PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Melvin Manhoef (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jason Christopoulos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Manhoef comes to the cage accompanied by Killing In The Name. Jason Christopoulos will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Manhoef
vs
Christopoulos

173 cm
33
205 lbs
23 - 24 - 1

185 cm
29
210 lbs
16 - 15 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

CEC Nutrition Q160 & Loans

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 24 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Melvin Manhoef!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 15 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Jason Christopoulos!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Yves DeLean and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Manhoef throws a leg kick which misses Christopoulos's front leg but catches the back leg as Christopoulos tries to avoid it.
Manhoef tries to bum rush Christopoulos with a series of wild strikes but Christopoulos uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Manhoef will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Christopoulos throws a hook but Manhoef avoids it easily.
Manhoef lands a leg kick that knocks Christopoulos off balance momentarily.
Manhoef throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Manhoef scoring well with a low kick there.
Manhoef misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Manhoef throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Christopoulos on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Manhoef. Manhoef obviously looking to wear him down.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Manhoef misses with a two punch combination.
Manhoef turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

Christopoulos looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Christopoulos prevents Manhoef from getting back to his feet.
Manhoef avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manhoef is looking to stand up but Christopoulos isn't so interested in that idea.
Christopoulos missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Christopoulos has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Christopoulos in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Christopoulos passes Manhoef's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Christopoulos missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Christopoulos throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Christopoulos sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Manhoef defending well though.

Manhoef is defending against the submission attempts here by Christopoulos.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Christopoulos is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Manhoef sees it coming and defends easily.
Christopoulos working the head and body with strikes.
Christopoulos is just content to waste time from the top position. Manhoef takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Christopoulos is looking to work some ground and pound but Manhoef has wrist control.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Christopoulos accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Christopoulos stops Manhoef from standing up.
Christopoulos postures up and lands a big shot to Manhoef's brow.
Christopoulos throws a big elbow that misses.
Christopoulos with a flurry of punches that miss.
Christopoulos trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Christopoulos throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Christopoulos loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Christopoulos trying to control the position from guard on top but Manhoef is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Christopoulos throws a strike but Manhoef rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Manhoef is looking to work some ground and pound but Christopoulos has wrist control.
Christopoulos trying to keep a closed guard but Manhoef is proving a slippery customer.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Manhoef wants to control from the top but Christopoulos keeps moving.
Manhoef might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Manhoef content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Melvin Manhoef will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Christopoulos thows a body shot but no joy.

Christopoulos changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Manhoef looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Manhoef is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Christopoulos is controlling him well.
Christopoulos cracks Manhoef with a big right hand but Manhoef just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Christopoulos creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Manhoef sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Christopoulos sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Manhoef is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Christopoulos trying to control the action but Manhoef is working from the bottom.
Jason Christopoulos has got the better of the ground game so far.
Christopoulos sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Manhoef is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Christopoulos in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Christopoulos working the ground and pound from side control.
Manhoef is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Christopoulos asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Christopoulos fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Sloppy strikes there by Christopoulos.
Christopoulos trying to control the action but Manhoef is working from the bottom.
Christopoulos might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Manhoef kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Christopoulos throws a strike aimed at the side of Manhoef's head but Manhoef avoids it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manhoef taking a bit of punishment here - Christopoulos scoring with strikes.
Christopoulos is looking to take a break and control but Manhoef is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Christopoulos landing strikes.
Christopoulos controlling the position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Christopoulos is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Manhoef is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manhoef is not content to let Christopoulos control the position.
Manhoef dodges the ground and pound from Christopoulos.
Manhoef defending against the ground and pound.

Christopoulos working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Christopoulos fails to land a wild elbow strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Manhoef is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Christopoulos landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.

Christopoulos is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Manhoef is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Christopoulos swings around for an armbar but Manhoef sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Christopoulos's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jason Christopoulos showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Manhoef tries a low kick but Christopoulos avoids it.
Christopoulos lands a nice looking body shot.
Christopoulos lands with a nice body punch.
Manhoef displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Christopoulos.
Manhoef throws a head kick that Christopoulos semi-blocks.

It looks like Jason Christopoulos has been cut.
Christopoulos thows a body shot but no joy.
Manhoef rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Christopoulos moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Manhoef paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Christopoulos misses with a wild body shot.
Christopoulos fails to land with a series of punches.
Christopoulos shoots in and drives through. Manhoef sprawls well.
Melvin Manhoef is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Christopoulos takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Christopoulos takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Christopoulos avoids a punch combination nicely.
Manhoef connects with a solid leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Manhoef, right into the meat.
Nice body kick from Manhoef.
Manhoef looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Manhoef lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Manhoef looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Manhoef lands with a nice combination. Christopoulos backs away looking to recover.
Christopoulos tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Christopoulos on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Manhoef. Manhoef obviously looking to wear him down.
Christopoulos is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Manhoef rather than just go for the knockout.
Manhoef displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Christopoulos.
Melvin Manhoef has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jason Christopoulos.
Manhoef lands a two punch combo.
Manhoef dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Christopoulos. That did some damage!
Good standup being displayed there by Manhoef as he connects with a hook.

That has opened up Jason Christopoulos's cut even more.
Manhoef ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Christopoulos takes one on the button.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manhoef feints a jab promting Christopoulos to slip. Manhoef then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Christopoulos slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

Christopoulos is rocked!
Christopoulos takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Christopoulos is still on wobbly legs! Can Manhoef finish him?
Melvin Manhoef is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Christopoulos takes one on the button.
Christopoulos pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Melvin Manhoef seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Manhoef scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Christopoulos is looking to clinch but Manhoef is avoiding it.
Christopoulos seems to have recovered his senses.
Crunch! Manhoef slams his shin into Christopoulos's torso.
Manhoef fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Christopoulos.
Christopoulos slips a jab and a cross from Manhoef.
Manhoef throws a right and a left that both miss.
Manhoef wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Manhoef cracks Christopoulos with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
A nice leg kick lands there from Manhoef.
A combination from Manhoef does no damage.
Christopoulos changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Manhoef tries to avoid it but Christopoulos manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Manhoef to the ground. Manhoef escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manhoef scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Christopoulos walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Manhoef dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Christopoulos slips a jab and a cross from Manhoef.
Christopoulos looks to land a combination but Manhoef avoids it well.
Christopoulos's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Christopoulos takes one to the side of the head.
Christopoulos will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Nice body punch from Manhoef.
A lazy left from Manhoef finds it's target.
Christopoulos tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Manhoef throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Christopoulos.
Manhoef misses with the combination.
No joy there for Manhoef, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Manhoef works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Manhoef's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Manhoef duly obliges.
Christopoulos loads up on a big right hand but Manhoef slips the punch.

Christopoulos dives in and scores a takedown into Manhoef's guard.

Christopoulos 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 Christopoulos, into his guard.
Manhoef postures up in Christopoulos's guard and throws a big left but Christopoulos blocks it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Manhoef would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Melvin Manhoef showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Manhoef 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 Gregory Folan scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 29:28
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Melvin Manhoef!
A relieved looking Melvin Manhoef thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.