PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joao Manfla (ranked 2348 p4p, 3894 weight class) and Dean Herb (ranked 300 p4p, 471 weight class). Dean Herb has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Joao Manfla's chin.

Manfla
vs
Herb

200 cm
26
213
4 - 1 - 0

190 cm
25
215
3 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Big heart

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Likes musicals

Carnage
Bondi MMA ðŸï¸

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dean Herb!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Steve Montenegro and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Manfla moves into the clinch.
Herb tries for a takedown. No joy.
Manfla avoiding damage.
Manfla pressing his opponent against the cage.
Manfla seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.

Manfla gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Herb regains guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Herb manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
A short right from Manfla on the inside.
A shot in the inside from Manfla.
Herb goes for a takedown in the clinch but Manfla prevents it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Herb can't get the takedown.
Joao Manfla has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dean Herb.
Herb blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Manfla is struggling to control the position.
Manfla stalling in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manfla scores with a shoulder strike.
Herb looking for a takedown.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Manfla prevents the takedown attempt.
Herb looking for a takedown.
Manfla lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Herb tries for a takedown but Manfla manages to get underhooks.
Manfla prevents a takedown attempt there.
Herb is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Manfla looking to throw knees to the head but Herb is blocking nicely.
Nice body punch from Manfla.
Manfla misses with a knee to the head.
Herb tries for a takedown. No joy.
Manfla stalling.
Manfla gets through Herb's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Manfla.
Manfla tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Herb's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Manfla lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Manfla slows down the pace here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Manfla pushes Herb back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Manfla lands with a left to the head.
Manfla gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Herb.
Herb tries to score a body lock takedown but Manfla shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Manfla is pushing Herb up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
The referee calls for Manfla to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A right handed body shot lands from Manfla.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Manfla.
Herb changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Manfla fights it off and pushes away nicely.
A left lands for Manfla.
Manfla looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

Manfla closes the distance and clinches.
Manfla is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Manfla.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Herb changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Manfla fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Manfla gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Herb goes for a takedown in the clinch but Manfla prevents it.
A bit of stalling here from Manfla.
Manfla stalling in the clinch.

Manfla has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Herb clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
You can see the frustration on Herb's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

Manfla is persistently looking for the submission but Herb is defending it well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Herb looking very determined here, making life difficult for Manfla.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Joao Manfla dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Herb shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Herb shoots in for a double leg but Manfla sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Herb shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Manfla pinned against the cage. Manfla gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Joao Manfla has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dean Herb.
Manfla throws a series of punches but Herb moves out of range.
Herb throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Manfla's waist but Manfla gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Herb off to one side.
Manfla is looking to counter the offense by Herb and move into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Herb throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Manfla's waist but Manfla gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Herb off to one side.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Manfla lands a shoulder strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Herb has Manfla pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Manfla manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Herb changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Manfla fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Herb gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Manfla connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Herb is breathing heavily.
Herb shoots for a double leg takedown but Manfla sprawls well. He's pushed Herb's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Herb shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Manfla is trying to defend but Herb finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Herb stops Manfla from getting back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Herb wants to lay and pray for a moment but Manfla keeps working.
Manfla looks like he's trying to stand up.
Manfla trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

Herb in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. Manfla tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Herb!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:52 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Dean Herb!