PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Antonio Tarver (ranked 750 p4p, 1638 weight class) and Reni Manfield (ranked 84 p4p, 179 weight class). Both these fighters are unbeaten, so somebody's 0 has got to go!Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Tarver
vs
Manfield

169 cm
26
145
9 - 0 - 0

163 cm
20
153
6 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Cardio machine

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Big Chief Nutrition & Laundry Services
UNDEFEATED

Brooklyn Threads
Nutritional Shaved Ice

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 9 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Antonio Tarver!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Reni Manfield!
The judges for this bout are Dillan Fox, Ian Loll and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Tarver drives through and clinches with Manfield against the cage.
Tarver jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Manfield walks away with a smile on his face. Tarver gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Manfield cracks Tarver with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

Tarver closes the distance and clinches.
Tarver jumps guard but Manfield stands there with Tarver around his waist. Tarver gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Tarver.
Manfield stalling.
Tarver jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Manfield walks away with a smile on his face. Tarver gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Antonio Tarver. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Manfield ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Manfield swats away the attempt to clinch by Tarver.
A countering left hand to the body from Manfield misses.
Nice defenses there by Tarver.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tarver tries to close the distance and clinch up but Manfield swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Manfield is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Tarver with a body shot.
Tarver moves in looking to clinch but Manfield pushes him off.
A countering left hand to the body from Manfield misses.

Manfield gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Tarver jumps guard but Manfield stands there with Tarver around his waist. Tarver gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Tarver decides to pull guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Manfield accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Tarver looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Manfield passes into half guard.
Manfield is pressing down on Tarver's thigh, looking to free his foot. Tarver is holding on for now.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Manfield lands a nice short elbow.
Manfield trying to pass the guard but Tarver defending well.

Tarver looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Tarver actively working from the bottom here.
Manfield trying to pass the guard but Tarver defending well.
Manfield throwing shots but Tarver is blocking nicely.
Manfield is stalling here. Tarver is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Manfield seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Tarver has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.

Tarver goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Manfield has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Tarver but great work by Manfield.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tarver defending against the ground and pound.
Manfield is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Tarver will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Tarver takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Tarver tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Manfield presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Manfield controlling his opponent.
Tarver tries to lock up and control but Manfield gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Manfield controlling from the full mount.
Manfield landing strikes, looking to finish!
Tarver in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Manfield lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Tarver regains half guard.

Tarver looking for submissions off his back.
Manfield is keen to just control but Tarver is a slippery customer.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Reni Manfield dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Manfield misses with a straight left.
Manfield avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Manfield looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Manfield throws out a loose jab but Tarver uses good head movement to avoid it.
Manfield swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Manfield throws a good cross that connects.
Tarver doesn't manage to clinch there - Manfield circles away.

Tarver closes the distance and pushes Manfield back into the cage.
Tarver tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Manfield smiles and moves away.

Tarver closes the distance and clinches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tarver is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Manfield to keep the fight standing.

Tarver jumps guard and drags Manfield to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Tarver looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Manfield has picked Tarver up and slammed him! Tarver can't keep hold of the triangle and Manfield manages to pass to side control!
Manfield works to advance to full mount. Tarver defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manfield content just to control the position here.
Tarver is in all sorts of trouble here.
Tarver is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Nap or Tap, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Manfield trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Manfield prevents Tarver from getting the reversal.
The referee warns Tarver that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Manfield wants to control the pace but Tarver is squirming around nicely.
Tarver working to try and regain half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tarver wants to control but Manfield is having none of it.
Tarver gets back to half guard.
Tarver is staying active underneath Manfield, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Reni Manfield has got the better of the ground game so far.
Manfield slips a nice elbow through Tarver's hands, connecting with Tarver's forehead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Tarver is trying to control but can't.
Manfield has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Tarver avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Manfield.

Manfield looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Manfield dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Tarver. That did some damage!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
A swing and a miss from Manfield.
Tarver tries to close the distance and clinch but Manfield swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Manfield throws a counter combo.
Manfield avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Manfield has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Tarver is looking to clinch but Manfield is avoiding it.
Tarver fails with an attempt to clinch.

Tarver clinches.
Manfield works on Tarver's body with a couple of short punches.

Tarver gets control of Manfield's arms and successfully pulls guard. Tarver will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Tarver working for a triangle but Manfield defends it easily.

Tarver is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Manfield is aware though and is defending well.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Reni Manfield showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Tarver wants to clinch but Manfield slips to the side

and Manfield counters with a single leg into guard. Tarver didn't expect that.

