PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Robbin Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Connor McManus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gracie kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Nervecell - Psychogenocide. McManus comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Jeff Danna - 'The Blood of Cú Chulainn' kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Connor McManus has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Robbin Gracie's chin.

Gracie
vs
McManus

180 cm
24
168 lbs
9 - 11 - 0

177 cm
24
167 lbs
8 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Decent elbows
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Robbin Gracie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Connor McManus!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Steve Smith and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McManus throws an overhand right that lands on Gracie's shoulder, as Gracie tries to avoid the shot.
McManus lands a head shot.
Gracie throws out a loose jab but McManus uses good head movement to avoid it.
McManus bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Gracie's head.
McManus is looking to clinch.
McManus defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Gracie.
Gracie takes one on the chin but seems OK.

McManus dives in and scores a takedown into Gracie's guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Gracie has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but McManus can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gracie has his hands on McManus's head, controlling the position.
McManus trying to control the position from guard on top but Gracie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McManus stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gracie swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Gracie pushes McManus off and scrambles back to his feet.

McManus has closed the distance and engaged Gracie in a clinch.
A bit of stalling here from McManus.
McManus looking to stall.

Gracie gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, McManus regains guard.
McManus keeping moving, preventing Gracie from controlling successfully.
Gracie sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie with a flurry of punches that miss.
Gracie missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

McManus is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gracie throws a big elbow that misses.

McManus has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Gracie can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
McManus being controlled here, momentarily.
Gracie throwing strikes but missing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie wants to control from the top but McManus keeps moving.
Gracie is in close to McManus's body, working some short punches and elbows.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
McManus looking for a guillotine here but Gracie defends easily.
Gracie stopping the sweep attempt from McManus.
Gracie postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Gracie throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as McManus works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Gracie is fighting to break McManus's control of his arms but McManus is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie trying to control but McManus is working from the bottom.

McManus is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Gracie is aware though and is defending well.
McManus lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Gracie!
Gracie is squirming around, avoiding McManus's attempts to control the action.
Gracie is wriggling around trying to escape.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McManus tries to control but Gracie wriggling away.
This has been an exciting period of action!
McManus looking to control and managing it successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Connor McManus dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

McManus shoots in for a takedown but Gracie shows good takedown defense.
Gracie shoots in but no luck this time.
Gracie slips under a jab.
McManus tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Gracie is able to avoid easily.
Gracie avoids the head kick by McManus.
McManus tries to score a power double leg takedown but Gracie sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten McManus somewhat.
McManus takes a swing at Gracie's ribcage but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.

McManus fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Gracie sprawls well initially but McManus persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Gracie is staying active underneath McManus, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Gracie moves into full guard.
McManus tries to free his leg and advance position but Gracie is retaining full guard.

Gracie pushes McManus off and scrambles back to his feet.
Some bone on bone action there as Gracie checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
McManus has his takedown stuffed
and Gracie connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Robbin Gracie has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Connor McManus.
A combination from Gracie does no damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McManus misses with an uppercut. Gracie saw that one coming.
McManus throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Gracie on the side of the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gracie takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Gracie checks a leg kick.
McManus feints a jab promting Gracie to slip. McManus then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Gracie slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
McManus avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
McManus scores with a jab.
McManus lands with a kick to the temple. Gracie shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

Gracie is rocked!
Connor McManus seems to be getting the better of the standup.
McManus drops Gracie with a straight right hand, right on the button! McManus follows him down to the mat and pounds him out with hammerfists until the referee jumps in to end the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:58 of round 2, 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.