PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Arthas Menethil (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ricky Monroe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Menethil comes to the cage accompanied by Arthas - Let it go. Monroe has chosen Deep Ocean - Island drumming as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Menethil
vs
Monroe

170 cm
25
140 lbs
15 - 7 - 0

166 cm
25
143 lbs
10 - 6 - 2

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

The Empire Clothing and Laundry
AnonymouS

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Arthas Menethil!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Ricky Monroe!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Robert Douchet and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Menethil misses with a two punch combination.
Monroe misses with a looping right.
Monroe moves away from the strike by Menethil.
Menethil misses the shot to the body.
Monroe blocks a low kick nicely.
Menethil uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Monroe.
Ricky Monroe seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A nice combination there by Monroe.
Monroe throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Monroe ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Menethil moves away.
Menethil swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Monroe throws an overhand right that lands on Menethil's shoulder, as Menethil tries to avoid the shot.
Menethil moves out of range as Monroe strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Monroe closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Menethil to the mat! Menethil manages to get full guard.
Monroe looking to pass the guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Menethil is looking for a triangle but Monroe pushes his legs off easily.
Monroe with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Menethil is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Menethil with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Monroe wants to get back to full guard.
Monroe is concentrating on defense, preventing Menethil from advancing position.
Menethil wants to lay and pray for a moment but Monroe keeps working.
Monroe tries to get to full guard but Menethil has control of the leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Menethil is trying to control the action in half guard but Monroe is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Menethil with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

Menethil is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Monroe is trying to get back to full guard.
Monroe trying to control but Menethil postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Monroe is looking to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Monroe is staying active underneath Menethil, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Monroe looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Menethil is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Monroe defends it well.
Monroe trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Menethil manages to pass to mount!
Monroe bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

Monroe avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Monroe cracks Menethil with a solid left hand.
Menethil seems keen to control Monroe's posture.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Monroe accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Menethil is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Menethil tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Monroe passes into half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Monroe lands a nice short elbow.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Monroe is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Menethil works his way to full guard. Good work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricky Monroe dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Monroe throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Monroe misses with a jab, cross combination.
Menethil avoids the body shot from Monroe.
Menethil tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Monroe was well out of range. Poor timing from Menethil.
Menethil throws a wild body kick that Monroe sees coming a mile off.
Monroe is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Menethil with a body shot.
Some wild striking there from Monroe.
Menethil connects with a body shot.
Menethil stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Monroe bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Menethil's head backwards.
Monroe throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Menethil throws a body kick that misses.
Menethil takes one to the side of the head.
Menethil scores with a spinning back kick!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Menethil throws a wild body kick that Monroe sees coming a mile off.
Menethil misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Monroe.
Monroe throws a body shot but no joy.
Menethil throws a half hearted mid kick.
Menethil takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Menethil waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Monroe.
Ricky Monroe seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Monroe connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Monroe swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Menethil fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Monroe manages to avoid it.
Arthas Menethil is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Monroe steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Menethil.
Monroe misses with a jab to the body
and Menethil makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Menethil throws a nice looking combination but Monroe bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Menethil fails to land with a series of punches.
Monroe looks to land a left hand but Menethil moved out of range nicely.
Menethil jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Monroe connects with a single shot there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A left lands for Monroe.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Monroe shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Monroe was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Monroe scores with punches from side control.
Menethil takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Monroe creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Menethil taking punishment in the form of punches.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Menethil sneaks back into half guard.
Monroe looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Menethil is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Monroe's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Monroe's back!
Menethil doesn't have the hooks in and Monroe manages to turn into his guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Monroe lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Monroe wants to control from the top but Menethil keeps moving.
Menethil has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

Menethil looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Monroe avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Monroe landing with the ground and pound.
Menethil trying to keep a closed guard but Monroe is proving a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Monroe with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Monroe looking to pass the guard.
Menethil is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Menethil seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.

Menethil is looking for a triangle but Monroe pushes his legs off easily.
Monroe with a flurry of punches that miss.

Menethil working for a triangle but Monroe defends it easily.
Monroe lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricky Monroe showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Monroe bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Menethil's head.
Menethil misses with a wild body shot.
Monroe blocks a head kick by Menethil.
Monroe looks to score with a jab to the body but Menethil is just out of range.
A little feinted left hand from Menethil on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
A clash of legs there as Monroe blocks the low kick.
Monroe has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Menethil takes a swing at Monroe's ribcage but misses.
Menethil lands the left hand.
Decent striking displayed by Monroe there.
Menethil slips a jab from Monroe.
Monroe avoids the head kick by Menethil.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Monroe throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Menethil is looking to wear down Monroe with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Monroe misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Menethil.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Monroe crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Menethil - the referee stops the clock and Monroe gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Menethil. Monroe manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Monroe throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Menethil checks a leg kick nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Monroe misses the body punch
and Menethil counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Menethil throws a quick inside leg kick.
Menethil throws a body punch but Monroe moves out of range.
Monroe looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Menethil tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Monroe was well out of range. Poor timing from Menethil.
It seemed like Monroe was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Menethil ducks under a wild hook from Monroe.
Monroe lands with a straight right. Menethil didn't see that one coming.
A slow jab from Monroe misses its intended target.
Menethil is looking to counter with a body kick.
A swing and a miss from Monroe.
A punch combination from Monroe misses.
Monroe checks a leg kick.
Menethil throws a body kick that misses.
Monroe throws a leg kick but Menethil sees it coming and moves out of range.
Menethil fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Menethil uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Monroe.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Menethil takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Some wild striking there from Monroe.
Nice defenses there by Menethil.
Menethil throws a leg kick but Monroe sees it coming and moves out of range.
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!
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Monroe lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Menethil has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Menethil and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Monroe uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Menethil walks into a stiff left hand from Monroe.
Menethil just misses with a punch to the body.
Monroe misses the shot to the body.
Monroe scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Menethil throws a head kick but Monroe moves out of range.
Menethil scores with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Menethil delivers a nice body kick.
Menethil tries to score with a low kick but Monroe moves his leg out of the way.
A bone on bone clash there as Monroe blocks the leg kick.
Menethil lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Menethil throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Monroe throws the left hand but Menethil avoids the punch easily.
Menethil lands with a kick to the temple. Monroe shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Menethil takes a swing at Monroe's ribcage but misses.
Menethil misses with a lunging right hand
and Monroe cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Monroe scores with a jab.
Monroe swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Monroe scores with a shot to the body.
Monroe connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Menethil throws a head kick but Monroe moves out of range.
Monroe has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Monroe checks a leg kick.
It seemed like Monroe was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Monroe with a hook.
Monroe throws a jab when Menethil was well out of range.
Menethil misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Monroe.
Monroe looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Monroe bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Menethil's head.
Menethil blocks a jab.
Monroe misses with a hook
and Menethil counters with a one-two to the body.
Menethil throws a body punch but Monroe moves out of range.
Menethil looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Menethil takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

Monroe scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Monroe scoring with punches from side control.
Arthas Menethil has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Menethil can't do much from the bottom here.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ricky Monroe.
Well Monroe has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Ian Loll scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 27:30
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ricky Monroe!
After winning the bout, Ricky Monroe thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.