PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Leon Montana (ranked 1805 p4p, 277 weight class) and Nigel Benn Jr (ranked 1466 p4p, 223 weight class). Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Nigel Benn Jr enters the cage!

Montana
vs
Benn Jr

188 cm
27
218 lbs
13 - 5 - 0

185 cm
27
203 lbs
13 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Leon Montana!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Nigel Benn Jr!
The judges for this bout are Roger Salmon, Paul Gruel and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Benn Jr lands a nice shot that snaps Montana's head back.
Montana wants to clinch but Benn Jr slips to the side
enabling Benn Jr to counter with a crisp jab.
Montana fails in his attempt to clinch.
Benn Jr loads up on a big right hand but Montana slips the punch.
Leon Montana seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Benn Jr swings for the body but Montana moves out of range.
Montana is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Benn Jr.
Montana throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Benn Jr looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Montana throws a body punch but Benn Jr moves out of range.
Benn Jr throws out a counter right but Montana avoids it with no problem.
Montana moves in looking to clinch but Benn Jr pushes him off.
Benn Jr replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Montana blocks it well.
Some wild striking there from Benn Jr.
Benn Jr scores with a punch to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Benn Jr thuds a left hand into Montana's body.
Benn Jr rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Montana moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Benn Jr keeps the fight on the outside.
Benn Jr throws a series of punches but Montana avoids them all with ease.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Montana fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Benn Jr manages to avoid it.
Benn Jr doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Benn Jr swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Montana is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Benn Jr.
Nice cross by Benn Jr.
Benn Jr ducks under a wild hook from Montana.
Montana connects with a solid leg kick.
Benn Jr swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Montana moves into range and clinches up with Benn Jr.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Montana.
Benn Jr misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Montana.
Benn Jr wants to get back to striking at distance but Montana won't allow it.
A short uppercut from Montana.
Montana tries to throw a body punch but Benn Jr avoids it by throwing Montana back against the cage.
Montana has Benn Jr pressed against the cage, preventing Benn Jr from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Benn Jr blocks an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Montana lands a body shot.
Montana just leaning against Benn Jr, taking a breather.
Montana lands a nice uppercut.
Montana lands a right hand that snaps the head of Benn Jr backwards.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Benn Jr.
Montana doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Montana.
Montana prevents a body shot from Benn Jr.
A right handed body shot lands from Montana.
A head punch on the inside from Montana fails to land.
Montana cracks Benn Jr with a nice body shot.
Montana tries to work over Benn Jr's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Nice body punch from Montana.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Montana.
Montana struggles to land a body shot inside as Benn Jr controls his hands.
Benn Jr tries a body shot but Montana blocks it.
Montana has a couple of punches blocked by Benn Jr.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Montana swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A shot in the inside from Benn Jr.
Montana lands a right hand that snaps the head of Benn Jr backwards.
Benn Jr misses with the head strike.
Montana throws a punch but it's blocked by Benn Jr.
Montana is leaning against Benn Jr and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Benn Jr is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Montana is defending well for now.
Montana doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Montana takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Montana has a couple of punches blocked by Benn Jr.
Montana lands with a light punch inside.
Benn Jr blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Montana digs a right hand underneath Benn Jr's ribcage. Benn Jr let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Benn Jr has had enough of the clinch but Montana keeps him there for the moment.
Montana prevents Benn Jr from breaking the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Benn Jr escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
We've been told by Montana's head coaches at Damage Inc. that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.

Montana has taken the fight to the clinch.
Stalling in the clinch from Montana.
Montana lands a right hand that snaps the head of Benn Jr backwards.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Montana creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Benn Jr blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Montana lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Benn Jr backwards.
Montana misses with a short punch on the inside.
Montana lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Benn Jr stalling in the clinch but Montana improves position.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Montana creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Montana avoiding damage.
Benn Jr can't find room to land a body shot as Montana controls the action.
Benn Jr lands a shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leon Montana dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Montana clinches.
Montana lands a nice uppercut.
Montana tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Benn Jr's elbow.
Benn Jr blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Benn Jr breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Benn Jr misses with a body shot.

