PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jacob Hayes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Manu Speziale (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Hayes
vs
Speziale

180 cm
26
175 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

200 cm
22
181 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Powerful takedowns
Good kicks
Granite chin

-OVERDOSE Factory-

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jacob Hayes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Manu Speziale!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Bruno Hogan and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Speziale throws a head kick but Hayes moves out of range.
Good exchange - Hayes coming out on top.

It looks like Manu Speziale has been cut.
Speziale pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Speziale fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Speziale looks for the body kick but Hayes saw that one coming.
Hayes moves forwards but Speziale connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Speziale throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hayes. Speziale does a little dance to reset his feet.
Speziale 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.
Hayes fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A combination from Speziale does no damage.
Speziale lands a high kick!

It looks like Jacob Hayes has been cut.
Speziale missing with a left hand there. Hayes was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hayes doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Speziale bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Speziale lands a jab.
Manu Speziale seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Speziale dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Hayes takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Hayes loads up on a big right hand but Speziale slips the punch.
Hayes throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Speziale lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Speziale misses with a body kick.
A head kick misses from Speziale.
Hayes throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Hayes looks to land a body kick but Speziale moved away.
Speziale throws a head kick that misses.
Speziale throws a head kick that misses.
A slapping leg kick lands for Speziale.
Hayes cracks Speziale with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Speziale fakes the leg kick and cracks Hayes in the body.
Hayes misses with a low kick.
Speziale lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A low kick from Speziale misses
and Hayes counters with a right hand to the body.
Speziale chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Speziale throws a nice looking combination but Hayes bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Hayes takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Speziale fails to land with a series of punches.
A head kick by Hayes misses
and Speziale finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Hayes moves out of range of the body kick.
Speziale scores with a leg kick.
Hayes showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Speziale.
Speziale scores with the left hand. Hayes knows he should have avoided that one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Speziale rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Hayes moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A head kick by Hayes misses
and Speziale counters with a nice body kick.
Hayes is breathing heavily.
Hayes throws a combination that misses
letting Speziale counter with a right hand.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Speziale.
Speziale misses with a body kick.
Speziale pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Speziale throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Speziale scores with the left hand. Hayes knows he should have avoided that one.
Speziale misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Hayes thows a leg kick but Speziale checks it
and Speziale counters with a good, hard body kick but Hayes shrugs it off.
A jab from Hayes finds it's way through Speziale's defenses.
Hayes takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hayes throws a lazy body kick

and Speziale holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Speziale lands an elbow inside that Hayes shrugs off.
Speziale throws a knee to the head but misses.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Speziale obliges.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Knees in the clinch landing for Speziale.
Speziale lands an elbow that stopped Hayes in his tracks for a moment.

Speziale lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Speziale is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Speziale sitting and controlling from the half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hayes wants to improve his position but Speziale is controlling well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Manu Speziale dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Speziale misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A swing and a miss from Hayes.
Hayes lands a nice leg kick that just misses Speziale's sensitive parts.
Speziale misses with a hook. Hayes ducked under it nicely.
Hayes throws a hook but Speziale avoids it easily.
Speziale throws a head kick that misses.
Hayes misses the jab.
Speziale feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Hayes's calf.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Speziale keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hayes.
Speziale throws a sloppy head kick and Hayes moves out of range easily.
Speziale slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Speziale throws a leg kick but Hayes sees it coming and moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Speziale tries to clinch up but Hayes circles away and keeps his distance.
Hayes throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Jacob Hayes is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Speziale lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Hayes blocks a low kick nicely.
Speziale is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Hayes takes a kick to the side of the head.
Hayes takes a kick to the side of the head.
Speziale throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Speziale has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Speziale throws an overhand right that lands on Hayes's shoulder, as Hayes tries to avoid the shot.
Speziale misses with a two punch combination.
Speziale tries to land a leg kick but Hayes saw it coming and moves away.
Speziale tries to land a front kick but Hayes steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Speziale lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
A head kick misses from Speziale.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Speziale connects with a high kick.
A head kick misses from Speziale.
Hayes throws a half hearted mid kick.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Speziale in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Hayes throws a lazy head kick
and Speziale counters with a stiff right hand.
Speziale attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Speziale throws a sloppy head kick and Hayes moves out of range easily.
Hayes drops his hands momentarily and Speziale takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Speziale throws a head kick but Hayes moves out of range.
Hayes misses with a double jab
and Speziale counters with an inside leg kick.
Speziale tries to close the distance and clinch but Hayes swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Speziale throws a sloppy head kick and Hayes moves out of range easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hayes pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Speziale scores with a hook.
Speziale misses with a looping right.
Speziale bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Hayes throws a series of punches but Speziale moves out of range.
Hayes swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Speziale pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hayes slips a straight right by Speziale.
No joy there for Hayes, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Speziale wants to clinch up but Hayes keeps it at a distance.
Speziale bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Hayes's head.
Speziale tries a head kick but it misses.

