PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Monte Cassino (ranked 266 p4p, 335 weight class) and Gilmat Kirk (ranked 32 p4p, 41 weight class). Cassino comes to the cage accompanied by Andrea Bocelli - Con Te Partiro. Kirk has chosen Lords of Iron as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Cassino
vs
Kirk

165 cm
39
150
31 - 15 - 3

170 cm
34
148
12 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)

Carnage Clothing
Barry Bonds Performance Enhancers $120 3 160Q

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 31 - 15 - 3, fighting out of London, Monte Cassino!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Gilmat Kirk!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Donald Grub and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cassino uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Kirk has time to react.
Kirk's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Cassino connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Kirk scrambles back to his feet.
Kirk shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Cassino connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Kirk throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Cassino tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Kirk is in Cassino's guard.
Kirk wants to pass the guard but Cassino is keeping the position.
Cassino wants to sweep but no luck.
Cassino is trying to control the position but Kirk postures up.
Kirk postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Kirk pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Cassino is keeping the position for now.

Kirk has gone for a leg lock! Cassino slips out almost immediately though and dives into Kirk's guard.

Cassino content to stall in guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kirk tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Cassino looking to pass the guard.
Kirk is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Cassino trying to stand up but can't free himself from Kirk's guard.
Kirk is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

Kirk working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Cassino doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Cassino manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Kirk looking to hit a scissor sweep but Cassino is one step ahead there.
Cassino seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Cassino stopping the sweep attempt from Kirk.
Kirk is trying to control the position but Cassino postures up.
Cassino's corner is telling him to maintain position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Cassino lands with an uppercut that bounces Kirk off the cage and back into range.
Cassino steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kirk.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cassino has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Kirk.
Kirk tries to close the distance and clinch up but Cassino swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Cassino displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kirk.
It looked like Cassino wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Kirk moves in looking to clinch but Cassino pushes him off.
Cassino connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Cassino throws a leg kick that misses.
A good leg kick by Cassino.
Kirk blocks a jab.
Cassino misses with a body shot.
Nice straight punches there by Kirk. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kirk.
Cassino lands with a hook. Kirk tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Cassino showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kirk.
Cassino walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Kirk moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cassino misses the shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cassino thuds his right hand into Kirk's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Cassino connects with the punch.
Cassino keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kirk looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kirk fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Monte Cassino has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gilmat Kirk.
Cassino scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Cassino looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Decent striking displayed by Cassino there.
Cassino jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kirk moves to clinch but Cassino breaks away
and Cassino counters with a thumping low kick.
Kirk tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Kirk darts in and clinches Cassino up against the cage.

Kirk manages to break the clinch.
Kirk tries to clinch up but Cassino circles away and keeps his distance.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Monte Cassino dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Cassino is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Cassino lands a nice looking body kick.
Kirk blocks a low kick nicely.
Kirk has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Cassino.
Kirk tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A jab from Kirk does it's job there.
Kirk looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Cassino is fending him off so far but Kirk persists. Nope, Cassino circles away and we're back to standing.
Cassino throws a leg kick but Kirk checks it.
Cassino fails in his attempt to clinch.
Cassino sets himself, and Kirk steps forward looking for the clinch! Cassino avoids it this time.
Monte Cassino is winning the standup battle so far.
Kirk ducks under a wild hook from Cassino.
Gilmat Kirk seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cassino with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Kirk tests Cassino's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Cassino staying out of range there.
Cassino lands a body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Cassino. Kirk does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kirk takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kirk shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Cassino as he jumps to the side.
Cassino connects with a crisp jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kirk on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Kirk ducks under a wild hook from Cassino.
Cassino is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kirk can do to turn this around?
Kirk tries to score a power double leg takedown but Cassino sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kirk somewhat.
Monte Cassino has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gilmat Kirk.
Cassino scores with a jab to the body.
Kirk shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Cassino as he avoids it easily.
Kirk fails to land the takedown.
Cassino scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Cassino throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A bone on bone clash there as Cassino blocks the leg kick.
It looked like Cassino was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Kirk.
Sloppy strikes from Kirk. Those never looked like landing.
Cassino misses with the body kick
and Kirk counters with a straight right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cassino thows a left - swing and a miss!

