PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Pedro Lopez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ricardo Monteban (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lopez comes to the cage accompanied by Hurriganes - Get On. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Lopez
vs
Monteban

165 cm
28
155 lbs
23 - 18 - 0

165 cm
31
148 lbs
22 - 13 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Perkele!

Hellbent

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 23 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Pedro Lopez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ricardo Monteban!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Colin Fotheringham and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lopez misses with a two punch combination.
Lopez lands a head shot.
Lopez misses with a straight right.
Lopez lands a nice looking body shot.
Pedro Lopez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lopez throws a lazy right hand but Monteban sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Monteban tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Lopez checks the leg kick.
Lopez looks to land a left hand but Monteban moved out of range nicely.
Lopez misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Monteban wants to land a leg kick but Lopez is out of range.
Lopez moves out of range as Monteban strikes.
Nice defenses there by Monteban.
Monteban getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Monteban digs a good hook to Lopez's body.
Monteban slips under a jab.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Monteban has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Monteban walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lopez moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Lopez throws a left and a right that both miss
and Monteban counters with an inside leg kick.
A punch lands to the side of Lopez 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Lopez misses with a straight right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lopez swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Lopez throws a body punch but Monteban moves out of range.
A punch combination from Lopez misses.
Monteban has a takedown stuffed.
Monteban throws a leg kick but Lopez sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Monteban has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Lopez.
Lopez throws a hook but Monteban blocks it.
Lopez misses with a hook. Monteban ducked under it nicely.
Monteban looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Lopez throws a leg kick
and Monteban counters with a stiff right hand.
Lopez throws a hook but Monteban blocks it.
Lopez steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Monteban. That one must have hurt.
Lopez on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Monteban lands a right hook to the body.
The crowd cheers as Monteban lands an impressive looking overhand right. Lopez doesn't seem phased though.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A slapping leg kick lands for Lopez.
A swing and a miss from Lopez.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lopez lands a lovely overhand right.
Lopez just misses with a punch to the body.
Lopez moves forwards but Monteban connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Lopez misses with a hook
and Monteban counters with a left to the body.
Lopez misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Monteban.
Lopez misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Monteban.
Monteban throws a low kick but Lopez moves out of range easily.
Monteban keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Lopez.
Lopez finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Monteban lands with a cross.
Lopez throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Lopez throws a looping overhand right but Monteban ducks down to avoid it.
Monteban slips a jab from Lopez.
Lopez gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Monteban's corner calls for a 1-2. Monteban obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Lopez throws a leg kick but Monteban sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Monteban swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Lopez throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Monteban sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot lands for Monteban.
Lopez throws a lazy uppercut
and Monteban counters with a stiff right hand.
Lopez throws a leg kick but Monteban sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Monteban keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Lopez.
Monteban keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
A lazy left from Lopez finds it's target.
Monteban throws an off balance right hand
letting Lopez counter with a right hand.

Monteban gets a clinch.
Lopez blocks an uppercut.
Lopez working aggressively here.
Monteban lands a right hand that snaps the head of Lopez backwards.

Monteban breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Monteban throws an overhand right that lands on Lopez's shoulder, as Lopez tries to avoid the shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lopez misses the jab.
Monteban moves out of range of the strikes.
Monteban looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Monteban is looking to score with low kicks.
Lopez throws a low kick, looking for Monteban's leg but Monteban calmly moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Monteban stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Monteban misses with a body kick.
Good leg kick by Monteban there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Lopez throws a shot from downtown. Monteban moves away and avoids it.
Nice defenses there by Monteban.
Lopez takes a swing at Monteban's ribcage but misses.
Lopez wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Lopez swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
enabling Monteban to counter with a crisp jab.
Monteban scores with a punch to the head.
Monteban avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Monteban changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Lopez throws a body punch but Monteban moves out of range.
Lopez ducks under a wild hook from Monteban.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lopez avoids the body shot from Monteban.
Monteban fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Lopez.
Lopez misses with a wild body shot.
Monteban appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Monteban tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Lopez swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ricardo Monteban will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Lopez is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Monteban.
A little jabbing left from Monteban on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Lopez misses with a lunging right hand
and Monteban counters with a nice uppercut.
Monteban ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Lopez swings for the body but Monteban moves out of range.
Monteban let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Lopez jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
A left lands for Lopez.
Lopez takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Monteban fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Lopez manages to avoid it.
Lopez ducks under a wild hook from Monteban.
Lopez connects with a right hand. Monteban shakes it off.
Monteban works over Lopez's head and body with a nice combination.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lopez throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
A jab from Monteban misses.
Monteban tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lopez was well out of range. Poor timing from Monteban.
Monteban lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Lopez misses with the combination.
Monteban slips a jab and a cross from Lopez.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lopez throws a right hand that misses
enabling Monteban to counter with a crisp jab.
Monteban feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Lopezs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Monteban lands a nice shot to the body.
Monteban lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
A big right from Lopez misses.
Lopez's jab looks to have found its range, popping Monteban under the eye.
Monteban chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Lopez thows a left - swing and a miss!
Lopez moves out of range of the leg kick from Monteban.
Lopez is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Monteban.
Monteban dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Monteban staying out of range there.
Monteban swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Lopez moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lopez connects with a good right hand that stumbles Monteban. Monteban circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
A big right from Lopez misses.
Monteban looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Pedro Lopez is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Monteban displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Lopez throws out the jab.
Monteban throws the left hand but Lopez avoids the punch easily.
Lopez throws a jab but it's blocked by Monteban.
Monteban throws a lazy right hand but Lopez sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Lopez throws a big shot that misses.
Lopez's jab looks to have found its range, popping Monteban under the eye.
Ricardo Monteban seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Lopez takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
A big right from Monteban misses.
Lopez throws a poor cross that misses
enabling Monteban to counter with a crisp jab.
Lopez attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Monteban jabs Lopez right on the nose. Lopez blinks but takes it well.
A big right from Lopez misses.
Lopez ducks under a wild hook from Monteban.

