PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ricky Rocker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chiku Maneno (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rocker comes into the arena with Ki:Theory - Stand By Me blaring out of the sound system. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Rocker
vs
Maneno

180 cm
35
170 lbs
33 - 11 - 0

178 cm
26
177 lbs
18 - 6 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Good gas tank

BHP Clothing
Bullet Proof System

Reaper Combatwear

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 33 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ricky Rocker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Chiku Maneno!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Good exchange - Rocker coming out on top.
A left lands for Rocker.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Rocker.

Rocker is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Maneno's half guard.
Rocker not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Maneno avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Rocker.
Maneno looks like he's trying to stand up.
Rocker seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Rocker missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Maneno told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Rocker working Maneno over with strikes.
Maneno tries to kick Rocker off but Rocker keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
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!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rocker stops Maneno from getting back to his feet.
Rocker is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Rocker is nestled in close to Maneno, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Maneno blocking the ground and pound attempt from Rocker.
Rocker missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Rocker thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Maneno's head.
Rocker looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Maneno is trying to stand back up but Rocker is controlling him
Rocker takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Rocker working Maneno over with strikes.
Rocker thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Maneno keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Rocker lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Maneno is trying to stand.
Rocker thows a huge punch but Maneno dodges it nicely.
Rocker slips a nice elbow through Maneno's hands, connecting with Maneno's forehead.
Rocker thows a huge punch but Maneno dodges it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rocker sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Maneno defending well though.
Rocker throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Rocker wants to pass the guard but Maneno is defending well.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rocker not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Rocker lands strikes from half guard.
Rocker working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Nice strikes from Rocker there.
Maneno really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Rocker. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Maneno wants to get back to his feet.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Rocker working Maneno over with strikes.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Rocker connects with a nice short shot to Maneno's temple.
Rocker lands with a punch from half guard.
Rocker lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Maneno pushes Rocker off looking to stand but Rocker dives back in and keeps control.
Rocker throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Rocker is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rocker not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Maneno tries to kick Rocker off but Rocker keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Rocker working over Maneno with some ground and pound. Maneno looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Rocker landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Rocker missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Maneno wants to get back to his feet.
Rocker looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Maneno with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Rocker tries to pass the half guard into mount. Maneno knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Rocker is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Maneno doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Rocker.
Rocker wants to pass the guard but Maneno is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rocker thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Rocker is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Rocker connects with a nice short shot to Maneno's temple.
Rocker has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Rocker is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Maneno is just riding it out for now. Rocker eventually gives up the hold.
Rocker throwing shots but Maneno is blocking nicely.
Rocker is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Rocker missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Ground and pound from Rocker.
Rocker is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Rocker thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Maneno's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricky Rocker dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Rocker drives through with a takedown into guard.
Rocker works over Maneno with some ground and pound from guard.
Rocker postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Rocker landing with the ground and pound.
Rocker postures up in Maneno's guard and throws a big left but Maneno blocks it.
Rocker throws a big right hand that misses.

Maneno uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Rocker keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rocker moves out of range as Maneno strikes.
Ricky Rocker seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Maneno looks to throw the jab but Rocker is out of range.
Maneno misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rocker.
Maneno throws a hook but Rocker avoids it easily.
Rocker throws a wild body kick that Maneno sees coming a mile off.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rocker wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Rocker misses with a looping right.
Maneno misses with a hook. Rocker ducked under it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maneno misses with a wild body shot.
Maneno throws a big shot that misses.
Rocker misses with a takedown attempt - Maneno sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Rocker scores with the left hand. Maneno knows he should have avoided that one.
Rocker moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Rocker throws a leg kick
and Rocker takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Maneno misses with a wild body shot.
Maneno swings for the body but Rocker moves out of range.
Rocker connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Rocker avoids the body shot from Maneno.
Maneno throws the left hand but Rocker avoids the punch easily.
Rocker misses with a leg kick.
Maneno is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Rocker with a body shot.
Rocker throws a jab but it's blocked by Maneno.
Rocker goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rocker throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Maneno digs a good hook to Rocker's body.
Maneno lands a right hook to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A left lands for Rocker.
Maneno throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Maneno throws a right hand that misses
and Rocker counters with a nice uppercut.
A swing and a miss from Maneno.
Maneno throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Rocker shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Maneno manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Rocker lands a couple of digs.
Maneno keeping full guard, as Rocker tries to pass.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Maneno manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rocker swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Rocker lands with a right to the head.