Kirk closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Cassino misses with a hook from the clinch.
Cassino gets underhooks to prevent Kirk's takedown attempt.
Cassino tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Cassino misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kirk is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kirk tries for a takedown. No joy.
Cassino misses with a punch on the inside.
Kirk is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Cassino gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Cassino tries to work over Kirk's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kirk blocks an uppercut.
Kirk blocking some punches.
Kirk is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Kirk's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Kirk wants a takedown but no success here.
Cassino working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Cassino lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Kirk backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cassino prevents the takedown attempt.
Cassino lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Kirk's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Cassino lands a hook to the side of the head.
Cassino misses with a hook to the ribs.
A hook to the body from Cassino.
Kirk is breathing heavily.
Kirk blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kirk fails to pull guard.
Cassino swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Cassino misses with the head strike.
Cassino throws a head punch that misses.
Cassino tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kirk's elbow.
Cassino misses with a hook to the ribs.
Cassino lands a shoulder strike.
Cassino fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kirk goes for a takedown attempt but Cassino pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Cassino throws an overhand right that lands on Kirk's shoulder, as Kirk tries to avoid the shot.
As Cassino backs off Kirk throws a huge counter combo but Cassino manages to avoid it all.
Kirk shoots in but Cassino avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A shot to the liver by Cassino. Beautiful body shot.
Kirk looks to throw the jab but Cassino is out of range.
Cassino swings for the body but Kirk moves out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kirk looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A slapping leg kick lands for Cassino.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cassino connects with an inside leg kick.
Gilmat Kirk is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kirk comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Kirk with a poor takedown
and Cassino counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Cassino throws a body punch but Kirk moves out of range.
Cassino connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Kirk takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Kirk with a poor takedown
and Kirk takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Cassino's corner calls for a 1-2. Cassino obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Cassino cracks Kirk with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
A chopping leg kick lands by Cassino.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Monte Cassino dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Kirk fails with the takedown.
Kirk shoots in looking for a takedown. Cassino tries to sprawl out of it but Kirk keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Cassino manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
A solid leg kick lands there for Cassino.
Kirk fails with the takedown.
Cassino tries to counter by clinching up but Kirk breaks away and moves out of range.
Monte Cassino has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gilmat Kirk.
Cassino dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cassino displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kirk.
Cassino lands a lovely overhand right.
Kirk tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Cassino manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Kirk gets tackled into the cage by Cassino. Cassino maintains the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cassino lands a body shot.
Cassino tries a body shot but Kirk blocks it.
Cassino scores with a nice hook to the head.
Cassino gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Kirk.
Kirk tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Cassino smiles and moves away.
Monte Cassino is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kirk tries to clinch up.
Nice uppercut lands for Cassino. That snapped Kirk's head back.
Cassino thows a left - swing and a miss!
Cassino doesn't manage to clinch there - Kirk circles away.
Kirk shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Cassino counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Kirk thinking.
Cassino swats away the attempt to clinch by Kirk.
Cassino jabs at Kirk's body.
Cassino keeps the fight on the outside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cassino connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Kirk momentarily.
Kirk scores with a jab to the jaw.
Kirk swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Cassino swats away the attempt to clinch by Kirk.
A big left from Kirk misses.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kirk on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Cassino lands a nice leg kick that just misses Kirk's sensitive parts.
Nice jab there from Cassino.
Nice shot lands for Cassino.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Cassino.
Kirk uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cassino.
Kirk darts in looking for a takedown but Cassino gets double underhooks and turns Kirk into the cage.
It looked like Cassino was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Kirk.
Cassino throws a head kick that Kirk semi-blocks.

Kirk has Cassino up against the cage in a clinch.
Cassino tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kirk drops down looking for an ankle pick but Cassino pulls his leg out and moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kirk tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Cassino counters with a lovely shot to the body.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kirk is defended easily by Cassino.
Kirk takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Cassino lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Kirk has his takedown stuffed
and Cassino counters with an inside leg kick.
Cassino lands with a shot to the body.
Kirk misses with a double jab.
Kirk has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Cassino.
Cassino jabs Kirk right on the nose. Kirk blinks but takes it well.
Kirk misses with a combination
letting Cassino counter with a right hand.
Kirk gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Kirk has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Cassino.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cassino ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cassino stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Kirk.
Cassino lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Cassino lands a nice looking body shot.
Cassino fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
A punch lands to the side of Kirk 's head but he takes it in his stride.
A clash of legs there as Kirk blocks the low kick.
Kirk tries to close the distance and clinch but Cassino swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Cassino connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

