PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ratko Mrsic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Antonio Montana (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Mrsic
vs
Montana

179 cm
18
188 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

180 cm
18
195 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ratko Mrsic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Antonio Montana!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Roosa Järviläinen and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Montana misses with a body shot.
Mrsic throws a hook to the side of Montana's head but Montana sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Mrsic slips a jab and a cross from Montana.
Mrsic lands a slapping body shot.
Montana cracks a nice hook into Mrsic's ribs.
Mrsic throws a lazy uppercut
and Montana connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Montana dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Montana misses with a wild body shot.
Mrsic keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Montana.

Mrsic gets a clinch.
Montana misses with a short punch on the inside.
Montana tries a body shot but Mrsic blocks it.
Montana misses with a punch to the body.
Montana throws a punch but it's blocked by Mrsic.
Mrsic fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Montana stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Mrsic - that landed with a thud.
Montana wants to break the clinch but can't.
Montana is looking to break free of the clinch but Mrsic has double underhooks.
Montana misses with a punch on the inside.
Montana tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Mrsic's elbow.
I was talking to Mrsic's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Montana blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Montana lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Mrsic keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Montana's efforts to push away.
Mrsic doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Good body shot from Mrsic.
Mrsic lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Montana or not.
Mrsic prevents a body shot from Montana.
Mrsic misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Montana can't find room to land a body shot as Mrsic controls the action.
Montana digs a right hand underneath Mrsic's ribcage. Mrsic let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Montana struggles to land a body shot inside as Mrsic controls his hands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mrsic misses with a hook to the ribs.
Mrsic swings wildly with an uppercut but Montana uses good head movement to avoid it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Montana.
Mrsic is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
The referee calls for Mrsic to work.
Mrsic cracks Montana with a nice body shot.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Mrsic.
Mrsic fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Montana scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Mrsic lands a hook to the side of the head.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
A nice left hand lands by Mrsic.
Montana has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Mrsic seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Montana can turn it around.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mrsic blocking some punches.
Mrsic tries to throw a body punch but Montana avoids it by throwing Mrsic back against the cage.
Mrsic tries to stall but Montana uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Mrsic working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Mrsic prevents a body shot from Montana.
Montana blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A head punch on the inside from Montana fails to land.
Montana misses with a hook to the ribs.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Montana creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Nice body punch from Mrsic - that landed with a thud.
Mrsic makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Montana misses with a punch on the inside.
Montana can't find room to land a body shot as Mrsic controls the action.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Montana.
Mrsic blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short body shot lands from Mrsic as the two fighters clinch.
Mrsic doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Montana misses with a hook to the ribs.
Mrsic can't find room to land a body shot as Montana controls the action.
Mrsic working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Mrsic misses with a hook to the ribs.
Mrsic prevents a body shot from Montana.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Mrsic.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mrsic tries a body shot but Montana blocks it.
Mrsic misses with a body punch.
Mrsic tries to throw a body punch but Montana avoids it by throwing Mrsic back against the cage.
Mrsic tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Montana's elbow.
Mrsic prevents a body shot from Montana.
Montana misses with a short punch on the inside.
Mrsic pushes Montana back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Mrsic blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Mrsic avoiding damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Ratko Mrsic will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

The fighters circling - Mrsic throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Mrsic on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

Mrsic gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Montana lands a left hand.
Ratko Mrsic has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Montana lands with a left to the head.
Montana throws a head punch that misses.
Nice body punch from Montana.

