PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ali Fernando (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rex Manning (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rex Manning struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 157.2lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Ali Fernando has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Fernando
vs
Manning

175 cm
18
156 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

179 cm
18
165 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Very quick

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ali Fernando !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rex Manning !
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Franklyn Lucas and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Fernando closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
Fernando is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Manning is keeping busy.
Fernando tries to score a body lock takedown but Manning shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Fernando gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Fernando trying to control the position from guard on top but Manning is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Manning keeping full guard, as Fernando tries to pass.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fernando slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Manning is not content to let Fernando control the position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Manning throws a right hand that Fernando ducks under and follows up with a left that Fernando also avoids with ease.
Fernando throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Fernando closes this distance looking for a takedown but Manning circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Fernando looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ali Fernando . That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fernando blocks a jab.

Fernando feints and as Manning raises his hands in defense, Fernando changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Fernando advances to half guard.
Manning won't allow Fernando to pass to mount.
Fernando works his way into full mount!
Manning looks gassed!
You get the feeling that Manning really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Manning really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Fernando . If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Fernando wants to take Manning 's back but he can't do it this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Fernando looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

Fernando is working for a guillotine from mount but Manning frees his head quite easily.
Fernando tries to control but Manning wriggling away.

Fernando is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Manning is surviving well by controlling Fernando 's body position as best he can.
Fernando fails to move to back control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Manning can't escape the position.
Fernando can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Manning is looking to escape.
Fernando misses with a head shot.
Manning is wriggling around trying to escape.
Fernando tries to control but Manning wriggling away.
Fernando fails to move to back control.
Fernando trying to control but Manning is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ali Fernando dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Fernando fails to land the takedown.
Fernando fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Fernando takes one to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Manning closes the distance and pushes Fernando back into the ropes.
Manning is trying to force a seperation but Fernando has the dominant position.
Manning is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fernando wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ali Fernando . That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fernando is working for a takedown up against the ropes. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Fernando looking for a takedown.

Fernando decides to pull guard.
Fernando pulls Manning in close to prevent any damage.
Manning preventing the sweep.
Fernando not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Fernando bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Manning 's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manning has control of Fernando 's left arm, preventing Fernando from doing any damage.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Manning can do anything to dispel that myth.
Fernando trying to control but Manning is working from the bottom.
Fernando trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Fernando advances to half guard.
Fernando passes to full mount!
Fernando is looking to work his way around to Manning 's back. He needs to be careful though, as he's in danger of losing this dominant position.
Manning is wriggling around here but as he tries to escape, Fernando has taken his back.
Fernando trying to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manning wants to escape the position.

Fernando looking for the choke but no joy.

Fernando has got one arm under Manning 's chin. This could be trouble... Manning trying to control the other hand but Fernando gets it free and sqeezes tight - just a matter of time now! Yep, Manning has tapped out! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:44 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Ali Fernando !