PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Achmed Azunga (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Josef Manuel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Azunga
vs
Manuel

172 cm
21
151 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

165 cm
26
147 lbs
6 - 6 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Very strong

Good takedowns
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

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 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Achmed Azunga!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Josef Manuel!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Emerson Jorge and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Manuel lands a jab.
Manuel throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Manuel connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Azunga avoids the body shot from Manuel.
Azunga on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Manuel is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Azunga.
Manuel lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Manuel misses with a series of wild punches.
Manuel tries a head kick but it misses.
Manuel looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A jab from Manuel misses.
Manuel throws a jab when Azunga was well out of range.
Manuel lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Azunga on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A cross from Manuel lands.
Azunga takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Manuel feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Azungas jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Manuel throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Manuel fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Azunga looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Manuel loads up on a big right hand but Azunga slips the punch.
Josef Manuel seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Manuel throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Nice shot lands for Manuel.
Manuel throws a head kick that Azunga semi-blocks.
Manuel fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Manuel uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Azunga closes this distance looking for a takedown but Manuel circles away.
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 connects with a looping right hand.
Azunga takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Azunga keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Manuel scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Azunga steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Manuel.
Manuel stuffs the takedown.
Manuel scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Manuel lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Manuel connects with a single shot there.
Manuel looks to throw the jab but Azunga is out of range.
Josef Manuel is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Manuel tests Azunga's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Manuel misses the target.
Manuel lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Nice shot lands for Manuel.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manuel lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

Azunga is rocked!
Manuel clobbers Azunga with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Oh Azunga is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
A punch lands to the side of Azunga 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Manuel rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Azunga moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Azunga seems to have got his legs back now.
Azunga takes a jab right on the kisser.
Manuel misses the jab.
Azunga ducks under a wild hook from Manuel.
Manuel throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Azunga counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Manuel looks gassed!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Azunga is looking for a kimura but Manuel is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Azunga to get the leverage.

Azunga seems to be working for a kimura but Manuel defends the submission attempt.

Azunga is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Manuel sees it coming and defends easily.

Manuel actively working from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Manuel is looking for a sweep. Azunga is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Manuel looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Azunga is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Azunga is working for a kimura but Manuel is defending it quite comfortably.

Manuel is defending against the submission attempts here by Azunga.

Manuel is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Azunga pulls his head out easily.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Azunga is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Manuel doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Azunga.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josef Manuel dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Manuel does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Azunga takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Manuel!
Manuel thuds a left hand into Azunga's body.
Azunga shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Manuel as he avoids it easily.
Manuel throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Azunga shoots in but Manuel avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Manuel connects with an inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Azunga drops his hands momentarily and Manuel takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Manuel scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Manuel tries a head kick but it misses.
Manuel throws a big shot that misses.
Manuel misses with an uppercut. Azunga saw that one coming.
Azunga has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Achmed Azunga. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Manuel is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Manuel buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Manuel scores with a decent looking hook.
Manuel misses the jab.
Azunga takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Azunga takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Azunga tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Manuel swivels and escapes.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Manuel scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
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!
Azunga keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Azunga looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
A head kick misses from Manuel.
Manuel throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Manuel misses with a straight right.
Azunga avoids the head kick by Manuel.
Manuel cracks Azunga with a right hand to the side of the head.
A nice leg kick lands there from Manuel.
Achmed Azunga is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Manuel connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Azunga's hands.
Azunga fails with the takedown.
A nice inside leg kick there by Manuel. That's going to slow Azunga down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Azunga takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Azunga moves away from the strike by Manuel.
Azunga takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Azunga wants to clinch up but Manuel keeps it at a distance.
Manuel listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Manuel dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Danga de danga de dang - Manuel scores with a four punch combination!
Azunga takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
No joy there for Manuel, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A telegraphed right hand from Manuel misses the target.
Azunga tries to score a power double leg takedown but Manuel sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Azunga somewhat.
Nice defenses there by Azunga.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Manuel works over Azunga's head and body with a nice combination.
Manuel has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Manuel connects with a leg kick. Azunga looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Manuel looks to land a right hand but Azunga moved out of range.
Manuel misses with an uppercut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Some wild striking there from Manuel.
Azunga looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Manuel is fending him off so far but Azunga persists. Nope, Manuel circles away and we're back to standing.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Azunga on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Manuel throws a head kick that Azunga semi-blocks.
Manuel misses with a two punch combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josef Manuel showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Manuel throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Azunga is defended easily by Manuel.
Manuel throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Manuel misses with a series of wild punches.
Manuel throws a series of punches but Azunga moves out of range.
Azunga takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Good exchange - Manuel coming out on top.
Manuel swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Azunga shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Manuel defends it nicely.
Azunga takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Azunga will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Achmed Azunga. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A big right from Manuel misses.
Azunga tries to clinch there but Manuel circles away.
Nice cross by Manuel.
Manuel throws a nice looking combination but Azunga bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Manuel connects with a jab.
Azunga walks into a jab.
Manuel lands with an overhand left.
Azunga shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Manuel defends it nicely.
Manuel throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Azunga sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manuel misses with a looping right.
Manuel connects with a high kick.
Manuel throws an overhand right that lands on Azunga's shoulder, as Azunga tries to avoid the shot.
Azunga avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A punch lands to the side of Azunga 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Josef Manuel seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Manuel misses with a hook.
Manuel throws a nice looking combination but Azunga bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Donk. Manuel catches Azunga right on the button with a cross.

