breather.
Stepanovich trying to keep a closed guard but Manfield is proving a slippery customer.
Stepanovich wants to stand but Manfield is controlling the position.
Stepanovich controls Manfield momentarily but Manfield frees himself.
Stepanovich tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Manfield tries to free his leg and advance position but Stepanovich is retaining full guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Stepanovich not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Manfield uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Stepanovich.
Stepanovich is looking to chop away at Manfield's legs.
Manfield misses with a hook.
Manfield fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Stepanovich misses with an uppercut. Manfield saw that one coming.
Manfield fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Reni Manfield. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A telegraphed right hand from Stepanovich misses the target.
Manfield feinted there with a counter leg kick.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
A close fourth round but Olenev Stepanovich will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Manfield's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!
Manfield fails with the takedown
and Stepanovich counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Stepanovich stuns Manfield with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Manfield takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Manfield looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Stepanovich is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Manfield with a poor takedown
and Stepanovich counters with a nice uppercut.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Reni Manfield. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stepanovich blocks a low kick nicely.
Manfield shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Manfield misses with a body kick.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Stepanovich attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Manfield uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Stepanovich.
Stepanovich slaps away a takedown attempt from Manfield, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Stepanovich paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Stepanovich getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Stepanovich misses with a body shot.
Manfield wants to clinch.
Reni Manfield has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Olenev Stepanovich is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manfield on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Manfield on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Stepanovich. Stepanovich obviously looking to wear him down.
Manfield misses with a takedown
letting Stepanovich counter with a right hand.
Manfield shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Stepanovich defends it nicely.
Stepanovich throws out a counter right but Manfield avoids it with no problem.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manfield doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Stepanovich counters with a stiff right hand.
Manfield blocks a jab.
Manfield tries to counter with a takedown but Stepanovich is quick to defend against it.
Manfield tries to clinch but Stepanovich moves out of range.
Stepanovich scores with a decent looking hook.
Stepanovich keeps the fight on the outside.
Stepanovich misses with a wild body shot.
Manfield tried to counter with a leg kick but Stepanovich avoided it.
Stepanovich loads up on a big right hand but Manfield slips the punch.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice uppercut there from Stepanovich.
Manfield does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Stepanovich connects with a nice looking jab.
Manfield slips a straight right by Stepanovich.
Stepanovich scores with a nice right hand.
Manfield shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Stepanovich as he jumps to the side.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nice uppercut lands for Stepanovich. That snapped Manfield's head back.
And that's the end of the fight!
Olenev Stepanovich comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Stepanovich has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.
Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 45:49
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 45:49
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 45:49
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Olenev Stepanovich!
Olenev Stepanovich is the new lightweight champion!
A very excited looking Olenev Stepanovich made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.
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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
43% |
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