PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Melvin Manhoef (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Erwin Hartmann (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Manhoef kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Killing In The Name. Hartmann has chosen LL Cool J - Mama Said Knock You Out as his entrance music. The key to victory for Melvin Manhoef has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Manhoef
vs
Hartmann

173 cm
35
205 lbs
24 - 27 - 1

190 cm
27
212 lbs
9 - 9 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
World class boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

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 24 - 27 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Melvin Manhoef!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Erwin Hartmann!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Wagner Zegers and Paul Aken.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Manhoef rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Hartmann moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Some wild striking there from Manhoef.
Manhoef throws a series of punches but Hartmann avoids them all with ease.
Manhoef checks the leg kick nicely there.
Manhoef throws a lazy right hand but Hartmann sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Manhoef throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Manhoef misses with a double jab.
Hartmann checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Manhoef pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Hartmann back to the ropes. Manhoef follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Manhoef misses with a wild combination.
Melvin Manhoef seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Manhoef throws a leg kick but Hartmann sees it coming and moves out of range.

Hartmann drives through with a takedown into guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Hartmann pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Manhoef is keeping the position for now.
Hartmann trying to control the position from guard on top but Manhoef is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Erwin Hartmann hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Manhoef keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Hartmann throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Hartmann shoots in for a takedown but Manhoef shows good takedown defense.
Manhoef misses with a double jab.
Hartmann just misses with a punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manhoef walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Hartmann checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Manhoef lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

It looks like Erwin Hartmann has been cut.
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!
Hartmann on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hartmann is defended easily by Manhoef.
Hartmann misses with a straight right.
Hartmann shoots in looking for a takedown but Manhoef manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Hartmann's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Melvin Manhoef has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Erwin Hartmann.
Manhoef misses with the combination.
Manhoef swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Manhoef throws a series of punches but Hartmann avoids them all with ease.
A bone on bone clash there as Hartmann blocks the leg kick.
Hartmann tries to clinch up but Manhoef circles away and keeps his distance.

Hartmann rushes Manhoef and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manhoef is trying to push Hartmann away but Hartmann has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
Hartmann is working for a takedown up against the ropes. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Hartmann unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Manhoef is breathing heavily.
Hartmann wants a takedown.
Hartmann lands a right hand that snaps the head of Manhoef backwards.
Hartmann throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Manhoef blocks it with crossed arms.
Manhoef is trying to break free.

Hartmann has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Manhoef uses from the top position.
Manhoef has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Hartmann is proving hard to escape from.

Hartmann looking for subs off his back but Manhoef has passed one foot through into half guard.
Hartmann keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Manhoef seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Hartmann is looking to improve his position.
Hartmann blocking the ground and pound attempt from Manhoef.
Hartmann is looking for a sweep. Manhoef is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Manhoef missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Hartmann blocking the ground and pound attempt from Manhoef.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hartmann regains full guard. Nicely done.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Hartmann working a defensive guard here.

Hartmann looking for a guillotine here but Manhoef defends easily.
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.
The cut man is working on Erwin Hartmann's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Manhoef throws a right hand that Hartmann ducks under and follows up with a left that Hartmann also avoids with ease.
Manhoef scores with a shot to the body.
Manhoef throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Manhoef looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Hartmann takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Hartmann checks the leg kick.
Hartmann tries to land a front kick but Manhoef steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
A combination from Manhoef does no damage.
Manhoef lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hartmann circles away quickly and effectively.
Hartmann showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Manhoef.
A swing and a miss from Manhoef.
Manhoef thows a body shot but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manhoef throws a series of punches but Hartmann avoids them all with ease.
Hartmann checks a leg kick.

Hartmann shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Hartmann was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Hartmann is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Manhoef knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Hartmann throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Manhoef managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Hartmann.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hartmann thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Manhoef managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Hartmann.
Hartmann tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Hartmann tries to advance to mount but Manhoef denies him.
Hartmann wants to control for a moment but Manhoef uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Hartmann wants to take a breather but Manhoef is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hartmann throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Hartmann wants to pass the guard but Manhoef is defending well.
Hartmann not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Hartmann trying to advance position but Manhoef counters by regaining guard.
Hartmann passes into half guard.

Hartmann seems to be working for a kimura but Manhoef defends the submission attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Manhoef avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hartmann.
Nice strikes from Hartmann there.
Manhoef is in trouble now - Hartmann has advanced to mount!
Hartmann punching from mount but Manhoef doing a good job of avoiding damage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hartmann looking to control but Manhoef is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Erwin Hartmann showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Erwin Hartmann's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Hartmann throws an overhand right that lands on Manhoef's shoulder, as Manhoef tries to avoid the shot.
Manhoef turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Hartmann is looking to chop away at Manhoef's legs.
Horrible takedown by Hartmann or perhaps it was just good defense by Manhoef which made him look bad.
Manhoef looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Hartmann shoots in for a takedown but Manhoef shows good takedown defense.
Manhoef misses with a few strikes there.
Manhoef misses with a leg kick.
Manhoef misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Manhoef will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Manhoef throws a big shot that misses.
Hartmann uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Manhoef.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hartmann moves into the clinch.
Manhoef tries to break the clinch but Hartmann is controlling the position.
Manhoef connects with a knee to the head.
Manhoef is trying to break free.
Hartmann scores with a nice hook to the head.
Hartmann tries to land knees in the clinch but Manhoef avoids the damage to the body.
Hartmann drops down looking for an ankle pick but Manhoef pulls his leg out and moves away.
Melvin Manhoef has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Erwin Hartmann.
A punch combination from Manhoef misses.

Hartmann gets a clinch.
Manhoef lands an elbow inside.
Hartmann is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Manhoef is defending well.
Hartmann is looking to take this one to the mat.
Hartmann tries to land a knee to the head but Manhoef blocks with his arms.

Manhoef breaks from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manhoef tries to bum rush Hartmann with a series of wild strikes but Hartmann uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Melvin Manhoef is winning the standup battle so far.
Nice defenses there by Hartmann.

Hartmann shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Hartmann was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hartmann wants to lay and pray for a moment but Manhoef keeps working.
Hartmann tries to advance to mount but Manhoef denies him.
Hartmann is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Hartmann is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Manhoef knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manhoef managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Hartmann.
Hartmann is looking to take a break and control but Manhoef is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Hartmann tries to score with some ground and pound. Manhoef controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Hartmann tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Hartmann is trying to get an arm triangle but Manhoef is defending well.

Hartmann goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Manhoef rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Hartmann's guard! Nice work there by Manhoef!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Hartmann is on top in guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Erwin Hartmann comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Hartmann 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 28:29
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 28:29

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