Manuel gets caught napping as Azunga dives in and scores a takedown. Manuel manages to retain guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Manuel throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Azunga is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Azunga decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Manuel, up you get!
Azunga tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Manuel swivels and escapes.
Manuel scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Manuel connects with the punch.
Manuel throws a series of punches but Azunga moves out of range.
Manuel's corner calls for a 1-2. Manuel obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Manuel looks to throw the jab but Azunga is out of range.
Manuel slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Sloppy strikes from Manuel. Those never looked like landing.
Azunga fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Azunga closes the distance and clinches up with Manuel, looking for a takedown. Azunga pushes Manuel against the cage but Manuel circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Azunga moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
A combination from Manuel does no damage.
Manuel throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Manuel throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Azunga on the side of the head.
Manuel leaves Azunga with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Manuel stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Manuel lands a jab.
An inside leg kick lands from Manuel.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josef Manuel really dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Manuel bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Manuel cracks Azunga with an open hand slap.
Manuel throws a nice looking combination but Azunga bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Manuel misses with a jab, cross combination.
Manuel looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Manuel pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Azunga back to the cage. Manuel follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Azunga.
Azunga bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

Azunga decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Azunga is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Manuel doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Azunga.

Manuel looking for submissions off his back.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Manuel looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Manuel looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Azunga trying to mount his opponent but Manuel defends it.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Azunga is looking for a kimura but Manuel is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Azunga to get the leverage.
Azunga prevents Manuel from improving his position.

Azunga is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Manuel doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Azunga.

Azunga is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manuel wants to improve his position but Azunga is controlling well.

Manuel looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Manuel is defending against the submission attempts here by Azunga.

Azunga is working for a kimura but Manuel is defending it quite comfortably.

Azunga is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Manuel sees it coming and defends easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Manuel looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Azunga is working for a kimura but Manuel is defending it quite comfortably.

Manuel looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Azunga is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Manuel actively working from the bottom here.

Manuel is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Azunga pulls his head out easily.

Azunga seems to be working for a kimura but Manuel defends the submission attempt.
Manuel makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Manuel.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Manuel working for a triangle but Azunga defends it easily.

Azunga drops back looking for a leg! Manuel is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Manuel manages to kick Azunga off! Azunga jumps back into Manuel's guard.
Azunga wants to pass the guard but Manuel is keeping the position.

Manuel throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Azunga thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Achmed Azunga will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Manuel keeps the fight on the outside.
Manuel lands an overhand right.
Azunga fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Manuel throws a looping overhand right but Azunga ducks down to avoid it.
Manuel throws a nice looking combination but Azunga bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A head kick misses from Manuel.
Manuel misses with a wild body shot.
Azunga takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
A cross from Manuel lands.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Manuel.
Manuel rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Azunga moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Manuel is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Azunga changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Manuel tries to avoid it but Azunga manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Manuel to the ground. Manuel escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Manuel throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Azunga sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Azunga blocks a head kick by Manuel.
Manuel throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Manuel swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Azunga.
Azunga shoots in but Manuel avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Achmed Azunga. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Manuel digs a good hook to Azunga's body.
Manuel throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Manuel lands a jab-cross combination.
Manuel scores with a jab to the jaw.
Manuel throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

so Azunga counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Azunga avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Azunga drops back looking for a leg! Manuel is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Manuel manages to kick Azunga off! Azunga jumps back into Manuel's guard.
Azunga tries to free his leg and advance position but Manuel is retaining full guard.

Manuel has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Azunga can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Azunga drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Azunga jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Manuel working for a triangle but Azunga defends it easily.

Azunga is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Azunga wants to stand but Manuel is controlling his posture from full guard.

Manuel escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Azunga gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Azunga forces his way into half guard.
Josef Manuel is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Azunga is looking for a kimura here.
Azunga is thwarting Manuel's attempts to control the position.
Manuel wants to improve his position but Azunga is controlling well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Azunga is trying to work for a kimura but Manuel is defending well.
Manuel gets full guard.
Manuel looking to control.
Manuel has Azunga pulled in close to control his posture.

Azunga decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Manuel, up you get!
Manuel takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Manuel throws an overhand right that lands on Azunga's shoulder, as Azunga tries to avoid the shot.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Manuel lunges at Azunga with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Azunga's hand.
Achmed Azunga has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Manuel lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Manuel lands an overhand right.

And that's the end of the fight!
Josef Manuel comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Manuel has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Thiago Cunha scores the fight 46:49
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 46:49
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 46:49

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