Monteban fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Lopez, pushing him back against the cage.
Monteban is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
A short right from Monteban on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Monteban.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Monteban.
Monteban taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Lopez scores with a shot to the side of Monteban's head.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Monteban is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Monteban doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Lopez wants to break free but Monteban has control.
Monteban scores with a shot to the side of Lopez's head.
Monteban is trying to stall.
Monteban tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Lopez lands a shoulder strike.
Monteban struggles to land a body shot inside as Lopez controls his hands.
A nice left hand lands by Lopez.
Lopez scores with a hook to the body.
Lopez misses with the head strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Monteban makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Monteban tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Lopez avoids it.
Lopez makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Monteban digs a right hand underneath Lopez's ribcage. Lopez let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Monteban is leaning against Lopez and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lopez takes a shot to the head.
Monteban is struggling to control the position.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Monteban continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.

Monteban manages to break the clinch.
A left lands for Monteban.
Lopez just misses with a punch to the body.
Monteban throws out a counter right but Lopez avoids it with no problem.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Monteban throws a body punch but Lopez moves out of range.
Monteban has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Monteban there as he acknowledges the shot.
Monteban slips under a jab.
A big right from Monteban misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ricardo Monteban will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! And we move into the final round!

The fighters circling - Lopez throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Lopez looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Lopez looks to land a left hand but Monteban moved out of range nicely.
Monteban scores with a body shot.
Monteban's jab looks to have found its range, popping Lopez under the eye.
Nice defenses there by Monteban.
A swing and a miss from Lopez.
Lopez takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Monteban's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Monteban duly obliges.
A big left from Lopez misses.
Monteban throws out a loose jab but Lopez uses good head movement to avoid it.
A little feinted left hand from Lopez on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Lopez takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Monteban uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Lopez.
Monteban uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Lopez.
Lopez throws a lazy right hand but Monteban sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nice cross by Monteban.
Monteban misses with a body shot.
Lopez misses the jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Monteban fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Lopez looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Lopez throws a big shot that misses.
Monteban slips a jab from Lopez.
Monteban dodges the punch combination from Lopez.
Monteban dips to his left and cracks Lopez with an uppercut!
Lopez throws a lazy right hand but Monteban sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A nice side step and Monteban releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
A punch combination from Lopez misses.
Lopez lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Lopez.
Monteban looks to throw the jab but Lopez is out of range.
Monteban takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Lopez misses the jab.
Monteban changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Monteban misses with a takedown attempt - Lopez sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Lopez on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Pedro Lopez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A slow jab from Lopez misses its intended target.
Lopez takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Monteban throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Lopez scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Monteban tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Lopez manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Lopez takes a swing at Monteban's ribcage but misses.
Lopez throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Lopez rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Monteban counters with an outside leg kick.
Lopez lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Monteban at a distance.
Lopez throws a right and a left that Monteban avoids nicely.
A swing and a miss from Lopez.
Monteban throws a front kick that sends Lopez stumbling back into the cage.
Lopez throws a poor cross that misses
and Monteban counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Monteban clinches up against the cage.
Ricardo Monteban seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Monteban gets through Lopez's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Monteban is pushing Lopez up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Monteban can't find room to land a body shot as Lopez controls the action.
Monteban is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Lopez is keeping busy.
Monteban blocking some punches.
Monteban lands an uppercut.
Lopez has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Ricardo Monteban is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Lopez lands a body punch.
Lopez is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Monteban breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Lopez throws a big shot that misses.
Monteban lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
A shot to the liver by Lopez. Beautiful body shot.
Monteban connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Monteban is trying hard to land a takedown here. Lopez sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Monteban scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Monteban walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Monteban scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Lopez throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lopez loads up on a big right hand but Monteban slips the punch.
Lopez throws out a leg kick but Monteban moves out of range and Lopez only half commits.
Lopez bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Monteban's head.
Monteban throws a nice inside leg kick.
Monteban wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Lopez throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Monteban connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A punch combination from Lopez misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lopez misses with a right hand
and Monteban connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A jab from Monteban does it's job there.
Lopez misses with a straight right.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ricardo Monteban.
Well Monteban 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 Phil Schofield scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Ricardo Monteban!
An out of breath Ricardo Monteban thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
Pedro Lopez spoke after the fight, saying 'No vittu!'.