PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Raymond Saulnier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Melvin Manhoef (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Saulnier
vs
Manhoef

160 cm
22
215 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

180 cm
20
225 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Improved boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Transformer Supplements

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Raymond Saulnier!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Melvin Manhoef!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Colin Fotheringham and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Manhoef is looking to clinch.
Manhoef shoots in but Saulnier avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Manhoef avoids a punch combination nicely.
Manhoef takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

Saulnier shoots in and bounces Manhoef off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Manhoef throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

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

Saulnier escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Manhoef gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Saulnier really is a fat lump.
Manhoef won't allow Saulnier to sweep him here.
Manhoef is looking to stand up but Saulnier won't let him.
Manhoef trying to control but Saulnier is working from the bottom.
Saulnier has a closed guard, preventing Manhoef from standing up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manhoef wants to control from the top but Saulnier keeps moving.
Manhoef scoring with punches to the head and body.
Manhoef looking to pass the guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Saulnier misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Manhoef scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Manhoef connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Saulnier some visible discomfort.

Manhoef decides to stand back up. Manhoef steps back and let's Saulnier get back to his feet.
Manhoef slips a jab and a cross from Saulnier.
Saulnier is breathing heavily.

Manhoef clinches with his opponent.

Manhoef jumps guard.
Manhoef manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Manhoef trying to control but Saulnier is having none of it.
Saulnier is desperately trying to improve his position but Manhoef has a good base and remains in mount.

Manhoef working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saulnier is looking to get to half guard.
Manhoef trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Saulnier gets back to half guard.

Saulnier actively working from the bottom here.
Manhoef seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Saulnier does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Saulnier is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Manhoef pulls his head out easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Manhoef lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Manhoef is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Saulnier is in a horrible position here. Manhoef smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.

Saulnier is rocked!
Manhoef is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Oh Saulnier is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Saulnier keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Manhoef postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Saulnier looks a forlorn figure.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saulnier is trying to escape the mount.
Saulnier takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
BOOM! Manhoef connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Manhoef prevents Saulnier from getting the reversal.
Saulnier might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Manhoef scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Manhoef lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Saulnier hang on?
Manhoef drops a big elbow. That's hurt Saulnier! More shots from Manhoef and the ref steps in! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:46 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Melvin Manhoef!