PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Paulo Figueira (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gegam Manavazyam (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gegam Manavazyam is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Figueira
vs
Manavazyam

185 cm
18
169 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

178 cm
23
178 lbs
1 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Intelligent

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Paulo Figueira!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Gegam Manavazyam!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Nard Betker and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Manavazyam throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Figueira drives through and clinches with Manavazyam against the cage.
Manavazyam working hard to break the clinch.
Manavazyam is pressed up against the cage. Figueira has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Manavazyam down to the mat. Manavazyam avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Figueira slips under a jab from Manavazyam.
Figueira avoids the head kick by Manavazyam.
A head kick misses from Manavazyam.
Figueira tries to clinch but Manavazyam is having none of it.
Manavazyam misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Manavazyam scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Manavazyam scores with a three punch combo!

Manavazyam tries to sprawl but Figueira drives through with a takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Figueira is trying to work for a kimura but Manavazyam is defending well.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Manavazyam can do anything to dispel that myth.
Figueira looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Manavazyam with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manavazyam is trying to control but can't.
Figueira wants to free his trapped foot but Manavazyam is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Figueira controlling the pace.
Manavazyam is looking to escape.

Figueira decides to stand and escape the position.
Manavazyam lands with an overhand left.
Figueira takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Manavazyam looks to throw the jab but Figueira is out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Figueira tries to clinch but Manavazyam moves out of range.
Figueira fails with a takedown attempt.
Figueira fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Paulo Figueira. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Manavazyam avoids a kick to the body.
Figueira tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Manavazyam defends well and Figueira ends up having to push Manavazyam into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Figueira has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Manavazyam avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Figueira jumps guard but Manavazyam turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Figueira is breathing heavily.
Figueira tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Figueira has Manavazyam pressed against the cage, preventing Manavazyam from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manavazyam wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Figueira has him pressed against the cage.
Manavazyam tries to break free but Figueira pushes him back against the cage.
Figueira is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Manavazyam to keep the fight standing.
Figueira wants to get back to striking at distance but Manavazyam won't allow it.
Figueira tries to break free but Manavazyam pushes him back against the cage.
Manavazyam is trying to break the clinch but Figueira has him pressed against the cage.
Manavazyam can't break the clinch.
Manavazyam wants to break free but Figueira has control.

Figueira breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nice takedown defense from Manavazyam. No joy for Figueira on that attempt.
Figueira fails with an attempt to clinch.
Gegam Manavazyam is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Figueira.
Manavazyam cracks Figueira with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Manavazyam moves into range and connects with a jab.
Figueira avoids the head kick by Manavazyam.
Figueira walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Manavazyam throws a head kick that misses.
Manavazyam lands a two punch combo.
Manavazyam throws a head kick that misses.
Manavazyam keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Manavazyam misses with a head kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Manavazyam misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Figueira misses with a low kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gegam Manavazyam dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Good standup being displayed there by Manavazyam as he connects with a hook.
Figueira looks to land a combination but Manavazyam avoids it well.
Manavazyam pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Figueira moves in looking to clinch but Manavazyam pushes him off.
Figueira tries to clinch
and Figueira takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Manavazyam throws a head kick that misses.
Manavazyam throws a jab but it's blocked by Figueira.
Manavazyam 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.
Manavazyam throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Manavazyam throws a sloppy head kick and Figueira moves out of range easily.
Manavazyam tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Manavazyam rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Figueira moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Figueira moves into the clinch successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manavazyam wants to get back to striking at distance but Figueira won't allow it.
Manavazyam wants to break the clinch but can't.
Figueira taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Figueira drops down looking for an ankle pick but Manavazyam pulls his leg out and moves away.
Manavazyam scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Figueira fails with the takedown
and Manavazyam counters with a nice uppercut.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Figueira fails with an attempt to clinch.
Figueira throws a body punch but Manavazyam moves out of range.
Manavazyam misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manavazyam throws a nice looking combination but Figueira bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Manavazyam throws a head kick but Figueira moves out of range.
Manavazyam looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Figueira on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Manavazyam scores with a decent looking hook.
Figueira throws a hook to the side of Manavazyam's head but Manavazyam sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Figueira darts in looking for a takedown but Manavazyam gets double underhooks and turns Figueira into the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Paulo Figueira. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Figueira prevents Manavazyam from breaking the clinch.
Figueira has a couple of punches blocked by Manavazyam.

