PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Alex Maniatakos (ranked 6331 p4p, 3635 weight class) and Gancho Ganevski (ranked 594 p4p, 441 weight class). Maniatakos comes to the cage accompanied by NAESTRO - Bella Ciao. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Maniatakos
vs
Ganevski

183 cm
20
185
0 - 1 - 0

185 cm
20
183
1 - 2 - 1

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Alex Maniatakos!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Gancho Ganevski!
The judges for this bout are Chris Dean, Damien Edna and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maniatakos on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

Ganevski closes the distance and pushes Maniatakos back into the cage.
Maniatakos working aggressively here.
Maniatakos swings wildly with an uppercut but Ganevski uses good head movement to avoid it.

Ganevski manages to pull guard.
Ganevski wants to stand but Maniatakos is controlling the position.
Ganevski thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

Maniatakos postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Ganevski is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Maniatakos, into his guard.

Maniatakos is looking for a triangle but Ganevski pushes his legs off easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ganevski wants to get up but he can't break Maniatakos's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Ganevski has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Ganevski stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ganevski takes the fight into the clinch.

Ganevski manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Maniatakos slips nicely into half guard.

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

Maniatakos is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Ganevski is just riding it out for now. Maniatakos eventually gives up the hold.
Maniatakos prevents Ganevski from standing back up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Maniatakos is working for a submission of some sort.
Ganevski wants to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ganevski is defending against the submission attempts here by Maniatakos.

Ganevski manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Some wild striking there from Ganevski.
Maniatakos misses with a straight right.
Maniatakos looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

Ganevski has managed to clinch.

Ganevski breaks the clinch.
Maniatakos takes a swing at Ganevski's ribcage but misses.
Maniatakos lands a body shot.
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!
Maniatakos lands a nice hook to Ganevski's body. Ganevski takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Ganevski is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
A chopping leg kick lands by Maniatakos.
Ganevski is looking to clinch but Maniatakos is avoiding it.

Ganevski has managed to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ganevski blocks an uppercut.
Maniatakos lands a right hand.
Ganevski misses with a body punch.

Maniatakos pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Maniatakos lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Ganevski has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Ganevski tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Maniatakos thows a left - swing and a miss!

Ganevski has taken the fight to the clinch.
A short left from Maniatakos.
Maniatakos presses Ganevski against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Ganevski tries to throw a body punch but Maniatakos avoids it by throwing Ganevski back against the cage.
Ganevski struggles to land a body shot inside as Maniatakos controls his hands.

Maniatakos manages to break the clinch.
Ganevski tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Maniatakos manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Maniatakos appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Ganevski tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Maniatakos tries to keep at a distance but Ganevski has taken the fight into the clinch.

Ganevski decides to pull guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ganevski wants to stand and escape but Maniatakos is having none of it.
Maniatakos trying to control the position from guard on top but Ganevski is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Maniatakos drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Ganevski dives on top into guard.

Maniatakos is looking for a triangle here but Ganevski uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.

Ganevski stands up.

Ganevski gets a clinch.

Maniatakos pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Maniatakos.
Ganevski wants to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Gancho Ganevski will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Danga de danga de dang - Ganevski scores with a four punch combination!
Maniatakos connects with a body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Maniatakos. Ganevski does a little dance to reset his feet.
Sloppy strikes from Maniatakos. Those never looked like landing.
Ganevski is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
A head kick misses from Maniatakos.
Maniatakos throws a head kick that misses.

Maniatakos tries to keep at a distance but Ganevski has taken the fight into the clinch.
Maniatakos is trying to push Ganevski away but Ganevski has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Maniatakos goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ganevski tries to pull guard but Maniatakos holds him up against the cage and eventually Ganevski drops back down to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maniatakos tries to throw a body punch but Ganevski avoids it by throwing Maniatakos back against the cage.
Maniatakos misses with the head strike.
Ganevski goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ganevski misses with a punch to the body.
Ganevski misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ganevski tries to work over Maniatakos's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Maniatakos breaks the clinch.

Ganevski clinches up against the cage.
Maniatakos misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ganevski stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Ganevski lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Ganevski works on Maniatakos's body with a couple of short punches.
Ganevski lands a body punch in the clinch.
Ganevski tries a body shot but Maniatakos blocks it.
Ganevski tries to throw a body punch but Maniatakos avoids it by throwing Ganevski back against the cage.
Maniatakos throws a head punch that misses.

Ganevski pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Maniatakos circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ganevski fails in his attempt to clinch.
Maniatakos throws a jab when Ganevski was well out of range.
Ganevski ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Maniatakos moves away.
Maniatakos throws a series of punches but Ganevski avoids them all with ease.
Maniatakos slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Ganevski tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maniatakos scores with a push kick.

