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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Gus Pappas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt Manuel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Manuel has chosen Lay Low as his entrance music. On his way into the cage it seems that Gus Pappas has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Gus Pappas seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?
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| 167 cm
25
152 lbs
11 - 4 - 0 |
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172 cm
25
155 lbs
9 - 3 - 0 |
Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Granite chin |
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BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Powerful |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Gus Pappas!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Matt Manuel!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Robert Twigg and Alan Glass.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pappas swings for the body but Manuel moves out of range.
Pappas throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A head kick misses from Pappas.
Pappas lands a nice shot to the body.
Pappas throws a hook but Manuel blocks it.
Pappas just misses with a punch to the body.
Pappas throws a shot from downtown. Manuel moves away and avoids it.
Pappas attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Pappas listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
It looks like Matt Manuel has been cut.
Gus Pappas seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pappas chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Manuel can pounce on him.
Pappas throws a nice outside leg kick.
Manuel fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Pappas avoids it really well and circles away.
Manuel misses with a wild body shot.
Nice defenses there by Manuel.
Pappas throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Pappas throws a leg kick
and Manuel counters with a thumping low kick.
Manuel slips a straight right by Pappas.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Manuel throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Pappas's waist but Pappas gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Manuel off to one side.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Manuel.
Manuel slips a straight right by Pappas.
Pappas misses with a kick to the body
and Manuel counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Pappas is lucky that one didn't land flush.
A shot to de liver by Pappas. Beautiful body shot.
Manuel looks gassed!
Pappas avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A low kick from Pappas is predictable there
and Manuel counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Pappas!
Pappas tries to lock up and control but Manuel gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Manuel prevents Pappas from getting the reversal.
Pappas tries to hold on but Manuel postures up.
Pappas is working to get back to half guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manuel trying to control but Pappas is having none of it.
Manuel tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Manuel looking to ground and pound but Pappas is blocking nicely.
Manuel controlling his opponent.
Manuel trying to control but Pappas is having none of it.
Manuel can't control as he wanted to and Pappas manages to get the fight back to his half guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pappas manages to get to full guard.
Manuel trying to control the position from guard on top but Pappas is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Manuel pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Pappas is keeping the position for now.
Manuel landing some decent shots from guard.
Pappas is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Manuel trying to control from the bottom.
Manuel moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pappas loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Manuel has control of Pappas's left arm, preventing Pappas from doing any damage.
Pappas postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Pappas trying to control but Manuel is working from the bottom.
Pappas working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Manuel's head.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Pappas accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Pappas looking to pass the guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Pappas got a little sloppy there for a moment and Manuel has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Pappas has managed to get both his arms back between Manuel's legs - danger averted.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Pappas's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Gus Pappas dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Matt Manuel's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!
Manuel misses with a wild combination.
Pappas throws a shot from downtown. Manuel moves away and avoids it.
Manuel blocks a jab.
Manuel uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Pappas.
Pappas checks a leg kick.
Pappas misses with a looping left.
Manuel wants to clinch.
A head kick from Manuel lands but Pappas takes it in his stride.
Pappas misses with a double jab
and Manuel counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Manuel taking a breather.
Manuel holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Pappas tries to circle away but Manuel has him pinned against the cage.
Pappas wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Pappas wants to break the clinch but can't.
Pappas has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Pappas is working Manuel over against the cage.
Manuel keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Pappas's efforts to push away.
Pappas takes a shot to the head.
Manuel jumps guard.
Manuel keeping moving, preventing Pappas from controlling successfully.
Manuel looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Pappas throwing strikes but missing.
Pappas pushes down on Manuel's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Manuel is looking for a sweep. Pappas is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Pappas is pressing down on Manuel's thigh, looking to free his foot. Manuel is holding on for now.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pappas seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Manuel does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Pappas wants to clinch but Manuel slips to the side
and Manuel counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Pappas wants to hit a switch here but Manuel passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Pappas there!
Manuel working Pappas over with strikes here.
Manuel has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Pappas's face.
Pappas keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manuel landing strikes from the mount and Pappas is in trouble!
BOOM! Manuel connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Manuel trying to control but Pappas is having none of it.
Manuel has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Pappas's face.
Pappas regains half guard.
Manuel is keen to just control but Pappas is a slippery customer.
Manuel thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Manuel wants to lay and pray for a moment but Pappas keeps working.
Pappas controlling the position well.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pappas is looking for a sweep. Manuel is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Manuel wants to free his trapped foot but Pappas is holding on for dear life with his legs.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Pappas misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Manuel counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Manuel ducks under a wild hook from Pappas.
Pappas moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Manuel lands with a slapping head kick.
Manuel shoots in looking for a takedown. Pappas tries to sprawl out of it but Manuel keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Pappas manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Manuel is breathing heavily.
Pappas swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Manuel counters with a leg kick.
Pappas looks to land a right hand but Manuel moved out of range.
Pappas throws a head kick that misses
and Manuel counters by moving into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Matt Manuel showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Matt Manuel's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!
Manuel darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Manuel blocks the strikes from Pappas.
Manuel seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Pappas does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Manuel is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Pappas kicks off Manuel and gets to his feet.
The fighters circling - Pappas throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Pappas falls off balance throwing a combination
and Manuel counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Pappas bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Manuel's guard.
Manuel looking for a sweep. Not yet Manuel, not yet.
Manuel takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Pappas loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Pappas tries to free his leg and advance position but Manuel is retaining full guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Manuel being controlled here, momentarily.
