PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between JT Spirit (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gabe Manuel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Spirit comes to the cage accompanied by Nujabes - Feather. The crowd seem to be enjoying Manuel's choice of entrance music: Violent Femmes- Blister In the Sun. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Spirit
vs
Manuel

164 cm
21
132 lbs
10 - 0 - 0

168 cm
25
145 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, JT Spirit!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Gabe Manuel!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Manuel has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Manuel there as he acknowledges the shot.
Manuel throws a chopping leg kick but Spirit manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Manuel blocks a low kick nicely.
Spirit dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Gabe Manuel seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Manuel doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Spirit fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Manuel.
Manuel throws a shot from downtown. Spirit moves away and avoids it.
Spirit throws a half hearted mid kick.
Spirit with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Spirit punishes Manuel's body with a nice straight punch.
Manuel misses with a shot to the body
and Spirit counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
A solid leg kick lands there for Spirit.
Manuel throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

Spirit is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Manuel's half guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Spirit wants to pass to mount but Manuel is defending the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Spirit drops an elbow to the side of Manuel's head.
Spirit is looking to take a break and control but Manuel is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manuel is looking to improve his position.

Spirit is looking for a kimura here.
Spirit moves nicely into side control.
Manuel is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Spirit off and has taken his back!
Manuel has the hooks in. Spirit is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Manuel just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spirit trying to control but not successfully.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Spirit wants to escape the position.
Spirit wants to control his opponent's hands but Manuel gets his hands free.
Spirit is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Spirit rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Manuel tries to stand but can't do so whilst Spirit controls his leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Spirit shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Manuel defends it nicely.
Manuel scores with a nice right hand.
Manuel misses with a leg kick
and Manuel takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A head kick misses from Manuel.
Spirit throws a nice inside leg kick.
Manuel takes a swing at Spirit's ribcage but misses.
Gabe Manuel is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Manuel throws a push kick but Spirit slaps the foot to one side.
Manuel connects with a high kick.
Manuel fails to land with a series of punches.
Spirit fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Manuel.
Spirit drops his hands momentarily and Manuel takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Spirit misses with a double jab.
Manuel fails to land with a series of punches.
Manuel throws a combination. Spirit tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spirit rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Manuel moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Manuel stuffs the takedown.
Manuel buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Spirit checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Spirit shoots for a takedown but Manuel saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for JT Spirit. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Spirit uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Manuel.
Manuel doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Manuel moves forwards but Spirit connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Spirit slips under a jab from Manuel.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Spirit.
Manuel scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Manuel darts in trying to clinch
and Spirit counters with a nice body shot.
Manuel avoids the body shot from Spirit.
Spirit is looking to wear down Manuel with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Manuel chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Spirit can pounce on him.
Manuel throws a head kick that misses
and Spirit counters with a good low kick that Manuel was not able to check.
Manuel tries to land a front kick but Spirit steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

JT Spirit dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A decent looking cross lands there for Manuel.
Manuel checks a leg kick.
Good leg kick by Spirit there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Spirit throws a nice outside leg kick.
Manuel lands a glancing blow to the side of Spirit's head.
Spirit will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Spirit decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Spirit wants to take a breather but Manuel is having none of it.
Spirit is really struggling to control Manuel but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Spirit working over Manuel with some ground and pound. Manuel looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Manuel is defending against the submission attempts here by Spirit.
Manuel keeping control of the position.
Manuel trying to control here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manuel is pressing down on Spirit's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Manuel is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Spirit advances to half guard.
Manuel is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Spirit's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Spirit's back!
Spirit turns into Manuel and is now in his guard.
Manuel keeping moving, preventing Spirit from controlling successfully.
Spirit wants to pass the guard but Manuel is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spirit trying to control but Manuel is working from the bottom.
Spirit wants to pass the guard but Manuel is keeping the position.
Spirit stops Manuel from standing up.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Spirit throws a sloppy head kick and Manuel moves out of range easily.
Manuel throws a left and a right that both miss

and Spirit decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Manuel's guard.
Spirit looking to pass the guard.
Spirit looking to sit in guard and control but Manuel gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Manuel trying to control but Spirit is working from the bottom.
Spirit trying to keep a closed guard but Manuel is proving a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spirit wants to sweep but no luck.
Manuel pushing down on Spirit's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Spirit is staying active underneath Manuel, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Spirit tries to get to full guard but Manuel has control of the leg.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Manuel avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Manuel takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Manuel closes the distance looking to clinch
and Spirit counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Spirit with a hook.
Manuel throws a head kick that misses.

