PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Chiku Maneno (ranked 493 p4p, 77 weight class) and Tarkhan Naranbaatar (ranked 519 p4p, 80 weight class). Naranbaatar has chosen Batzorig Vaanchig as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Maneno
vs
Naranbaatar

178 cm
36
177 lbs
36 - 21 - 2

178 cm
30
176 lbs
16 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Hell's Balls Recovery (160)

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 36 - 21 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Chiku Maneno!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 11 - 0, fighting out of London, Tarkhan Naranbaatar!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Steve Smith and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maneno throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Naranbaatar connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Maneno throws out a loose jab but Naranbaatar uses good head movement to avoid it.
Naranbaatar jabs Maneno right on the nose. Maneno blinks but takes it well.
Naranbaatar throws a body kick that misses.
Naranbaatar uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Maneno.
Naranbaatar looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Naranbaatar lands the left hand.
Naranbaatar lands a front kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Maneno. Naranbaatar does a little dance to reset his feet.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Naranbaatar has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Maneno misses with a body shot.
Maneno throws a body shot but no joy.
Maneno throws a body punch but Naranbaatar moves out of range.
Jab, jab by Maneno - just one landing.

It looks like Tarkhan Naranbaatar has been cut.
Nice defenses there by Naranbaatar.
Maneno throws a poor cross that misses
enabling Naranbaatar to counter with a crisp jab.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Naranbaatar misses with the body kick
and Maneno counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Naranbaatar throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Naranbaatar defending well as Maneno loads up on a big left hand.
Maneno jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maneno has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Naranbaatar.
Naranbaatar lands a nice shot that snaps Maneno's head back.
Naranbaatar throws a body punch but Maneno moves out of range.
Naranbaatar bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Naranbaatar fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Maneno looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Maneno throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Naranbaatar counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Maneno checks a leg kick nicely.
Maneno scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Maneno misses with a wild body shot.
Naranbaatar was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Maneno scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Naranbaatar misses with a looping left.
Maneno scores with a punch to the head.
Maneno swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Naranbaatar doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Maneno. Naranbaatar does a little dance to reset his feet.
Maneno connects with a looping right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maneno tests Naranbaatar's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Maneno throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Naranbaatar sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A big left from Maneno misses.
Naranbaatar scores with a kick to the midsection.
Maneno throws a hook but Naranbaatar blocks it.
Naranbaatar misses with a wild body shot.
Naranbaatar looks to throw the jab but Maneno is out of range.
Naranbaatar throws the kick towards the body but Maneno avoids it.
Naranbaatar tries to land a front kick but Maneno steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Maneno lands a nice shot that snaps Naranbaatar's head back.
A looping hook to the body misses from Maneno. Naranbaatar does a little dance to reset his feet.
Maneno misses with a body shot

and Naranbaatar counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Maneno!

Naranbaatar tries for a kimura but Maneno is defending well.
Maneno is pushing Naranbaatar's head away, looking to escape. Naranbaatar manages to hold on to the position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee asks Naranbaatar politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Naranbaatar prefers to stall for the moment though.

Naranbaatar is trying to get an arm triangle but Maneno is defending well.
Naranbaatar controlling from side mount.

