PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Marcus Monk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Xavier David (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Monk comes to the cage accompanied by My Ding-a-ling. David has chosen Bring The Pain as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Monk
vs
David

190 cm
26
180 lbs
10 - 1 - 0

190 cm
26
180 lbs
17 - 8 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Marcus Monk!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 8 - 1, fighting out of New York, Xavier David!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, Alyssa Summers and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Monk staying out of range there.
David fails to land the takedown.
A right-left combo lands from David.
David tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Monk moves out of range of the leg kick from David.
David looks to land a left hand but Monk moved out of range nicely.
Monk lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Monk throws a right and a left that David avoids nicely.
Monk lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
A low kick from David misses
and Monk counters with a stiff right hand.
David walks into a stiff left hand from Monk.
Monk throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Monk fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big left from Monk misses.
Marcus Monk seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Monk tries to land a leg kick but David saw it coming and moves away.
David misses with a low kick.
Monk throws a sloppy head kick and David moves out of range easily.
David tests Monk's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Monk looks to score with a jab to the body but David is just out of range.
David connects with the punch.
David pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Monk wants to slow David down by chopping away at his legs.
David blocks a head kick by Monk.
David shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Monk defends it nicely.
Monk throws a low kick but it's checked well by David.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
David wants to land a leg kick but Monk is out of range.
David bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
David misses with a double jab
and Monk counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
David looks to score with a jab to the body but Monk is just out of range.
Monk bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Monk looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Monk lands a straight punch to the body, keeping David at a distance.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Monk keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from David.
David misses with a right hand
and Monk counters with a series of strikes. David will be more careful next time no doubt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
David moves out of range of the body kick from Monk.
A decent looking cross lands there for Monk.
David fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Monk fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt David.
David connects with a body shot.
Monk lunges at David with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by David's hand.
Monk looking to land some kicks to the body here.
David takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
David shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Monk as he avoids it easily.
Marcus Monk has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Xavier David.
David throws a hook to the side of Monk's head but Monk sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A jab lands there for David.
Monk connects with a solid leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
David moves forwards but Monk connects with a nice, crisp jab.
David stuns Monk with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Monk uses good head movement to avoid the hook from David.
David swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Monk thumps David with a low kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Monk throws a sloppy head kick and David moves out of range easily.
David has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Monk.
David misses with a body shot.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Monk lands a nice leg kick that just misses David's sensitive parts.
David lands a nice shot that snaps Monk's head back.

Monk fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging David to the ground. Monk is now in David's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcus Monk dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

A telegraphed right hand from Monk misses the target.
Monk throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and David counters with a nice body kick.
David lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
David looks to throw the jab but Monk is out of range.
Both fighters circling a little - Monk finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Monk just misses with a punch to the body.
Monk walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
David misses with a head kick.
David takes a head kick and keeps coming.

Monk dives in and scores a takedown into David's guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Monk slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
David is not content to let Monk control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
David manages to work his way to half guard, despite Monk's best efforts.
David slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Monk tries to free his leg and advance position but David is retaining full guard.
David seems keen to control Monk's posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Xavier David hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Monk looks for the body kick but David saw that one coming.
David misses with a wild combination.
Monk moves out of range of the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
David pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Monk connects with an inside leg kick.
Monk connects with a good right hand that stumbles David. David circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
David swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Monk makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Nice body kick there by David.
David throws a jab but it's blocked by Monk.
Monk changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Xavier David is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A looping hook to the body misses from Monk. David does a little dance to reset his feet.
David on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Monk. Monk obviously looking to wear him down.
David takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
David takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Marcus Monk is winning the standup battle so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by David.
David throws a low kick but Monk avoids it.
David throws a sloppy head kick and Monk moves out of range easily.
David swats away the attempt to clinch by Monk.
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!
Monk tries for a takedown but David sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Monk takes a kick to the side of the head.
David thuds his right hand into Monk's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Monk misses the shot to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Monk lunges at David with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by David's hand.
Monk tries to move into range but David moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
David thows a body shot but no joy.
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 Marcus Monk will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Monk looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Monk stopping the sweep attempt from David.

