PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Big Mel Manhoef (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dimitrius Sanchez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sanchez has chosen Lil'Wayne - John as his entrance music. Big Mel Manhoef has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Mel Manhoef
vs
Sanchez

188 cm
23
260 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

190 cm
23
235 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Big Mel Manhoef!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Dimitrius Sanchez!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, James Atkins and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sanchez misses with a two punch combination.
Manhoef ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Sanchez lands the left hand.

It looks like Big Mel Manhoef has been cut.
Sanchez blocks a head kick by Manhoef.
Manhoef keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Manhoef pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A head kick misses from Manhoef.
Manhoef tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sanchez paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Sanchez displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
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!
Sanchez throws a lazy right hand but Manhoef sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Sanchez rushes Manhoef and presses him up against the cage.
Manhoef misses with a knee strike.
A head punch on the inside from Sanchez fails to land.
Sanchez has a couple of punches blocked by Manhoef.
Manhoef lands a nice knee to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manhoef throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Sanchez blocks it with crossed arms.
Manhoef prevents Sanchez from breaking the clinch.
Sanchez has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Sanchez misses with a hook to the ribs.
Manhoef is working Sanchez over against the cage.
Sanchez takes a knee right on the jaw!

It looks like Dimitrius Sanchez has been cut.
Manhoef tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Sanchez wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Manhoef has him pressed against the cage.
Sanchez tries to throw a body punch but Manhoef avoids it by throwing Sanchez back against the cage.
Manhoef lands a knee to the body.
Sanchez looks gassed!
Sanchez is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Manhoef throws a knee to the head but misses.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Manhoef tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Knees in the clinch landing for Manhoef.
Sanchez tries to pull guard but Manhoef holds him up against the cage and eventually Sanchez drops back down to his feet.
Manhoef lands a left hand that snaps the head of Sanchez backwards.
Manhoef throws a knee to the head but misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Manhoef.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez trying to stall but Manhoef improves his position.
Manhoef working Sanchez over with knees to the body.
Manhoef throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Sanchez blocks it with crossed arms.
Manhoef using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Sanchez is looking to control Manhoef's arms but Manhoef gets an underhook and turns him. Now Sanchez has his back to the cage.
Manhoef connects with a knee to the head.

Manhoef is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Sanchez can't fight it off and eventually Manhoef manages to take the fight to the floor. Sanchez looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Manhoef trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Sanchez is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Manhoef defends well.
Sanchez can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Manhoef controls the pace.

Manhoef got a little sloppy there for a moment and Sanchez has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Manhoef has managed to get both his arms back between Sanchez's legs - danger averted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manhoef would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Manhoef trying to control but Sanchez is working from the bottom.

Sanchez looking for a guillotine here but Manhoef defends easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Sanchez had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Manhoef defends it easily.

Sanchez is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Manhoef defends well.
Manhoef sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Manhoef is looking to stand up but Sanchez won't let him.

Sanchez escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Manhoef gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Sanchez working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Manhoef has passed into half guard!
Sanchez is trying to get back to full guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Manhoef keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Big Mel Manhoef dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Sanchez keeps the fight on the outside.
Sanchez lands a jab to the nose.
A punch combination from Sanchez misses.
A thudding body kick lands there by Manhoef!

Sanchez takes the fight into the clinch.
Sanchez managing to block the knees to the body from Manhoef.
Manhoef lands a good knee to the midsection. Sanchez won't want to take too many of those.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sanchez tries to circle away but Manhoef has him pinned against the cage.
Manhoef throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Sanchez blocks it with crossed arms.
Manhoef tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Manhoef tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Manhoef lands a good knee to the midsection. Sanchez won't want to take too many of those.
Sanchez is breathing heavily.
Manhoef lands a right hand.
Manhoef with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Manhoef with a knee to the head.
Manhoef scores with a knee to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manhoef landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Manhoef throws a knee to the head but misses.
Sanchez wants to get back to striking at distance but Manhoef won't allow it.
Manhoef connects with a knee to the head.
Manhoef using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Manhoef misses with a knee to the head.
Manhoef with a knee to the head.
Manhoef with a knee to the head.
Sanchez lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Manhoef tries a knee to the head but Sanchez blocks it.
A short uppercut from Sanchez.
Sanchez lands with a light punch inside.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sanchez is trying to break the clinch but Manhoef is controlling him.
Manhoef tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Sanchez wants to break the clinch but can't.
Manhoef blocks a body shot from Sanchez.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Manhoef gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Sanchez regains guard.
Sanchez trying to keep a closed guard but Manhoef is proving a slippery customer.