Kirk scores with a takedown into Cassino's guard.
Cassino is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Kirk stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Cassino swivels though and keeps the full guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Monte Cassino clearly takes that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kirk uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cassino.
Kirk tries to clinch up but Cassino circles away and keeps his distance.
Cassino with a hook.
Kirk tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Cassino throws a jab when Kirk was well out of range.
Cassino moves in looking to clinch but Kirk pushes him off.
Kirk tries to counter with a clinch but Cassino shakes him off and moves away.
Kirk fails with the takedown.
Cassino connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Kirk momentarily.
Cassino lands with a right hand.
Kirk defending well as Cassino loads up on a big left hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cassino throws a shot to the body.
Kirk tries to clinch there but Cassino circles away.
Cassino fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kirk looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Kirk throws a leg kick but Cassino sees it coming and moves out of range.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Cassino 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 Kirk has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Kirk and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kirk moves into range and clinches up with Cassino.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Cassino.
Cassino has a couple of punches blocked by Kirk.
Cassino tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kirk's elbow.
Cassino misses with a short punch on the inside.
Cassino swings wildly with an uppercut but Kirk uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kirk wants to break the clinch but can't.
Cassino working aggressively here.
Kirk blocks a body shot from Cassino.
Kirk blocks an uppercut.
Cassino misses with a punch to the body.
A right handed body shot lands from Cassino.
A short uppercut from Cassino.
Kirk prevents a body shot from Cassino.
Cassino misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A head punch on the inside from Cassino fails to land.
Kirk blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kirk wants to get back to striking at distance but Cassino won't allow it.
Kirk will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Cassino up against the cage.
Cassino works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Kirk scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Kirk is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
A nice right hand lands inside from Cassino.
Kirk blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kirk is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Cassino gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Monte Cassino has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gilmat Kirk.
Cassino misses with the head strike.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cassino tries to work over Kirk's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Cassino misses with a short punch on the inside.
Cassino tries to throw a body punch but Kirk avoids it by throwing Cassino back against the cage.
Kirk blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Cassino misses with a punch on the inside.
Kirk wants to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cassino lands an uppercut.
Cassino misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kirk is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Cassino is defending well.
Kirk takes a shot to the head.
Kirk blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kirk wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Cassino has him pressed against the cage.

Kirk breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Cassino fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kirk moves in looking to clinch but Cassino pushes him off.
Cassino connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

Kirk fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Cassino, pushing him back against the cage.
Kirk jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Cassino walks away with a smile on his face. Kirk gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Nice jab there from Cassino.
Kirk takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Cassino scores with a punch to the head.
Cassino thows a body kick. Kirk tries to catch it but that hurt him.

That's four 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!
Cassino swings for the body but Kirk moves out of range.

Kirk moves into the clinch successfully.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kirk.
Cassino struggles to land a body shot inside as Kirk controls his hands.

Kirk has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Cassino is trying to keep an underhook but Kirk manages to get the takedown into half guard.

Kirk is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Cassino doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Kirk.
Kirk missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Kirk is working for a submission of some sort.
Cassino gets full guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Monte Cassino had his way with Gilmat Kirk in that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Cassino wants to slow Kirk down by chopping away at his legs.
Kirk looks for a takedown but Cassino sprawls well.
A punch combination from Kirk misses.
Kirk avoids the body shot from Cassino.
Kirk tries to clinch up but Cassino circles away and keeps his distance.
Cassino throws a nice inside leg kick.
The fighters circle momentarily. Cassino darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Kirk tries to clinch up
and Cassino counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Kirk closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cassino struggles to land a body shot inside as Kirk controls his hands.
Cassino misses with a punch to the body.
Kirk tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Cassino lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Kirk blocks an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cassino has a couple of punches blocked by Kirk.

Kirk breaks the clinch.
Kirk fails with a takedown attempt.
A nice inside leg kick there by Cassino. That's going to slow Kirk down.
Good exchange - Cassino coming out on top.
Kirk jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kirk checks a leg kick.
Kirk looks for a takedown but Cassino sprawls well.
Cassino looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Monte Cassino has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gilmat Kirk.
A nice inside leg kick there by Cassino. That's going to slow Kirk down.
Cassino attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
And Kirk tries to counter it with a takedown but Cassino pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Kirk has a takedown stuffed.
Cassino swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Kirk.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cassino scores with a jab to the head.
Cassino misses the jab.
Cassino stuns Kirk with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Cassino takes a swing at Kirk's ribcage but misses.
Kirk tries to close the distance and clinch but Cassino swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kirk shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Cassino sprawls well. Cassino wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kirk gets slowly back to his feet.
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!
Kirk gets cracked there but stands up to it.
A slapping leg kick lands for Cassino.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Kirk!
The fighters circle momentarily. Cassino darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Kirk throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cassino pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kirk has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Kirk fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
It looked like Cassino wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Cassino lands a jab to the head.
Cassino looks to score with a jab to the body but Kirk is just out of range.
A low kick lands for Cassino.
Cassino stalks Kirk and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Kirk's face. Kirk staggers backwards, shaken.
Monte Cassino is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Cassino misses the jab.
Cassino digs a good hook to Kirk's body.

Kirk gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Cassino stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Cassino.
Kirk drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Cassino gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Kirk blocks an uppercut.
Gilmat Kirk has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cassino tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kirk with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kirk tries to circle away but Cassino has him pinned against the cage.
Cassino tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Cassino misses with the head strike.
Kirk blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kirk is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Cassino's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Cassino tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kirk's elbow.
Kirk misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kirk fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Cassino lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Cassino swings wildly with an uppercut but Kirk uses good head movement to avoid it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Monte Cassino showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Cassino, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Richard Clark scores the fight 50:45
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 50:45
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Monte Cassino!
Monte Cassino retains his featherweight title!
After the fight, Monte Cassino was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.