PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joao Manfla (ranked 2769 p4p, 3570 weight class) and Tim Bellington (ranked 348 p4p, 446 weight class). Bellington is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by “Car Wars”. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Manfla
vs
Bellington

200 cm
25
213
3 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
220
1 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Big heart

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Experienced

Bondi MMA

The Natural Order
Bondi MMA

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Joao Manfla!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Tim Bellington!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, Jonathan Paton and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Manfla doesn't manage to clinch there - Bellington circles away.
Bellington swings away with a leg kick that misses.
The fight stays on the outside here - Manfla looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Bellington throws a leg kick that is checked
and Manfla counters with a nice uppercut.

Bellington fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Manfla sprawls well initially but Bellington persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Manfla looks like he's trying to stand up.
Manfla definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bellington throwing shots but Manfla is blocking nicely.
Bellington throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Bellington thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Manfla's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bellington thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Manfla's head.
Manfla avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Bellington.
Manfla is trying to stand.
Manfla avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Bellington.
Manfla tries to roll over but Bellington keeps him under control.
Bellington missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Manfla trying to control from the bottom.
Bellington missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Bellington content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

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.
Bellington sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Manfla defending well though.
Bellington has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Manfla actively working from the bottom here.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Bellington is looking to chop away at Manfla's legs.
Manfla wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Bellington stuffs the takedown.
Bellington misses with a low kick as Manfla jumps back.
Manfla tries to clinch but Bellington moves out of range.
Bellington scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Manfla doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Manfla is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manfla bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Manfla half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Manfla fails to land the takedown.
Manfla checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Manfla tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Bellington manages to circle out of the way.
Bellington misses the shot to the body.
Bellington lands with a nice body punch.

Bellington feints and then winds up with a huge right hand that connects perfectly and sends Manfla sprawling to the canvas! Manfla rolls over backwards and springs off the cage and manages to regain his footing - how acrobatic! Oh, he's still wobbly - can Bellington finish him?!

Manfla is rocked!
Bellington misses with a low kick.
Manfla half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Oh Manfla is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

Bellington gets a big slam - oh, Manfla is out! Manfla is out! That's a nasty KO!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:53 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Slam). Tim Bellington!
After the fight, Tim Bellington was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.