Speziale clinches up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Speziale lands a hook to the side of the head.
Hayes is looking to break free of the clinch but Speziale has double underhooks.
Speziale lands a damaging elbow.
Speziale tries to land knees in the clinch but Hayes avoids the damage to the body.
Hayes is trying to force a seperation but Speziale has the dominant position.
Speziale lands a shot to the body.
Speziale lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

Jacob Hayes's cut is getting worse.
Speziale scores with a nice hook to the head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hayes wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Speziale lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Hayes is trying to force a seperation but Speziale has the dominant position.
Speziale with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

Jacob Hayes's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Speziale is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Speziale lands a knee to the head.
Knees in the clinch landing for Speziale.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Speziale lands an elbow inside.
Speziale lands a knee to the head.
Speziale lands a body shot in the clinch.
A short right from Speziale.
Speziale unloads a knee to the mid-section.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Speziale slowing the pace effectively.
Hayes has had enough of the clinch but Speziale keeps him there for the moment.
Knees to the body from Speziale.
Speziale landing knees to the head.
Hayes is trying to break the clinch but Speziale is controlling him.
Speziale lands an elbow that stopped Hayes in his tracks for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Manu Speziale showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Speziale throws a nice inside leg kick.
Hayes chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Speziale can pounce on him.
Hayes is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Speziale dips to his left and cracks Hayes with an uppercut!
Speziale throws a lazy body kick
and Hayes connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Speziale has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Speziale.
Hayes throws a series of punches but Speziale avoids them all with ease.
Speziale lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Speziale throws a head kick that misses.
Hayes misses with a leg kick
and Speziale counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Hayes will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Hayes tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hayes misses with a kick to the body.
Speziale uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Hayes has time to react.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Speziale throws a head kick but Hayes moves out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Speziale looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hayes cracks Speziale with a right hand to the side of the head.
Hayes throws a head kick that misses.
Speziale lands a nice leg kick that just misses Hayes's sensitive parts.
Speziale throws a sloppy head kick and Hayes moves out of range easily.
Speziale throws a quick inside leg kick.
Speziale misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Speziale drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Speziale throws a head kick that Hayes semi-blocks.
Speziale bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Manu Speziale is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Speziale swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hayes misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Speziale.
Speziale bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Hayes's head.
Speziale is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Hayes loads up on a big right hand but Speziale slips the punch.
Hayes swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Speziale counters with an inside leg kick.
Speziale throws a nice head kick!
Speziale misses with a jab, cross combination.
Speziale looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Jacob Hayes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A nice leg kick lands there from Speziale.
Hayes circles away from the clinch attempt.
Speziale misses the shot to the body.
Speziale throws a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hayes avoids the body shot from Speziale.
Speziale throws a leg kick but Hayes moved away.
Hayes circles away from the clinch attempt.
Hayes checks a low kick from Speziale.
Speziale throws a leg kick that misses.
Hayes takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Hayes misses with a combination
and Speziale counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Manu Speziale seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Speziale lands with an overhand left.
Hayes keeps the fight on the outside.
Speziale scores with a crisp jab that stopped Hayes in his tracks.
Speziale throws a leg kick that misses.
Speziale throws a sloppy head kick and Hayes moves out of range easily.

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.
Speziale swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Hayes counters with a nice uppercut.
Hayes throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Speziale finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
A head kick from Speziale lands but Hayes takes it in his stride.
A head kick misses from Speziale.
Speziale steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hayes.
Speziale lands a high kick!
Speziale looks to land a left hand but Hayes moved out of range nicely.
Speziale misses with a head kick.
A big right from Hayes misses.
Hayes throws a right hand that Speziale ducks under and follows up with a left that Speziale also avoids with ease.
Speziale throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Speziale tries to clinch up but Hayes circles away and keeps his distance.

And that's the end of the fight!
Manu Speziale comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Speziale has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Hugh Johnson scores the fight 26:30
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 27:30
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Manu Speziale!