PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rashad Wilkinson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Noah MacManus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Wilkinson comes to the cage accompanied by The Game is Over. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Wilkinson
vs
MacManus

186 cm
23
190 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

179 cm
23
187 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rashad Wilkinson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Noah MacManus!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, Bruno Lombardi and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wilkinson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Wilkinson misses with a straight left.
MacManus throws a series of punches but Wilkinson moves out of range.
Wilkinson misses the shot to the body.
MacManus misses with a low kick as Wilkinson jumps back.

MacManus scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
MacManus works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
The ground and pound from MacManus seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
You can see the frustration on Wilkinson's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
MacManus works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Wilkinson is looking to regain half guard here but MacManus keeps moving and retains side control.
Check out the look on MacManus's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
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!
MacManus throws an elbow but Wilkinson slips to the side and avoids it well.

MacManus goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Wilkinson rolls with the submission and now he's on top in MacManus's guard! Nice work there by Wilkinson!
MacManus looking for a sweep. Not yet MacManus, not yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

MacManus working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Wilkinson doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Wilkinson manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Wilkinson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. MacManus swivels though and keeps the full guard.

MacManus looking for a guillotine here but Wilkinson defends easily.
We've been hearing good reports from Wilkinson's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

MacManus is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

MacManus looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Wilkinson has picked MacManus up and slammed him! MacManus can't keep hold of the triangle and Wilkinson manages to pass to side control!
Wilkinson trying to control the position but MacManus is working away.
MacManus manages to work his way to half guard, despite Wilkinson's best efforts.
MacManus is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Wilkinson is working for a submission of some sort.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MacManus is looking to control Wilkinson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can MacManus avoid being mounted?
MacManus tries to roll over but Wilkinson keeps him under control.

MacManus looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

MacManus looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Wilkinson is working for a kimura but MacManus is defending it quite comfortably.

MacManus looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
MacManus is trying to control but can't.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Noah MacManus will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

MacManus with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Wilkinson feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits MacManuss jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!

It looks like Noah MacManus has been cut.
Rashad Wilkinson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
MacManus moves out of range as Wilkinson strikes.
The fighters circling - Wilkinson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Wilkinson misses with a left hand
and MacManus counters with an inside leg kick.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by MacManus.
MacManus misses with a low kick as Wilkinson jumps back.
Wilkinson throws out a loose jab but MacManus uses good head movement to avoid it.
MacManus only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Wilkinson connects with the punch.
Rashad Wilkinson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Wilkinson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but MacManus moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Wilkinson throws a combination that misses
and MacManus counters with a good low kick that Wilkinson was not able to check.
Wilkinson misses with a double jab.
MacManus motions for Wilkinson to come forward. MacManus throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Wilkinson cracks MacManus with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Wilkinson misses with a straight right.
Wilkinson tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
MacManus misses with a leg kick.
Wilkinson lands with a cross.
MacManus with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Sloppy strikes from Wilkinson. Those never looked like landing.
MacManus connects with an inside leg kick.
Wilkinson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wilkinson throws a right and a left that both miss.
MacManus throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Wilkinson.
MacManus scores with a nice head shot.
Wilkinson misses with a hook. MacManus ducked under it nicely.
Wilkinson lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

