PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Federico Manta (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ray Lennox (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Manta might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Ultima Corsa by Mondo Marcio. Federico Manta could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Ray Lennox's chin.

Manta
vs
Lennox

177 cm
25
168 lbs
13 - 3 - 0

172 cm
25
163 lbs
12 - 5 - 1

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Namunamu Clothing
Conquer

Beaver Jooce!

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 13 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Federico Manta!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 5 - 1, fighting out of New York, Ray Lennox!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Sam Margolis and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Manta looks to throw the jab but Lennox is out of range.
Manta connects with a leg kick. Lennox looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Lennox looks for the body kick but Manta saw that one coming.
Lennox swinging wildly here.
Manta ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Lennox moves away.
Lennox staying out of range there.
Manta listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Manta, right into the meat.
Lennox lands a jab to the nose.
Lennox swings away with a leg kick that misses.
The fight stays on the outside here - Manta looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Manta looks to land a right hand but Lennox moved out of range.
Manta throws a hook but Lennox blocks it.
Manta throws a low kick but Lennox avoids it.
Lennox's corner calls for a 1-2. Lennox obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Manta tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manta lands a slapping body shot.
Manta scores with a shot to the body.
Lennox connects with a solid leg kick.
Good leg kick by Lennox there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Manta lands a leg kick that knocks Lennox off balance momentarily.
Lennox misses with a leg kick
and Manta counters with a nice uppercut.
Lennox misses with a low kick.
Manta looks to land a combination but Lennox avoids it well.
Manta avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Manta tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A little jabbing left from Lennox on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Lennox throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Lennox throws a leg kick which misses Manta's front leg but catches the back leg as Manta tries to avoid it.
Lennox lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Manta at a distance.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Manta throws a hook but Lennox blocks it.
Manta looks to throw a body kick
enabling Lennox to counter with a crisp jab.
Lennox keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Manta.
Manta lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lennox takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Lennox misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Manta.
Lennox throws a shot to the body.
Manta looks to throw a body kick
enabling Lennox to counter with a crisp jab.
Manta slips a straight right by Lennox.
Lennox wants to land a leg kick but Manta is out of range.
Lennox misses the body punch
letting Manta counter with a right hand.
Lennox dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Manta. That did some damage!
Lennox avoids the body shot from Manta.
Manta cracks a nice hook into Lennox's ribs.
Manta takes one to the chin there.
Lennox just misses with a punch to the body.
Manta throwing a counter right hand but Lennox manages to avoid it.
Manta throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Lennox sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Lennox connects with a leg kick. Manta looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Manta defending well as Lennox loads up on a big left hand.
Manta throws a body punch but Lennox moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lennox tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Manta swivels and escapes.
Lennox looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Lennox defending well as Manta loads up on a big left hand.
Lennox moves out of range as Manta throws a body kick.
Lennox fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Manta misses with a head kick.
Manta throws a sloppy body shot
and Lennox counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Lennox throws a jab but it's blocked by Manta.
Manta moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Good shot there by Manta.
Lennox thuds a left hand into Manta's body.
Lennox gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Manta.
Manta goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Lennox goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Manta misses with a body shot.
Lennox scores with a leg kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lennox throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Manta.
A nice inside leg kick there by Lennox. That's going to slow Manta down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Manta lands a nice looking body kick.
Lennox connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Federico Manta seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lennox throws a leg kick which misses Manta's front leg but catches the back leg as Manta tries to avoid it.
Manta misses with a looping right.
A big left from Manta misses.
Lennox misses with a jab to the body
and Manta counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Manta blocks a jab.
Manta tests Lennox's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Manta moves out of range as Lennox strikes.
Nice jab there from Lennox.
Lennox connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Lennox moves away from the strike by Manta.
It seemed like Lennox was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lennox avoids the head kick by Manta.
A shot to the liver by Manta. Beautiful body shot.
Manta throws a nice inside leg kick.
Lennox throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
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 Federico Manta will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Manta throws a lazy right hand but Lennox sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Manta works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Manta jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Lennox throws a leg kick but Manta sees it coming and moves out of range.
Lennox thumps Manta with a low kick.
Manta throws a body shot but no joy.
Manta looks for the body kick but Lennox saw that one coming.
Manta throws a half hearted mid kick.
Manta misses with an attempted mid kick.
Lennox scoring well with a low kick there.
Lennox drops his hands momentarily and Manta takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lennox moves out of range as Manta strikes.
Manta tries a head kick but it misses.
Lennox checks the leg kick nicely there.
Lennox feints and then cracks Manta's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Manta down.
Manta throws a quick inside leg kick.
Manta attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lennox darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Manta misses with a straight left.
Manta throws a sloppy head kick and Lennox moves out of range easily.
Manta misses with a double jab.
Manta walks into a stiff left hand from Lennox.
Lennox keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Manta.
A lazy body kick from Manta
and Lennox connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Lennox's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Manta connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Lennox scrambles back to his feet.
Manta takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Manta on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Federico Manta is winning the standup battle so far.
Manta throws a wild body kick that Lennox sees coming a mile off.
Lennox appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Manta moves out of range as Lennox throws a body kick.
Lennox takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Manta moves out of range of the body kick from Lennox.
Manta feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Lennox's calf.
Lennox swings away with a leg kick that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lennox connects with a body shot.
Manta tries to land a leg kick but Lennox saw it coming and moves away.
Lennox with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Lennox shoots and misses
and Manta counters with a good low kick that Lennox was not able to check.
Lennox fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Manta manages to avoid it.
Lennox uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Manta.
Lennox on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Manta on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Manta tries to score with a low kick but Lennox moves his leg out of the way.
Manta ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Lennox moves away.
Federico Manta is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Manta fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Lennox.
Manta takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Manta keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Manta on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Manta throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