Montana breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Mrsic looks to throw the jab but Montana is out of range.
Montana throws a shot from downtown. Mrsic moves away and avoids it.
Montana misses with a looping right.
Ratko Mrsic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Mrsic clinches up with Montana and pushes him back against the cage.
Mrsic lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Montana.
Mrsic scores with a shot to the side of Montana's head.
Montana makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Montana goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mrsic blocks an uppercut.
Montana blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Montana swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Montana misses with a short punch on the inside.
Mrsic misses with a body punch.
Montana lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Mrsic misses with a hook to the ribs.
Mrsic makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Mrsic misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Montana scores with a hook to the body.
Montana tries a body shot but Mrsic blocks it.
Montana working aggressively here.
Montana blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A short right from Mrsic.
Montana throws a head punch that misses.
A head punch on the inside from Mrsic fails to land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mrsic misses with some punches.
Mrsic trying to control the position but instead, Montana has worked for underhooks and has pushed Mrsic into the cage.
Mrsic lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Montana.
Montana working aggressively here.
Montana looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Montana cracks Mrsic with a nice body shot.
Mrsic slowing the pace effectively.
Mrsic fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Mrsic tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Montana can't find room to land a body shot as Mrsic controls the action.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Montana works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Montana lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Mrsic backwards.
A short left from Montana.
Montana prevents a body shot from Mrsic.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mrsic tries a body shot but Montana blocks it.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Montana.
Mrsic lands with a left to the head.
Montana wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Mrsic taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Mrsic misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A shot in the inside from Montana.
Mrsic looking to slow down the pace here.
Montana works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Mrsic tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Montana's elbow.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Montana as Mrsic tries to tie him up.
Mrsic tries to throw a body punch but Montana avoids it by throwing Mrsic back against the cage.
Montana lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Montana presses Mrsic against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Montana tries a body shot but Mrsic blocks it.
Montana lands a nice uppercut.
Mrsic throws a punch but it's blocked by Montana.
Mrsic lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Montana backwards.
Mrsic misses with a punch on the inside.
Montana blocks a body shot from Mrsic.
Montana prevents a body shot from Mrsic.
Montana can't find room to land a body shot as Mrsic controls the action.
Mrsic doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Mrsic struggles to land a body shot inside as Montana controls his hands.
Mrsic tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A right hook to the body lands for Mrsic.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Montana tries a body shot but Mrsic blocks it.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Montana is trying to break free.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Antonio Montana will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Mrsic blocks a jab.
Mrsic swings for the body but Montana moves out of range.
Montana walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
A shot to the body from Mrsic misses
and Montana counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Mrsic closes the distance but Montana moves to the side
and Montana counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Montana digs a good hook to Mrsic's body.
Montana misses the jab.
Montana lands a nice shot that snaps Mrsic's head back.
Montana misses with a looping right.
Mrsic misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Montana.
Montana is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Mrsic with a body shot.
Montana keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Mrsic fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Montana manages to avoid it.
Mrsic swings for the body but Montana moves out of range.
Montana misses with a hook.
Mrsic takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mrsic moves in looking to clinch but Montana pushes him off.
Montana keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Montana tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Mrsic was well out of range. Poor timing from Montana.
Mrsic is looking to wear down Montana with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Mrsic misses with a body shot
and Montana counters with a nice body shot.
Montana gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
A jab lands there for Mrsic.
Mrsic throws a jab but it's blocked by Montana.
Mrsic slips a jab from Montana.
Montana throws a shot to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Mrsic. Montana does a little dance to reset his feet.
Montana avoids the body shot from Mrsic.
A little jabbing left from Montana on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Mrsic throws a right hand that misses
and Montana makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Montana with a nice cross.
Montana throws a combination. Mrsic tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Montana's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Mrsic connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Montana scrambles back to his feet.
A big right from Montana misses.
Montana throws a nice looking combination but Mrsic bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Montana uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Montana lands a nice shot to the body.
Mrsic lands a nice hook to Montana's body. Montana takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Mrsic takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Montana moves out of range as Mrsic strikes.
Mrsic swings for the body but Montana moves out of range.
Montana is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Mrsic with a body shot.
Mrsic throws a hook but Montana avoids it easily.
Montana throws a looping overhand right but Mrsic ducks down to avoid it.
Mrsic thuds his right hand into Montana's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Mrsic takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Antonio Montana seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Mrsic moves out of range of the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Montana jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Montana ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mrsic moves away.
Montana keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Mrsic.
Montana throws a body shot but no joy.
It looked like Mrsic wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Mrsic throws a jab when Montana was well out of range.
Montana swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Mrsic looks to clinch
and Montana counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Montana looks to land a right hand but Mrsic moved out of range.
Montana displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Mrsic throws out the jab.
Mrsic throws out a loose jab but Montana uses good head movement to avoid it.
Montana uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Mrsic.
Montana with a jab.
Nice jab there from Mrsic.
Mrsic throws an off balance right hand
and Montana counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Mrsic's corner calls for a 1-2. Mrsic obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Mrsic tries to clinch up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Montana throws a body shot but no joy.
Montana throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Montana dips to his left and cracks Mrsic with an uppercut!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Montana digs a good hook to Mrsic's body.
Mrsic bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Montana lands with a cross.
Mrsic connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Montana throws a hook but Mrsic avoids it easily.
Mrsic lands a jab to the nose.
Mrsic slips under a jab from Montana.
Montana shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Mrsic eats them both and turns towards Montana to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mrsic misses with a shot to the body
and Montana counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Mrsic bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Mrsic throwing a counter right hand but Montana manages to avoid it.
Mrsic misses with a body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Antonio Montana comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Montana 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 28:29
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Antonio Montana!