PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Steve Manning (ranked 5263 p4p, 508 weight class) and Eli Jones (ranked 4837 p4p, 472 weight class). Steve Manning has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Manning
vs
Jones

200 cm
25
268 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

193 cm
25
260 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Great elbows
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Steve Manning!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Eli Jones!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Jorge Garcia and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Manning pulls guard successfully.
Manning is looking to stand up but Jones isn't so interested in that idea.
Manning wants to sweep here but Jones controlling him for the moment.
Manning is working hard here to advance position.
Manning is trying to control the position but Jones postures up.

Manning throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Jones escapes and throws Manning's legs to the side, diving into side control!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jones misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Jones stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Manning has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Jones finds it's way round the side to connect with Manning's head.
Jones scores with a jab.
Jones fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Jones uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Manning has time to react.
Jones connects with a crisp jab.
A clash of legs there as Jones blocks the low kick.

Manning feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Manning trying to control the position from guard on top but Jones is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Manning won't allow Jones to get back to his feet.
Manning wants to pass the guard but Jones is keeping the position.
Jones is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Manning dives into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jones is trying to buck Manning off.
Jones really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Manning. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Manning in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Jones parries the strikes from Manning easily there. Manning is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Jones to escape.
Jones is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Manning has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Jones is looking to get back to his feet here but Manning is keeping cool and he's managed to take Jones's back.

Jones is trying to get back to his feet. He's worked up on to his knees and now he's on his feet with his head on the canvas, trying to shake Manning off. It looks like it's working - Manning slides off, much to his dismay, and we're back to standing! Jones displaying calm under pressure there.
A combination from Jones does no damage.
Manning looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Eli Jones is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Manning closes this distance looking for a takedown but Jones circles away.
Jones unleashes a big counter combination but Manning bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Jones lands an overhand right.
Manning on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Manning is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

Manning scores with a takedown into Jones's guard.
Manning stops Jones from standing up.
Jones wants to get back to his feet but Manning passes into half guard.
Jones is trying to stand up here but Manning is controlling him well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Manning seems to be working for a kimura but Jones defends the submission attempt.

Jones has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Manning is on him like a limpet, forcing Jones back against the cage.

Manning ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Manning no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Manning trying to strike off his back.
Jones missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Manning is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Manning looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Manning is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eli Jones dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Manning dives in and grabs Jones's left leg, looking for a takedown. Jones pushes down on Manning's head and hops out.
Manning takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Jones stuffs the takedown.
Jones wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Jones punishes Manning's body with a nice straight punch.
Jones lands a body shot.
Jones goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Jones scores with a shot to the body.

Jones lands a left and a right that send Manning crashing to the mat, dazed. Jones thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Jones plants his feet and throws a brutal three punch combo that sends Manning swiftly into unconsciousness! Right, left, right! Boom, boom, boom! Manning face plants, battered and bloodied! He might never be the same again after that finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:45 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Eli Jones!