PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Melvin Manhoef (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Neil Brove (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Manhoef's entrance music is Melvin Manhoef feat.Lange Frans. A fine choice. This should be fireworks!

Manhoef
vs
Brove

180 cm
22
222 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

198 cm
19
265 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

St. Paul's Apparel
Fighting Spirit

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 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Melvin Manhoef!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Neil Brove!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, James Ackerman and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Brove stuffs the takedown.
Brove throws a right and a left that both miss.
Manhoef has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

It looks like Melvin Manhoef has been cut.
Manhoef fails to land the takedown.

Brove has managed to clinch.
Brove lands a nice elbow.
Manhoef changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Brove fights it off and pushes away nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Melvin Manhoef. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Manhoef fails with a takedown attempt.
Brove throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A nice leg kick lands there from Brove.
Manhoef is breathing heavily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Brove misses with a two punch combination.
No luck for Brove with that takedown attempt.
Manhoef misses with a takedown
and Brove counters with a one-two to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brove drops Manhoef with a right and a left! Brove comes rushing in but Manhoef regains his composure and manages to keep Brove in guard.

Manhoef is rocked!

Brove gets to his feet. Manhoef looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Brove bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Brove is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Manhoef is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Brove stands up and beckons Manhoef to his feet.

Brove closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
Manhoef could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Brove pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Brove scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

Melvin Manhoef's cut is getting worse.
Nice takedown defense from Manhoef. No joy for Brove on that attempt.

Brove rushes Manhoef and presses him up against the ropes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Brove breaks from the clinch.
Brove lands with a slapping head kick.

Brove drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Brove tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Brove has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Manhoef wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Manhoef is looking to reverse the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manhoef takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Brove takes a little break here. Manhoef wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
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.
Brove scoring with punches from side control.
Brove lands a few punches from side control.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

Brove stands up and beckons Manhoef to his feet.
Brove scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

Manhoef tries to keep at a distance but Brove has taken the fight into the clinch.

Brove manages to break the clinch.

Brove looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Brove decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Brove bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Manhoef with a lazy takedown attempt
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Brove throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Manhoef.
Melvin Manhoef seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Brove shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Brove was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Manhoef throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Brove landing punches.
Brove trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Manhoef trying desperately to get to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Neil Brove dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Melvin Manhoef's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Brove gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Brove just misses with a elbow thrown towards Manhoef's brow.
Manhoef jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Brove walks away with a smile on his face. Manhoef gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Manhoef throws a good cross that connects.
Manhoef shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Brove counters with a series of strikes. Manhoef will be more careful next time no doubt.
Manhoef is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Brove.
Brove connects with a high kick.
Brove throws a nice looking combination but Manhoef bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Some wild striking there from Brove.
Manhoef shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Brove counters with a series of strikes. Manhoef will be more careful next time no doubt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Melvin Manhoef. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Brove misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Brove clinches with his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brove comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Still in the clinch, Brove scores with a nice short uppercut.
Nice elbow from Brove.

Brove breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Good shot there by Brove.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Manhoef. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Brove lands with a nice combination. Manhoef backs away looking to recover.
No joy there for Brove, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Brove lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Brove will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Manhoef doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Brove counters with a big head kick but Manhoef shrugs it off.

Brove looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Brove missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brove stops Manhoef from getting back to his feet.

Brove decides to stand and escape the position.
Manhoef falls off balance throwing a combination
and Brove counters with a one-two to the body.
Manhoef shoots for a takedown but Brove saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Brove fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
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!
Manhoef fails with the takedown

and Brove counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Brove.

Manhoef looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Brove has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Brove gets to his feet - Manhoef follows without any prompting.
Brove clobbers Manhoef with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manhoef gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Brove counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Brove fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A right-left combo lands from Brove.
Brove lands with a nice combination. Manhoef backs away looking to recover.
Brove is working the combinations to good effect here.
Brove cracks Manhoef with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Brove swats away the attempt to clinch by Manhoef.
Manhoef fails with the takedown
and Brove counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Manhoef is lucky that one didn't land flush.

Melvin Manhoef's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Brove jabs Manhoef right on the nose. Manhoef blinks but takes it well.
Brove lands with a nice combination. Manhoef backs away looking to recover.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Brove connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Brove fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Manhoef.
Manhoef throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Brove connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Brove lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Manhoef circles away quickly and effectively.
Manhoef looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Brove works over Manhoef's head and body with a nice combination.
Brove lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Manhoef circles away quickly and effectively.
Manhoef tries to clinch but fails miserably
letting Brove counter with a right hand.
Manhoef scores with a kick to the body.
Melvin Manhoef is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Brove changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Manhoef tries to avoid it but Brove manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Manhoef to the ground. Manhoef escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Manhoef misses with a takedown attempt
and Brove counters with a left and a right that stings Manhoef.
Manhoef wants to clinch

and Brove counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Neil Brove showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Melvin Manhoef's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Brove uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Manhoef.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Brove.

Brove decides to stand back up.
Manhoef tries for a takedown but Brove circles away easily
and Brove counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Brove looks to land a combination. Manhoef sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Brove throws a right and a left that Manhoef avoids nicely.
Brove lands with a kick to the temple. Manhoef shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Brove shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Manhoef but Manhoef pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Manhoef with a lazy takedown attempt
and Manhoef takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Manhoef misses with a takedown
and Brove counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Manhoef is lucky that one didn't land flush.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Melvin Manhoef. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brove throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Manhoef misses with a takedown attempt

and Brove counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Manhoef's guard now.

Manhoef working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Brove doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Brove manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Manhoef has his feet on Brove's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Manhoef misses with a takedown attempt
and Brove counters with a left and a right that stings Manhoef.
Brove is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Manhoef showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Brove.

Manhoef shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Manhoef was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Manhoef lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brove trying desperately to get to his feet.
Manhoef avoids the attempt from Brove to control.
Brove is looking to get to half guard.
Brove throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
A nice elbow there by Manhoef.
Brove is trying to get to the ropes to help him get back to his feet.
Brove wants to control but Manhoef is having none of it.

Manhoef is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Brove has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Brove wants to hold on but Manhoef pushes him away.
Neil Brove is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manhoef dominating with strikes here.
Brove just holding on.
Manhoef won't let Brove get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Brove tries to hold on but Manhoef postures up.
Brove is squirming around, avoiding Manhoef's attempts to control the action.
Melvin Manhoef has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Brove wants to hold on but Manhoef pushes him away.
Manhoef throwing strikes here but Brove is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.

That's four 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.
Manhoef throws some wild stikes that Brove manages to avoid easily.
Brove avoids a series of strikes thrown by Manhoef.
Brove tries to hold on but Manhoef postures up.
Brove regains half guard.

Manhoef is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Neil Brove has got the better of the ground game so far.
Manhoef is trying to control. Brove wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Brove is positioning himself well to prevent Manhoef advancing to mount.
Manhoef throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Neil Brove comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Brove has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 James Atkins scores the fight 25:30
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 25:30
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Neil Brove!