Spirit closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Manuel to the mat! Manuel manages to get full guard.
Spirit wants to control from the top but Manuel keeps moving.
Spirit sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Manuel's guard.
Spirit is pressing down on Manuel's thigh, looking to free his foot. Manuel is holding on for now.
The fighters are battling for position here. Manuel manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Manuel wants to sweep but no luck.
Manuel wants to stand but Spirit is controlling the position.
Manuel is breathing heavily.
Spirit tries to free his leg and advance position but Manuel is retaining full guard.

Spirit thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Manuel is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Spirit is controlling him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

JT Spirit dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Spirit uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Manuel.
Manuel closes the distance but Spirit moves to the side
and Spirit counters with a nice uppercut.
Spirit waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Manuel.
Spirit with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Spirit's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Spirit duly obliges.
Spirit lands a jab to the head.
Manuel throws a leg kick
and Spirit counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Spirit misses with a low kick.
Manuel looks to land a body kick but Spirit moved away.
Manuel slips under a jab from Spirit.
Manuel fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Spirit on the side of the head.
Spirit fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Manuel manages to avoid it.
Spirit misses with the combination.
Manuel misses with a few strikes there.
Spirit misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spirit throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Manuel looks to score with a jab to the body but Spirit is just out of range.
Spirit misses with a takedown attempt - Manuel sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Spirit digs a good body shot into Manuel's ribs.
Spirit connects with a solid leg kick.
Manuel's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Manuel lands with a right hand.
Manuel takes a shot right to the bread basket.
A jab from Spirit misses.
Spirit takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Manuel tries to clinch but Spirit moves out of range.
Manuel is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Spirit.
JT Spirit is winning the standup battle so far.
Manuel throws a leg kick that is checked
and Spirit counters with a good low kick that Manuel was not able to check.

Spirit gets a takedown into half guard.
Spirit wants to take a breather but Manuel is having none of it.
JT Spirit overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manuel keeping control of the position.
Manuel is not content to let Spirit control the position.
Spirit wants to pass to mount but Manuel is defending the position.
Ground and pound from Spirit.
Manuel won't allow Spirit to pass to mount.
Manuel works his way to full guard. Good work.
Spirit wants to control from the top but Manuel keeps moving.
Spirit stopping the sweep attempt from Manuel.
Manuel is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Manuel takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spirit wants to pass the guard but Manuel is keeping the position.
Manuel keeping moving, preventing Spirit from controlling successfully.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Nice uppercut there from Manuel.
Manuel looks to land a left hand but Spirit moved out of range nicely.
Manuel misses with an attempted mid kick.
A left lands for Spirit.

Manuel drives through and clinches with Spirit against the cage.
Manuel lands a nice shot to the body.
A frustrated look appears on Manuel's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Manuel struggles to land a body shot inside as Spirit controls his hands.
Manuel tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Manuel lands a nice knee to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Manuel stalling.
Spirit blocks a body shot from Manuel.
Manuel misses with a punch to the body.
Manuel tries to land knees in the clinch but Spirit avoids the damage to the body.
Manuel tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Spirit avoids it.
Manuel misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Spirit misses with a body punch.

Spirit jumps guard and drags Manuel to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Spirit wants to sweep here but Manuel controlling him for the moment.
Manuel trying to control but Spirit is working from the bottom.
Spirit looking for a sweep. Not yet Spirit, not yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

JT Spirit clearly takes that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Manuel misses with a hook.
Manuel throws a lazy right hand but Spirit sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Spirit cracks Manuel with a right hand to the side of the head.
Spirit misses with a head kick.
Manuel avoids the head kick by Spirit.
Manuel looks for the body kick but Spirit saw that one coming.
Spirit throws a looping overhand right but Manuel ducks down to avoid it.
Manuel missing with a left hand there. Spirit was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Manuel darts in trying to clinch
and Spirit counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Manuel thinking.
A cross from Spirit lands.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Manuel throws a head kick that misses
and Spirit connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Manuel rushes Spirit and presses him up against the cage.
Manuel misses with a knee strike.
Spirit blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Manuel misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A right handed body shot lands from Spirit.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manuel is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Spirit is defending well for now.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Manuel misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Manuel doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Manuel trying to land knees to the body.
Spirit has Manuel pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Manuel manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Spirit blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Good body shot from Spirit.
Manuel has Spirit pressed against the cage.
Manuel tries to throw a body punch but Spirit avoids it by throwing Manuel back against the cage.
Spirit struggles to land a body shot inside as Manuel controls his hands.
Spirit misses with a body punch.
Spirit lands with a light punch inside.
Manuel lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Spirit lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Spirit presses Manuel against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

That's two 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.
Manuel tries a knee to the head but Spirit blocks it.
Manuel misses with a knee strike.
Manuel is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Spirit tries a body shot but Manuel blocks it.
Manuel trying to land knees to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Manuel.
Manuel throws a punch but it's blocked by Spirit.
Spirit lands a body punch.
Manuel throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Spirit blocks it with crossed arms.
Manuel misses with a body punch.
Spirit lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Manuel backwards.
Spirit blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Manuel landing knees to the head.

