PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Peter Manuel (ranked 303 p4p, 39 weight class) and Mark Lopez (ranked 650 p4p, 73 weight class). Peter Manuel is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Manuel
vs
Lopez

163 cm
29
146 lbs
19 - 9 - 0

168 cm
37
152 lbs
18 - 6 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Freebok (85% Laundry)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Peter Manuel!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 6 - 1, fighting out of London, Mark Lopez !
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Aleksandr Martynov and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lopez looks to score with a jab to the body but Manuel is just out of range.
A nice inside leg kick there by Lopez . That's going to slow Manuel down.
Lopez slips a jab from Manuel.
Lopez raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Manuel throws a looping overhand right but Lopez ducks down to avoid it.
Manuel uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Lopez .

Manuel gets a clinch.
Lopez is looking to break free of the clinch but Manuel has double underhooks.

Lopez 's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Manuel lets loose with a powerful body kick. Lopez will feel that in the morning.
Lopez misses with a hook. Manuel ducked under it nicely.
Manuel walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Lopez looks to land a body kick but Manuel moved away.
Lopez jabs Manuel right on the nose. Manuel blinks but takes it well.
Manuel drops his hands momentarily and Lopez takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
A shot to the body from Manuel misses
and Lopez counters with a nice body kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Manuel throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Lopez on the side of the head.
Lopez waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Manuel.
Lopez bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Lopez throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Manuel checks the leg kick.
Manuel shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Lopez defends it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lopez keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Lopez looks like he wants to counter punch here.

Manuel drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Manuel has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Manuel trying to control the position from guard on top but Lopez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lopez controlling Manuel's posture.

Manuel postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Lopez is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Manuel, into his guard.

The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Manuel keeping full guard, as Lopez tries to pass.
I've been told that Lopez has been drilling his wrestling of late, which has already helped him take this fight to the mat. Let's see how much of an impact it has on the outcome of the ground game.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Manuel has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Lopez can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Manuel is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Lopez is aware though and is defending well.
Manuel looking to control.

Manuel working for a triangle but Lopez defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Manuel had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Lopez defends it easily.

Lopez got a little sloppy there for a moment and Manuel has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Lopez has managed to get both his arms back between Manuel's legs - danger averted.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Manuel controls Lopez momentarily but Lopez frees himself.

Manuel working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Lopez doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Lopez manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Manuel has an active guard here but Lopez has managed to pass into half guard.
Manuel makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Manuel.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Lopez decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Manuel, up you get!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Lopez dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Manuel cracks the inside of Lopez 's front leg.
Manuel blocks the body kick.
Manuel feinted with a counter takedown.
Good work by Manuel as he checks the leg kick.
An inside leg kick lands from Manuel.
Lopez throws a jab when Manuel was well out of range.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Lopez .
Manuel swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Lopez .
Lopez fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Manuel pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
That kick from Lopez tenderised Manuel's leg. Manuel is trying to keep his angry face on.
Lopez misses with a low kick.
Lopez slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Lopez swings for the body but Manuel moves out of range.
Manuel with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Lopez blocks a head kick by Manuel.

Lopez gets caught flat footed, as Manuel shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Manuel trying to control the position from guard on top but Lopez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Manuel pushes down on Lopez 's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

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

Manuel is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Lopez doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Manuel.

Manuel is working for a kimura but Lopez is defending it quite comfortably.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Manuel tries to pass the half guard into mount. Lopez knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Manuel is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Lopez sees it coming and defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Manuel is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Lopez is just riding it out for now. Manuel eventually gives up the hold.
Lopez tries to roll over but Manuel keeps him under control.

Manuel wants to work for an arm triangle but Lopez is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Lopez tries to get to full guard but Manuel has control of the leg.

Manuel is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Manuel trying to mount his opponent but Lopez defends it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Lopez thuds his right hand into Manuel's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Lopez throws a leg kick

and Manuel counters with a nice double leg into side control. Lopez won't be happy with that.

