PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kazhymukan Manaitpasov (ranked 4307 p4p, 5394 weight class) and Floki Gunnarsson (ranked 499 p4p, 552 weight class). Gunnarsson has chosen BROTHERS OF METAL - Fire, Blood And Steel as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Floki Gunnarsson is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Manaitpasov
vs
Gunnarsson

183 cm
19
170
1 - 4 - 0

177 cm
19
177
0 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Savage Fightwear
Groove Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kazhymukan Manaitpasov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Floki Gunnarsson!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Percy O'Donnell and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Manaitpasov throws a poor cross that misses
and Manaitpasov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Manaitpasov looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Gunnarsson takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Manaitpasov has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Gunnarsson finds it's way round the side to connect with Manaitpasov's head.
Gunnarsson defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Manaitpasov.
Manaitpasov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Gunnarsson as he jumps to the side.
A little jabbing left from Gunnarsson on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Nice defenses there by Gunnarsson.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Gunnarsson! But no joy.
Manaitpasov misses with a hook to the body
and Gunnarsson counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Manaitpasov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Gunnarsson but Gunnarsson pushes him off and we're back to square one.
A little jabbing left from Gunnarsson on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kazhymukan Manaitpasov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Manaitpasov connects with a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Manaitpasov drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Manaitpasov passes Gunnarsson's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Manaitpasov is trying to work for a kimura but Gunnarsson is defending well.
Manaitpasov wants to take a breather but Gunnarsson is having none of it.

Manaitpasov is working for a submission of some sort.
Manaitpasov is looking to take a break and control but Gunnarsson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Manaitpasov is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Gunnarsson is just riding it out for now. Manaitpasov eventually gives up the hold.

Manaitpasov is working for a kimura but Gunnarsson is defending it quite comfortably.
Manaitpasov is trying to control. Gunnarsson wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Manaitpasov is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Gunnarsson can do anything to dispel that myth.

Manaitpasov wants to work for an arm triangle but Gunnarsson is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Gunnarsson really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Manaitpasov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Manaitpasov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Gunnarsson has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Manaitpasov is working away from the top position though.
Gunnarsson is positioning himself well to prevent Manaitpasov advancing to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Manaitpasov with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

Gunnarsson is defending against the submission attempts here by Manaitpasov.
Gunnarsson won't allow Manaitpasov to pass to mount.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Manaitpasov is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Gunnarsson is defending against the submission attempts here by Manaitpasov.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kazhymukan Manaitpasov dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Gunnarsson ducks under a wild hook from Manaitpasov.
Manaitpasov clobbers Gunnarsson with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Gunnarsson ducks right into an uppercut from Manaitpasov.
Manaitpasov moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Manaitpasov throws an off balance right hand
letting Gunnarsson counter with a right hand.
Manaitpasov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Gunnarsson can do to turn this around?
Manaitpasov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Manaitpasov misses with a straight left.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gunnarsson ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Gunnarsson! But no joy.
Manaitpasov misses the shot to the body.
Manaitpasov throws a jab but it's blocked by Gunnarsson.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Manaitpasov is defended easily by Gunnarsson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big left from Gunnarsson misses.
Manaitpasov paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Manaitpasov throws a big shot that misses.
A nice side step and Gunnarsson releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Manaitpasov shoots in but Gunnarsson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Floki Gunnarsson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Manaitpasov throws a lazy uppercut
and Gunnarsson counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Manaitpasov looks to land a left hand but Gunnarsson moved out of range nicely.
Gunnarsson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Gunnarsson wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kazhymukan Manaitpasov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manaitpasov throws a body punch but Gunnarsson moves out of range.
It seemed like Gunnarsson was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Nice defenses there by Gunnarsson.
Manaitpasov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Gunnarsson sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Manaitpasov misses with a hook.
Gunnarsson keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Manaitpasov.
Gunnarsson is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Manaitpasov with a body shot.
Floki Gunnarsson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Manaitpasov missing with a left hand there. Gunnarsson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Gunnarsson looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Manaitpasov misses with a wild body shot.
Manaitpasov looks to score with a jab to the body but Gunnarsson is just out of range.
Nice defenses there by Gunnarsson.
Manaitpasov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kazhymukan Manaitpasov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Manaitpasov throws the left hand but Gunnarsson avoids the punch easily.
Gunnarsson throws out a counter right but Manaitpasov avoids it with no problem.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gunnarsson takes a shot right to the bread basket.

