PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Chiku Maneno (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Simon Strange (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Maneno
vs
Strange

178 cm
29
177 lbs
21 - 10 - 0

175 cm
32
187 lbs
26 - 13 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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 21 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Chiku Maneno!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 13 - 0, fighting out of New York, Simon Strange!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, James Glass and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Strange moves out of range as Maneno strikes.
Maneno lands with a nice body punch.

Strange fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Maneno to the ground. Strange is now in Maneno's guard.
Strange landing with the ground and pound.
Strange throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Strange stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Maneno swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Strange slips nicely into half guard.

Strange is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Strange landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Strange is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Maneno kicks off Strange and gets to his feet.
A jab from Maneno does it's job there.
Strange throws a nice inside leg kick.
Maneno chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Strange can pounce on him.
Maneno lands a body shot.
Strange has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Maneno throws an overhand right that lands on Strange's shoulder, as Strange tries to avoid the shot.
Maneno throws a lazy right hand but Strange sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Strange feints the counter takedown.
Maneno misses with a wild body shot.
Maneno swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Maneno has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Miletich Xtreme Fighting Systems in the buildup to the fight.
Maneno looks to score with a jab to the body but Strange is just out of range.
Strange swings widly with a right hand
and Maneno counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Strange throws the left hand but Maneno avoids the punch easily.
Maneno throwing a counter right hand but Strange manages to avoid it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Maneno throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maneno loads up on a big right hand but Strange slips the punch.
Strange feints the counter takedown.
Strange takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Strange uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Maneno.
Strange has a takedown stuffed.
Strange tries a head kick but it misses.
Maneno lands a lovely overhand right.
Nice uppercut lands for Strange. That snapped Maneno's head back.

Strange manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Maneno on his heels. He'll look to pass Maneno's guard now, I'm sure.

Maneno wriggles free and stands up.
Maneno scores with a jab to the jaw.
Maneno uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Strange.
Strange throws a body punch but Maneno moves out of range.
Strange tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Maneno was well out of range. Poor timing from Strange.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Strange is defended easily by Maneno.

Strange looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Maneno!

Strange tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Strange has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Maneno is trying to buck Strange off.
Strange throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Maneno is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Strange is looking to take a break and control but Maneno is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Strange misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Strange throws an elbow but Maneno slips to the side and avoids it well.

Maneno sneaks out the side door and pushes Strange away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
A swing and a miss from Strange.
Maneno throws a looping overhand right but Strange ducks down to avoid it.
Strange takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Maneno scores with a hook.
Strange slips a straight right by Maneno.
Strange misses the shot to the body.
Maneno slips under a jab.
Chiku Maneno is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Strange moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Strange ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Maneno uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Strange.
Strange keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Maneno.
Nice uppercut lands for Strange. That snapped Maneno's head back.
Strange throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Strange misses with a takedown attempt - Maneno sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Nice shot by Maneno.
Maneno lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Strange at a distance.
Maneno defending well as Strange loads up on a big left hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maneno throws a shot from downtown. Strange moves away and avoids it.
Strange feints the counter takedown.
Maneno throws a body punch but Strange moves out of range.
Maneno is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Strange.
Maneno lands a head shot.
Maneno takes a body punch but keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strange throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Strange misses with a wild body shot.
Nice defenses there by Maneno.

Strange drives through with a takedown into guard.

Strange drops back looking for a leg! Maneno is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Maneno manages to kick Strange off! Strange jumps back into Maneno's guard.
Strange in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Maneno keeping moving, preventing Strange from controlling successfully.

Maneno has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Strange has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Strange pushes Maneno back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Strange lands a hook that snaps the head of Maneno backwards.
Strange lands with a short punch from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Strange lands with a light punch inside.
Maneno is trying to push Strange away but Strange has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Maneno wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Maneno wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Strange has him pressed against the cage.
Maneno is trying to break the clinch but Strange is controlling him.
Maneno blocks a body shot from Strange.
Strange scores with a shot to the side of Maneno's head.
Maneno avoiding damage as Strange throws knees to the body.
Strange lands a body punch.
Strange misses with a hook to the ribs.
Strange struggles to land a body shot inside as Maneno controls his hands.
Strange goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Strange gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.

Maneno pushes Strange off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Maneno throws a hook but Strange avoids it easily.
Strange looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Maneno avoids the body shot from Strange.
It looked like Maneno was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Strange.

