PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Manuel Paquiao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brandan Kirwan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Paquiao
vs
Kirwan

190 cm
24
166 lbs
14 - 13 - 0

174 cm
22
171 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

ADCC Champion
Basic striking
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 13 - 0, fighting out of London, Manuel Paquiao!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Brandan Kirwan!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, William Gold and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Paquiao gets caught flat footed, as Kirwan shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Kirwan thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Kirwan trying to control the position from guard on top but Paquiao is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Paquiao tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kirwan wants to pass the guard but Paquiao is keeping the position.
Kirwan won't allow Paquiao to get back to his feet.
Paquiao knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Kirwan on the ground.
Kirwan advances to half guard.
Kirwan looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Kirwan is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Kirwan trying to control from half guard but Paquiao is working away.

Kirwan is working for a submission of some sort.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kirwan seems to be working for a kimura but Paquiao defends the submission attempt.
Kirwan is trying to control. Paquiao wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Kirwan wants to work for an arm triangle but Paquiao is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Kirwan 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.
Paquiao really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Paquiao is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paquiao is trying to stand back up but Kirwan is controlling him
Kirwan seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Paquiao does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Paquiao on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Paquiao tries to get out of the position.

Kirwan is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Paquiao has managed to free his arm - good work.
Kirwan moves into full mount! Paquiao won't be happy about that!

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Kirwan is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Paquiao is surviving well by controlling Kirwan's body position as best he can.
Paquiao tries to hold on but Kirwan pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paquiao's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.

Kirwan is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Paquiao can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.

Kirwan has hold of Paquiao's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Paquiao manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Paquiao tries to reverse the position but Kirwan maintains control.
Kirwan trying to control but Paquiao is having none of it.

Kirwan looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Paquiao can't escape the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kirwan is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Paquiao is surviving well by controlling Kirwan's body position as best he can.
Kirwan can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Paquiao is looking to escape.
Paquiao is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

Kirwan working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

Kirwan looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Kirwan working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Kirwan is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Paquiao is surviving well by controlling Kirwan's body position as best he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brandan Kirwan dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Paquiao looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Paquiao misses with a looping right.
Paquiao throws the left hand but Kirwan avoids the punch easily.
Paquiao throws a jab but it's blocked by Kirwan.
Kirwan darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
A jab from Kirwan misses.
Kirwan throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Paquiao throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kirwan sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Paquiao swats away the attempt to clinch by Kirwan.
Paquiao swinging wildly here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paquiao lands a jab to the nose.
Kirwan throws a jab when Paquiao was well out of range.
Kirwan misses with a straight right.
Paquiao keeps the fight on the outside.
Paquiao clobbers Kirwan with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Kirwan walks into a jab.

Kirwan bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Paquiao is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Kirwan working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

Kirwan looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Kirwan has hold of Paquiao's arm here. He's working for an Americana. It looks like he might have it! Paquiao tries to escape but he's just digging himself in deeper - Kirwan cranks the arm and Paquiao screams in pain! The ref makes a decision and ends the fight before the tap - no complains from Paquiao, who is just happy to have his arm attached to his body.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:05 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Brandan Kirwan!
Brandan Kirwan seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.