PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ellic McCrae (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Connor McManus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

McCrae
vs
McManus

182 cm
19
195 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

177 cm
19
167 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Ellic McCrae!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Connor McManus!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Russell Pearce and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McManus lands a head kick. McCrae smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

It looks like Ellic McCrae has been cut.
McManus misses with a two punch combination.
McManus wants to clinch up but McCrae keeps it at a distance.
McManus tries to close the distance and clinch but McCrae swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
McManus displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from McCrae.
McCrae changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. McManus tries to avoid it but McCrae manages to keep hold of a leg and drag McManus to the ground. McManus escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
McCrae tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
No luck for McCrae with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ellic McCrae. That's going to take a lot out of him.

McManus rushes McCrae and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McCrae throws a punch but it's blocked by McManus.
McCrae tries to throw a body punch but McManus avoids it by throwing McCrae back against the cage.
McCrae content to slow the pace in the clinch.
McCrae misses with a hook to the ribs.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
McManus misses with a knee strike.
McManus softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCrae misses with a knee to the head.
McCrae swings wildly with an uppercut but McManus uses good head movement to avoid it.
McCrae is trying to work for a single leg takedown but McManus pulls him back up using the underhooks.
McManus lands with a short head shot on the inside.
McManus with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
McManus lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
McManus lands a left hand.
McManus stalling in the clinch.
McManus throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but McCrae blocks it with crossed arms.
McManus misses with a knee to the head.
McManus is trying to maintain a safe position but McCrae gets an underhook and turns McManus into the cage.
McCrae's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
McCrae lands a body shot in the clinch.
McManus has McCrae pressed against the cage.
McManus lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
McManus trying to stall but McCrae improves his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McManus is persisting with his attempts to control the action in the clinch, rather than do any real damage.
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!
McCrae misses with some punches.
McManus blocks an uppercut.
A knee to the head by McManus.
McCrae misses with a hook from the clinch.
McManus lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down McCrae.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from McManus.
A quick uppercut on the inside from McCrae.

McCrae decides to pull guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
McManus trying to control the position from guard on top but McCrae is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

McCrae throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! McManus escapes and throws McCrae's legs to the side, diving into side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCrae wants to control but McManus postures up.

McManus stands up.
McManus tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
McCrae fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
McManus connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from McManus. No joy for McCrae on that attempt.
McManus tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. McCrae manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
McManus wants to clinch.
McManus throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck McCrae on the side of the head.
McCrae is trying hard to land a takedown here. McManus sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McCrae shoots in for a takedown but McManus shows good takedown defense.

McManus cracks McCrae with a big right hand that sends him to the floor! McCrae looks wobbly but he's sprung back up to his feet straight away… can McManus finish him?

McCrae is rocked!
McCrae is breathing heavily.
A slapping leg kick lands for McManus.

McManus gets in close and instigates a clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
McCrae tries to throw a body punch but McManus avoids it by throwing McCrae back against the cage.
McCrae throws a knee to the head but misses.
McManus putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has McCrae in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
McManus lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Connor McManus dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ellic McCrae's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

McManus clinches.
McCrae is trying to work for a single leg takedown but McManus pulls him back up using the underhooks.
McCrae tries to throw a body punch but McManus avoids it by throwing McCrae back against the cage.
McManus lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Connor McManus seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A nice left hand lands by McCrae.
McManus throws a knee to the head but misses.
McManus landing knees to the head.
McManus lands with a light punch inside.
McManus effectively controlling the action here.
McCrae goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
McCrae tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
McManus lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
McCrae struggles to land a body shot inside as McManus controls his hands.
McCrae has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. McManus is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
McManus tries to land a knee to the head but McCrae blocks with his arms.
Still in the clinch, McManus scores with a nice short uppercut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
McManus looking to slow down the pace here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McManus struggles to land a body shot inside as McCrae controls his hands.
McCrae being controlled against the cage.
McManus tries to land knees in the clinch but McCrae avoids the damage to the body.
McCrae throws a punch but it's blocked by McManus.
A left hand lands to the body for McManus.
McCrae doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
McManus lands with a light punch inside.
McManus has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
McCrae tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. McManus smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ellic McCrae. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McManus smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
McCrae tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but McManus swivels and escapes.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

McManus has McCrae up against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCrae struggles to land a body shot inside as McManus controls his hands.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McManus scores with a nice hook to the head.
Stalling in the clinch from McManus.
McCrae is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
McManus is looking to control McCrae's arms but McCrae gets an underhook and turns him. Now McManus has his back to the cage.
McManus prevents a body shot from McCrae.
McCrae misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from McManus.
A quick uppercut on the inside from McManus.
McManus lands a left hand.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by McCrae as McManus tries to tie him up.
McCrae misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McManus lands an uppercut.
McManus with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
McManus leaning his opponent against the cage.
McCrae wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A bit of stalling here from McManus.
McManus lands a knee to the head.
McManus is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Connor McManus.
McCrae misses with a takedown attempt - McManus sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

McManus closes the distance and clinches.
McCrae tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
McCrae slowing the pace effectively.
McManus lands a nice uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McManus is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
McManus lands on the inside with an uppercut.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
McManus tries to stall but McCrae uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
McManus blocks an uppercut.
McManus has a couple of punches blocked by McCrae.
McManus leaning his opponent against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McManus tried to land a shot to the body but connects with McCrae's elbow.
McCrae throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McManus looking to throw knees to the head but McCrae is blocking nicely.
McCrae can't find room to land a body shot as McManus controls the action.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
McManus stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Connor McManus showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Ellic McCrae's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

McManus cracks McCrae with an open hand slap.
McCrae tries for a takedown but McManus sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
McCrae has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from McManus finds it's way round the side to connect with McCrae's head.
Connor McManus seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McCrae walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
McManus is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
McManus slaps away a takedown attempt from McCrae, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Good leg kick by McManus there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McCrae looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ellic McCrae. That's going to take a lot out of him.

McManus feints and then winds up with a huge right hand that connects perfectly and sends McCrae sprawling to the canvas! McCrae rolls over backwards and springs off the cage and manages to regain his footing - how acrobatic! Oh, he's still wobbly - can McManus finish him?!
Oh McCrae is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
McCrae shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts McManus as he jumps to the side.

McManus gets in close and instigates a clinch.
McManus landing some nice looking knees to the body.
McCrae seems to have got his legs back now.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McManus pushes McCrae back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
McManus works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
McManus scores with a nice hook to the head.
McCrae takes a shot to the head.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. McManus obliges.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for McManus. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. McManus obliges.
McManus manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
McCrae misses with a short punch on the inside.
McCrae takes a knee right on the jaw!
McManus lands a big knee to the head and McCrae goes down! McManus pounces and finishes the fight with strikes! He jumps to his feet and celebrates with the crowd!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:57 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Connor McManus!
A victorious Connor McManus thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.