Figueira decides to pull guard.
Manavazyam must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Figueira is on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manavazyam wants to stand and escape but Figueira is having none of it.
Manavazyam tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Manavazyam is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Figueira stands up and waves to Manavazyam to follow him.
Manavazyam throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Manavazyam tries to sprawl but Figueira drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Figueira decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Figueira avoids the head kick by Manavazyam.
Figueira moves in looking to clinch but Manavazyam pushes him off.
Figueira swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Manavazyam works over Figueira's head and body with a nice combination.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Figueira shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Manavazyam but Manavazyam pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Gegam Manavazyam seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Manavazyam misses with the combination.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Figueira walks into a straight right hand from Manavazyam.
Manavazyam lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gegam Manavazyam showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Nice sprawl there from Manavazyam as Figueira shoots in.
Manavazyam throws a head kick but Figueira moves out of range.
Figueira closes this distance looking for a takedown but Manavazyam circles away.
Manavazyam misses with a two punch combination.
Figueira changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Manavazyam tries to avoid it but Figueira manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Manavazyam to the ground. Manavazyam escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Paulo Figueira. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Figueira throws a right and a left that Manavazyam avoids nicely.
Figueira avoids the head kick by Manavazyam.
Manavazyam throws a right and a left that Figueira avoids nicely.
Manavazyam tries a head kick but it misses.
Figueira throws a right and a left that Manavazyam avoids nicely.
Figueira shoots in but Manavazyam avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Manavazyam misses with a head kick.
Manavazyam might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manavazyam throws a one two combo.
A head kick from Manavazyam lands but Figueira takes it in his stride.
Nice shot by Manavazyam.
Manavazyam leaves Figueira with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Figueira avoids the head kick by Manavazyam.
Figueira tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Figueira walks into a straight right hand from Manavazyam.
Figueira swings for the body but Manavazyam moves out of range.
Manavazyam tries a head kick but it misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Figueira shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Manavazyam counters with a stiff right hand.
Donk. Manavazyam catches Figueira right on the button with a cross.
Manavazyam throws a head kick that misses.
Manavazyam throws a sloppy head kick and Figueira moves out of range easily.
Figueira throws a head kick but Manavazyam moves out of range.
Manavazyam throws a right and a left that Figueira avoids nicely.
Manavazyam tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Figueira throws a sloppy head kick and Manavazyam moves out of range easily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Figueira gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Paulo Figueira is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Manavazyam misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manavazyam misses with a head kick.
Figueira looks to land a right hand but Manavazyam moved out of range.
Figueira thows a body shot but no joy.
Manavazyam thuds his right hand into Figueira's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Manavazyam misses with a wild combination.
Manavazyam misses with a hook.
Manavazyam tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Figueira dives in and grabs Manavazyam's left leg, looking for a takedown. Manavazyam pushes down on Figueira's head and hops out.
Manavazyam throws a head kick that half lands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Figueira goes for a double leg but Manavazyam avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Manavazyam continues to drive forward.
Manavazyam working hard to break the clinch.
Manavazyam working hard to break the clinch.
Figueira has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Manavazyam is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Manavazyam working hard to break the clinch.
Manavazyam is trying to break free.

Figueira gets control of Manavazyam's arms and successfully pulls guard. Figueira will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Manavazyam really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Figueira. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Figueira throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Manavazyam would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gegam Manavazyam comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Manavazyam winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Patrick Alders scores the fight 27:30
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 27:30
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gegam Manavazyam!