PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Bob Esponja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Manny Powers (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Esponja
vs
Powers

178 cm
25
182 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

179 cm
20
180 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Enjoys gardening

New World Order Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Bob Esponja!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Manny Powers!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Tiny Johnson and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Esponja with a poor takedown

and Powers decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Esponja's guard.

Powers drops back looking for a leg! Esponja is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Esponja manages to kick Powers off! Powers jumps back into Esponja's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Esponja is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Powers must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Powers not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Powers trying to stand up but can't free himself from Esponja's guard.
Esponja thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Powers stays in close to Esponja's body and controls the position.

Manny Powers has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Powers moves into the clinch.

Powers has hold of one of Esponja's legs. Esponja is fighting the takedown attempt but Powers gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Esponja keeping moving, preventing Powers from controlling successfully.
Powers sitting in guard here, content to control.
Esponja wants to stand up but Powers is controlling him.
Powers has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Esponja is proving hard to escape from.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Esponja is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Manny Powers was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Powers closes the distance and clinches.

Powers has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Esponja is trying to keep an underhook but Powers manages to get the takedown into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Powers performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Esponja wants to get back to his feet.
Powers is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Esponja has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Powers is working away from the top position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esponja wants to improve his position but Powers is controlling well.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Manny Powers hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Esponja closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Esponja lands in his opponent's guard.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Powers looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Esponja wants to control from the top but Powers keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Powers seems keen to control Esponja's posture.
Esponja trying to control the position from guard on top but Powers is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esponja is looking to work some ground and pound but Powers has wrist control.
Powers is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

We're going to have a standup here because Bob Esponja wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Esponja shoots and misses

and Powers counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Esponja!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Powers is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Esponja has escaped the position, nice work there.
Esponja wants to get back to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Powers throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Powers trying to control the position but Esponja is working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Manny Powers dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

No luck for Powers with that takedown attempt.
Powers fails with a takedown attempt.
Esponja shoots in for a double leg but Powers sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Powers throws a series of punches but Esponja moves out of range.
Powers stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Powers wants it to stay on the feet.
Esponja blocks a head kick by Powers.
Esponja tries for a takedown but Powers circles away easily
and Powers counters with a one-two to the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bob Esponja. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Powers has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Powers lands an elbow just above Esponja 's eye.
Esponja wants to take the fight to the mat but Powers manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Powers's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Powers throws a head kick that misses.

Powers looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Esponja!
Powers is looking to take a break and control but Esponja is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Powers throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

Powers stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Esponja doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Powers holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A bit of stalling here from Powers.

Powers has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Esponja uses from the top position.
Powers is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
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!
Esponja wants to pass the guard but Powers is keeping the position.
Esponja trying to control the position from guard on top but Powers is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Esponja stopping the sweep attempt from Powers.
Manny Powers has got the better of the ground game so far.
Powers keeping full guard, as Esponja tries to pass.
Esponja trying to control the position from guard on top but Powers is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Powers shoots in and drives through. Esponja sprawls well.
Powers stuffs the takedown.
Powers tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Esponja manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Powers lands with a big left! Esponja is wobbled badly! Powers comes in with a flurry of punches and drops Esponja to the floor. The ref jumps in to save him from unneccessary punishment.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:32 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Manny Powers!