PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Maria Montgomery (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zerano Rdj (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Montgomery
vs
Rdj

208 cm
18
161 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

180 cm
18
160 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Maria Montgomery!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Zerano Rdj!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Mauricio Rocha and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rdj throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Montgomery was covering up waiting for the punch and Rdj finishes the takedown easily into guard.

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

Rdj has his foot on Montgomery's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Montgomery works his way back into a safe position though.
Montgomery throwing strikes but missing.
Montgomery throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Rdj works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Our spies down at at EXEL VORTEX inform us that Rdj has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Rdj has momentary wrist control but Montgomery slips an elbow through the middle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Montgomery chips away with some ground and pound.
Montgomery is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Montgomery really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Montgomery working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Montgomery throws a big elbow that misses.
Rdj manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Montgomery manages to get himself to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rdj wants to control from the top but Montgomery keeps moving.
Montgomery will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Montgomery controlling the position.
Rdj tries to free his leg and advance position but Montgomery is retaining full guard.
Rdj is still trying to improve position.

Rdj is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Montgomery is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Montgomery has escaped and now he's on top!

Rdj looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Montgomery postures up and lands a big shot to Rdj's brow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Montgomery stopping the sweep attempt from Rdj.
Montgomery working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Rdj is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Rdj 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.
Montgomery lands a couple of digs.
Rdj looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Montgomery puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.

Montgomery is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Montgomery is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Rdj has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rdj is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Nice strikes from Montgomery there.
Rdj moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Montgomery postures up and lands a big shot to Rdj's brow.
Montgomery content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Montgomery makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Rdj looking to hit a scissor sweep but Montgomery is one step ahead there.

Rdj is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Montgomery defends well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rdj looking for a sweep. Not yet Rdj, not yet.
Rdj manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Montgomery manages to get himself to full guard.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rdj looks winded!
Rdj trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

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

The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Montgomery lands a couple of digs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maria Montgomery dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Rdj decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Montgomery keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Montgomery is pressing down on Rdj's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Rdj passes Montgomery's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Montgomery has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Rdj is working away from the top position though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Rdj wants to work for an arm triangle but Montgomery is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Rdj is pressing down on Montgomery's thigh, looking to free his foot. Montgomery is holding on for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Montgomery holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Montgomery trying to control from the bottom.

Rdj is working for a kimura but Montgomery is defending it quite comfortably.

Montgomery is defending against the submission attempts here by Rdj.

Rdj is looking for a kimura but Montgomery is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Rdj to get the leverage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Montgomery keeping hold of Rdj's head, controlling as best he can.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Rdj seems to be working for a kimura but Montgomery defends the submission attempt.
Zerano Rdj has got the better of the ground game so far.
Montgomery keeping control of the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rdj looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Montgomery!

Rdj goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Montgomery rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Rdj's guard! Nice work there by Montgomery!
Rdj is breathing heavily.
Montgomery scoring with some ground and pound.
Rdj looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Montgomery throws a big elbow that misses.
Montgomery working some strikes from top position.
Montgomery is working Rdj over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rdj looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Montgomery's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Montgomery postures up and lands a big shot to Rdj's brow.
Montgomery scoring with some ground and pound.

Montgomery avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Montgomery lands a couple of digs.
Rdj looking for a sweep. Not yet Rdj, not yet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Montgomery with a nice head shot there.
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!

Rdj looking for a guillotine here but Montgomery defends easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zerano Rdj showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Montgomery closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Rdj to the mat! Rdj manages to get full guard.
Montgomery scoring with some ground and pound.
Montgomery postures up and lands a big shot to Rdj's brow.
Montgomery scoring with punches to the head and body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rdj 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.

Rdj working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Montgomery doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Montgomery manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Montgomery throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Montgomery working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Rdj tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Montgomery cracks Rdj with a solid left hand.
Rdj bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Montgomery's guard.

Rdj takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Rdj postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Montgomery is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Rdj, into his guard.

Rdj is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Montgomery cracks Rdj with a solid left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Montgomery working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Montgomery is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Montgomery chips away with some ground and pound.
Montgomery is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Montgomery is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Rdj wants to sweep but no luck.
Montgomery lands a couple of elbows.
Montgomery lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Montgomery works over Rdj with some ground and pound from guard.
Montgomery working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Rdj's head.
Rdj looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Montgomery's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Montgomery is in close to Rdj's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Rdj looking for a sweep. Not yet Rdj, not yet.

Montgomery avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Montgomery scoring with punches to the head and body.
Rdj is looking to sweep but instead, Montgomery has passed into half guard.

Montgomery is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Montgomery is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Montgomery is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Rdj sees it coming and defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Montgomery looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Rdj wants to improve his position but Montgomery is controlling well.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

And that's the end of the fight!
Maria Montgomery showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Montgomery 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 29:28
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Maria Montgomery!