PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ricky Monroe (ranked 1976 p4p, 176 weight class) and Kantaro Hoshino (ranked 2784 p4p, 232 weight class). Monroe comes to the cage accompanied by Deep Ocean - Island drumming. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Monroe
vs
Hoshino

166 cm
36
149 lbs
23 - 18 - 2

165 cm
43
145 lbs
45 - 20 - 3

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

Sin City Allstars

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 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Ricky Monroe!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 45 - 20 - 3, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kantaro Hoshino!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Franklyn Lucas and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A combination from Monroe does no damage.
The crowd cheers as Monroe lands an impressive looking overhand right. Hoshino doesn't seem phased though.
Monroe lands a two punch combo.
Hoshino throws out a powerful jab.
The fighters circling - Hoshino throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hoshino swings away with a body shot that misses
enabling Monroe to counter with a crisp jab.
Monroe uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Hoshino has time to react.
Hoshino keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Monroe swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hoshino throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Monroe counters with a right hand to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hoshino drops his hands momentarily and Monroe takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Hoshino throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A slow jab from Hoshino misses its intended target.
The fighters circle momentarily. Hoshino darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Hoshino keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hoshino looks to land a right hand but Monroe moved out of range.
Monroe attempts a counter takedown but Hoshino avoids it well and moves away.
Hoshino throws a right and a left that Monroe avoids nicely.
Monroe has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Monroe will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hoshino misses with an uppercut
and Monroe counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Hoshino fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Monroe tries to move into range but Hoshino moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Monroe just misses with a punch to the body.
Monroe's corner calls for a 1-2. Monroe obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

Monroe shoots in and bounces Hoshino off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Monroe throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Monroe postures up in Hoshino's guard and throws a big left but Hoshino blocks it.
Hoshino preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Monroe trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hoshino avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Monroe's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Hoshino is on top in guard.

The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Monroe looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hoshino is one step ahead there.
Hoshino wants to stand but Monroe is controlling his posture from full guard.
Monroe trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Monroe isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Hoshino stacks Monroe on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Hoshino!
Monroe tries to improve position but can't.
Monroe is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hoshino prevents Monroe from improving his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Hoshino decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Hoshino misses with a hook
and Monroe counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
The fighters circling - Hoshino throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Monroe throws a big shot that misses.
Monroe tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hoshino was well out of range. Poor timing from Monroe.
The fighters circling - Hoshino throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hoshino throws a series of punches but Monroe avoids them all with ease.
An attempted straight right counter from Monroe misses the target.
Monroe misses with a hook.
Hoshino looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Some wild striking there from Hoshino.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricky Monroe dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Monroe bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Monroe swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Hoshino works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Hoshino throws a looping overhand right but Monroe ducks down to avoid it.
Nice uppercut there from Monroe.
Hoshino doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Monroe avoids the body shot from Hoshino.
Hoshino slips a straight right by Monroe.
Hoshino looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Hoshino fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Hoshino stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Hoshino wants it to stay on the feet.
Hoshino shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Monroe eats them both and turns towards Hoshino to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Monroe scores with a three punch combo!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Monroe misses with a hook.
Hoshino misses with a body shot.
Hoshino staying out of range there.
Monroe misses the shot to the body.
Hoshino lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Hoshino.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hoshino tries to bum rush Monroe with a series of wild strikes but Monroe uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Kantaro Hoshino is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Monroe darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Hoshino takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Hoshino connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Monroe lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Hoshino misses with a wild combination.
Hoshino swings for the body but Monroe moves out of range.
Monroe appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Some wild striking there from Hoshino.
The fighters circle momentarily. Monroe darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Hoshino fails to land with a series of punches.
Hoshino misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Monroe.
Monroe tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hoshino was well out of range. Poor timing from Monroe.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hoshino takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Monroe looks to land a left hand but Hoshino moved out of range nicely.
Hoshino swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Hoshino misses with a straight right.
Monroe throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Hoshino uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

