PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Connor MacManus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dmitry Muratov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

MacManus
vs
Muratov

178 cm
18
156 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
146 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Cardio machine

Good takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Connor MacManus!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Dmitry Muratov!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Muratov decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

MacManus pushes Muratov off and gets back to his feet.
Muratov tries a head kick but it misses.
Muratov darts in looking for a takedown but MacManus gets double underhooks and turns Muratov into the cage.
MacManus tries a low kick but Muratov avoids it.
Muratov circles away from the clinch attempt

and Muratov counters with a single leg into guard. MacManus didn't expect that.

MacManus manages to escape and get back to his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Muratov tries a head kick but it misses.

Muratov shoots in and bounces MacManus off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
MacManus lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Muratov 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.

Muratov has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. MacManus has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Muratov is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

MacManus jumps into guard, dragging Muratov to the mat.
Muratov stopping the sweep attempt from MacManus.
Muratov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Muratov advances position into side control!
Muratov tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Muratov is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
You can see the frustration on MacManus's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Muratov tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Muratov has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
MacManus is looking to regain half guard here but Muratov keeps moving and retains side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Muratov tries to stand but MacManus controls the position and pulls Muratov into his guard.
Muratov trying to control but MacManus is working from the bottom.

MacManus is looking for a triangle but Muratov pushes his legs off easily.
Muratov is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Muratov drops back, looking for a kneebar! MacManus looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. MacManus looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from MacManus!

MacManus wants to control but Muratov is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

MacManus stands up.
Muratov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Some wild striking there from Muratov.
MacManus closes the distance and clinches up with Muratov, looking for a takedown. MacManus pushes Muratov against the cage but Muratov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
MacManus throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Muratov's waist but Muratov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing MacManus off to one side.
MacManus tries to clinch but Muratov moves out of range.
Muratov avoids the head kick by MacManus.

Muratov scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
MacManus is not content to let Muratov control the position.
Muratov wants to stand but MacManus has him controlled and pulls him back into his guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Connor MacManus will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

MacManus is looking to clinch but Muratov is avoiding it.
MacManus scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Muratov doesn't seem bothered though.

Muratov drives through and clinches with MacManus against the cage.

Muratov manages to break the clinch.
Muratov darts in trying to clinch
and MacManus counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Muratov thinking.
Muratov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
MacManus shoots in looking for a takedown but Muratov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing MacManus's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
MacManus is looking to clinch but Muratov is avoiding it.
Muratov looks to land a body kick but MacManus moved away.
MacManus feinted with a counter takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Muratov throws a sloppy head kick and MacManus moves out of range easily.
MacManus jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Some wild striking there from MacManus.
MacManus misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A combination from Muratov does no damage.
Dmitry Muratov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Muratov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
MacManus tries a head kick but it misses.

Muratov has MacManus up against the cage in a clinch.
Muratov gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from MacManus.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Connor MacManus. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Muratov tries a body shot but MacManus blocks it.
MacManus leaning his opponent against the cage.

Muratov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
MacManus tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Muratov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
MacManus seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Muratov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from MacManus.
Muratov tries to counter by closing the distance.

MacManus gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Muratov to score an easy takedown into full guard.

MacManus has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Muratov has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

MacManus pulls guard successfully.
Muratov looking to pass the guard.
Muratov is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
MacManus is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Muratov trying to control but MacManus postures up.
Muratov is trying to stand up here but MacManus is controlling him well.
MacManus wants to take a breather but Muratov is having none of it.

MacManus stands up and beckons Muratov to join him on the feet.
Connor MacManus is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
MacManus 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.
A combination from Muratov does no damage.
Muratov throws a head kick but MacManus moves out of range.
MacManus swinging wildly here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Muratov throws a sloppy head kick and MacManus moves out of range easily.

Muratov closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
MacManus is looking to get back to is feet but Muratov passes into side control.
Muratov is breathing heavily.
MacManus manages to get back to half guard.
Muratov is thwarting MacManus's attempts to control the position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Muratov tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Connor MacManus overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Muratov tries to stand and escape but MacManus actually recovers to full guard.
MacManus bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Muratov's guard.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Connor MacManus will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Muratov throws a sloppy head kick
and MacManus counters with a three punch combo that has Muratov backing up. Muratov nods at MacManus to acknowledge the strikes.
Dmitry Muratov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
MacManus misses with the combination.
And Muratov responds with a good body kick, but MacManus manages to step out the way in time.
MacManus takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Muratov looks to land a body kick but MacManus moved away.
Muratov blocks a head kick by MacManus.

Muratov feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

MacManus scrambles and gets back to his feet.
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!
A low kick from Muratov misses

and MacManus holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
A frustrated look appears on MacManus's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Muratov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Muratov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
It looked like MacManus was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
MacManus tries to bum rush Muratov with a series of wild strikes but Muratov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Muratov shoots in and gets a takedown into MacManus's guard.

MacManus has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Muratov off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Muratov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
MacManus closes this distance looking for a takedown but Muratov circles away.
Muratov tries to clinch but MacManus moves out of range.
Muratov checks a leg kick.
MacManus tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Muratov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - MacManus looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Muratov is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.

Muratov closes the distance and clinches.

Muratov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
MacManus shoots in looking for a takedown. Muratov tries to sprawl out of it but MacManus keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Muratov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Muratov is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MacManus avoids the head kick by Muratov.
MacManus tries to counter by clinching up but Muratov breaks away and moves out of range.
Muratov tries to clinch but MacManus moves away
and MacManus counters with a two punch combo.
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!

Muratov bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
MacManus tries to bench press Muratov off him but Muratov keeps the position.

Muratov stands up and we're back to a striking position.

MacManus rushes Muratov and presses him up against the cage.
MacManus goes for a takedown attempt but Muratov pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Connor MacManus. That's going to take a lot out of him.
MacManus shoots in for a double leg but Muratov sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
MacManus tries to clinch but Muratov moves out of range.
Muratov throws a right and a left that MacManus avoids nicely.
MacManus tries to score a power double leg takedown but Muratov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten MacManus somewhat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Muratov throws a half hearted mid kick.
A combination from Muratov does no damage.
Muratov swats away the attempt to clinch by MacManus.
Muratov throws a counter combo.
MacManus closes the distance and clinches up with Muratov, looking for a takedown. MacManus pushes Muratov against the cage but Muratov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Muratov clinches up against the cage.

Muratov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
MacManus misses with the body kick

and Muratov counters with a nice double leg into guard.
MacManus avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Muratov not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

MacManus is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Muratov defends well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Muratov trying to control the position from guard on top but MacManus is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Muratov works over MacManus with some ground and pound from guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now MacManus is on top in guard.

Muratov has a closed guard, preventing MacManus from standing up.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Connor MacManus.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for MacManus, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Sergei Dronov scores the fight 30:28
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 29:29
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Connor MacManus!