PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Renato Cardoso (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jon Monroe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tired and clearly flustered, he entered the arena late and after a little discussion it was decided that the bout should take place.
Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Renato Cardoso and Jon Monroe. Cardoso comes to the cage accompanied by Samba de Janeiro. Monroe has chosen Simple Man - Lynyrd Skynyrd as his entrance music. Renato Cardoso had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 157.1lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. Jon Monroe has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Cardoso
vs
Monroe

170 cm
33
172 lbs
17 - 12 - 0

175 cm
30
169 lbs
18 - 13 - 1

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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 17 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Renato Cardoso!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 13 - 1, fighting out of New York, Jon Monroe!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Jorge Garcia and Dean Styles.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Monroe throws a jab when Cardoso was well out of range.
Monroe lands a head shot.
Monroe scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Monroe misses with a right hand
and Cardoso counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Monroe tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Monroe throws a head kick that Cardoso semi-blocks.
Monroe cracks a nice hook into Cardoso's ribs.
Monroe keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Cardoso keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Monroe pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Monroe rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Cardoso moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Monroe lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Cardoso at a distance.
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!
Monroe misses with a jab, cross combination.
Monroe tries a head kick but it misses.
Monroe throws a half hearted mid kick.
Cardoso takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Monroe tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cardoso was well out of range. Poor timing from Monroe.
Nice uppercut there from Monroe.
Sloppy strikes from Monroe. Those never looked like landing.
Monroe misses the jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from Monroe misses.
Cardoso checks a leg kick.
Monroe throws a nice head kick!
Cardoso throws a push kick but Monroe slaps the foot to one side.
Cardoso ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Monroe swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Cardoso uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Monroe.
Monroe fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Cardoso looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Monroe throws a front kick aimed at Cardoso's knee but Cardoso avoids it well.
Monroe takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Monroe connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Cardoso tries a head kick but it misses.
Monroe throws a jab but it's blocked by Cardoso.
Monroe pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Cardoso gets a clinch.

Monroe breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cardoso ducks under a wild hook from Monroe.
Cardoso fails with a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Monroe tests Cardoso's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Cardoso walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Cardoso misses with a head kick.
Monroe lands a jab to the nose.
Cardoso uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Monroe.
Monroe lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Monroe.
Monroe just misses with a punch to the body.
A cross from Monroe lands.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Monroe, as that shot connected.
Monroe lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Monroe lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Cardoso backs up against the cage.
Cardoso takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Monroe misses with a double jab.
Monroe lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Cardoso at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cardoso throws a low kick but Monroe avoids it.
Monroe throws a head kick that misses
and Cardoso counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Monroe has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Monroe misses with a double jab

and Cardoso counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Monroe is trying to stand back up but Cardoso is controlling him
Cardoso looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Cardoso thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Monroe's head.
We've been hearing good reports from Cardoso's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Monroe blocking the ground and pound attempt from Cardoso.
Cardoso prevents Monroe from standing back up.
Cardoso winds up and cracks Monroe with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Cardoso thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Monroe's head.

Cardoso is working for a submission of some sort.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cardoso not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Cardoso is working for a kimura but Monroe is defending it quite comfortably.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Monroe is not content to let Cardoso control the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cardoso prevents Monroe from standing back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jon Monroe dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Monroe tries a head kick but it misses.
Cardoso finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Monroe closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Monroe avoids a kick to the body.
Monroe throws a head kick but Cardoso moves out of range.
Monroe misses with a jab, cross combination.
Cardoso avoids the body shot from Monroe.
Monroe looks to land a combination but Cardoso avoids it well.
Jon Monroe seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cardoso throws a sloppy head kick and Monroe moves out of range easily.
Monroe tries a head kick but it misses.
Jon Monroe seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Cardoso looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Monroe throws a right hand that Cardoso ducks under and follows up with a left that Cardoso also avoids with ease.
Cardoso scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Jon Monroe is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Monroe throws a head kick that misses.
Cardoso throws the kick towards the body but Monroe avoids it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cardoso scoring well with a low kick there.
Monroe throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Monroe throws a series of punches but Cardoso moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Monroe pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Cardoso back to the cage. Monroe follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
An inside leg kick from Cardoso misses.
A head kick misses from Cardoso.
Cardoso throws a body kick that misses.
Monroe misses with a jab, cross combination.
Cardoso on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Cardoso avoids the head kick by Monroe.
Monroe has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A head kick misses from Cardoso.
Monroe throws a body shot but no joy.
Monroe fails to land with a series of punches.
Monroe misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Monroe tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Monroe throws a right hand that misses

