PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Sven Verdek (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Barry Montalo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Barry Montalo struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 156.2lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Verdek
vs
Montalo

167 cm
23
162 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

165 cm
21
165 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Sven Verdek!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Barry Montalo!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck for Montalo with that takedown attempt.
A nice leg kick lands there from Montalo.
Verdek gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Montalo counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Montalo wants to control from the top but Verdek keeps moving.

Verdek working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Montalo doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Montalo manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Verdek wants to sweep here but Montalo controlling him for the moment.
Montalo scoring with some ground and pound.
Montalo would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Montalo looking to pass the guard.
Montalo trying to control the position from guard on top but Verdek is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Verdek wants to improve his position but instead Montalo has moved into half guard.
Verdek is looking to improve his position.
Montalo really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Verdek. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Montalo is keen to just control but Verdek is a slippery customer.
Montalo is taking a breather. Verdek says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
A right-left combo lands from Montalo.
Montalo looks gassed!

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.
Montalo tries to land a front kick but Verdek steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

Verdek drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Verdek works to advance to full mount. Montalo defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.

Verdek throws some shoulder strikes here and then postures up. Oh, he's gone for an armbar! Montalo has his hands clasped together but Verdek breaks the hold and Montalo is forced to tap! This one is aaaaaaaaaaall over! That was lightning fast by Verdek!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:44 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Sven Verdek!