PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Steve Vega (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Manny Pacquiao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pacquiao has chosen Its Time for War as his entrance music. Manny Pacquiao is staring across the ring at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Vega
vs
Pacquiao

178 cm
30
169 lbs
11 - 6 - 1

169 cm
36
155 lbs
26 - 25 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

SP Ultimate Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Steve Vega!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 25 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Manny Pacquiao!
The judges for this bout are Chris Dean, Eliza Hachem and Topper Green.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Vega gets the takedown into side control.

Vega is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Pacquiao is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Vega is looking to take a break and control but Pacquiao is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Vega is trying to get an arm triangle but Pacquiao is defending well.
Vega tries to advance to mount but Pacquiao instead regains half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pacquiao is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Vega's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Vega's back!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vega is in bad spot here.
Even with his hooks in, Pacquiao manages to miss with strikes from the back.
Vega rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Pacquiao throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Pacquiao is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Pacquiao wants to free his trapped foot but Vega is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Vega manages to get to full guard.

Pacquiao got a little sloppy there for a moment and Vega has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Pacquiao has managed to get both his arms back between Vega's legs - danger averted.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vega not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Pacquiao trying to control the position from guard on top but Vega is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Vega trying to keep a closed guard but Pacquiao is proving a slippery customer.
Pacquiao missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Vega is looking to sweep but instead, Pacquiao has passed into half guard.
Vega manages to get to full guard.
Vega bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Pacquiao's guard.

Pacquiao working a defensive guard here.
Vega trying to control the position from guard on top but Pacquiao is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Pacquiao really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Vega. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vega passes into half guard.
Vega tries to pass to full mount but Pacquiao defends it.
Vega is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Pacquiao reverses the position - he's now on top in Vega's guard.
Vega manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Pacquiao manages to get himself to full guard.

Vega tries to free his leg and advance position but Pacquiao is retaining full guard.
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 four minutes gone in the round.
Pacquiao wants to get back to his feet but Vega is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Pacquiao wants to sweep here but Vega controlling him for the moment.
Pacquiao trying to keep a closed guard but Vega is proving a slippery customer.
Vega stands and throws Pacquiao's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Pacquiao is looking for a sweep.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Vega tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

Vega is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Pacquiao has escaped the position, nice work there.
Vega is looking to take a break and control but Pacquiao is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Vega tries to advance to mount but Pacquiao denies him.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Pacquiao parries the strikes from Vega easily there. Vega is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Pacquiao to escape.
Vega trying to control the action but Pacquiao is working from the bottom.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Vega looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Pacquiao is avoiding damage well.
Vega tries to advance to mount but Pacquiao instead regains half guard.
Pacquiao is refusing to be controlled, as Vega sits in half guard.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Pacquiao trying to hold on to Vega's head to control him but Vega postures up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Vega walks into a left hand.
Pacquiao comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Pacquiao throws a hook but Vega avoids it easily.
Vega comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Vega takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Vega changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Pacquiao tries to avoid it but Vega manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Pacquiao to the ground. Pacquiao escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
A jab from Vega does it's job there.
Pacquiao connects with the punch.
Pacquiao connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Manny Pacquiao is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Pacquiao misses with a looping left.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Vega throws a series of punches but Pacquiao avoids them all with ease.
Jab from Vega.
Pacquiao stuffs the takedown attempt from Vega. Vega gets slowly back to his feet.
Pacquiao lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

Oooooh!!! Pacquiao has knocked Vega down with a huge combo! Pacquiao steps away and waves a wobbly Vega back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!

Vega is rocked!
Some wild striking there from Pacquiao.
Oh Vega is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Pacquiao is looking for an opening here. He's unloaded a big left hand that catches Vega flush on the jaw and sends him tumbling to the canvas! Vega is out cold! Pacquiao holds back from landing any unnecessary shots to his unconscious opponent, as the referee reacts slowly to the situation. A brutal knockout and then some excellent sportsmanship - this guy is my new favorite fighter!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 8:28 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Manny Pacquiao!
An out of breath Manny Pacquiao thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.