Tarver looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Manfield passes into side control.
Manfield trying to control the action but Tarver is working from the bottom.

Manfield thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tarver manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tarver looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Manfield looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Manfield content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Manfield trying to pass the guard but Tarver defending well.
Manfield is keen to just control but Tarver is a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Tarver is trying to maintain the position but Manfield is very close to passing his half guard.

Tarver looking for a kimura from the bottom but Manfield passes into side control!
Manfield is looking to take a break and control but Tarver is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Tarver prevents Manfield from improving position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tarver gets back to half guard.

Tarver looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Tarver trying to hold on to Manfield's head to control him but Manfield postures up.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Some bone on bone action there as Tarver checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Tarver tries to clinch
and Manfield counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Tarver is looking to clinch.

Tarver has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Manfield is working Tarver over against the cage.
Tarver blocks an elbow strike.
Tarver fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Manfield throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Tarvers head.

Manfield breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Manfield swats away the attempt to clinch by Tarver.
Tarver tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Manfield paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Tarver steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Manfield.
No joy there for Manfield, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Manfield fails with an attempt to clinch.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Manfield rushes Tarver and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Tarver is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Manfield to keep the fight standing.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Manfield.
Tarver jumps guard but Manfield stands there with Tarver around his waist. Tarver gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Reni Manfield really dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Manfield circles away from the clinch attempt.
Antonio Tarver seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Manfield shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Tarver manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Manfield is looking to work some ground and pound but Tarver has wrist control.
Manfield is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Tarver working for a triangle but Manfield defends it easily.
Manfield tries to free his leg and advance position but Tarver is retaining full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manfield wants to control from the top but Tarver keeps moving.

Tarver looking for subs off his back but Manfield has passed one foot through into half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Tarver is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Manfield pulls his head out easily.
Manfield throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Tarver to regain full guard.
Manfield throwing strikes from guard but Tarver blocks nicely.

Tarver is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Manfield defends well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manfield sitting in guard, not really doing much.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Manfield with a lazy takedown attempt

and Tarver counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Tarver.
Manfield pressing his opponent against the cage.

Manfield has picked Tarver up - he's going for a ride! Manfield dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Tarver wants to get back to full guard.

Manfield moves into side control, avoiding a weak kimura attempt from Tarver.
Manfield creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Tarver sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tarver is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Manfield is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Manfield lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Tarver tries to lock up and control but Manfield gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Manfield tries to control but Tarver wriggling away.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Manfield sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Manfield content just to control the position here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Reni Manfield dominated that fourth round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Tarver takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Manfield looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Tarver is fending him off so far but Manfield persists. Nope, Tarver circles away and we're back to standing.
Tarver looks to clinch
and Tarver takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Manfield throws a chopping leg kick but Tarver manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Tarver wants to clinch but Manfield slips to the side
and Manfield counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Tarver tries to close the distance and clinch but Manfield swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Tarver tries to clinch but Manfield moves out of range.
Tarver has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Manfield finds it's way round the side to connect with Tarver's head.
Manfield smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tarver tries to clinch there but Manfield circles away.
Manfield looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Tarver slips under a jab from Manfield.

Tarver closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Tarver tries to pull guard but Manfield forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Tarver jumps guard but Manfield stands there with Tarver around his waist. Tarver gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tarver blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Manfield misses with some punches.
Tarver is trying to pull guard but Manfield has him pressed against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Antonio Tarver. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tarver is trying to pull guard but Manfield turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Manfield has a couple of punches blocked by Tarver.
Manfield struggles to land a body shot inside as Tarver controls his hands.
Manfield wants a takedown.
Tarver blocks a body shot from Manfield.
Tarver jumps guard but Manfield stands there with Tarver around his waist. Tarver gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Tarver has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Manfield uses from the top position.

Tarver isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Manfield stacks Tarver on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Manfield!
Manfield wants to control for a moment but Tarver uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manfield trying to control from half guard but Tarver is working away.
Tarver slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manfield sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Tarver's guard.
Manfield stalling away here and it's allowed Tarver to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Manfield accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Manfield postures up.

Manfield avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Tarver is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Manfield is aware though and is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Manfield slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Manfield throwing strikes but Tarver manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Manfield is not content to let Tarver control the position.
Antonio Tarver has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Reni Manfield is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Manfield tries to get back to half guard but can't.

And that's the end of the fight!
Reni Manfield comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Manfield winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Dillan Fox scores the fight 45:50
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 45:50
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Reni Manfield!
Reni Manfield is the new featherweight champion!
Reni Manfield thanked the fans post fight for their support.