Lopez explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
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 Peter Manuel will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Lopez tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Manuel.
Manuel misses with an uppercut. Lopez saw that one coming.
Lopez misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Manuel.
Manuel on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Lopez . Lopez obviously looking to wear him down.
Manuel pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Manuel uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Lopez .
Manuel connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Manuel with a hook.
Manuel moves in looking to clinch but Lopez pushes him off.
Lopez tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Manuel takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Lopez misses the jab.
Manuel connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Manuel defending well as Lopez loads up on a big left hand.
A swing and a miss from Lopez .
Manuel swinging wildly here.
Lopez changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Manuel throws a body shot but no joy.
Manuel tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Manuel swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Lopez .

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manuel lands a glancing blow to the side of Lopez 's head.
Manuel has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Lopez .
Lopez tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Manuel bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Manuel uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Lopez .
Lopez bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
The crowd cheers as Lopez lands an impressive looking overhand right. Manuel doesn't seem phased though.
Lopez scores with a nice right hand.
Manuel missing with a left hand there. Lopez was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Lopez connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Manuel cracks Lopez with an open hand slap.
Lopez misses with a head kick.
Lopez is looking to slow Manuel down with leg kicks.
A telegraphed right hand from Manuel misses the target.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lopez connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Lopez throws a nice outside leg kick.

Manuel clinches.
Lopez has a couple of punches blocked by Manuel.
Lopez wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manuel misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Lopez breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Manuel takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Lopez stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Lopez wants it to stay on the feet.
Lopez looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Mark Lopez seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Lopez looks to throw the jab but Manuel is out of range.
Nice jab there from Lopez .
Nice defenses there by Lopez .
Lopez on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Mark Lopez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lopez lands a high kick!
Lopez throws a hook but Manuel avoids it easily.
Manuel is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Lopez misses with a low kick as Manuel jumps back.
Nice uppercut there from Lopez .
Manuel lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Lopez tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Manuel feinted with a counter takedown.
Good exchange - Lopez coming out on top.
Manuel dips to his left and cracks Lopez with an uppercut!
Lopez throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

Manuel closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Lopez quickly recovers to half guard.
Manuel is keen to just control but Lopez is a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lopez has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Manuel is working away from the top position though.

Manuel seems to be looking for submissions.
Manuel trying to pass the guard but Lopez defending well.
Manuel is looking to stall here but Lopez recovers full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Lopez is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Manuel stopping the sweep attempt from Lopez .

Lopez looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Manuel passes Lopez 's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Lopez really dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Lopez bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Lopez throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Manuel.
Manuel missing with a left hand there. Lopez was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Lopez lands a leg kick that knocks Manuel off balance momentarily.
Manuel wants to clinch.
Manuel steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Lopez .
Manuel tries to counter with a takedown but Lopez is quick to defend against it.
Manuel scores with a jab to the body.
Manuel avoids the body shot from Lopez .
Lopez throws a jab but it's blocked by Manuel.
Manuel tries to land a front kick but Lopez steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Lopez pulls out of a head kick attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lopez throws a low kick, looking for Manuel's leg but Manuel calmly moves out of range.
Manuel moves into range and connects with a jab.
Lopez misses with an uppercut.
Lopez looks to score with a jab to the body but Manuel is just out of range.
Manuel throws the left hand but Lopez avoids the punch easily.
Manuel will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lopez pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Manuel ducks under a wild hook from Lopez .
Lopez jabs Manuel right on the nose. Manuel blinks but takes it well.
Lopez lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Manuel scores with the left hand. Lopez knows he should have avoided that one.
Manuel blocks a head kick by Lopez .
Manuel moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Manuel misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Lopez wants to land a leg kick but Manuel is out of range.
Manuel swinging wildly here.

