PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Camron Crawford (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Barry Montalo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the ring.

Crawford
vs
Montalo

165 cm
22
151 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

165 cm
21
165 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Camron Crawford!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Barry Montalo!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Kenichi Hosakawa and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Montalo shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Crawford pinned against the cage. Crawford gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Crawford throws a right and a left that Montalo avoids nicely.
Montalo tries to clinch but Crawford moves out of range.
Montalo throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Crawford's waist but Crawford gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Montalo off to one side.
Montalo scores with a head kick.
Crawford swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Montalo slips a jab and a cross from Crawford.
Montalo tries for a takedown but Crawford sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Camron Crawford has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Barry Montalo.
Montalo throws a leg kick but Crawford sees it coming and moves out of range.
Montalo takes a swing at Crawford's ribcage but misses.
Crawford fails in his attempt to clinch.

Crawford moves into the clinch.

Crawford manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Montalo throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Crawford's waist but Crawford gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Montalo off to one side.
Crawford lands with a nice combination. Montalo backs away looking to recover.
Crawford connects with a high kick.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Crawford. Montalo shrugs it off though.
Montalo shoots in but no luck this time.
Montalo looks gassed!
Crawford tries to clinch up.
Crawford with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Montalo avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Crawford lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Montalo swats away the attempt to clinch by Crawford.
Crawford is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Crawford misses with a double jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Crawford looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Crawford gets a clinch.
Crawford taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

Crawford breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Montalo looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Montalo fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
A good leg kick by Crawford.
Crawford circles away from the clinch attempt
and Crawford counters with a head kick.
Barry Montalo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Montalo doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Crawford counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crawford lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Crawford keeps control of Montalo as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Crawford lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Montalo is trying to break the clinch but Crawford has him pressed against the ropes.
Montalo is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Crawford lands a knee to the head.
Crawford blocks a body shot from Montalo.
Montalo is trying to maintain a safe position but Crawford gets an underhook and turns Montalo into the ropes.
Montalo keeps control of Crawford as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Crawford lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Montalo is looking to control Crawford's arms but Crawford gets an underhook and turns him. Now Montalo has his back to the ropes.
Montalo tries to score a body lock takedown but Crawford shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Montalo tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Crawford escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Montalo shoots and misses

and Crawford moves into the clinch.
Montalo is trying to maintain a safe position but Crawford gets an underhook and turns Montalo into the ropes.
Montalo has a couple of punches blocked by Crawford.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Montalo swings away with an uppercut that misses.
The fighters are pressed against the ropes, as the pace of the fight slows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Nice body punch from Crawford - that landed with a thud.

Crawford breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Crawford wants to clinch but Montalo slips to the side

and Montalo counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Montalo.
Montalo stopping the sweep attempt from Crawford.
Montalo throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Crawford is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Montalo is controlling him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Camron Crawford will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Montalo misses with a takedown attempt
and Crawford counters with a left and a right that stings Montalo.
Camron Crawford is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Montalo doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Crawford counters with a head kick. That will keep Montalo thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!

Crawford has closed the distance and engaged Montalo in a clinch.
Montalo tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Crawford smiles and moves away.
Camron Crawford has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Barry Montalo.
Crawford fails in his attempt to clinch.
A nice combination there by Crawford.
Crawford fails in his attempt to clinch.
Montalo throws a poor cross that misses
and Crawford counters with a series of strikes. Montalo will be more careful next time no doubt.
Montalo is breathing heavily.
Montalo swings away with a body shot that misses

and Crawford counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Crawford.
Montalo looking to stall.
Montalo fails to pull guard.
Montalo jumps guard but Crawford stands there with Montalo around his waist. Montalo gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Montalo tries to work over Crawford's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Crawford is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Montalo is keeping busy.
Crawford landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
A knee to the head by Crawford.
Montalo tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Montalo misses with a punch to the body.
Crawford landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Montalo trying to stall but Crawford improves his position.
Crawford lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Montalo backwards.
Montalo wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Crawford lands a nice shot to the body.
Montalo's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Crawford breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Crawford connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Montalo closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Montalo with a poor takedown
and Crawford counters with a one-two to the body.
Montalo fails to land the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Montalo shoots and misses

and Crawford counters by moving into the clinch.
Crawford comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

Crawford manages to break the clinch.
Montalo throws a combination that misses
and Crawford counters with a low kick, right behind Montalo 's knee.
Montalo throws a right hand that misses
enabling Crawford to counter with a crisp jab.
Montalo has his takedown stuffed

and Crawford counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Montalo can't break the clinch.
Montalo misses with a hook from the clinch.
Crawford is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Crawford is looking to control Montalo's arms but Montalo gets an underhook and turns him. Now Crawford has his back to the ropes.
Montalo is looking for a takedown up against the ropes. Crawford gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Montalo swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Crawford is pressed up against the ropes. Montalo has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Crawford down to the mat. Crawford avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Crawford pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Montalo misses with a body shot

and Crawford counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
The fighters are pressed against the ropes, as the pace of the fight slows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Montalo wants to get back to striking at distance but Crawford won't allow it.
Crawford wants to stall.
Montalo stalling in the clinch but Crawford improves position.
Crawford tries to land a knee to the head but Montalo blocks with his arms.