It looks like Ray Lennox has been cut.
Manta takes a swing at Lennox's ribcage but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manta lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Lennox moves out of range of the body kick from Manta.
Manta throws a body punch but Lennox moves out of range.
Lennox motions for Manta to come forward. Lennox throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Lennox avoids the head kick by Manta.
Lennox wants to slow Manta down by chopping away at his legs.
Manta pushes Lennox away with a front kick.
Lennox's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Lennox ducks under a wild hook from Manta.
Manta has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Lennox.
Lennox connects with a body shot that sends Manta's belly button to the back.
Manta moves out of range as Lennox strikes.
Manta swings away with a body shot that misses
and Lennox counters with a nice leg kick.
Manta looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Crunch! Manta slams his shin into Lennox's torso.
Lennox misses with a low kick as Manta jumps back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lennox moves out of range as Manta strikes.
Manta misses with a low kick.
Lennox only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Manta connects with a high kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lennox scores with a punch to the head.
Lennox slips under a jab.
Lennox throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Manta stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Manta throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Manta takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Manta lands a jab to the head.
Manta throws a head kick but Lennox moves out of range.
A big right from Manta misses.
Manta doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Manta throws a front kick that sends Lennox stumbling back into the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A head kick by Manta misses
and Lennox counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Lennox ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Manta moves away.
Good leg kick by Lennox there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Manta slips under a jab from Lennox.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Federico Manta will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Ray Lennox's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Manta finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Lennox looks to land a right hand but Manta moved out of range.
Lennox throws a low kick, looking for Manta's leg but Manta calmly moves out of range.
Lennox connects with a crisp jab.
Manta throws a push kick but Lennox slaps the foot to one side.
Manta throws a shot from downtown. Lennox moves away and avoids it.
Manta misses with a body kick.
Manta takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Manta turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Lennox checks the leg kick.
Lennox fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Manta has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lennox tests Manta's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Manta fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Lennox manages to avoid it.
Manta blocks the body kick.
Manta throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Lennox.
Lennox chopping away at his opponent's legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manta tries to land a front kick but Lennox steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Manta throws the kick towards the body but Lennox avoids it.
Manta misses with a body kick.
Lennox looks to land a right hand but Manta moved out of range.
Manta was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Manta's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Lennox connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Manta scrambles back to his feet.
Manta misses with a leg kick.
Lennox is trying to counter with his kicks.
Lennox misses with a takedown attempt - Manta sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Lennox misses with a wild body shot.
Manta looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Manta misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lennox.
Lennox shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Manta eats them both and turns towards Lennox to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
The fighters circling - Manta throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Manta throws a body punch but Lennox moves out of range.
Donk. Manta catches Lennox right on the button with a cross.
Manta wants to clinch up but Lennox keeps it at a distance.
Ray Lennox has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Federico Manta is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manta fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Lennox manages to avoid it.
Manta connects with a right hand. Lennox shakes it off.
Lennox throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lennox gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Manta.
Manta uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Lennox.
Manta misses with a head kick.
Manta looks to land a right hand but Lennox moved out of range.
Lennox drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Manta throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
A looping hook to the body misses from Manta. Lennox does a little dance to reset his feet.
Lennox is looking to chop away at Manta's legs.
Manta throws a quick counter head kick but Lennox was just out of range.
Lennox scores with a body shot.
Manta fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Lennox checks it well.
Lennox jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Lennox throws a low kick but Manta moves out of range easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manta pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Lennox back to the cage. Manta follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Lennox will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A bone on bone clash there as Manta blocks the leg kick.
Lennox throws a low kick but Manta moves out of range easily.
Lennox fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Lennox throws a quick inside leg kick.

Lennox throws a left that rocks Manta and follows with a right that sends him tumbling to the canvas! Lennox dives into side control, looking to finish! Can Manta regain composure!

Manta is rocked!

It looks like Federico Manta has been cut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Manta is trying to get back to half guard.
Oh Manta is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Lennox cracks Manta with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Manta manages to get back to half guard.
Manta wants to improve his position but Lennox is controlling well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lennox working over Manta with some ground and pound. Manta looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Lennox winds up and cracks Manta with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Lennox landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Lennox throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Lennox prevents Manta from improving his position.
Lennox missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Lennox throwing shots but Manta is blocking nicely.
Lennox has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Lennox not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Lennox not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Lennox is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ray Lennox comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Manta 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 Daniel Bishop scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 29:29
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 29:28

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