PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Irwin Linford (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Carlos Monarca (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Linford
vs
Monarca

180 cm
25
204 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

189 cm
23
212 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Irwin Linford!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Carlos Monarca!
The judges for this bout are John Mangel, Hugh Johnson and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Linford misses with a takedown

and Monarca counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Monarca has Linford pressed against the cage, preventing Linford from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Monarca has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Linford avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Linford wants to break the clinch but can't.
Good body shot from Linford.
Linford wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Monarca has him pressed against the cage.

Monarca pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Linford stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Linford wants it to stay on the feet.
Linford fails with the takedown

and Monarca counters by clinching up.
Linford can't break the clinch.
Monarca blocks a body shot from Linford.
Linford gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Monarca.
Irwin Linford has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Carlos Monarca.
Linford is trying to break free.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Linford throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Linford is pushing Monarca up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Monarca prevents Linford from breaking the clinch.
Linford lands a body punch in the clinch.
The referee is keeping an eye on Linford - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Linford lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Monarca.
Linford could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Linford presses Monarca against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

Monarca drags the fight down to the ground.
Linford throws a big right hand that misses.

Monarca is looking for a triangle but Linford pushes his legs off easily.

Monarca has his foot on Linford's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Linford works his way back into a safe position though.
Linford knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Monarca on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Linford wants to stand but Monarca has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Monarca keeping moving, preventing Linford from controlling successfully.
Monarca looking for a sweep. Not yet Monarca, not yet.

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

Monarca is looking for a triangle but Linford pushes his legs off easily.
Monarca looks gassed!
Linford wants to stand but Monarca has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Monarca is looking for a triangle but Linford pushes his legs off easily.
Linford wanted to stand there but Monarca had control of the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Monarca manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Linford manages to get himself to full guard.
Monarca stops Linford from standing up.

Monarca is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Monarca thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Linford is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Monarca is controlling him.

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.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.

Monarca drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Linford dives on top into guard.
Monarca is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Monarca is working for a submission of some sort.

Linford is defending against the submission attempts here by Monarca.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Carlos Monarca will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Linford misses with a wild body shot.
Irwin Linford is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Monarca stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Monarca wants it to stay on the feet.

Monarca looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Monarca drops back looking for a leg! Linford is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Linford manages to kick Monarca off! Monarca jumps back into Linford's guard.

Monarca is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Monarca is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Monarca drops back looking for a leg! Linford is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Linford manages to kick Monarca off! Monarca jumps back into Linford's guard.
Linford is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Monarca is controlling him.

Monarca is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Linford avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Monarca thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Monarca drops back looking for a leg! Linford is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Linford manages to kick Monarca off! Monarca jumps back into Linford's guard.

Monarca drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Monarca jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Monarca drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Monarca jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Linford is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
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.

Monarca drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Linford manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Monarca has Linford in his guard.

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

Monarca is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Linford is aware though and is defending well.
Linford would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Monarca is looking for a triangle but Linford pushes his legs off easily.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Linford accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

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.
Linford won't allow Monarca to sweep him here.
Linford loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Linford trying to stand up but can't free himself from Monarca's guard.
Linford loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Linford is looking to stand up but Monarca won't let him.

Monarca working for a triangle but Linford defends it easily.
Linford has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Monarca is proving hard to escape from.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Monarca tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Linford got a little sloppy there for a moment and Monarca has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Linford has managed to get both his arms back between Monarca's legs - danger averted.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Carlos Monarca showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down 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.

Linford connects with a looping right hand.
Linford tries to land a body kick

and Monarca moves into the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Linford's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Linford is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Linford tries to circle away but Monarca has him pinned against the cage.
Linford stalling in the clinch but Monarca improves position.
A right hand to the body from Linford.
Linford tries to break free but Monarca pushes him back against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Linford is trying to break the clinch but Monarca is controlling him.
Linford is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Monarca is defending well for now.
Monarca slows down the pace here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Linford has had enough of the clinch but Monarca keeps him there for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Linford wants to break the clinch but can't.
Linford tries to break free but Monarca pushes him back against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Linford's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Linford misses with a hook to the ribs.
Monarca is trying to drag Linford to the mat but Linford just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Linford is pressed up against the cage. Monarca has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Linford down to the mat. Linford avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Linford misses with a combination

so Monarca counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Monarca thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Monarca drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Monarca jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Monarca stops Linford from standing up.
Monarca scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Monarca thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Monarca missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Monarca is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Monarca drops back looking for a leg! Linford is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Linford manages to kick Monarca off! Monarca jumps back into Linford's guard.

Monarca is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Irwin Linford has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

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.

Monarca thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Monarca has gone for a leg lock! Linford slips out almost immediately though and dives into Monarca's guard.

Linford is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Carlos Monarca comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Monarca winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 John Mangel scores the fight 27:30
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Carlos Monarca!