PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between LenDale Cleaver (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Connor MacManus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). LenDale Cleaver has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Cleaver
vs
MacManus

181 cm
25
164 lbs
7 - 11 - 0

172 cm
22
165 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Counter striker
Very strong

Good wrestler
Great elbows
Good gas tank

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 7 - 11 - 0, fighting out of London, LenDale Cleaver!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Connor MacManus!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Paul Tew and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cleaver shoots in for a takedown but MacManus shows good takedown defense.
MacManus tries to clinch up but Cleaver circles away and keeps his distance.
MacManus tries to clinch there but Cleaver circles away.

MacManus closes the distance and pushes Cleaver back into the cage.
Cleaver dodges an elbow strike from MacManus.
The referee is keeping an eye on MacManus - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
MacManus comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

It looks like LenDale Cleaver has been cut.
MacManus throws an elbow that misses.
Cleaver takes an elbow to the temple.
A bit of stalling here from MacManus.
MacManus lands an elbow just above Cleaver 's eye.
Knees to the body from MacManus.
Cleaver dodges an elbow strike from MacManus.
With the fighters up against the cage, MacManus throws an elbow but misses.
MacManus lands an elbow inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.

MacManus turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
MacManus working the head with strikes.
MacManus landing strikes.
Cleaver sneaks back into half guard.
Cleaver regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from MacManus.
MacManus postures up in Cleaver's guard and throws a big left but Cleaver blocks it.
MacManus pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Cleaver is keeping the position for now.
MacManus postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
This has been an exciting period of action!
MacManus pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Cleaver is keeping the position for now.
Cleaver looking for a sweep. Not yet Cleaver, not yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
MacManus missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
MacManus slips nicely into half guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
MacManus prevents Cleaver from improving his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cleaver is staying active underneath MacManus, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Cleaver is looking for a sweep. MacManus is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
MacManus passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Cleaver!
Cleaver regains half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Cleaver manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
MacManus forces his way into half guard.
MacManus looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
MacManus is trying to control the action in half guard but Cleaver is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
MacManus working over Cleaver with some ground and pound. Cleaver looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
MacManus passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Cleaver!
MacManus breaks from Cleaver's wrist control and lands an elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MacManus scoring with strikes but Cleaver is staying in there.

LenDale Cleaver's cut is getting worse.
Cleaver is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
MacManus has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Cleaver's face.
MacManus lands with some strikes.
MacManus punishing his opponent with strikes.

Cleaver is rocked!

LenDale Cleaver's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Cleaver is trying desperately to improve position.
Oh Cleaver is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
MacManus postures up and throws a couple of big shots that have Cleaver in real trouble here! The ref calls for Cleaver to improve his position which he doesn't do, so the referee has no choice but to end the fight due to the strikes!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:42 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Connor MacManus!