PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Anssi Manninen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eyden Pargrathian (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pargrathian has chosen Judas Priest- Battle Hymn/ One Shot at Glory as his entrance music. The key to victory for Anssi Manninen has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Manninen
vs
Pargrathian

186 cm
19
192 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

183 cm
24
185 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Anssi Manninen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Eyden Pargrathian!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Roger Salmon and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Pargrathian gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Manninen pulls guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Pargrathian slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Manninen working for a triangle but Pargrathian defends it easily.
Pargrathian postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Pargrathian lands a couple of elbows.
Pargrathian trying to control the position from guard on top but Manninen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Pargrathian passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Pargrathian working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manninen taking a bit of punishment here - Pargrathian scoring with strikes.
Pargrathian working the ground and pound from side control.

Pargrathian is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Manninen is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pargrathian lands a few punches from side control.
Pargrathian scores with a couple of short elbows.
A lull in the action here as Pargrathian stalls from top position.
Manninen regains half guard.
Pargrathian working the head and body with strikes.
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!

Manninen is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Pargrathian pulls his head out easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Pargrathian is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Manninen with the active half guard here but Pargrathian passes nicely into side control.
Pargrathian cracks Manninen with a big right hand but Manninen just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Pargrathian grinds an elbow into Manninen's temple.
Manninen manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Pargrathian pushes Manninen off looking to stand but Manninen dives back in and keeps control.
Pargrathian slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Manninen is looking to work some ground and pound but Pargrathian has wrist control.
Manninen is breathing heavily.
Manninen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Pargrathian swivels though and keeps the full guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Pargrathian can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manninen content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Pargrathian has his foot on Manninen's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Manninen works his way back into a safe position though.
Pargrathian is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Pargrathian manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Pargrathian lands a big shot there that rocks Manninen but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Pargrathian working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Pargrathian lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Pargrathian with the ground and pound from mount.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Pargrathian has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Manninen's face.

It looks like Anssi Manninen has been cut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Manninen is in a horrible position here. Pargrathian smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Manninen is trying desperately to improve position.
Manninen definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Manninen is squirming around, avoiding Pargrathian's attempts to control the action.
Pargrathian connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Pargrathian takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Manninen regains half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Manninen slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Pargrathian told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Pargrathian stands and throws Manninen's legs to the side, diving into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eyden Pargrathian dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Anssi Manninen's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Pargrathian shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Pargrathian keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Manninen's head.

Manninen working for a triangle but Pargrathian defends it easily.
Pargrathian wants to control from the top but Manninen keeps moving.
Pargrathian scoring with punches to the head and body.

Manninen is looking for a triangle but Pargrathian pushes his legs off easily.
Pargrathian lands a couple of digs.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pargrathian lands a couple of elbows.
Pargrathian postures up and lands a big shot to Manninen's brow.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Pargrathian's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Pargrathian stopping the sweep attempt from Manninen.

Manninen is looking for a triangle but Pargrathian pushes his legs off easily.
Pargrathian landing some decent shots from guard.
Pargrathian scoring with some ground and pound.
Pargrathian lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Eyden Pargrathian has got the better of the ground game so far.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Pargrathian engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manninen has momentary wrist control but Pargrathian slips an elbow through the middle.

Manninen throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Pargrathian escapes and throws Manninen's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Pargrathian creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Pargrathian lands a nice forearm strike.
Pargrathian scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Manninen to see if he's OK.
Manninen seems a little lost for a moment, as Pargrathian dominates the positioning.
Pargrathian working the ground and pound.
Manninen taking punishment in the form of punches.

Manninen is rocked!
Pargrathian cracks Manninen with a big right hand but Manninen just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Oh Manninen is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pargrathian is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Manninen will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Pargrathian in side control here. He's dropped a big elbow there and Manninen looks hurt! Oh, he is hurt! Pargrathian turns on the heat and pounds him out for a TKO victory! Good killer instinct there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:24 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Eyden Pargrathian!
In his post fight interview, Eyden Pargrathian started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.