PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Edison Patterson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Manalo (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.

Patterson
vs
Manalo

209 cm
24
151 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

170 cm
25
143 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Edison Patterson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, James Manalo!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Patterson shoots for a takedown but Manalo saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Patterson fails with a takedown attempt.
Edison Patterson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Patterson.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Edison Patterson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Patterson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Manalo is trying hard to land a takedown here. Patterson sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Patterson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Manalo clinches.
Patterson is looking for a takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manalo wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Manalo working hard to break the clinch.
Patterson has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Manalo is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Manalo escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Patterson will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Patterson slips a jab and a cross from Manalo.
Manalo is looking to clinch but Patterson is avoiding it.

Patterson gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Patterson breaks the clinch.
Patterson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Manalo pinned against the cage. Manalo gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Patterson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Patterson shoots in but no luck this time.
Manalo misses with a wild body shot.
Patterson shoots in for a takedown but Manalo shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Patterson shoots in for a double leg but Manalo sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Patterson is breathing heavily.
Patterson closes this distance looking for a takedown but Manalo circles away.
Manalo lands with a straight right. Patterson didn't see that one coming.
Manalo is trying hard to land a takedown here. Patterson sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manalo throws a jab when Patterson was well out of range.
Patterson tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Manalo defends well and Patterson ends up having to push Manalo into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Manalo has had enough of the clinch but Patterson keeps him there for the moment.

Patterson pulls guard effortlessly.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Patterson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Manalo is one step ahead there.

Patterson has his foot on Manalo's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Manalo works his way back into a safe position though.
Manalo wants to control from the top but Patterson keeps moving.
Patterson keeping full guard, as Manalo tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Manalo stands up and waves to Patterson to follow him.
Patterson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Manalo is fending him off so far but Patterson persists. Nope, Manalo circles away and we're back to standing.
Patterson tries to clinch there but Manalo circles away.
Patterson is trying hard to land a takedown here. Manalo sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Patterson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Manalo as he avoids it easily.
Patterson on the wrong end of a nice jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but James Manalo will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Patterson looks for a takedown but Manalo sprawls well.
Manalo tries a head kick but it misses.
Manalo blocks a head kick by Patterson.
Patterson really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Patterson stuffs the takedown.
Edison Patterson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Manalo misses with a wild combination.
Patterson shoots for a takedown but Manalo saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Patterson wants to clinch up but Manalo keeps it at a distance.
Manalo is breathing heavily.
Patterson misses with a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manalo rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Patterson counters with a one-two to the body.
Patterson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Manalo swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Manalo swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Manalo has Patterson up against the cage in a clinch.

Manalo breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Manalo stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Manalo wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Edison Patterson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Patterson is looking to clinch but Manalo is avoiding it.
Manalo throws a body punch but Patterson moves out of range.
A left lands for Patterson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Patterson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Manalo as he avoids it easily.
Edison Patterson is winning the standup battle so far.
Patterson misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Patterson fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Patterson tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Manalo defends well and Patterson ends up having to push Manalo into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Manalo breaks the clinch.
Patterson darts in looking for a takedown but Manalo gets double underhooks and turns Patterson into the cage.
Patterson jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Manalo walks away with a smile on his face. Patterson gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Manalo misses with a low kick.
A jab lands there for Manalo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Patterson shoots in but no luck this time.
Manalo throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Patterson counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Manalo closes the distance and pushes Patterson back into the cage.

Manalo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Manalo misses with a wild combination.
Patterson shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Manalo sprawls well. Manalo wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Patterson gets slowly back to his feet.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Patterson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Patterson takes a shot to the body in his stride.

Patterson gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Manalo letting Patterson take a breather here.
Manalo can't find room to land a body shot as Patterson controls the action.
Manalo tries to break free but Patterson pushes him back against the cage.
Patterson tries to pull guard but Manalo forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Manalo is trying to force a seperation but Patterson has the dominant position.

Patterson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Patterson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but James Manalo will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Patterson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Nice shot lands for Manalo.
Manalo tries to score a power double leg takedown but Patterson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Manalo somewhat.
Patterson is looking to clinch.
Manalo showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Patterson.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Patterson fails to land the takedown.
Patterson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A slow jab from Manalo misses its intended target.
Manalo fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Manalo takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Patterson will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Patterson lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Patterson tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Manalo is able to avoid easily.
Patterson shoots for a double leg takedown but Manalo sprawls well. He's pushed Patterson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Patterson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Manalo tries to avoid it but Patterson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Manalo to the ground. Manalo escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Edison Patterson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Manalo fails to land the takedown.
Patterson tries to clinch up but Manalo circles away and keeps his distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Patterson misses with an attempted mid kick.
Patterson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Patterson rushes Manalo and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Patterson wants a takedown but no success here.

Manalo breaks the clinch.
Patterson fails to land the takedown.
Manalo shoots for a takedown but Patterson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manalo fails to land the takedown.
Patterson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Patterson throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Manalo connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Patterson's hands.
Patterson goes for a double leg but Manalo avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Manalo continues to drive forward.
Patterson drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Manalo gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Manalo tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Patterson smiles and moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Manalo fails with a takedown attempt.
Patterson wants to clinch up but Manalo keeps it at a distance.
Patterson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Edison Patterson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
James Manalo is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Patterson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

And that's the end of the fight!
Edison Patterson showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Manalo has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Manalo!