PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Matt Manuel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ronnie Nose (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Manuel comes to the cage accompanied by Lay Low. 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.

Manuel
vs
Nose

172 cm
27
155 lbs
15 - 3 - 0

174 cm
23
156 lbs
11 - 3 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Good knees
Very strong

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Matt Manuel!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ronnie Nose!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Cecil Peabody and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nose shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Manuel pinned against the cage. Manuel gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Manuel looks to land a combination but Nose avoids it well.
Manuel is looking to clinch.
Manuel lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A big left from Nose misses.
Manuel looks to land a left hand but Nose moved out of range nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manuel throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
The fight stays on the outside here - Manuel looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Manuel tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Nose paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Nose misses with a looping right.
Manuel is looking to clinch.

That's two 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.
Nose throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

Nose fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Manuel sprawls well initially but Nose persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Manuel is in trouble now - Nose has advanced to mount!
Manuel tries to hold on but Nose pushes him away.
Manuel is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Nose scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Manuel?
Nose postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Manuel looks a forlorn figure.
Manuel takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Nose avoids the attempt from Manuel to control.
Manuel working to try and regain half guard.
Manuel takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nose has control of Manuel's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Manuel regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Nose throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Manuel because Nose loaded up on that one.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nose lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Manuel hang on?
Manuel tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Manuel regains half guard.
Manuel wants to control but Nose is keeping busy.

Manuel is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Nose pulls his head out easily.
Nose slips a nice elbow through Manuel's hands, connecting with Manuel's forehead.
Manuel is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Nose sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Manuel defending well though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Manuel tries to roll over but Nose keeps him under control.
Nose working over Manuel with some ground and pound. Manuel looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Nose trying to pass the guard but Manuel defending well.
Manuel is trying to get back to full guard.
Nose seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Manuel does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Manuel trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Nose manages to pass to mount!
Manuel sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Nose thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Manuel's head.
Nose takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Manuel slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Nose being controlled here momentarily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ronnie Nose dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Manuel wants to clinch up but Nose keeps it at a distance.
Nose misses with an attempted mid kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Manuel throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Manuel staying out of range there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manuel is looking to chop away at Nose's legs.
Matt Manuel seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nose throws the kick towards the body but Manuel avoids it.
Manuel tries to close the distance and clinch up but Nose swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Manuel throws a low kick, looking for Nose's leg but Nose calmly moves out of range.
Nose shoots for a takedown but Manuel saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Nose throws a leg kick that is checked
and Manuel counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's two 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.
Manuel misses with a wild body shot.
Nose swats away the attempt to clinch by Manuel.
A punch combination from Manuel misses.
Nose fails with the takedown
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manuel swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Nose counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Nose.
Nose postures up.
Nose preventing the sweep.
Nose has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Nose pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Manuel is keeping the position for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nose is working Manuel over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Nose postures up.
Nose is looking to work some ground and pound but Manuel has wrist control.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Manuel 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Manuel tries to clinch up.
Manuel misses the jab.
Nose ducks under a wild hook from Manuel.

Nose shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Manuel can't escape the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Manuel wants to control but Nose is having none of it.
Manuel working to try and regain half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ronnie Nose showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Manuel throws a leg kick

and Nose counters with a shoot takedown. Manuel fights it but they end up in guard.
Nose stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Manuel swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Manuel wants to sweep here but Nose controlling him for the moment.
Manuel is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Nose working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Manuel keeping full guard, as Nose tries to pass.
Manuel is looking to sweep but instead, Nose has passed into half guard.
Manuel is looking to improve his position.
Manuel is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Nose jumps into side control!
Manuel tries to bench press Nose off him but Nose keeps the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nose slips a straight right by Manuel.
Nose scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Nose moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
The fight stays on the outside here - Manuel looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Manuel connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Nose momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Nose lands a nice shot that snaps Manuel's head back.
Manuel scores with a nice right hand.
Manuel tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Manuel takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Nose scores a takedown into full mount!

Nose looking for a guillotine from mount but Manuel is having none of it.
Nose looking to finish Manuel with some ground and pound. This is bad for Manuel!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nose scoring with strikes but Manuel is staying in there.
Manuel tries to hold on but Nose pushes him away.
Manuel is desperately trying to improve his position but Nose has a good base and remains in mount.
Manuel is in a horrible position here. Nose smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Manuel is trying to escape the mount.
Nose controlling from mount.
Manuel tries to lock up and control but Nose gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Nose cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Nose lands a nice shot to the head.
Manuel tries to lock up and control but Nose gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Manuel is squirming around, avoiding Nose's attempts to control the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Manuel is wriggling around trying to escape.
Nose with a couple of short strikes.
Manuel is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Manuel takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.

It looks like Matt Manuel has been cut.
Nose looking to finish Manuel with some ground and pound. This is bad for Manuel!
Nose with good strikes from the mount here!
Manuel is looking to get to half guard.
Nose controlling from mount.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
BOOM! Nose connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Manuel tries to hold on but Nose pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ronnie Nose really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Matt Manuel's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Nose tries for a takedown but Manuel circles away easily
and Manuel counters with a stiff right hand.
No joy there for Manuel, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Nose moves away from the strike by Manuel.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nose avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Manuel tries to close the distance and clinch up but Nose swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manuel checks a leg kick nicely.
Manuel lands the left hand.
Manuel looks for the body kick but Nose saw that one coming.
Nose fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Manuel throws a lazy body kick
and Manuel takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Manuel throws a head kick that misses
and Nose counters with a low kick, right behind Manuel 's knee.

That's two 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.
Manuel lands the left hand.
Nose swats away the attempt to clinch by Manuel.
Nose showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Manuel.
Manuel is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manuel misses with a leg kick

and Nose counters with a takedown into side control.
Manuel is looking for a sweep.
Nose trying to control the action but Manuel is working from the bottom.
Manuel tries to buck Nose off but Nose is having none of it.
Manuel sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Manuel keeping control of the position.
Nose works his way into full mount!
Nose working Manuel over with strikes here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nose is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Manuel can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Manuel slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Manuel works his way to full guard. Good work.
Manuel manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Nose manages to get himself to full guard.
Nose keeping moving, preventing Manuel from controlling successfully.
Manuel looking to pass the guard.
Manuel looking to sit in guard and control but Nose gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
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!
Manuel working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Nose.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ronnie Nose dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Matt Manuel's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Nose takes one to the side of the head.
Nose slips a jab and a cross from Manuel.
Manuel falls off balance throwing a combination
and Nose counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nose staying out of range there.
Manuel misses with a straight left.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nose misses with a body kick.
Manuel tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Nose counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Manuel is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Manuel looks to score with a jab to the body but Nose is just out of range.
Nose steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Manuel. That one must have hurt.

That's two 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.
Nose slips under a jab from Manuel.
Manuel throws a lazy head kick

and Nose counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Nose trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Nose missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Nose content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Manuel is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Manuel is on top in guard.
Manuel wants to control from the top but Nose keeps moving.

Nose is looking for a triangle but Manuel pushes his legs off easily.
Matt Manuel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manuel trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Manuel slips nicely into half guard.
Manuel missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Manuel sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Manuel trying to control the action but Nose is working from the bottom.
Nose keeps control of the position for the meantime.

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.
Manuel missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Nose is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Nose wants to control but Manuel is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Manuel thows a huge punch but Nose dodges it nicely.
Manuel is looking to take a break and control but Nose is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Nose fails to land with a series of punches.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ronnie Nose comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Nose 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 44:50
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 44:50
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ronnie Nose!
Ronnie Nose is the new featherweight champion!