Manaitpasov gets the takedown into side control.

Manaitpasov is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Gunnarsson has escaped the position, nice work there.

Manaitpasov goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Gunnarsson has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Manaitpasov but great work by Gunnarsson.
Gunnarsson tries to move into full mount but can't pass Manaitpasov's legs.
Manaitpasov is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Manaitpasov is looking for a sweep. Gunnarsson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Kazhymukan Manaitpasov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gunnarsson seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Gunnarsson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Manaitpasov wants to get back to full guard.
Manaitpasov trying to hold on to Gunnarsson's head to control him but Gunnarsson postures up.
Manaitpasov gets back to full guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Manaitpasov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Gunnarsson manages to get himself to full guard.

Manaitpasov wants to control from the top but Gunnarsson keeps moving.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kazhymukan Manaitpasov dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Manaitpasov missing with a left hand there. Gunnarsson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Manaitpasov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Gunnarsson as he jumps to the side.
Gunnarsson throws out a counter right but Manaitpasov avoids it with no problem.
A slow jab from Manaitpasov misses its intended target.
A little jabbing left from Gunnarsson on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Gunnarsson looks to throw the jab but Manaitpasov is out of range.
Manaitpasov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Gunnarsson as he avoids it easily.
Manaitpasov throws a lazy uppercut
and Gunnarsson counters with a straight right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Manaitpasov misses with an uppercut. Gunnarsson saw that one coming.
Gunnarsson takes a jab right on the kisser.
A telegraphed right hand from Manaitpasov misses the target.
Manaitpasov throws a hook to the side of Gunnarsson's head but Gunnarsson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Gunnarsson looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manaitpasov looks to throw the jab but Gunnarsson is out of range.
Gunnarsson is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Manaitpasov with a body shot.
The fight stays on the outside here - Gunnarsson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Manaitpasov half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Manaitpasov lands a jab.
Manaitpasov throws an overhand right that lands on Gunnarsson's shoulder, as Gunnarsson tries to avoid the shot.
Gunnarsson punishes Manaitpasov's body with a nice straight punch.
Manaitpasov fails to land the takedown.
A little jabbing left from Gunnarsson on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kazhymukan Manaitpasov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gunnarsson cracks Manaitpasov with a right hand to the side of the head.
Floki Gunnarsson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manaitpasov throws an off balance right hand
and Manaitpasov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Manaitpasov missing with a left hand there. Gunnarsson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Gunnarsson misses with an uppercut.
Manaitpasov half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Manaitpasov looks for a takedown but Gunnarsson sprawls well.
A little jabbing left from Gunnarsson on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Manaitpasov throws an overhand right that lands on Gunnarsson's shoulder, as Gunnarsson tries to avoid the shot.
Manaitpasov misses with a straight right.
Manaitpasov fails with a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gunnarsson throws a jab when Manaitpasov was well out of range.
Manaitpasov throws a right hand that misses
and Gunnarsson counters with a stiff right hand.

It looks like Kazhymukan Manaitpasov has been cut.
Manaitpasov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Manaitpasov misses with a lunging right hand
letting Gunnarsson counter with a right hand.
Manaitpasov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
It seemed like Gunnarsson was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Manaitpasov lands with an uppercut that bounces Gunnarsson off the cage and back into range.
Manaitpasov misses the jab.

Manaitpasov drives through with a takedown into guard.

Gunnarsson had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Manaitpasov defends it easily.
Manaitpasov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gunnarsson swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Manaitpasov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Manaitpasov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Manaitpasov wants to control from the top but Gunnarsson keeps moving.
Manaitpasov is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Gunnarsson is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Gunnarsson had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Manaitpasov defends it easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Floki Gunnarsson.
I think Manaitpasov has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kazhymukan Manaitpasov!