PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tim Hard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sam McManus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hard comes to the cage accompanied by Crazy Bitch. Sam McManus will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Hard
vs
McManus

187 cm
19
227 lbs
0 - 11 - 0

205 cm
22
245 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

Dangerous GnP
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Tends to cut

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 0 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Tim Hard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Sam McManus!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Trevor Gratis and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McManus scores with a jab to the body.

McManus clinches up against the cage.

Hard is fighting off a takedown attempt but McManus is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Hard to the mat. Hard regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Hard wants to sweep but no luck.
McManus postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McManus is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Hard throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Hard throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
McManus advances to half guard.
Hard might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Hard is breathing heavily.
McManus trying to control the action but Hard is working from the bottom.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with McManus in particular looking to stall.
McManus wants to take a breather but Hard is having none of it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hard punching from the bottom.
McManus tries to pass the half guard into mount. Hard knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
McManus is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
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. McManus connects with a nice short shot to Hard's temple.
Hard lands a couple of sideways elbows.
McManus blocks the strikes from Hard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
McManus connects with a high kick.

It looks like Tim Hard has been cut.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Hard.
McManus fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Hard.

McManus closes the distance and clinches.
McManus will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Hard up against the cage.

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

McManus fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Hard, pushing him back against the cage.
McManus will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Hard up against the cage.

McManus breaks the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McManus wants to clinch.

McManus gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Hard has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. McManus is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

McManus jumps guard and drags Hard to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
McManus working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hard.
Hard 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.
McManus trying to keep a closed guard but Hard is proving a slippery customer.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
McManus might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Hard kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
McManus is pulling down on Hard's head. It's preventing any offense from Hard, at least for the moment.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now McManus is on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McManus wants to pass the guard but Hard is keeping the position.
Hard trying to strike off his back.
Hard doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Hard throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
McManus wants to control from the top but Hard keeps moving.
Hard throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Hard takes a head kick and keeps coming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
McManus fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hard has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tim Hard. That's going to take a lot out of him.

McManus takes the fight into the clinch.
Knees to the body from McManus.
McManus wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
McManus is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Hard can't get the takedown.
Hard has had enough of the clinch but McManus keeps him there for the moment.

McManus breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hard closes this distance looking for a takedown but McManus circles away.
Hard shoots in for a takedown but McManus shows good takedown defense.
Tim Hard seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McManus tries to clinch there but Hard circles away.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McManus tries to clinch but Hard is having none of it.
McManus tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
McManus tries to clinch up but Hard circles away and keeps his distance.
McManus tries to close the distance and clinch up but Hard swats him away and circles back towards the center.
McManus stuffs the takedown.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sam McManus dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Tim Hard's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Hard closes the distance and clinches up with McManus, looking for a takedown. Hard pushes McManus against the cage but McManus circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
McManus throws a combination. Hard tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Hard shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts McManus as he jumps to the side.
Sam McManus is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

McManus shoots in and bounces Hard off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
McManus advances position into side control!
Hard is looking to regain half guard here but McManus keeps moving and retains side control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
McManus working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Hard throws an elbow to the body but it doesn't land.
McManus wants to control but Hard is keeping him busy.
Hard is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hard flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Hard throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
McManus throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Hard stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Hard misses with a takedown attempt

and McManus counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tim Hard. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hard has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. McManus is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Hard tries for a takedown but McManus manages to get underhooks.
Hard is looking for a takedown up against the cage. McManus gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

McManus breaks the clinch.
McManus works over Hard's head and body with a nice combination.
McManus scores with a jab.
McManus moves in looking to clinch but Hard pushes him off.
McManus tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
McManus tries to clinch up.
Hard throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
McManus tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
McManus moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hard doesn't succeed with the takedown

and McManus counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Hard has hold of McManus's hands but McManus slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
McManus blocks the strikes from Hard.
McManus wants to control but Hard is keeping him busy.
McManus moves into full mount! Hard won't be happy about that!
McManus prevents Hard from getting the reversal.
McManus can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Hard is looking to escape.
Hard swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
McManus tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Hard is mounted and he's throwing punches. Is that wise?

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McManus is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Hard has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Hard is desperately trying to improve his position but McManus has a good base and remains in mount.
McManus lands a nice shot to the head.
Hard throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
McManus prevents Hard from getting the reversal.
McManus with the ground and pound from mount.
Hard flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Hard is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Hard sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Hard moves into full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Hard will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
McManus wanted to stand there but Hard had control of the position.
Hard utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

McManus decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

McManus scores a takedown into full mount!
McManus trying to control but Hard is having none of it.
Hard tries to reverse the position but McManus maintains control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hard regains half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sam McManus showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Tim Hard's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

McManus doesn't manage to clinch there - Hard circles away.
McManus doesn't manage to clinch there - Hard circles away.
Hard doesn't succeed with the takedown
and McManus counters with a series of strikes. Hard will be more careful next time no doubt.
McManus moves in looking to clinch but Hard pushes him off.

McManus clinches up with Hard and pushes him back against the cage.

Hard lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
McManus trying to control but Hard postures up.
Hard drops an elbow to the side of McManus's head.
Sam McManus has got the better of the ground game so far.
McManus looks like he's trying to stand up.
Hard lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
McManus blocking the ground and pound attempt from Hard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hard prevents McManus from improving his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McManus on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Hard winds up and cracks McManus with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Hard gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and McManus counters with a nice kick to the body.
Hard doesn't succeed with the takedown

and McManus counters with a takedown into side control.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tim Hard. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hard throwing some weak shots from the bottom that do no damage.
McManus trying to control the action but Hard is working from the bottom.
McManus looks up at the clock and then as Hard takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, McManus smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!

McManus is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Hard knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
McManus has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
McManus takes advantage of some sloppy striking from Hard to pass into mount.
Tim Hard has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McManus tries to control but Hard wriggling away.
Hard regains half guard.
McManus controlling the action here.
McManus wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hard keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hard landing rabbit punches to the side of McManus's head. Not doing much damage but still scoring a few points.
Hard lands with a few short shots to the body.
McManus trying to control from half guard but Hard is working away.
Hard flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
McManus is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Hard is not content to let McManus control the position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Hard with a lazy takedown attempt
and McManus counters with a nice body shot.
McManus comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Hard tries for a takedown but McManus circles away easily
and McManus makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Hard with a lazy takedown attempt
and McManus counters with a good low kick that Hard was not able to check.
Hard gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and McManus counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Hard doesn't succeed with the takedown

and McManus holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Hard tries for a takedown. No joy.

McManus breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hard fails with the takedown

and McManus counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Hard throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Hard trying to strike off his back.
Hard doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
McManus pushing down on Hard's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

McManus decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Hard doesn't succeed with the takedown
and McManus counters with a flying knee. Nice.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

McManus instigates a clinch.
Hard has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. McManus avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Hard is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Hard keeps control of McManus as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Sam McManus is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

McManus jumps into guard, dragging Hard to the mat.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sam McManus comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well McManus 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 Ian Loll scores the fight 26:30
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 26:30
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sam McManus!