Manuel rushes Lopez and presses him up against the cage.
Manuel tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Manuel tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Peter Manuel. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Lopez breaks from the clinch.
Manuel with a jab.
Lopez misses with a double jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Manuel misses with a low kick as Lopez jumps back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manuel lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Lopez connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Manuel momentarily.
Lopez delivers a nice body kick.
Manuel misses with a hook. Lopez ducked under it nicely.
Lopez lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Lopez misses the shot to the body.
Lopez loads up on a big right hand but Manuel slips the punch.
Manuel takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Manuel throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Lopez sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Lopez connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Lopez takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Manuel avoids the head kick by Lopez .
Lopez misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Manuel feinted with a counter takedown.
Manuel has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Lopez .
Manuel tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Lopez manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Lopez takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Lopez moves out of range as Manuel strikes.
Lopez is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Lopez misses with a looping right.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manuel tries to clinch up.
Lopez is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Manuel slips a straight right by Lopez .
Mark Lopez is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Lopez lands a leg kick that knocks Manuel off balance momentarily.
Manuel will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
A jab lands there for Manuel.
Manuel throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Lopez connects with a body shot that sends Manuel's belly button to the back.
Manuel scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Manuel misses with a two punch combination.
Manuel walks into a stiff left hand from Lopez .
Manuel checks a leg kick.
Manuel uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Lopez has time to react.
Lopez pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Manuel ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lopez fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
A telegraphed right hand from Lopez misses the target.
Lopez throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Manuel half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Lopez stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Lopez scores with a jab to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Manuel plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Lopez fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Manuel has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

Manuel shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Lopez manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Lopez kicks Manuel off and gets to his feet.
Horrible takedown attempt by Manuel or perhaps it was just good defense by Lopez , which made it look bad.
Lopez only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Lopez throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Lopez throws a head kick that Manuel semi-blocks.
Manuel slips under a jab.
Manuel uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Lopez .
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lopez tries a low kick but Manuel avoids it.
Lopez throws a chopping leg kick but Manuel manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Manuel shoots for a takedown but Lopez saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Manuel lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Lopez has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Lopez and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Lopez dominated that fourth round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. 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.

Manuel dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Manuel shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Lopez as he avoids it easily.
Lopez with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Lopez blocks a jab.
Lopez scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Lopez staying out of range there.
Both fighters circling a little - Lopez finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
A slapping body kick lands there for Lopez .
Lopez misses with a kick to the body.
Manuel misses the jab.
Lopez scoring well with a low kick there.
Manuel lands a nice hook to Lopez 's body. Lopez takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Lopez .
Lopez moves away from the strike by Manuel.
Manuel throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Lopez stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Lopez misses with a body kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Manuel misses with a straight left.
Lopez fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Manuel manages to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good standup being displayed there by Lopez as he connects with a hook.
Lopez moves out of range as Manuel strikes.
Lopez steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Manuel.

Manuel has Lopez up against the cage in a clinch.
Manuel tries to pull guard but Lopez forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Manuel lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Lopez has had enough of the clinch but Manuel keeps him there for the moment.
Lopez misses with some punches.

Manuel jumps into guard, dragging Lopez to the mat.
Lopez pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Manuel is keeping the position for now.
Manuel wants to improve his position but instead Lopez has moved into half guard.

Lopez stands up out of the half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lopez throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Manuel is looking to slow Lopez down with leg kicks.
Manuel staying out of range there.
Lopez misses with a low kick.
Lopez throws a hook to the side of Manuel's head but Manuel sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Lopez with a nice cross.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A big right from Lopez misses.
Manuel half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Manuel blocks a head kick by Lopez .
Manuel will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Peter Manuel. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Manuel tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lopez was well out of range. Poor timing from Manuel.
Manuel staying out of range there.
Manuel fails with the takedown

and Lopez counters with a takedown into side control.
Manuel tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Lopez presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Lopez trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manuel is working to get back to half guard.
Manuel wants to hold on but Lopez pushes him away.
Lopez controlling from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Manuel regains half guard.
Peter Manuel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lopez blocks the strikes from Manuel.
Manuel works his way to full guard. Good work.

Manuel looking for subs off his back but Lopez has passed one foot through into half guard.
Manuel won't allow Lopez to pass to mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mark Lopez comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Lopez has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 46:49
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 46:49
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mark Lopez !
Mark Lopez is the new featherweight champion!
After the fight, Mark Lopez was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.