PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ueda Umanouke (ranked 6 p4p, 1 weight class) and Silas Monk (ranked 41 p4p, 2 weight class). Umanouke's entrance music is Kenji Kawai's Making of a Cyborg. A fine choice. 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.

Umanouke
vs
Monk

190 cm
30
280 lbs
20 - 8 - 0

202 cm
33
253 lbs
26 - 11 - 0

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Hellraiser FightGear
Urban Fighter

BuriedAlive// Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Ueda Umanouke!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 11 - 0, fighting out of New York, Silas Monk!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Monk uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Umanouke.
Umanouke pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Monk looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Umanouke works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Umanouke misses with a hook
and Monk counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Umanouke thinking.
The fighters circle momentarily. Umanouke darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Monk throws a hook to the side of Umanouke's head but Umanouke sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Monk just misses with a punch to the body.
Monk misses with a wild body shot.
Monk lands a head shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Umanouke lands a nice shot that snaps Monk's head back.
Umanouke sizes up Monk with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Umanouke thuds his right hand into Monk's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Umanouke fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Monk looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Ueda Umanouke seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Monk cracks Umanouke with a right hand to the side of the head.

It looks like Ueda Umanouke has been cut.
Umanouke displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Monk throws out the jab.
Umanouke attempts a counter takedown but Monk avoids it well and moves away.
Umanouke throws an overhand right that lands on Monk's shoulder, as Monk tries to avoid the shot.
Monk throws an overhand right that lands on Umanouke's shoulder, as Umanouke tries to avoid the shot.
Monk has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Umanouke.
Umanouke just misses with a punch to the body.
A countering left hand to the body from Monk misses.
Monk walks into a left hand.
Umanouke throws the left hand but Monk avoids the punch easily.

Monk gets caught napping as Umanouke dives in and scores a takedown. Monk manages to retain guard.
Umanouke looking to sit in guard and control but Monk gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Umanouke keeping moving, preventing Monk from controlling successfully.
Umanouke looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Umanouke lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Umanouke trying to control the position from guard on top but Monk is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Umanouke looking to sit in guard and control but Monk gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Monk preventing the sweep.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Umanouke is on top in guard.

We've been hearing good reports from Umanouke'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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Monk can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Umanouke controls the pace.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Monk working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Umanouke.
Umanouke trying to control but Monk is working from the bottom.
Umanouke stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Monk swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Umanouke wants to control from the top but Monk keeps moving.
Monk trying to keep a closed guard but Umanouke is proving a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Monk seems keen to control Umanouke's posture.
Umanouke trying to control but Monk is working from the bottom.
Monk has Umanouke pulled in close to control his posture.
Monk is trying to keep Umanouke in close.
Umanouke connects with a couple of short punches.
Monk is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ueda Umanouke dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ueda Umanouke's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Umanouke throws a leg kick
and Monk counters with an inside leg kick.
Umanouke lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

Monk tries to sprawl but Umanouke drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Monk makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!

Umanouke drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
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!
Umanouke working away.

Umanouke is trying to get an arm triangle but Monk is defending well.
Umanouke is working Monk over with some ground and pound from side control.
Monk regains half guard there - taking advantage of Umanouke's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Umanouke wants to pass to mount but Monk is defending the position.
Umanouke not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Umanouke thows a huge punch but Monk dodges it nicely.
Nice strikes from Umanouke there.

Umanouke is looking for a kimura here.
Umanouke stalling away here and it's allowed Monk to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Monk keeping moving, preventing Umanouke from controlling successfully.
Umanouke slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Umanouke is looking to work some ground and pound but Monk has wrist control.
Monk keeping full guard, as Umanouke tries to pass.
Umanouke trying to control the position from guard on top but Monk is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Umanouke passes Monk's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Umanouke wants to pass to mount but Monk is defending the position.
Monk trying to control from the bottom.
Umanouke is trying to control. Monk wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Umanouke shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Monk's guard.
Monk wants to stand up but Umanouke is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Umanouke postures up and lands a big shot to Monk's brow.
Umanouke loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Umanouke trying to control but Monk is working from the bottom.
Monk really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Umanouke. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Umanouke postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Monk looking to control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Monk wants to stand up but Umanouke is controlling him.
Umanouke loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ueda Umanouke dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Ueda Umanouke's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Monk tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Monk waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Umanouke.
Monk digs a good body shot into Umanouke's ribs.
Umanouke scores with a jab to the body.
Umanouke lands the left hand.
Umanouke with a lazy takedown attempt
and Monk counters with a one-two to the body.
Umanouke keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Monk.
Umanouke shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Monk as he jumps to the side.
Monk swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Umanouke throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Monk sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Umanouke tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Monk is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Umanouke with a body shot.
Monk throws a head kick but Umanouke moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Umanouke lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Monk at a distance.
Monk lands a nice looking body shot.
Monk moves away from the strike by Umanouke.
Umanouke dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Umanouke tries to clinch
and Monk counters with a stiff right hand.
Umanouke lands the left hand.
Monk scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Monk fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Umanouke manages to avoid it.
Umanouke looks to score with a jab to the body but Monk is just out of range.
Monk fails to land with a series of punches.
Monk misses with an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Umanouke throws an off balance right hand
enabling Monk to counter with a crisp jab.
Umanouke throws a hook but Monk avoids it easily.
Silas Monk is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Umanouke takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Umanouke throws a hook to the side of Monk's head but Monk sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Monk bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Umanouke throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Monk jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Umanouke misses with an attempted mid kick.
Umanouke fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Monk throws a fast counter high kick but Umanouke manages to duck under it in time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ueda Umanouke. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Umanouke throws a lazy right hand but Monk sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Umanouke throws a jab when Monk was well out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Monk paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Umanouke misses with a wild body shot.
Monk throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Monk scores with a nice body kick.
Monk uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Umanouke.
Good standup being displayed there by Umanouke as he connects with a hook.
Umanouke throws an off balance right hand
and Umanouke takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Monk slips under a jab.
Umanouke thows a left - swing and a miss!
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Monk! But no joy.
Monk connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Monk circles away from the clinch attempt
and Monk counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Umanouke tries to clinch but Monk moves away
and Monk counters with a nice uppercut.
A slow jab from Umanouke misses its intended target.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Monk is looking to chop away at Umanouke's legs.
Umanouke throws the left hand but Monk avoids the punch easily.
Umanouke misses with a takedown attempt - Monk sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Umanouke pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nice jab there from Umanouke.
Monk lands with a right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Silas Monk really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ueda Umanouke's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Umanouke misses with a body shot.