David looking for subs off his back but Monk has passed one foot through into half guard.
David trying to control from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
David makes his way to full guard. A much better position for David.
David wants to hit a switch here but Monk passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for David there!
David working to try and regain half guard.
Monk avoids the attempt from David to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
David sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
David wants to control but Monk is keeping busy and won't allow it.
David regains full guard. Nicely done.
David is trying to keep Monk in close.
David wants to sweep but no luck.

David isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Monk stacks David on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Monk!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
David is trying to improve his position.
David takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Check out the look on Monk's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
David struggling a bit here.
Xavier David has got the better of the ground game so far.
David gets back to half guard.
David is pressing down on Monk's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
David wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Monk accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Monk looking to pass the guard.
David trying to keep a closed guard but Monk is proving a slippery customer.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
David pulls Monk in close to his closed guard and prevents Monk from doing any damage or advancing position.
David keeping moving, preventing Monk from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Xavier David really dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Monk catches David with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
David throws a sloppy head kick and Monk moves out of range easily.
David lands with a hook. Monk tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
David drops his hands momentarily and Monk takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
David keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
David throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Monk.
David throws a right and a left that Monk avoids nicely.
David connects with a good right hand that stumbles Monk. Monk circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
David throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Monk.
David looks to land a left hand but Monk moved out of range nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice shot lands for Monk.
A decent looking cross lands there for Monk.
David throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nice body kick from Monk.
Monk uses good head movement to avoid the hook from David.
Monk on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Monk scores with a jab to the body.
Monk throws a leg kick which misses David's front leg but catches the back leg as David tries to avoid it.
Monk throws a low kick but it's checked well by David.
Monk pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Monk misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
David's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
David moves out of range of the leg kick from Monk.
Monk wants to clinch.
Monk throws a wild body kick that David sees coming a mile off.
David throws a right hand that misses
and Monk counters with an outside leg kick.
David throws the left hand but Monk avoids the punch easily.
Monk swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Monk defending well as David loads up on a big left hand.

Monk gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Monk tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Monk misses with some punches.
Monk lands a right hand that snaps the head of David backwards.
Monk lands a left hand that snaps the head of David backwards.
David goes for a takedown attempt but Monk pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Monk closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
David working hard to break the clinch.
David blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
David lands an elbow inside that Monk shrugs off.
David lands a shoulder strike.
Monk misses with the head strike.

David pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Monk motions for David to come forward. Monk throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
David fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Monk blocks a head kick by David.
Monk keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from David.
Monk bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps David's head backwards.
David walks into a jab.
David on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
A jab from David misses.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Monk is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
David throws a body punch but Monk moves out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Monk misses with the combination.
David swings away with a leg kick that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcus Monk had his way with Xavier David in that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

David lands a nice looking kick to the body. Monk takes a step back to recover.
Monk misses with a straight left.
Monk tries to score a power double leg takedown but David sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Monk somewhat.
Monk throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Monk tries to score a power double leg takedown but David sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Monk somewhat.
David throws a low kick but Monk avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No luck for Monk with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marcus Monk. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice uppercut there from David.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Monk, right into the meat.
A nice leg kick lands there from David.
David misses with a combination

and Monk counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in David's guard now.
Monk won't allow David to sweep him here.
Monk wants to control from the top but David keeps moving.
David has Monk pulled in close to control his posture.
Marcus Monk is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Monk advances position into side control!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
David is trying to control Monk's posture but Monk avoids it.
David tries to bench press Monk off him but Monk keeps the position.
Monk in the domination position with David hanging on.

Monk decides to stand back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head kick by Monk misses
and David counters with a left to the body.
Monk misses with a straight right.
Monk tries to clinch there but David circles away.
David slips a straight right by Monk.
Monk throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
David swinging wildly here.
David swings widly with a right hand
and Monk counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Monk fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but David avoids it really well and circles away.
Monk avoids the body shot from David.
Xavier David has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
David throws a poor cross that misses
and David takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Some wild striking there from David.
Monk keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from David.
Monk throws a head kick but David moves out of range.
David avoids the head kick by Monk.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
David fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Monk looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
David takes a swing at Monk's ribcage but misses.

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 Marcus Monk.
Well Monk 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 49:46
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 49:47
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marcus Monk!
Marcus Monk retains his welterweight title!