PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kazhymukan Manaitpasov (ranked 1808 p4p, 2197 weight class) and Callum McCewen (ranked 222 p4p, 267 weight class). McCewen is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Highway to Hell - AC/DC. Kazhymukan Manaitpasov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Manaitpasov
vs
McCewen

183 cm
21
170
4 - 4 - 0

175 cm
22
163
7 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

Advance Sport Supplements

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 4 - 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 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Callum McCewen!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Valeri Chadov and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McCewen jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Manaitpasov swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
McCewen looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Manaitpasov drops down looking for a counter takedown but McCewen sprawls and moves away.
Manaitpasov looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
McCewen misses with an uppercut. Manaitpasov saw that one coming.

Manaitpasov feints and as McCewen raises his hands in defense, Manaitpasov changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Manaitpasov is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Manaitpasov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Manaitpasov slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Manaitpasov slips nicely into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCewen is trying to stand.
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.

Manaitpasov is working for a submission of some sort.
McCewen is trying to stand back up but Manaitpasov is controlling him

Manaitpasov is looking for a kimura but McCewen is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Manaitpasov to get the leverage.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if McCewen can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Manaitpasov takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

McCewen is defending against the submission attempts here by Manaitpasov.

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

Manaitpasov is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. McCewen doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Manaitpasov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manaitpasov trying to mount his opponent but McCewen defends it.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
McCewen is trying to stand.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
McCewen steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Manaitpasov.
Callum McCewen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's four 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.
McCewen throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
McCewen scores with a nice right hand.
Manaitpasov swats away the attempt to clinch by McCewen.
McCewen lands a front kick.
McCewen jabs Manaitpasov to the body, keeping him at a distance.
McCewen throws a leg kick that is checked

and Manaitpasov counters with a nice double leg into guard.
McCewen wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Manaitpasov manages to pass to side control.

McCewen tries to kick Manaitpasov off but Manaitpasov keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Kazhymukan Manaitpasov will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

McCewen lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Manaitpasov backs up against the cage.
Callum McCewen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Manaitpasov closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. McCewen did well to prevent Manaitpasov getting side control.
Manaitpasov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Manaitpasov content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Manaitpasov seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down McCewen for as long as he can get away with.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCewen is trying to maintain the position but Manaitpasov is very close to passing his half guard.
Manaitpasov prevents McCewen from standing back up.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.
Manaitpasov seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
McCewen wants to get back to full guard.
Manaitpasov is trying to control the action in half guard but McCewen is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Manaitpasov looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

That's two 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.
McCewen throws a combination that misses

and Manaitpasov counters with a takedown into side control.

Manaitpasov is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, McCewen has escaped the position, nice work there.
Manaitpasov throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

Manaitpasov is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. McCewen knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
McCewen is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Manaitpasov has just dragged him back down to the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manaitpasov working the ground and pound from side control.
Manaitpasov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that McCewen can do to turn this around?

Manaitpasov is trying to get an arm triangle but McCewen is defending well.
McCewen 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 goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, McCewen rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Manaitpasov's guard! Nice work there by McCewen!
Manaitpasov is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCewen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Manaitpasov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Manaitpasov keeping moving, preventing McCewen from controlling successfully.
McCewen must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Manaitpasov seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
McCewen trying to control but Manaitpasov is working from the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kazhymukan Manaitpasov dominated that second 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. This is the final round!

Manaitpasov takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
McCewen dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Manaitpasov. That did some damage!
Manaitpasov's hands are dropping dangerously low here and McCewen connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Manaitpasov scrambles back to his feet.
McCewen wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
McCewen keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Manaitpasov takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
McCewen scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
McCewen wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
McCewen thumps Manaitpasov with a low kick.
McCewen has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Manaitpasov is landing a low percentage of strikes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Manaitpasov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
The fighters circling - McCewen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
McCewen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Manaitpasov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by McCewen.
McCewen dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
McCewen is looking to clinch.
Manaitpasov appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Manaitpasov with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling McCewen to score with a decent uppercut.
Callum McCewen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Manaitpasov walks into a jab.
McCewen throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
McCewen throws a body kick that misses.
A counter left hand to the body from Manaitpasov misses its target.
Manaitpasov throws an overhand right that lands on McCewen's shoulder, as McCewen tries to avoid the shot.
McCewen moves into range and connects with a jab.
A punch lands to the side of Manaitpasov 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Manaitpasov slips a jab and a cross from McCewen.
McCewen misses with a leg kick

and Manaitpasov counters with a single leg into guard. McCewen didn't expect that.
Callum McCewen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Manaitpasov tries to free his leg and advance position but McCewen is retaining full guard.

Manaitpasov postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! McCewen is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Manaitpasov, into his guard.

Manaitpasov controlling the position.
Manaitpasov looking for a sweep. Not yet Manaitpasov, not yet.
Manaitpasov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. McCewen manages to get himself to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCewen keeping full guard, as Manaitpasov tries to pass.
Manaitpasov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as McCewen works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Manaitpasov slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Manaitpasov goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, McCewen rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Manaitpasov's guard! Nice work there by McCewen!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCewen throws a big elbow that misses.

Manaitpasov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Manaitpasov keeping full guard, as McCewen tries to pass.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Manaitpasov is on top in guard.

Manaitpasov sitting in guard, not really doing much.

And that's the end of the fight!
Callum McCewen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
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 Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 29:28

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