MacManus is rocked!
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Wilkinson misses with a two punch combination.
MacManus is still on wobbly legs! Can Wilkinson finish him?
Wilkinson is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Wilkinson fails to land with a series of punches.
MacManus seems to have recovered his senses.
Rashad Wilkinson is winning the standup battle so far.
Wilkinson lands a head shot.
Wilkinson lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
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!
Wilkinson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Wilkinson checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
MacManus dives in and grabs Wilkinson's left leg, looking for a takedown. Wilkinson pushes down on MacManus's head and hops out.
A thudding body kick lands there by MacManus!
Wilkinson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but MacManus circles away quickly and effectively.
MacManus tries a quick counter leg kick but Wilkinson is wise to it.
MacManus shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Wilkinson missing with a left hand there. MacManus was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
MacManus scores with a spinning back kick!
MacManus fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Wilkinson on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by MacManus. MacManus obviously looking to wear him down.
Wilkinson is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MacManus lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
MacManus misses with a leg kick.
Wilkinson tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Wilkinson misses with a two punch combination.
MacManus feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Wilkinson's calf.
Wilkinson takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
MacManus connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
MacManus with a jab.
MacManus is looking to land body kicks.
Wilkinson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
MacManus misses with a looping right.
Wilkinson throws a series of punches but MacManus avoids them all with ease.
The fighters circling - MacManus throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
MacManus misses with a low kick.
MacManus wants to clinch.
MacManus dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Wilkinson. That did some damage!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wilkinson throws an overhand right that lands on MacManus's shoulder, as MacManus tries to avoid the shot.
Wilkinson takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Wilkinson throws a nice looking combination but MacManus bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A slapping leg kick lands for MacManus.
A telegraphed right hand from Wilkinson misses the target.
MacManus follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Sloppy strikes from Wilkinson. Those never looked like landing.
Wilkinson throws a series of punches but MacManus avoids them all with ease.
A nice inside leg kick there by MacManus. That's going to slow Wilkinson down.
Wilkinson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Wilkinson fails to land with a series of punches.
Wilkinson misses with a series of wild punches.
MacManus throws a nice inside leg kick.
Wilkinson looks to land a right hand but MacManus moved out of range.
MacManus looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
MacManus on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Wilkinson swings for the body but MacManus moves out of range.
Wilkinson throws a right hand that MacManus ducks under and follows up with a left that MacManus also avoids with ease.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lazy left from MacManus finds it's target.
MacManus feints and then cracks Wilkinson's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Wilkinson down.
MacManus lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Left hook, right uppercut from Wilkinson.
Wilkinson fails to land with a series of punches.
Wilkinson takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Wilkinson 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.

MacManus scores with a takedown into Wilkinson's guard.
MacManus throws a strike but Wilkinson rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

MacManus had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Wilkinson defends it easily.

MacManus working for submissions but it's allowed Wilkinson to get to half guard.
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 Rashad Wilkinson will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Noah MacManus's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Wilkinson throws a body punch but MacManus moves out of range.
MacManus throws a body kick that misses.
MacManus stuns Wilkinson with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

MacManus scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Wilkinson taking punishment in the form of punches.
Wilkinson tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.
Wilkinson wants to hold on but MacManus pushes him away.
Wilkinson is trying desperately to improve position.

Wilkinson defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from MacManus.
MacManus dominating with strikes here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
MacManus landing shots from mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wilkinson is desperately trying to improve his position but MacManus has a good base and remains in mount.
MacManus unloading with bombs!
MacManus putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Wilkinson sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Wilkinson trying to control from the bottom.
MacManus slips a nice elbow through Wilkinson's hands, connecting with Wilkinson's forehead.
MacManus is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
MacManus takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

MacManus is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Wilkinson sees it coming and defends easily.
Wilkinson is looking for a sweep. MacManus is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MacManus sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Wilkinson defending well though.
MacManus trying to control from half guard but Wilkinson is working away.
Wilkinson wants to get back to full guard.

MacManus looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
MacManus throwing shots but Wilkinson is blocking nicely.

MacManus is looking for a kimura but Wilkinson is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for MacManus to get the leverage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wilkinson is looking to control MacManus's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Wilkinson avoid being mounted?
MacManus trying to control from half guard but Wilkinson is working away.
MacManus not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
MacManus looks to land a strike but Wilkinson avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
MacManus won't allow Wilkinson to sweep him here.
MacManus loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
MacManus throws a big elbow that misses.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
MacManus lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
MacManus slips a jab and a cross from Wilkinson.
MacManus is looking to slow Wilkinson down with leg kicks.
Wilkinson misses with a looping right.
Wilkinson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but MacManus circles away quickly and effectively.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wilkinson throws a right and a left that MacManus avoids nicely.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

MacManus takes the fight into the clinch.
MacManus misses with a hook from the clinch.
MacManus stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
The referee is keeping an eye on MacManus - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Wilkinson tries to break free but MacManus pushes him back against the cage.
Wilkinson has MacManus pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. MacManus manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Wilkinson is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but MacManus is defending well.
Wilkinson prevents a body shot from MacManus.
Wilkinson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Wilkinson fails to pull the fight into his guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rashad Wilkinson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, MacManus creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Wilkinson has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

And that's the end of the fight!
Noah MacManus comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think MacManus 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 Jorge Garcia scores the fight 28:29
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 29:29
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Noah MacManus!
A very excited looking Noah MacManus made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.