Strange bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Maneno bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maneno defending well as Strange loads up on a big left hand.
Maneno misses with an uppercut.
Strange tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Maneno defending well as Strange loads up on a big left hand.
Strange looks to score with a jab to the body but Maneno is just out of range.
Strange rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Maneno moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Strange shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Maneno sprawls well. Maneno wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Strange gets slowly back to his feet.
Strange pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Strange throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Maneno stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Strange misses with a body shot.
Strange misses with a hook.
Strange moves away from the strike by Maneno.
And Strange tries to counter it with a takedown but Maneno pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Maneno digs a good body shot into Strange's ribs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Strange misses.
Strange misses with a straight right.
Maneno takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Strange lands with a nice body punch.
Strange swings away with a body shot that misses
and Maneno counters with a left to the body.
The fighters circle momentarily. Strange darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Jab from Maneno.
Strange rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Maneno counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Strange scores with a crisp jab that stopped Maneno in his tracks.
Strange steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Maneno.
Jab by Maneno.

Strange throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Maneno was covering up waiting for the punch and Strange finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Maneno has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Strange off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Simon Strange will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Maneno throws a body punch but Strange moves out of range.
Strange throws an overhand right that lands on Maneno's shoulder, as Maneno tries to avoid the shot.
Maneno throws a looping overhand right but Strange ducks down to avoid it.
Strange takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Strange uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Maneno.
Maneno misses with a hook.
Strange throws a leg kick which misses Maneno's front leg but catches the back leg as Maneno tries to avoid it.
Strange lands with a right hand.
Strange misses with a series of wild punches.
Maneno swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Strange scores with a nice strike.
Maneno punishes Strange's body with a nice straight punch.
Maneno lands a really nice looking cross but Strange seems unphased.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Maneno misses with a wild body shot.
Maneno lands a slapping body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maneno connects with a body shot.
Strange tries to work over Maneno's front leg with a kick but Maneno checks it.
Maneno thuds a left hand into Strange's body.
Maneno slips under a jab from Strange.
Maneno looks to score with a jab to the body but Strange is just out of range.
Maneno throws a hook but Strange blocks it.
Strange looks to land a right hand but Maneno moved out of range.
Strange keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Maneno throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Strange feints the counter takedown.
Maneno takes one on the button.
Strange lands with an uppercut that bounces Maneno off the cage and back into range.
Maneno pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Strange has a takedown stuffed.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maneno throws a jab when Strange was well out of range.
Maneno throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Maneno misses the shot to the body.
Maneno pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nice sprawl there from Maneno as Strange shoots in.
Maneno swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Strange throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
It looked like Maneno wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Chiku Maneno is winning the standup battle so far.
Strange goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Maneno with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Strange to score with a decent uppercut.
Strange with a lazy takedown attempt
and Maneno makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Chiku Maneno has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Simon Strange.
Strange takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Maneno lands with a right hand.
A looping hook to the body misses from Strange. Maneno does a little dance to reset his feet.
A swing and a miss from Maneno.
Maneno wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Maneno misses with a body shot.
Strange feints the counter takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maneno throws a hook to the side of Strange's head but Strange sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Strange uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Maneno.
Maneno steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Strange.
Maneno misses with a body shot.
Maneno scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Maneno getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
The crowd cheers as Strange lands an impressive looking overhand right. Maneno doesn't seem phased though.
A slow jab from Maneno misses its intended target.
Strange closes the distance looking to clinch
and Maneno cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Strange connects with a good right hand that stumbles Maneno. Maneno circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Strange moves out of range as Maneno strikes.
Maneno misses with a hook.
And Strange tries to counter it with a takedown but Maneno pushes his down on his head and steps out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Maneno misses the target.
Strange misses with a takedown attempt - Maneno sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Strange tests Maneno's chin there with a solid looking shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Strange rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Maneno counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Strange thinking.
Maneno on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Maneno throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Maneno comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Maneno. Strange does a little dance to reset his feet.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Strange.
Maneno walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Strange misses the shot to the body.
Maneno throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Maneno takes a swing at Strange's ribcage but misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chiku Maneno showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Maneno has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Glass scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chiku Maneno!
Chiku Maneno thanked the fans post fight for their support.
In defeat, Simon Strange stepped up to the mic, saying 'FFS, can't seem to catch a break at the moment.'.