Monroe instigates a clinch.
Hoshino swings wildly with an uppercut but Monroe uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hoshino misses with a hook to the ribs.
Monroe goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A head punch on the inside from Hoshino fails to land.
A short left from Monroe.
Monroe lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Monroe lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Monroe tries to throw a body punch but Hoshino avoids it by throwing Monroe back against the cage.
Monroe lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Monroe misses with a body punch.
Monroe working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Hoshino misses with some punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hoshino.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Hoshino creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Monroe blocks a punch to the side of the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hoshino.
Monroe cracks Hoshino with a nice body shot.
Hoshino lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Monroe backwards.
Monroe is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Hoshino gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Monroe swings wildly with an uppercut but Hoshino uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hoshino lands a body shot in the clinch.
Monroe misses with a hook from the clinch.
Monroe blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hoshino misses with a punch on the inside.
Ricky Monroe has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Hoshino blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Monroe lands a takedown into guard.
Hoshino is wriggling around but Monroe manages to pass to half guard.

The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Monroe thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Hoshino's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Monroe thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Hoshino's head.
Monroe trying to control the pace.
Monroe is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Hoshino wants to get back to his feet.
Hoshino wants to improve his position but Monroe is controlling well.
Monroe is nestled in close to Hoshino, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Ricky Monroe will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Monroe throws a shot from downtown. Hoshino moves away and avoids it.
Hoshino throws a series of strikes that have Monroe backpedaling.
Hoshino lands a nice shot to the body.
Hoshino with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Monroe to score with a decent uppercut.
Monroe lands a jab to the head.
Monroe scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Hoshino misses with an uppercut.
Hoshino tries to move into range but Monroe moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
The fighters circle momentarily. Monroe darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Hoshino drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Monroe dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Hoshino throws a right hand that Monroe ducks under and follows up with a left that Monroe also avoids with ease.
Monroe is looking to counter punch.
Monroe throws a big shot that misses.
Hoshino throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Monroe counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Monroe throws a one two combo.
Hoshino swinging wildly here.
Monroe is looking to counter punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Monroe with a lazy takedown attempt
letting Hoshino counter with a right hand.
Monroe pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Hoshino lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Monroe fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hoshino manages to avoid it.
Monroe staying out of range there.
Hoshino moves out of range of the strikes.
Monroe misses with an uppercut. Hoshino saw that one coming.
Hoshino misses with a wild body shot.
Monroe jabs at Hoshino's body.
Hoshino lands a two punch combo.
Hoshino has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Monroe paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Some wild striking there from Monroe.
Monroe looks to land a left hand but Hoshino moved out of range nicely.
Hoshino moves away from the strike by Monroe.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Monroe lands a jab to Hoshino's midsection.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hoshino fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Hoshino misses with an uppercut

and Monroe counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Hoshino kicks Monroe off and gets back to his feet.
Hoshino takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Hoshino misses with an uppercut. Monroe saw that one coming.
Nice uppercut lands for Monroe. That snapped Hoshino's head back.
Monroe scores with the left hand. Hoshino knows he should have avoided that one.
Hoshino lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Monroe backs up against the cage.
Hoshino shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Hoshino takes a swing at Monroe's ribcage but misses.
Hoshino throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Monroe.
Hoshino takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Monroe fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hoshino manages to avoid it.
Hoshino looks to throw the jab but Monroe is out of range.
Monroe is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Hoshino.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hoshino fails to land with a series of punches.
Monroe doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Monroe lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Monroe staying out of range there.

Monroe gets the takedown into side control.
Kantaro Hoshino has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hoshino takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Monroe in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Hoshino taking a bit of punishment here - Monroe scoring with strikes.
Monroe trying to control the action but Hoshino is working from the bottom.
Monroe postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Ricky Monroe is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Monroe working the ground and pound but Hoshino is defending the strikes.
Monroe wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hoshino keeps working.
The strikes coming from Monroe are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Hoshino dodges the ground and pound from Monroe.
Hoshino tries to control but end up mounted... ooooh, that's bad.
Monroe cracks Hoshino with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Monroe looking to finish Hoshino with some ground and pound. This is bad for Hoshino!

Hoshino is rocked!
Oooh a big shot lands for Monroe! Hoshino is out! The ref dives in to save him from more punishment!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Ricky Monroe!
An out of breath Ricky Monroe thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.