PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Manuel Paquiao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Victor Reinhardt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Reinhardt is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by On To The Next One. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Paquiao
vs
Reinhardt

190 cm
36
170 lbs
33 - 26 - 1

184 cm
38
166 lbs
47 - 27 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
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 33 - 26 - 1, fighting out of London, Manuel Paquiao!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 47 - 27 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Victor Reinhardt!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Donald Grub and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Paquiao avoids the body shot from Reinhardt.
Reinhardt listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Paquiao throws a hook to the side of Reinhardt's head but Reinhardt sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Reinhardt goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Paquiao thuds a left hand into Reinhardt's body.
Reinhardt looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Reinhardt avoids a punch combination nicely.
Reinhardt avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Paquiao uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Reinhardt.
Reinhardt swings and misses with a hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Reinhardt feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Paquiao's calf.
Paquiao moves out of range as Reinhardt strikes.
Reinhardt fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Paquiao.
Victor Reinhardt seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Paquiao on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Reinhardt blocks the body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reinhardt misses with an uppercut. Paquiao saw that one coming.
Reinhardt throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Reinhardt lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Paquiao throws a big shot that misses.
Reinhardt is looking to chop away at Paquiao's legs.
Reinhardt tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Paquiao swivels and escapes.
A big right from Paquiao misses.
A solid body kick from Reinhardt.
Reinhardt throws a left and a right that both miss

and Paquiao counters with a nice double leg into side control. Reinhardt won't be happy with that.
Paquiao wants to control for a moment but Reinhardt uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Paquiao perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paquiao wants to pass to mount but Reinhardt is defending the position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Reinhardt is looking for a sweep. Paquiao is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Reinhardt actively working from the bottom here.

Paquiao gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Reinhardt uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Paquiao has time to react.
Reinhardt misses with a right hand

and Paquiao decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Reinhardt's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Reinhardt managing to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paquiao wants to stand but Reinhardt has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Reinhardt trying to control the position here.
Reinhardt looking to hit a scissor sweep but Paquiao is one step ahead there.

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.
Reinhardt has Paquiao pulled in close to control his posture.
Reinhardt looking to hit a scissor sweep but Paquiao is one step ahead there.
Paquiao has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Paquiao trying to stand up but can't free himself from Reinhardt's guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
A nice inside leg kick there by Reinhardt. That's going to slow Paquiao down.
Paquiao uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Reinhardt.
Reinhardt has a takedown stuffed.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Victor Reinhardt will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Reinhardt thuds his right hand into Paquiao's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Paquiao moves out of range of the body kick from Reinhardt.
Paquiao lands a nice hook to Reinhardt's body. Reinhardt takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Reinhardt looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Reinhardt throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Paquiao avoids the body shot from Reinhardt.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Reinhardt tries a low kick but Paquiao avoids it.
A jab from Paquiao misses.
Reinhardt looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Reinhardt thumps Paquiao with a low kick.
Paquiao blocks a head kick by Reinhardt.
Paquiao avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Reinhardt shoots for a double leg takedown but Paquiao sprawls well. He's pushed Reinhardt's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Victor Reinhardt seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Reinhardt swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reinhardt moves out of range as Paquiao strikes.
Paquiao throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Paquiao misses with a straight left.
Reinhardt throws a chopping leg kick but Paquiao manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Reinhardt scores with a nice body kick.
Reinhardt avoids a kick to the body.
Reinhardt throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Paquiao has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Reinhardt.
Reinhardt misses with an attempted mid kick.
Reinhardt shoots in and drives through. Paquiao sprawls well.
Reinhardt sizes up Paquiao with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Paquiao getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Paquiao swings for the body but Reinhardt moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reinhardt throws a sloppy head kick and Paquiao moves out of range easily.
Reinhardt fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Paquiao checks it well.
Paquiao just misses with a punch to the body.
Reinhardt tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Reinhardt's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Paquiao connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Reinhardt scrambles back to his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Reinhardt misses with a left hand

and Paquiao counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Paquiao wants to get back to his feet.
Paquiao takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Reinhardt wants to get back to full guard.
Paquiao tries to stand but can't do so whilst Reinhardt controls his leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reinhardt is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Reinhardt trying to control here.
Paquiao tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Reinhardt.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Paquiao wants to control but Reinhardt is keeping him busy.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Reinhardt scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Both fighters circling a little - Paquiao finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Reinhardt on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Paquiao blocks the body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reinhardt throws a push kick but Paquiao slaps the foot to one side.
Reinhardt takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Paquiao digs a good hook to Reinhardt's body.
Paquiao throws the kick towards the body but Reinhardt avoids it.
Reinhardt fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Paquiao has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Paquiao lands with a hook. Reinhardt tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Manuel Paquiao is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Reinhardt throws a head kick but Paquiao moves out of range.
Paquiao throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Reinhardt counters with a one-two to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Reinhardt lands a nice looking body kick.
Paquiao on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Reinhardt throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nice shot lands for Reinhardt.
Paquiao misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Reinhardt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Victor Reinhardt will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Nice body kick there by Reinhardt.
Reinhardt moves away from the strike by Paquiao.
A slapping leg kick lands for Reinhardt.
Reinhardt ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Paquiao really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Reinhardt throws a quick inside leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Paquiao. Reinhardt does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Reinhardt, right into the meat.
Reinhardt tries for a takedown but Paquiao sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Reinhardt works Paquiao's body with a nice hook.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Reinhardt shoots in for a double leg but Paquiao sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Reinhardt drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Reinhardt throws a low kick, looking for Paquiao's leg but Paquiao calmly moves out of range.
Good leg kick by Reinhardt there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Reinhardt will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reinhardt throws a head kick but Paquiao moves out of range.
Reinhardt throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Reinhardt misses the shot to the body.
Paquiao throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Paquiao takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Paquiao thuds a left hand into Reinhardt's body.
Reinhardt dips to his left and cracks Paquiao with an uppercut!
Paquiao throws a hook but Reinhardt avoids it easily.
Paquiao takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Reinhardt throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Paquiao misses with a looping left.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Reinhardt.
Reinhardt motions for Paquiao to come forward. Reinhardt throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reinhardt 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.
Paquiao cracks Reinhardt with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Paquiao looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Reinhardt cracks the inside of Paquiao's front leg.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Paquiao on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Reinhardt fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Reinhardt misses the shot to the body.
Paquiao takes a swing at Reinhardt's ribcage but misses.
Reinhardt takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Reinhardt attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Paquiao throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Paquiao moves into range and connects with a jab.

Reinhardt is rocked!
Paquiao lands with a precision combination! Left, right, uppercut and Reinhardt falls flat on his face, eyes wide open but he's out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Manuel Paquiao!
An out of breath Manuel Paquiao thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.