and Cardoso decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Monroe's guard.
Monroe is breathing heavily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cardoso chips away with some ground and pound.
Monroe keeping full guard, as Cardoso tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Monroe utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Cardoso looking to pass the guard.
Cardoso has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Cardoso loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Cardoso won't allow Monroe to get back to his feet.
Cardoso with a flurry of punches that miss.
Cardoso trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Monroe keeping moving, preventing Cardoso from controlling successfully.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Monroe lands with a right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Monroe missing with a left hand there. Cardoso was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Monroe falls off balance throwing a combination

and Cardoso counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Cardoso trying to control the position from guard on top but Monroe is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Monroe wants to stand and escape but Cardoso is having none of it.
Cardoso stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Monroe swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Cardoso wants to control from the top but Monroe keeps moving.
Monroe wants to stand but Cardoso is controlling the position.
Renato Cardoso overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cardoso throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Monroe works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Cardoso throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Monroe is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Monroe jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Monroe throws a head kick but Cardoso moves out of range.
Monroe throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Cardoso throws a head kick but Monroe moves out of range.
Cardoso misses with a hook.
Monroe misses with a shot to the body

and Cardoso counters with a takedown into side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cardoso working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Cardoso sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Monroe is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jon Monroe will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Monroe scores with a hook.
Monroe scores with a body shot.
A head kick from Monroe lands but Cardoso takes it in his stride.
Monroe takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Cardoso uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Monroe.
Monroe scores with a crisp jab that stopped Cardoso in his tracks.
Monroe takes a swing at Cardoso's ribcage but misses.
Monroe misses with a combination
and Cardoso counters with a thumping low kick.
Monroe scores with a jab to the body.
Monroe throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Monroe jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Cardoso misses with an attempted mid kick.
Cardoso avoids the head kick by Monroe.
Monroe throws a low kick but it's checked well by Cardoso.
Monroe takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Cardoso shoots in but Monroe avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Monroe throws a right hand that misses

and Cardoso counters by moving into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cardoso misses with a body punch.
Cardoso with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Cardoso keeps control of Monroe as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Monroe wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Cardoso struggles to land a body shot inside as Monroe controls his hands.
Cardoso misses with a body punch.
Monroe wants to break the clinch but can't.
Cardoso swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Monroe wants to break free but Cardoso has control.
Monroe is trying to break free.
Monroe takes a knee right on the jaw!
Monroe is trying to break free.
Monroe has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Monroe wants to get back to striking at distance but Cardoso won't allow it.
Monroe is trying to break free.
Renato Cardoso has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cardoso tries to throw a body punch but Monroe avoids it by throwing Cardoso back against the cage.

Monroe breaks the clinch.
Monroe throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Cardoso lands an overhand right.
Cardoso scores with a push kick.
Monroe throws a leg kick that misses.
The fighters circling - Monroe throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Monroe blocks the body kick.
Cardoso looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Cardoso takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Monroe lands a two punch combo.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Monroe takes one to the side of the head.

It looks like Jon Monroe has been cut.
Monroe's jab looks to have found its range, popping Cardoso under the eye.
Cardoso avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Cardoso looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
A nice inside leg kick there by Cardoso. That's going to slow Monroe down.
Cardoso throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Monroe lands a really nice looking cross but Cardoso seems unphased.
Monroe lands with a nice combination. Cardoso backs away looking to recover.
Cardoso throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Cardoso tries to move into range but Monroe moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Monroe misses with a wild body shot.
No joy there for Monroe, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Cardoso misses with a body shot.
Cardoso throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Monroe chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Cardoso throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Monroe misses with a head kick.
Monroe connects with an inside leg kick.
Monroe misses with a head kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cardoso throws a body punch but Monroe moves out of range.
Monroe misses with a head kick.
The crowd cheers as Monroe lands an impressive looking overhand right. Cardoso doesn't seem phased though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cardoso fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Monroe manages to avoid it.
Jon Monroe is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Cardoso is looking to land body kicks.
Cardoso pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Cardoso on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Monroe throws a head kick that misses.
Monroe bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Cardoso's head backwards.
Monroe tries to bum rush Cardoso with a series of wild strikes but Cardoso uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Monroe takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Monroe throws a left and a right that both miss
and Cardoso counters with a nice body kick.
Cardoso looks for a takedown but Monroe sprawls well.
Monroe moves out of range of the body kick from Cardoso.
Monroe throws a nice looking combination but Cardoso bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Monroe swings for the body but Cardoso moves out of range.
Monroe displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jon Monroe comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Monroe 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 Reed Andrews scores the fight 28:30
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jon Monroe!
A relieved looking Jon Monroe thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.