PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Markus Couture (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Manny Pacquiao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pacquiao has chosen what i've done as his entrance music. Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Couture
vs
Pacquiao

170 cm
22
150 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

170 cm
22
145 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Markus Couture!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Manny Pacquiao!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Yuuki Gou and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Couture throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Couture tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Pacquiao swivels and escapes.
Couture moves out of range of the body kick.
Pacquiao stalks Couture and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Couture's face. Couture staggers backwards, shaken.
Couture throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Manny Pacquiao seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pacquiao stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Couture takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Couture dodges the punch combination from Pacquiao.

Pacquiao closes the distance and clinches.

Pacquiao pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Couture closes the distance and clinches up with Pacquiao, looking for a takedown. Couture pushes Pacquiao against the cage but Pacquiao circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Pacquiao throws a series of punches but Couture avoids them all with ease.
Couture shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Pacquiao but Pacquiao pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Markus Couture. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Left hook, right uppercut from Pacquiao.
Pacquiao misses with a wild combination.

Pacquiao gets the takedown into side control.
Couture is trying to get back to half guard.
An elbow from Pacquiao crashes against the mat.
Pacquiao really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Couture. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Couture tries to bench press Pacquiao off him but Pacquiao keeps the position.
Pacquiao working the ground and pound.
Couture tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Pacquiao trying to control the action but Couture is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Couture is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Couture looking for a sweep but Pacquiao has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Pacquiao trying to control but Couture is having none of it.
Couture is desperately trying to improve his position but Pacquiao has a good base and remains in mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pacquiao sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Couture looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
I really don't envy Couture right now.
Couture is working hard here to advance position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Pacquiao trying to control momentarily.
Couture rolls, trying to escape but Pacquiao keeps control of the position.
Pacquiao doesn't have the hooks in and Couture manages to turn into his guard.
Pacquiao avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Couture shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Couture stands up over Pacquiao, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Pacquiao avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Couture chips away with some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Manny Pacquiao dominated that round.
That's time! Couture's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Pacquiao is looking to score with low kicks.
Couture closes the distance and clinches up with Pacquiao, looking for a takedown. Couture pushes Pacquiao against the cage but Pacquiao circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Pacquiao ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Pacquiao displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Pacquiao throws a head kick that misses.
Pacquiao keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Couture tries a head kick but it misses.
Pacquiao tries a head kick but it misses.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Couture closes this distance looking for a takedown but Pacquiao circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Markus Couture. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pacquiao throws a low kick, looking for Couture's leg but Couture calmly moves out of range.
Couture has his takedown stuffed
and Pacquiao counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Pacquiao misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A head kick misses from Pacquiao.
Couture doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Pacquiao comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Couture stuffs the takedown.

Pacquiao gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Couture to score an easy takedown into full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Couture with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pacquiao utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Pacquiao is trying to keep Couture in close.
Couture throwing strikes from guard but Pacquiao blocks nicely.

Pacquiao is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Couture is aware though and is defending well.
Couture throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Pacquiao works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Pacquiao avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Couture in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Couture checks the leg kick.
Pacquiao lands a slapping body shot.

Pacquiao shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Pacquiao showed some decent athleticism there.
Couture gets full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Couture is on top in guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Couture accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Couture postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Couture passes Pacquiao's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Couture missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Pacquiao on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Couture thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Pacquiao to regain full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Couture is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Couture throws a big right hand that misses.
Couture throwing strikes from guard but Pacquiao blocks nicely.
Couture with a flurry of punches that miss.
Couture throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Couture postures up in Pacquiao's guard and throws a big left but Pacquiao blocks it.
Couture with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Pacquiao can do anything to dispel that myth.
Pacquiao avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Couture stands up over Pacquiao, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Pacquiao working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Couture.
Couture working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

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.
Couture stands up over Pacquiao, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Couture thows a big elbow that misses.
Couture with a nice head shot there.
Pacquiao utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Couture trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Pacquiao manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Pacquiao must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Pacquiao preventing the sweep.
Pacquiao passes Couture's left leg - he's now in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Manny Pacquiao will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Pacquiao displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Couture looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
No luck for Couture with that takedown attempt.
Pacquiao throws a body kick that misses.
Couture changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Pacquiao tries to avoid it but Couture manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Pacquiao to the ground. Pacquiao escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Markus Couture. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Couture shoots in looking for a takedown. Pacquiao tries to sprawl out of it but Couture keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Pacquiao manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Pacquiao throws a leg kick but Couture sees it coming and checks it nicely.

Pacquiao shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Pacquiao showed some decent athleticism there.

Pacquiao escapes and gets back to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No luck for Couture with that takedown attempt.
Pacquiao scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Pacquiao shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Couture as he avoids it easily.
Couture shoots in for a takedown but Pacquiao shows good takedown defense.
No luck for Couture with that takedown attempt.
Pacquiao displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Markus Couture is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Pacquiao closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Pacquiao will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Couture has a takedown stuffed.

Pacquiao moves into range and clinches up with Couture.

Pacquiao escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Couture throws a head kick but Pacquiao moves out of range.
Pacquiao fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Couture throws a half hearted mid kick.
Nice sprawl there from Pacquiao as Couture shoots in.

Pacquiao gets a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Couture is trying to break free.

Pacquiao manages to break the clinch.

Pacquiao rushes Couture and presses him up against the cage.

Pacquiao breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Good work by Couture as he checks the leg kick.

Pacquiao decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Pacquiao wants to stand but Couture has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Couture slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Pacquiao won't allow Couture to sweep him here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pacquiao trying to control the position from guard on top but Couture is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Pacquiao won't allow Couture to sweep him here.
Markus Couture overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Pacquiao tries to free his leg and advance position but Couture is retaining full guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Couture misses with a combination
letting Pacquiao counter with a right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Couture closes the distance and clinches up with Pacquiao, looking for a takedown. Couture pushes Pacquiao against the cage but Pacquiao circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Pacquiao tries to clinch up but Couture circles away and keeps his distance.
Couture looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Pacquiao shoots in and bounces Couture off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Couture wants to sweep but no luck.
Couture lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Pacquiao!
Couture with good strikes from the mount here!

And that's the end of the fight!
Manny Pacquiao comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Pacquiao winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Manny Pacquiao!