Ueda Umanouke's cut is getting worse.
Monk walks into a jab.
Umanouke throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Umanouke throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Monk counters with a nice uppercut.
Monk slips under a jab from Umanouke.
Umanouke throws a lazy uppercut
and Monk counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Umanouke drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Umanouke misses with an uppercut
and Monk cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A head kick misses from Monk.
Monk fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Umanouke cracks Monk with a right hand to the side of the head.
Umanouke looks to land a right hand but Monk moved out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Monk cracks Umanouke with a right hand to the side of the head.
Umanouke connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Monk's hands.
Monk misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Umanouke closes the distance and clinches.
Monk blocks a body shot from Umanouke.

Monk breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Umanouke throws a jab when Monk was well out of range.
Monk looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Umanouke darts in trying to clinch
and Monk counters with a stiff right hand.
Good work by Monk as he checks the leg kick.
Umanouke moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromMonk.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Monk on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Umanouke misses with an uppercut
and Monk counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Umanouke keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Umanouke throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Monk appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Umanouke fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
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!
Umanouke misses with a shot to the body
and Monk counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Ueda Umanouke's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Monk stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Umanouke throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Monk counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Monk misses with a double jab

and Umanouke counters with a takedown into side control.
Ueda Umanouke overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Monk tries to escape but Umanouke is in control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Monk tries to buck Umanouke off but Umanouke is having none of it.
Monk prevents Umanouke from improving position.
Umanouke wants to lay and pray for a moment but Monk keeps working.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Monk. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Umanouke cracks Monk with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Monk is looking to regain half guard here but Umanouke keeps moving and retains side control.
Monk felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Monk seems a little lost for a moment, as Umanouke dominates the positioning.
Umanouke is looking to take a break and control but Monk is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Umanouke working the head and body with strikes.
Umanouke wants to control for a moment but Monk uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Umanouke is trying to control the action in half guard but Monk is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Umanouke thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Umanouke lands a nice short elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Silas Monk will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Ueda Umanouke's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Monk gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Monk keeping full guard, as Umanouke tries to pass.
Monk keeping moving, preventing Umanouke from controlling successfully.
Umanouke pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Monk is keeping the position for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Monk wants to sweep but no luck.
Umanouke trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Silas Monk seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Umanouke looks to score with a jab to the body but Monk is just out of range.
Umanouke jabbing away but nothing is landing.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Monk! But no joy.
Umanouke throws a leg kick but Monk moved away.
Umanouke throws a hook to the side of Monk's head but Monk sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Monk doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Monk slips a straight right by Umanouke.
Monk has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
A punch combination from Monk misses.
Monk cracks a nice hook into Umanouke's ribs.
Umanouke throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Monk stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Monk looks to throw a body kick

and Umanouke counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Monk!
Umanouke tries to advance to mount but Monk denies him.
Umanouke 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.
Monk manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Umanouke wants to work for an arm triangle but Monk is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Umanouke prevents Monk from improving his position.
Umanouke is keen to just control but Monk is a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Umanouke takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

Umanouke is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Monk sees it coming and defends easily.
Umanouke seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Monk does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Umanouke trying to control the action but Monk is working from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Umanouke thows a leg kick but Monk checks it
and Monk counters with a low kick, right behind Umanouke 's knee.
Umanouke wants to clinch but Monk slips to the side
and Monk connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Monk leaves Umanouke with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
As Umanouke backs off Monk throws a huge counter combo but Umanouke manages to avoid it all.
Monk misses with a low kick.
Umanouke tries to counter with a takedown but Monk is quick to defend against it.
Umanouke fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Umanouke throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Umanouke swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Monk listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Umanouke tests Monk's chin there with a solid looking shot.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A slow jab from Umanouke misses its intended target.
Umanouke lands with an uppercut that bounces Monk off the cage and back into range.
Monk uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Umanouke.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ueda Umanouke showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Umanouke has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 48:47
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 48:47
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ueda Umanouke!
Ueda Umanouke retains his heavyweight title!
A very excited looking Ueda Umanouke rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.