Montalo breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Montalo misses with a two punch combination.
Montalo misses with a takedown
and Crawford counters with a nice leg kick.

Crawford fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Montalo, pushing him back against the ropes.
Crawford blocking some punches.
Montalo wants to break free but Crawford has control.
Montalo is looking for a takedown up against the ropes. Crawford gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Crawford is trying to maintain a safe position but Montalo gets an underhook and turns Crawford into the ropes.
Montalo has a couple of punches blocked by Crawford.

Crawford manages to break the clinch.
Montalo has his takedown stuffed
and Crawford counters with a one-two to the body.

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.

Crawford pushes Montalo up against the ropes in a clinch.
Crawford blocking some punches.
Crawford gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Montalo.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Crawford crunches a lovely knee into Montalo's ribcage.
Montalo is trying to stall.
Montalo tries to pull guard but Crawford won't allow it.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Montalo.
Montalo tries to pull guard but Crawford won't allow it.

Crawford breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Crawford moves in looking to clinch but Montalo pushes him off.
Crawford lands with a slapping head kick.
Crawford circles away from the clinch attempt.
Camron Crawford is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Montalo has his takedown stuffed
and Crawford counters with a lovely straight right hand!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Camron Crawford dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Montalo misses with a takedown attempt
and Crawford counters with a left and a right that stings Montalo.
Montalo has his takedown stuffed
and Crawford counters with a nice low kick that buckles Montalo's knee momentarily.
Montalo tries for a takedown but Crawford circles away easily
and Crawford counters with a leg kick.
Camron Crawford has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Barry Montalo.
Montalo misses with a takedown attempt
and Crawford counters with a big head kick but Montalo shrugs it off.

Crawford has Montalo up against the ropes in a clinch.
Crawford blocking some punches.
Montalo pressing his opponent against the ropes.
Crawford can't break the clinch.

Crawford manages to break the clinch.
Montalo swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Crawford counters by clinching up.
Montalo tries a body shot but Crawford blocks it.
Montalo struggles to land a body shot inside as Crawford controls his hands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Montalo wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Crawford breaks from the clinch.
Montalo gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Crawford fails with an attempt to clinch.
Crawford tries to clinch up
and Montalo counters with a two punch combo.
Montalo fails with the takedown
and Crawford counters with a body kick that stops Montalo in his tracks momentarily.
Montalo takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Crawford tries to close the distance and clinch up but Montalo swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Montalo throws an off balance right hand

and Crawford moves into the clinch.

Crawford breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Crawford tries to clinch

and Montalo counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Montalo tries to stand but can't do so whilst Crawford controls his leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Crawford is looking to control Montalo's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Crawford avoid being mounted?
Montalo wants to lay and pray for a moment but Crawford keeps working.
Montalo might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Crawford kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Montalo keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Let's hope that Montalo has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Crawford throws a leg kick

so Montalo counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Montalo is looking to work some ground and pound but Crawford has wrist control.
Crawford is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Montalo is controlling him.

Montalo stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Crawford moves into the clinch.
Barry Montalo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Montalo breaks the clinch.

Crawford closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
Crawford will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Montalo up against the ropes.
Montalo swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Montalo wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Crawford breaks from the clinch.
Montalo shoots and misses
and Crawford counters with a good low kick that Montalo was not able to check.
Crawford tries to clinch there but Montalo circles away.
Crawford tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Montalo tries for a takedown but Crawford circles away easily
and Crawford counters with a series of strikes. Montalo will be more careful next time no doubt.
Crawford lands with a nice combination. Montalo backs away looking to recover.
Montalo throws a body kick the misses
and Crawford counters with a head kick. That will keep Montalo thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Montalo shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Crawford counters with a two punch combo.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Montalo swats away the attempt to clinch by Crawford.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Montalo tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Crawford counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

And that's the end of the fight!
Barry Montalo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Crawford 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 29:29
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 29:28
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Camron Crawford!