Montana closes the distance and pushes Benn Jr back into the cage.
Leon Montana has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Montana makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

Benn Jr breaks the clinch.
Benn Jr cracks a nice hook into Montana's ribs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Benn Jr misses with an uppercut. Montana saw that one coming.
Benn Jr tries to score with a low kick but Montana moves his leg out of the way.
Benn Jr ducks under a wild hook from Montana.
Benn Jr turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Benn Jr blocks a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benn Jr ducks right into an uppercut from Montana.
Montana showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Benn Jr.
Benn Jr connects with a body shot that sends Montana's belly button to the back.
Benn Jr circles away from the clinch attempt.
Benn Jr drops his hands momentarily and Montana takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Nigel Benn Jr seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Benn Jr takes one on the button.
Montana throws a low kick but it's checked well by Benn Jr.
Benn Jr now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Montana takes a swing at Benn Jr's ribcage but misses.
Benn Jr takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Montana does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Benn Jr unleashes a big counter combination but Montana bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Benn Jr avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Montana is looking to clinch but Benn Jr is avoiding it.

Montana instigates a clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Montana fails to land.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Montana misses with the head strike.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Benn Jr tries to work over Montana's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Montana tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Benn Jr's elbow.
Montana throws a head punch that misses.
Benn Jr working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Benn Jr slows down the pace here.
Montana lands a body punch in the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Montana as Benn Jr tries to tie him up.
Benn Jr is looking to break free of the clinch but Montana has double underhooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Montana.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Montana.
A short right from Montana.
Montana lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Montana misses with a short punch on the inside.

Benn Jr breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Montana tries to clinch but Benn Jr is having none of it.
Benn Jr avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Montana takes the fight into the clinch.
A body shot lands from Montana.
Benn Jr misses with a hook from the clinch.
Montana on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Benn Jr is trying to break the clinch but Montana has him pressed against the cage.
Benn Jr blocking some punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benn Jr blocks a body shot from Montana.
Montana has a couple of punches blocked by Benn Jr.
Benn Jr blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Benn Jr has a couple of punches blocked by Montana.
Montana doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Benn Jr is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Montana is defending well for now.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Montana.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A right handed body shot lands from Montana.
Montana misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Montana tries a body shot but Benn Jr blocks it.

Benn Jr manages to break the clinch.
Montana lands a jab to the nose.
Benn Jr goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
A telegraphed right hand from Benn Jr misses the target.
Montana throws a nice looking combination but Benn Jr bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leon Montana dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Montana dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Benn Jr throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Montana counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Montana.
Benn Jr blocks a body shot from Montana.
Montana is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Benn Jr can do to turn this around?
Montana digs a right hand into Benn Jr's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Benn Jr's gas tank.
Benn Jr lands a right hand.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Montana.
Montana digs a right hand underneath Benn Jr's ribcage. Benn Jr let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Benn Jr takes a shot to the head.
Montana digs a right hand into Benn Jr's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Benn Jr's gas tank.
Montana lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Benn Jr.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Montana tries to throw a body punch but Benn Jr avoids it by throwing Montana back against the cage.
Montana softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Benn Jr takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Montana lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Benn Jr or not.
Montana works on Benn Jr's body with a couple of short punches.
Montana effectively controlling the action here.
A short body shot lands from Montana as the two fighters clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Montana tries to throw a body punch but Benn Jr avoids it by throwing Montana back against the cage.
Montana lands a body punch in the clinch.
Nice body punch from Montana.
Benn Jr can't find room to land a body shot as Montana controls the action.
Montana lands an uppercut.
A shot in the inside from Montana.
Montana lands with a light punch inside.
Montana lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A short right from Montana.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Montana.
Montana goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Montana.

Benn Jr is rocked!
A short right from Montana on the inside.
Benn Jr is still on wobbly legs! Can Montana finish him?
Benn Jr is looking to control Montana's arms but Montana gets an underhook and turns him. Now Benn Jr has his back to the cage.
Nigel Benn Jr has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Benn Jr seems to have recovered his senses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Montana pushes Benn Jr against the cage. Montana is working some dirty boxing. Montana pushes off with a quick right hook! Benn Jr goes down! Benn Jr tries to stand but stumbles back to his kness! Montana moves in to finish and the ref steps in to prevent any more damage!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:11 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Leon Montana!
Leon Montana seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
In defeat, Nigel Benn Jr stepped up to the mic, saying 'ill be back'.