Ganevski clinches with his opponent.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Maniatakos has a couple of punches blocked by Ganevski.
Maniatakos lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Ganevski misses with a body punch.
Ganevski misses with a body punch.
Maniatakos misses with a short punch on the inside.
Maniatakos is trying to push Ganevski away but Ganevski has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
A nice left hand lands by Maniatakos.

Ganevski pulls Maniatakos into guard.
Maniatakos trying to control but Ganevski is working from the bottom.
Ganevski is looking to stand up but Maniatakos isn't so interested in that idea.
Maniatakos wants to control from the top but Ganevski keeps moving.
Maniatakos prevents Ganevski from getting back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maniatakos trying to control the position from guard on top but Ganevski is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ganevski doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Maniatakos wants to control from the top but Ganevski keeps moving.
Maniatakos stops Ganevski from standing up.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Ganevski manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Maniatakos lands a shoulder strike.
Ganevski lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Maniatakos tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Maniatakos lands a nice uppercut.
Ganevski tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Maniatakos's elbow.
Ganevski jumps guard but Maniatakos turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Maniatakos is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ganevski.
Ganevski blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Maniatakos breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maniatakos throws a quick inside leg kick.
Maniatakos swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Gancho Ganevski is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Maniatakos throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ganevski lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Maniatakos circles away quickly and effectively.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Maniatakos fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Ganevski is looking to clinch.
Gancho Ganevski seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ganevski takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Maniatakos ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Maniatakos waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ganevski.
No joy there for Ganevski, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
As Ganevski backs away, Maniatakos returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Maniatakos lands a jab.

Ganevski clinches up against the cage.
Ganevski misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Maniatakos scores with a hook to the body.
Ganevski misses with a punch to the body.
Ganevski missing with knees to the body.
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 Alex Maniatakos will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Ganevski tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A low kick from Maniatakos misses

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

Ganevski decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Maniatakos fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ganevski manages to avoid it.
Maniatakos lands a jab to the head.
Maniatakos misses the shot to the body.
Maniatakos connects with a leg kick.

Ganevski instigates a clinch.
Maniatakos misses with the head strike.
Ganevski tries to work over Maniatakos's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Maniatakos misses with a punch on the inside.
Maniatakos tries to work over Ganevski's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ganevski lands a shot to the body.
Maniatakos misses with the head strike.

Ganevski manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
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!
Maniatakos wants to control from the top but Ganevski keeps moving.
Ganevski wants to stand but Maniatakos is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Maniatakos has gone for a leg lock! Ganevski slips out almost immediately though and dives into Maniatakos's guard.

Ganevski stands up and waves to Maniatakos to follow him.
Ganevski fails in his attempt to clinch.
Maniatakos throws a half hearted mid kick.

Ganevski clinches with his opponent.
Ganevski struggles to land a body shot inside as Maniatakos controls his hands.
A head punch on the inside from Maniatakos fails to land.
Maniatakos misses with a punch to the body.
Ganevski tries to throw a body punch but Maniatakos avoids it by throwing Ganevski back against the cage.
Ganevski is working Maniatakos over against the cage.
Ganevski lands a hook to the side of the head.
Ganevski throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Ganevski lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Gancho Ganevski seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ganevski blocks an uppercut.
Ganevski tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ganevski tries to work over Maniatakos's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ganevski misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ganevski misses with a punch to the body.
A nice left hand lands by Maniatakos.

Maniatakos breaks the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Maniatakos swats away the attempt to clinch by Ganevski.
Maniatakos throws a quick counter kick to the body but Ganevski avoids it.
Maniatakos throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ganevski tries to close the distance and clinch up but Maniatakos swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Ganevski wants to clinch.

Ganevski clinches up with Maniatakos and pushes him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ganevski tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Maniatakos's elbow.
Maniatakos misses with a punch on the inside.
Ganevski tries to throw a body punch but Maniatakos avoids it by throwing Ganevski back against the cage.
Maniatakos throws a head punch that misses.
Maniatakos is trying to push Ganevski away but Ganevski has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Ganevski tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Maniatakos's elbow.
Maniatakos misses with a short punch on the inside.

Maniatakos breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ganevski's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Maniatakos connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Ganevski scrambles back to his feet.

Ganevski is rocked!
Maniatakos shakes his hands by his side, trying to relax. Ganevski takes his eyes off the ball for a moment - Maniatakos sees the opportunity and cracks him with a massive hook! Ganevski bends double and collapses on top of himself - he's out! The crowd are going absolutely nuts! Wow, what a knockout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:36 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Alex Maniatakos!