PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Marc Read (ranked 3412 p4p, 378 weight class) and Manuel Neuer (ranked 1524 p4p, 202 weight class). Manuel Neuer is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Read
vs
Neuer

177 cm
23
196 lbs
2 - 3 - 1

199 cm
24
195 lbs
11 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

UnderGround Supplements

Urban Fighter
Dark Knight Nutrition

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 2 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Marc Read!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Manuel Neuer!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, James Atkins and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fighters circling - Read throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Neuer changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Read gets off balance looking for a body kick

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

Read has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Neuer is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Neuer has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Neuer is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Read tries to throw a body punch but Neuer avoids it by throwing Read back against the cage.
Read on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Read prevents a takedown attempt there.
Read lands a shoulder strike.
Read landing knees to the head.

It looks like Manuel Neuer has been cut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Neuer wants to take the fight to the mat but Read manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Read gets underhooks to prevent Neuer's takedown attempt.
Marc Read has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Manuel Neuer.
Read lands a right hand.
Read lands a shoulder strike.
Read cracks Neuer with a nice body shot.
Our sources have told us that Read has been working on his knees in the buildup to the fight.
Neuer has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Read is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Read is pressed up against the cage. Neuer has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Read down to the mat. Read avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Neuer gets tackled into the cage by Read. Read maintains the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Read scores a nice knee to the body.
Neuer looks winded!
Read prevents a takedown attempt there.
Neuer changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Read fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Read lands a nice looking kick to the body. Neuer takes a step back to recover.
Read explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Read misses with a looping right.
Neuer is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Read throws a body shot but no joy.
Read chopping away at his opponent's legs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neuer moves out of range of the body kick.
Neuer on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Read. Neuer shrugs it off though.

Read takes the fight into the clinch.
Read working Neuer over with knees to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Neuer wants a takedown.
Neuer putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Read in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Neuer is working for takedown but Read is calmly controlling the position for now.
Neuer jumps guard but Read stands there with Neuer around his waist. Neuer gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Read misses with a knee strike.
Read is pressed up against the cage. Neuer has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Read down to the mat. Read avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Neuer has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Read finds it's way round the side to connect with Neuer's head.

Read gets a clinch.
Neuer can't get the takedown.
Neuer drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Read lands a body shot in the clinch.
Read using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Neuer wants a takedown but no success here.
A right hand to the body from Read.
Read utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Read makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Read crunches a lovely knee into Neuer's ribcage.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Read.
Read scores with a nice hook to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Read presses Neuer against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Knees to the body from Read.
Read lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Neuer.
Read scores with a hook to the body.
Read lands a nice shot to the body.
Read presses Neuer against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Read lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Read lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Read lands a good knee to the midsection. Neuer won't want to take too many of those.
Read lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Read cracks Neuer with a nice body shot.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Read creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Read lands a left hand that snaps the head of Neuer backwards.
Read lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Read unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Read lands a knee to the body.
Neuer is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Read gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marc Read dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Manuel Neuer's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Read closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Read pushes Neuer back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Read creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Read lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Knees to the body from Read.
Read scores with a nice hook to the head.
Marc Read has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Neuer wants a takedown.
Read lands a body shot in the clinch.
Neuer has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Read is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Read lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Read with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Read makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Read scores with a knee to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Read digs a right hand into Neuer's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Neuer's gas tank.
A short left from Read.
Read lands a good knee to the midsection. Neuer won't want to take too many of those.
A right handed body shot lands from Read.
Neuer is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Read scores with a nice hook to the head.
Read scores a nice knee to the body.
A body shot lands from Read.
A body shot lands from Read.
Read softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Read lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Read cracks Neuer with a nice body shot.
Read digs a right hand into Neuer's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Neuer's gas tank.
Read lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Read is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Neuer can do to turn this around?
Read lands a good knee to the midsection. Neuer won't want to take too many of those.
Read with a knee to the head.

Neuer is rocked!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Read lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Neuer is still on wobbly legs! Can Read finish him?
Neuer is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Read pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Marc Read has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Manuel Neuer.
Read lands with a short shot to the head.
Read tries a knee to the head but Neuer blocks it.

Read drops Neuer with a big knee straight up the middle! Neuer is covering up against the cage but manages to escape and gets back to his feet!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Read has taken the fight to the clinch.
Read crunches a lovely knee into Neuer's ribcage.
Neuer tries for a takedown but Read manages to get underhooks.
Read lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Read is leaning against Neuer and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Read doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Read lands a shot to the body.
Read landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Neuer seems to have recovered his senses.
Read lands a nice shot to the body.
Neuer takes a knee right on the jaw!
Read lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Neuer backwards.

Read pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Read rushes Neuer and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Neuer has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Read after a bit of a struggle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Read lands an uppercut.
Read lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Neuer backwards.
Read struggles to land a body shot inside as Neuer controls his hands.

Read lands a takedown into guard.
Neuer can't keep his opponent in guard - Read advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Read sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Neuer makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Neuer.

Neuer escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Read gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Read trying to control but Neuer is working from the bottom.
Read slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Read works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Neuer looking for subs from the bottom but Read mounts him!
Read controlling from mount.
Read lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Neuer hang on?
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Read can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Neuer is looking to escape.
Neuer bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Read working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Neuer doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Neuer manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Read looking to hit a scissor sweep but Neuer is one step ahead there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marc Read dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Manuel Neuer's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Read swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Read throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

and Neuer counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Read works his way to full guard. Good work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Read manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Neuer manages to get himself to full guard.

Neuer can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Read controls the pace.
Read stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Neuer swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Read works a leg free and moves into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Neuer is refusing to be controlled, as Read sits in half guard.

Read moves into side control, avoiding a weak kimura attempt from Neuer.
Neuer gets back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Read throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Neuer is looking to improve his position.

Neuer is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Read pulls his head out easily.
Neuer takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Neuer wants to get back to full guard.

Read is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Neuer is looking to improve his position.
Read landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Neuer looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Neuer is in trouble now - Read has advanced to mount!
Neuer is trying desperately to improve position.
Read dominating with strikes here.
Neuer really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Read takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Neuer keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Read trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Neuer is working to get back to half guard.
Neuer slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Marc Read is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Read is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Neuer tries to get to full guard but Read has control of the leg.
Read controlling the pace.
Read is pressing down on Neuer's thigh, looking to free his foot. Neuer is holding on for now.
Neuer is looking to improve his position.
Read controlling the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Read passes to full mount!
Neuer is desperately trying to improve his position but Read has a good base and remains in mount.
Read sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Neuer is looking to improve his position but Read isn't that keen on the idea.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Neuer regains half guard.
Read works his way into side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Marc Read showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Read 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 Andrew Berry scores the fight 30:25
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 30:25
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marc Read!