Maneno escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Rocker avoids the body shot from Maneno.
Maneno changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

Rocker fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Maneno sprawls well initially but Rocker persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Rocker is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Maneno doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Rocker.
Maneno wants to get back to his feet.
Rocker is pressing down on Maneno's thigh, looking to free his foot. Maneno is holding on for now.
Maneno has hold of Rocker's hands but Rocker slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Rocker is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Maneno can do to turn this around?
Rocker sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Maneno defending well though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maneno blocking the ground and pound attempt from Rocker.
Maneno pushes Rocker off looking to stand but Rocker dives back in and keeps control.
Rocker looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Maneno with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Maneno on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Maneno blocking the ground and pound attempt from Rocker.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rocker drops an elbow to the side of Maneno's head.
Rocker missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Maneno on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Rocker not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Rocker thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Rocker prevents Maneno from standing back up.
Rocker looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Maneno with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Rocker lands strikes from half guard.
Maneno taking some punishment here, with Rocker in his half guard.
Maneno pushes Rocker off looking to stand but Rocker dives back in and keeps control.
Maneno on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricky Rocker dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Maneno takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Rocker scoring well with a low kick there.
Rocker misses with the combination.

Rocker looking to score a takedown here. Maneno is defending well but Rocker drives through and ends up in Maneno's guard.
Maneno wants to stand and escape but Rocker is having none of it.
Rocker throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Rocker prevents Maneno from getting back to his feet.

Maneno is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Rocker lands a hook that snaps the head of Maneno backwards.
Maneno looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Rocker has Maneno pressed against the cage, preventing Maneno from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A left hand lands to the body for Rocker.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A short right from Rocker on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Maneno manages to break the clinch.
Rocker lands a lovely overhand right.
Rocker ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Rocker moves out of range as Maneno strikes.
It looks like Rocker has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
Maneno is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Rocker rather than just go for the knockout.
Maneno swings for the body but Rocker moves out of range.
Rocker will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Rocker misses with a looping left.
Rocker lands a jab to the nose.
Rocker misses with a hook.
Ricky Rocker is winning the standup battle so far.
Maneno looks to score with a jab to the body but Rocker is just out of range.
Rocker moves out of range as Maneno strikes.
Rocker bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Maneno lands with a hook. Rocker tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Rocker scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
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!
Rocker connects with a leg kick. Maneno looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Maneno lands a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rocker lands a right hook to the body.
Maneno misses with a body shot.
A nice leg kick lands there from Rocker.
An inside leg kick lands from Rocker.
Rocker lunges at Maneno with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Maneno's hand.
Rocker throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Maneno sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Rocker.
Maneno tries to escape but Rocker is in control.

Rocker is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Maneno has escaped the position, nice work there.
Rocker working the head with strikes.
Rocker lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Maneno down.
Rocker landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rocker is chipping away with strikes.
Rocker cracks Maneno with an elbow. That is naaassty.

Maneno sneaks out the side door and pushes Rocker away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Maneno bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Maneno lands a right hook to the body.
A shot to the liver by Maneno. Beautiful body shot.
Maneno just misses with a punch to the body.
Rocker keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rocker shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Maneno but Maneno pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Maneno scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Maneno punishes Rocker's body with a nice straight punch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Maneno thows a left - swing and a miss!
Rocker swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Maneno lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Some bone on bone action there as Maneno checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Maneno walks into a jab.

Rocker fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Maneno, pushing him back against the cage.
Rocker misses with a hook from the clinch.
Maneno working hard to break the clinch.

Maneno escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Maneno walks into a stiff left hand from Rocker.
Jab by Maneno.
Maneno throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Rocker lands a nice looking kick to the body. Maneno takes a step back to recover.
Rocker digs a good hook to Maneno's body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Rocker lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Maneno has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Maneno and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Maneno misses with a right hand
and Rocker counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Chiku Maneno has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rocker bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ricky Rocker showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Rocker has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:26
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:26
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ricky Rocker!
In his post fight interview, Ricky Rocker started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.