Sanchez is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Manhoef is aware though and is defending well.
Manhoef wants to get up but he can't break Sanchez's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Manhoef engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Manhoef has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Sanchez is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Manhoef defends well.
Sanchez is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Sanchez had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Manhoef defends it easily.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manhoef would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Manhoef stands and steps away. Sanchez gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Sanchez gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Sanchez working hard to break the clinch.
Manhoef with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Sanchez is trying to push Manhoef away but Manhoef has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Manhoef misses with a knee strike.
Manhoef throws a knee to the head but misses.
Manhoef keeps control of Sanchez as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Manhoef blocks a body shot from Sanchez.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Manhoef obliges.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Manhoef.
Manhoef looking to throw knees to the head but Sanchez is blocking nicely.
Manhoef landing knees to the head.
Sanchez wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Manhoef has him pressed against the cage.
Big Mel Manhoef has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Manhoef with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Manhoef with a knee to the head.
Sanchez is trying to break the clinch but Manhoef has him pressed against the cage.
Sanchez is trying to break the clinch but Manhoef has him pressed against the cage.
Sanchez wants to break the clinch but can't.
Manhoef misses with a knee strike.
Sanchez fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Sanchez tries to break free but Manhoef pushes him back against the cage.
Manhoef using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Sanchez has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sanchez tries to break the clinch but Manhoef is controlling the position.
Manhoef blocking some punches.

Manhoef ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Manhoef no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Manhoef has Sanchez pulled in close to control his posture.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Big Mel Manhoef dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Sanchez clinches up against the cage.
Manhoef misses with a punch on the inside.
Manhoef blocking some punches.
Manhoef throws a knee to the head but misses.
Manhoef throws a knee to the head but misses.
Manhoef tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Manhoef with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Sanchez effectively controlling the action here.
Manhoef tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Manhoef misses with a knee to the head.
Sanchez is trying to break the clinch but Manhoef has him pressed against the cage.
Manhoef misses with a knee to the head.
Manhoef tries a knee to the head but Sanchez blocks it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sanchez tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Sanchez is trying to break the clinch but Manhoef is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sanchez breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Sanchez fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Big Mel Manhoef is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sanchez looks to land a combination. Manhoef sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

Manhoef gets tackled into the cage by Sanchez. Sanchez maintains the clinch.
Sanchez fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Manhoef missing with knees to the body.
Manhoef with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Manhoef tries to land knees in the clinch but Sanchez avoids the damage to the body.
A nice left hand lands by Sanchez.
Sanchez wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Manhoef has him pressed against the cage.
Sanchez tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Manhoef is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Sanchez is defending well for now.
Manhoef throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Sanchez blocks it with crossed arms.
Sanchez fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sanchez tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Manhoef tries to land a knee to the head but Sanchez blocks with his arms.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Manhoef using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Sanchez has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Sanchez is trying to force a seperation but Manhoef has the dominant position.

Sanchez pulls Manhoef into guard.

Sanchez is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Manhoef defends well.
Sanchez controls Manhoef momentarily but Manhoef frees himself.

Sanchez looking for a guillotine here but Manhoef defends easily.
Sanchez looking for a sweep. Not yet Sanchez, not yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manhoef has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Sanchez is proving hard to escape from.

Sanchez has his foot on Manhoef's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Manhoef works his way back into a safe position though.
Manhoef slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Sanchez looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Sanchez working for submissions but it's allowed Manhoef to get to half guard.
Manhoef tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Sanchez.

Sanchez looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Manhoef prevents Sanchez from improving his position.

Sanchez is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Manhoef pulls his head out easily.
Manhoef works his foot free and advances to mount.
Manhoef avoids the attempt from Sanchez to control.

Manhoef stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sanchez on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Big Mel Manhoef is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sanchez avoids the head kick by Manhoef.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dimitrius Sanchez comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Manhoef has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Daniel Bishop scores the fight for Big Mel Manhoef!
Judge James Atkins scores the fight for Big Mel Manhoef!
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight for Big Mel Manhoef!

Big Mel Manhoef wins by unanimous decision!