Pappas postures up in Manuel's guard and throws a big left but Manuel blocks it.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Pappas accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Manuel wants to sweep here but Pappas controlling him for the moment.
Manuel is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Pappas falls off balance throwing a combination
and Manuel decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Pappas's guard.
Manuel pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Pappas is keeping the position for now.
Pappas looking for a sweep. Not yet Pappas, not yet.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pappas trying to keep a closed guard but Manuel is proving a slippery customer.
Manuel postures up in Pappas's guard and throws a big left but Pappas blocks it.
Pappas 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.
Pappas utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Pappas keeping moving, preventing Manuel from controlling successfully.
Pappas bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Manuel's guard.
Manuel looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Pappas wants to pass the guard but Manuel is keeping the position.
Pappas is looking to advance position but Manuel has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pappas is working to get back to half guard.
Pappas is working hard here to advance position.
Manuel tries to control but Pappas wriggling away.
Pappas is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Manuel throws some wild stikes that Pappas manages to avoid easily.
Pappas is trying desperately to improve position.
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.
Manuel breaks from Pappas's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Manuel controlling the pace for now.
Pappas regains half guard.
Pappas is not content to let Manuel control the position.
Pappas trying to control here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Matt Manuel really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Matt Manuel's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!
Pappas will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Gus Pappas is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Pappas misses with a jab, cross combination.
Pappas lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Pappas fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Manuel manages to avoid it.
Pappas throws the left hand but Manuel avoids the punch easily.
Pappas misses the jab.
Manuel lets loose with a powerful body kick. Pappas will feel that in the morning.
Pappas misses with a combination
and Manuel counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Manuel.
Manuel trying to control the position from guard on top but Pappas is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Pappas seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Pappas can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Manuel controls the pace.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Manuel looking to sit in guard and control but Pappas gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Pappas slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Manuel tries to buck Pappas off but Pappas is having none of it.
Manuel sneaks back into half guard.
Pappas wants to take a breather but Manuel is having none of it.
Manuel is pressing down on Pappas's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manuel looking for a sweep. Not yet Manuel, not yet.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Manuel is on top in guard.
Pappas controlling the position.
Pappas 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.
Matt Manuel has got the better of the ground game so far.
Pappas not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Pappas pulls Manuel in close to prevent any damage.
Manuel is looking to work some ground and pound but Pappas has wrist control.
Manuel slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Manuel passes Pappas's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Manuel in particular looking to stall.
Pappas tries to roll over but Manuel keeps him under control.
Manuel throws a strike but Pappas avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Pappas wants to sweep but no luck.
Manuel is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Manuel preventing the sweep.
Manuel trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Pappas trying to keep a closed guard but Manuel is proving a slippery customer.
The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Manuel clinches up against the cage.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Manuel drops down looking for an ankle pick but Pappas pulls his leg out and moves away.
Pappas goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Manuel forces Pappas back against the cage and clinches.
Manuel scores with a shoulder strike.
Pappas has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Manuel misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Pappas.
Stalling in the clinch from Pappas.
Pappas is looking to break free of the clinch but Manuel has double underhooks.
Manuel keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Pappas's efforts to push away.
Pappas tries to circle away but Manuel has him pinned against the cage.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Manuel obliges.
Pappas blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Pappas wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Pappas escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Matt Manuel dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Matt Manuel's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!
Pappas blocks a head kick by Manuel.
Pappas looks to throw the jab but Manuel is out of range.
Manuel moves into range and clinches up with Pappas.
Pappas looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Pappas is looking to break free of the clinch but Manuel has double underhooks.
Manuel tries to pull guard but Pappas holds him up against the cage and eventually Manuel drops back down to his feet.
Pappas avoids the elbow strike from Manuel, against the cage.
Pappas breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Pappas misses with a body shot
and Manuel counters with a good low kick that Pappas was not able to check.
Pappas misses with a double jab
and Manuel counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Pappas looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Manuel wants to control from the top but Pappas keeps moving.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Manuel won't allow Pappas to sweep him here.
Manuel sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Pappas's guard.
Manuel is trying to control the action in half guard but Pappas is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Manuel content to control rather than advance.
Manuel wants to lay and pray for a moment but Pappas keeps working.
Pappas controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Matt Manuel is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Pappas is looking to improve his position.
Pappas is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Manuel's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Manuel's back!
Pappas working for a choke but Manuel is defending well.
Pappas doesn't have the hooks in and Manuel manages to turn into his guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manuel won't allow Pappas to sweep him here.
Manuel slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Manuel throwing strikes but missing.
Manuel slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Gus Pappas has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Pappas bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Manuel's guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Pappas accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Manuel is pulling down on Pappas's head. It's preventing any offense from Pappas, at least for the moment.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Despite being in the dominant position, Matt Manuel just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Manuel keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Pappas swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Manuel counters with a leg kick.
Manuel throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Pappas smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Pappas on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Manuel. Manuel obviously looking to wear him down.
Pappas lands a nice leg kick that just misses Manuel's sensitive parts.
Manuel takes the fight into the clinch.
Manuel keeps control of Pappas as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Manuel blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Manuel tightens his grip and picks Pappas up, before dumping him to the ground. Pappas manages to land in guard.
Manuel trying to control the position from guard on top but Pappas is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Pappas is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
And that's the end of the fight!
Matt Manuel comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Manuel 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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight 46:49
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 46:49
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 46:49
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matt Manuel!
Matt Manuel is the new featherweight champion!
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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
100% |
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