It looks like JT Spirit has been cut.
A body shot lands from Spirit.
Spirit presses Manuel against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Manuel is looking to control Spirit's arms but Spirit gets an underhook and turns him. Now Manuel has his back to the cage.
Manuel misses with a knee strike.
Spirit lands a hook to the side of the head.
Spirit tries to pull guard but Manuel won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spirit pushes Manuel back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A right handed body shot lands from Spirit.

Spirit jumps guard.

Spirit is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Spirit has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Manuel has passed into side control.
The referee asks Manuel politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Manuel prefers to stall for the moment though.
Spirit is looking to reverse the position.
Manuel trying to control the position but Spirit is working away.
Spirit is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Spirit gets full guard.
Spirit is trying to keep Manuel in close.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Manuel wanted to stand there but Spirit had control of the position.
Manuel trying to control but Spirit is working from the bottom.
Spirit wants to sweep here but Manuel controlling him for the moment.

Spirit looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Manuel wants to control from the top but Spirit keeps moving.
Spirit is trying to keep Manuel in close.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

JT Spirit had his way with Gabe Manuel in that round.
The cut man is working on JT Spirit's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Spirit fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Manuel.
Manuel is looking to chop away at Spirit's legs.
Spirit with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Spirit lands with a nice body kick.
Spirit lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
A big left from Manuel misses.
Spirit swats away the attempt to clinch by Manuel.
Manuel throws a big shot that misses.
Manuel gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Spirit.
Manuel misses with a wild combination.

Manuel moves into the clinch successfully.
Spirit blocks a body shot from Manuel.
Spirit misses with a body punch.
Spirit will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Manuel up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manuel is working Spirit over against the cage.
Manuel lands a knee to the body.
Manuel lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Manuel tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Spirit avoids it.
Manuel is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Manuel blocking some punches.
Manuel tries to break free but Spirit pushes him back against the cage.
Manuel throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Spirit blocks it with crossed arms.
Manuel tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Spirit lands with a light punch inside.
Manuel throws a knee to the head but misses.
Spirit is trying to stall.
Manuel is looking to break free of the clinch but Spirit has double underhooks.
Manuel tries to land knees in the clinch but Spirit avoids the damage to the body.
Manuel wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Spirit has him pressed against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Spirit - that landed with a thud.
Spirit fails to pull guard.
Manuel trying to land knees to the body.
Spirit misses with a hook from the clinch.
Spirit throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Spirit blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Spirit on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Spirit blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Spirit on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Manuel misses with a knee strike.
Manuel goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Spirit lands a left hand that snaps the head of Manuel backwards.
A right hook to the body lands for Spirit.
Spirit keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Manuel's efforts to push away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manuel blocks a body shot from Spirit.
Spirit can't get the takedown.
Spirit lands a nice shot to the body.
Manuel trying to land knees to the body.
Gabe Manuel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Spirit lands a body shot.
JT Spirit is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Manuel missing with knees to the body.
Spirit slowing the pace effectively.
Spirit lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Manuel or not.
Manuel tries to work over Spirit's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Manuel swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A right hook to the body lands for Spirit.
Spirit effectively controlling the action here.
Manuel tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Manuel blocks a body shot from Spirit.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Manuel is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Spirit is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Manuel gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for JT Spirit. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Manuel is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Spirit is defending well for now.
Spirit avoiding damage as Manuel throws knees to the body.
A short left from Spirit.
Manuel using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Manuel misses with a knee to the head.
Spirit lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Manuel or not.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Manuel misses with a hook from the clinch.
Spirit tries to pull guard but Manuel holds him up against the cage and eventually Spirit drops back down to his feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Manuel tries to throw a body punch but Spirit avoids it by throwing Manuel back against the cage.

Spirit pulls guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Spirit is on top in guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
JT Spirit showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Spirit, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 50:45
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 50:45
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... JT Spirit!
JT Spirit retains his bantamweight title!