PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Brad Marchand (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jeremie Manninen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jeremie Manninen will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Marchand
vs
Manninen

175 cm
18
160 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

182 cm
18
160 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Brad Marchand!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jeremie Manninen!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Columbo Gatti and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Manninen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Marchand moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Manninen looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Marchand drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Marchand looking to pass the guard.
Manninen looking to hit a scissor sweep but Marchand is one step ahead there.
Manninen wants to improve his position but instead Marchand has moved into half guard.
Manninen is looking to improve his position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Manninen can do anything to dispel that myth.
Manninen punching from the bottom.
Marchand stalling.
Marchand tries to pass to full mount but Manninen defends it.

Marchand is looking for a kimura but Manninen is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Marchand to get the leverage.
Marchand wants to take a breather but Manninen is having none of it.
Marchand missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Marchand is taking a breather. Manninen says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manninen makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Manninen.
Marchand pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Manninen is keeping the position for now.

Marchand thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Marchand stops Manninen from standing up.
Marchand stands up over Manninen, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Marchand trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Manninen can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Marchand controls the pace.
Manninen has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Marchand has passed into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Marchand wants to control but Manninen is keeping him busy.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Marchand happy to just control the position for now.
Marchand is looking to take a break and control but Manninen is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manninen is trying to improve his position.
Marchand scores with punches from side control.
Manninen gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Manninen is not content to let Marchand control the position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Manninen flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Marchand looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Manninen moves into full guard.
Manninen keeping moving, preventing Marchand from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manninen trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

Manninen is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

Manninen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Manninen looks winded!
Nice takedown defense from Manninen. No joy for Marchand on that attempt.
Manninen fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Manninen leaves Marchand with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Manninen throws a nice looking combination but Marchand bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Jeremie Manninen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Marchand shoots for a double leg takedown but Manninen sprawls well. He's pushed Marchand's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Brad Marchand. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A punch combination from Manninen misses.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Marchand.
Marchand shoots in for a double leg but Manninen sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Marchand dives in and grabs Manninen's left leg, looking for a takedown. Manninen pushes down on Marchand's head and hops out.
Manninen closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Manninen misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marchand shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Manninen as he jumps to the side.
A left and a right from Manninen both land. Nice combination.
Manninen misses with a jab, cross combination.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Marchand misses with a takedown attempt - Manninen sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Some wild striking there from Manninen.
Marchand shoots for a double leg takedown but Manninen sprawls well. He's pushed Marchand's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Marchand shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Manninen as he avoids it easily.
Marchand slips a jab and a cross from Manninen.
Manninen throws a series of strikes that have Marchand backpedaling.
Marchand showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Manninen.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Marchand avoids a punch combination nicely.
Marchand is trying hard to land a takedown here. Manninen sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Brad Marchand will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Marchand shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Manninen as he avoids it easily.
Manninen fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Manninen throws a right and a left that Marchand avoids nicely.
Manninen swats away the attempt to clinch by Marchand.
Manninen misses with a series of wild punches.
Manninen throws a nice looking combination but Marchand bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Manninen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Marchand moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Marchand closes the distance and clinches.
Marchand goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Manninen is trying to break free.
Marchand is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Manninen pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Marchand drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Brad Marchand. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Marchand lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Manninen is breathing heavily.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Marchand in particular looking to stall.
Manninen tries to roll over but Marchand keeps him under control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marchand trying to mount his opponent but Manninen defends it.
Manninen misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Manninen is trying to stand back up but Marchand is controlling him
Manninen wants to sweep but Marchand has passed to side control!
Marchand scores with a couple of short elbows.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Marchand is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Manninen is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Manninen is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Marchand has just dragged him back down to the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marchand trying to control the position but Manninen is working away.

Marchand is trying to get an arm triangle but Manninen is defending well.
Marchand scoring with punches and elbows.

Marchand thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
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!
Manninen tries to buck Marchand off but Marchand is having none of it.
Manninen is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Marchand is looking to take a break and control but Manninen is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Marchand is really struggling to control Manninen but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Manninen takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marchand has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Manninen!
Marchand looking to control but Manninen is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Manninen swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Marchand lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.

Marchand has hold of Manninen's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Manninen manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Marchand content just to control the position here.
Manninen regains half guard.
Marchand works his foot free and advances to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marchand can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Manninen is looking to escape.
Manninen working to try and regain half guard.

Manninen tries to improve his position but Marchand has taken his back! Marchand has a choke - it's sunk in pretty tight... Will Manninen tap? No... maybe... yes! He's tapped! Marchand pushes Manninen away and gets up to celebrate with his corner!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:43 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Brad Marchand!
A victorious Brad Marchand thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.