Naranbaatar thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Naranbaatar swings around for an armbar but Maneno sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Naranbaatar's guard.
Maneno wants to get up but he can't break Naranbaatar's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Naranbaatar looking to control.
Maneno has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Maneno decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Naranbaatar, up you get!
Naranbaatar throws a leg kick
and Maneno counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Naranbaatar displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Maneno throws out the jab.
Maneno thuds a left hand into Naranbaatar's body.
Maneno throws a right hand that misses
and Naranbaatar counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Naranbaatar uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Maneno.
Naranbaatar swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Maneno throws a lazy right hand but Naranbaatar sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Naranbaatar takes a jab right on the kisser.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chiku Maneno dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Tarkhan Naranbaatar's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Maneno throws a body shot but no joy.
Naranbaatar was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Maneno bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Naranbaatar's head.
The fighters circle momentarily. Maneno darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Maneno bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Naranbaatar takes a swing at Maneno's ribcage but misses.
Maneno jabs at Naranbaatar's body.
Naranbaatar throws a hook to the side of Maneno's head but Maneno sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Naranbaatar moves out of range as Maneno strikes.
Maneno works Naranbaatar's body with a nice hook.
Maneno looks to score with a jab to the body but Naranbaatar is just out of range.
Chiku Maneno is winning the standup battle so far.
Maneno misses the shot to the body.
Maneno throws a hook to the side of Naranbaatar's head but Naranbaatar sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Maneno throws a lazy right hand but Naranbaatar sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Maneno digs a good hook to Naranbaatar's body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Naranbaatar keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Maneno jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Naranbaatar looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Naranbaatar lands a nice hook to Maneno's body. Maneno takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Naranbaatar slips under a jab from Maneno.
Naranbaatar fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Maneno has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Naranbaatar loads up on a big right hand but Maneno slips the punch.
Maneno misses with a right hand
and Naranbaatar cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Naranbaatar throws a nice inside leg kick.
Maneno looks to score with a jab to the body but Naranbaatar is just out of range.
Naranbaatar pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Naranbaatar works the jab nicely.
Maneno just misses with a punch to the body.
Naranbaatar looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Maneno throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Naranbaatar misses with a hook
and Maneno counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Naranbaatar thinking.
Maneno takes a swing at Naranbaatar's ribcage but misses.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Naranbaatar takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Maneno takes a swing at Naranbaatar's ribcage but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Naranbaatar with a jab.
Maneno takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Naranbaatar throws a left and a right that both miss
and Maneno makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Maneno misses with a body shot.
Naranbaatar lands with a hook. Maneno tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
The fighters circling - Maneno throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Maneno throws a body shot but no joy.
Maneno is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Naranbaatar can do to turn this around?
Maneno lands with an overhand left.
Naranbaatar connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Maneno momentarily.
Chiku Maneno is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Good exchange - Maneno coming out on top.
A jab from Naranbaatar finds it's way through Maneno's defenses.
Naranbaatar thows a left - swing and a miss!
Naranbaatar throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Maneno steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Naranbaatar.
Naranbaatar fails with a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maneno throws a hook but Naranbaatar blocks it.
Naranbaatar thuds his right hand into Maneno's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Naranbaatar jabs Maneno to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Maneno scores with a jab to the body.
Naranbaatar misses the shot to the body.
Naranbaatar takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Naranbaatar shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Maneno but Maneno pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Maneno misses with a body shot.
A big left from Maneno misses.
Maneno throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Naranbaatar sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Naranbaatar looks like he wants to counter punch here.
A telegraphed right hand from Maneno misses the target.
Naranbaatar moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Maneno throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maneno takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Maneno throws a jab when Naranbaatar was well out of range.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Maneno takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Maneno moves out of range as Naranbaatar throws a body kick.
Maneno on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Maneno throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Naranbaatar sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Naranbaatar has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Maneno finds it's way round the side to connect with Naranbaatar's head.
Maneno takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Maneno looks to land a left hand but Naranbaatar moved out of range nicely.
Naranbaatar uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Maneno.
Naranbaatar uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Maneno.
Naranbaatar scores with the left hand. Maneno knows he should have avoided that one.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Naranbaatar slips a straight right by Maneno.
Good exchange - Naranbaatar coming out on top.
Maneno lands a lovely overhand right.
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 Chiku Maneno will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Tarkhan Naranbaatar's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Naranbaatar throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Naranbaatar lands with a thumping leg kick.
An inside leg kick lands from Naranbaatar.
Maneno uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Naranbaatar.
Maneno uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Naranbaatar.
Naranbaatar uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Maneno.
Maneno getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
A looping hook to the body misses from Maneno. Naranbaatar does a little dance to reset his feet.
Maneno takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Naranbaatar digs a good hook to Maneno's body.
Maneno pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Naranbaatar blocks a jab.
Naranbaatar looks to score with a jab to the body but Maneno is just out of range.
Maneno just misses with a punch to the body.
Naranbaatar misses with a shot to the body
and Maneno counters with a left to the body.
Jab from Naranbaatar.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maneno fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Naranbaatar manages to avoid it.
Naranbaatar scores with a spinning back kick!
Maneno loads up on a big right hand but Naranbaatar slips the punch.
Naranbaatar scores with a decent looking hook.
Maneno throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Maneno catches Naranbaatar with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Maneno avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Maneno takes a shot right to the bread basket.
A looping hook to the body misses from Maneno. Naranbaatar does a little dance to reset his feet.
Maneno has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Naranbaatar.
Naranbaatar throws a hook but Maneno avoids it easily.
Maneno lands with an uppercut that bounces Naranbaatar off the cage and back into range.
Naranbaatar looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
A shot to the liver by Maneno. Beautiful body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Danga de danga de dang - Naranbaatar scores with a four punch combination!
A lazy left from Maneno finds it's target.

That has opened up Tarkhan Naranbaatar's cut even more.
Maneno missing with a left hand there. Naranbaatar was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Tarkhan Naranbaatar has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Naranbaatar moves away from the strike by Maneno.
Naranbaatar swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
A nice leg kick lands there from Naranbaatar.
Maneno ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A jab from Maneno misses.
Naranbaatar takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Maneno with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Maneno swings widly with a right hand
and Naranbaatar connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Maneno throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Naranbaatar swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Maneno looks to score with a jab to the body but Naranbaatar is just out of range.
Naranbaatar misses the shot to the body.
A swing and a miss from Maneno.
Maneno walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Naranbaatar takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Maneno on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Naranbaatar misses with a low kick.
Naranbaatar has a takedown stuffed.
Naranbaatar takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Maneno just misses with a punch to the body.
Good standup being displayed there by Naranbaatar as he connects with a hook.
Naranbaatar attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Maneno throws a sloppy body shot
and Naranbaatar counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Naranbaatar is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Maneno.
Naranbaatar takes a swing at Maneno's ribcage but misses.
Naranbaatar throws a nice looking combination but Maneno bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Maneno blocks a leg kick.
Maneno ducks under a wild hook from Naranbaatar.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maneno misses with a body shot.
It seemed like Naranbaatar was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Naranbaatar throws a lazy uppercut
and Maneno counters with a straight right hand.
A low kick from Naranbaatar misses
and Maneno counters with a nice uppercut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Maneno tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Naranbaatar was well out of range. Poor timing from Maneno.
Maneno throws a body shot but no joy.
A shot to the liver by Naranbaatar. Beautiful body shot.
Maneno misses with a hook.
Maneno steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Naranbaatar.
Nice straight punches there by Maneno. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Maneno.

Naranbaatar shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Naranbaatar showed some decent athleticism there.

Maneno kicks Naranbaatar off and gets back to his feet.
Naranbaatar has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Maneno throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A nice side step and Naranbaatar releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.

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 Chiku Maneno.
Well Maneno has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Ian Loll scores the fight 30:28
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 30:28
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chiku Maneno!
After winning the bout, Chiku Maneno thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.