PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Matthew Morrison (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Mcmanus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Morrison
vs
Mcmanus

165 cm
24
279 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

197 cm
25
242 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Solid chin

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Matthew Morrison!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, James Mcmanus!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Joseph Jones and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mcmanus throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Morrison could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Mcmanus fails to land with a series of punches.
Morrison keeps the fight on the outside.
Mcmanus shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Morrison pinned against the cage. Morrison gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Morrison tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Mcmanus manages to circle out of the way.

Morrison closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Mcmanus's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Morrison loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Mcmanus has his foot on Morrison's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Morrison works his way back into a safe position though.
Mcmanus tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Mcmanus controls Morrison momentarily but Morrison frees himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morrison engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Mcmanus is looking to stand up but Morrison isn't so interested in that idea.
Morrison lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Mcmanus trying to control the position.
Morrison controlling from the top position.

Morrison stands up from Mcmanus's guard - Morrison perhaps looking for a knockout.
Mcmanus moves to clinch but Morrison breaks away

and Morrison counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Mcmanus!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mcmanus looks winded!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here.

Morrison stands up and we're back to a striking position.

Mcmanus tries to keep at a distance but Morrison has taken the fight into the clinch.

Morrison jumps into guard, dragging Mcmanus to the mat.
Morrison pulls Mcmanus in close to prevent any damage.
Mcmanus really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Morrison. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Mcmanus trying to control the position from guard on top but Morrison is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Morrison has Mcmanus pulled in close to control his posture.
Mcmanus must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Morrison closes the distance and clinches.

Mcmanus manages to break the clinch.
James Mcmanus seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mcmanus throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Mcmanus shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Morrison but Morrison pushes him off and we're back to square one.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Mcmanus.
Matthew Morrison has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Mcmanus.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Mcmanus closes the distance looking to clinch

and Morrison counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matthew Morrison dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Matthew Morrison's cut.
That's time! Morrison's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Morrison throws a head kick but Mcmanus moves out of range.

Morrison gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Morrison is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Mcmanus wants to control but Morrison is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Morrison trying to control the pace.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morrison prevents Mcmanus from improving his position.
Morrison winds up and cracks Mcmanus with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Morrison is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Mcmanus is breathing heavily.
Morrison is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Mcmanus can do to turn this around?
Morrison takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Morrison controlling the action here.

Morrison stands up out of the half guard.
The fight stays on the outside here - Mcmanus looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Morrison moves into the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Mcmanus's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Mcmanus tries to pull guard but Morrison won't allow it.
Morrison drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Mcmanus gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Morrison effectively controlling the action here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morrison scores with a nice hook to the head.
Still in the clinch, Morrison scores with a nice short uppercut.
Mcmanus blocking some punches.
Morrison is pressed up against the cage. Mcmanus has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Morrison down to the mat. Morrison avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Morrison moves out of range of the strikes.

Mcmanus has closed the distance and engaged Morrison in a clinch.
Morrison pressing his opponent against the cage.
Mcmanus tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Morrison smiles and moves away.
Matthew Morrison has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Mcmanus.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Morrison throws a leg kick but Mcmanus sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Good leg kick by Mcmanus there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Morrison looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Mcmanus throws a counter combo.
Matthew Morrison is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Morrison tries a head kick but it misses.
Mcmanus is looking for the big counter here.

Morrison looking to score a takedown here. Mcmanus is defending well but Morrison drives through and ends up in Mcmanus's guard.
Morrison slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Mcmanus trying to control the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Mcmanus is working an open guard so Morrison takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Morrison misses with a double jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Morrison looking to score a takedown here. Mcmanus is defending well but Morrison drives through and ends up in Mcmanus's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matthew Morrison dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Matthew Morrison's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Morrison moves into the clinch.
Morrison misses with some punches.
Mcmanus is trying to pull guard but Morrison has him pressed against the cage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Morrison prevents the takedown attempt.
Morrison is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

Morrison drags the fight down to the ground.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Morrison is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Morrison not doing much here.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Mcmanus can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mcmanus takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Morrison decides to stand up.
Morrison circles away from the clinch attempt.
Mcmanus falls off balance throwing a combination

and Morrison counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Mcmanus controls Morrison momentarily but Morrison frees himself.
Morrison postures up and lands a big shot to Mcmanus's brow.

Morrison stands up and waves to Mcmanus to follow him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Morrison tries a head kick but it misses.
Mcmanus drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Morrison defends it well.

Morrison moves into the clinch.
Morrison lands with a short shot to the head.
Mcmanus stops a takedown attempt from Morrison.
Mcmanus is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Morrison pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Matthew Morrison has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Mcmanus.
A bit of stalling here from Morrison.
Morrison lands a left hand that snaps the head of Mcmanus backwards.
Morrison lands with a right to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Morrison lands with a left to the head.
Morrison throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Mcmanuss head.
A bit of stalling here from Morrison.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morrison goes for a takedown attempt but Mcmanus pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Mcmanus checks the leg kick nicely there.
A head kick misses from Morrison.
Morrison blocks a head kick by Mcmanus.
Morrison feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Mcmanus's calf.
Morrison goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Mcmanus shoots and misses

and Morrison moves into the clinch.

Morrison works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

Morrison stands and steps away. Mcmanus gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Morrison throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Mcmanus takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Morrison has taken the fight to the clinch.
Mcmanus tries to pull guard but Morrison won't allow it.

Morrison wants the takedown. Mcmanus is fighting it off but Morrison persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Mcmanus's guard against the cage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
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!

Morrison stands up from Mcmanus's guard - Morrison perhaps looking for a knockout.

Morrison clinches with his opponent.
Mcmanus takes a shot to the head.
Mcmanus wants to break the clinch but can't.
Mcmanus blocks an uppercut.
James Mcmanus has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Matthew Morrison is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Mcmanus misses with a body punch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matthew Morrison showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Morrison has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Columbo Gatti scores the fight 30:27
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 30:27
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matthew Morrison!