PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kirk Hall (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jon Monroe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hall's entrance music is "Bring out your Dead" by Strung Out. A fine choice. Both these fighters are unbeaten, so somebody's 0 has got to go!Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Hall
vs
Monroe

184 cm
20
185 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

175 cm
20
182 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kirk Hall!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jon Monroe!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Dean Styles and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hall uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Monroe.
Monroe throws a predictable looking body shot
and Hall counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Hall throws a looping overhand right but Monroe ducks down to avoid it.
Monroe throws a right and a left that Hall avoids nicely.
Monroe ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Hall lands with a nice body punch.
Hall misses with a wild body shot.
Good exchange - Hall coming out on top.

Monroe clinches.

Monroe breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hall takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Monroe just misses with a punch to the body.
Monroe thows a body shot but no joy.
Hall takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
A big right from Monroe misses.
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!
Monroe with a hook.
Monroe misses with a double jab.
Hall will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big left from Monroe misses.
Monroe ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hall moves away.
Monroe tries to close the distance and clinch up but Hall swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Hall throws a hook but Monroe blocks it.
Hall uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Monroe.

Monroe takes the fight into the clinch.

Monroe escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Hall moves out of range as Monroe strikes.
Nice body punch from Monroe.
Hall throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hall takes a swing at Monroe's ribcage but misses.

Monroe moves into the clinch.

Monroe escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Hall throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Monroe sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hall loads up on a big right hand but Monroe slips the punch.
A lazy left from Hall finds it's target.
Hall swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hall throws an overhand right that lands on Monroe's shoulder, as Monroe tries to avoid the shot.
Hall dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Hall fails to pull guard.

Monroe's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Monroe takes the fight into the clinch.

Hall pulls guard.
Monroe trying to stand up but can't free himself from Hall's guard.
Hall trying to keep a closed guard but Monroe is proving a slippery customer.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Monroe would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hall looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Hall manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

Hall jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Monroe is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Monroe and Hall has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

Hall wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Monroe, who protects the arm well.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Monroe can do anything to dispel that myth.
Monroe regains half guard there - taking advantage of Hall's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hall looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Hall not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Monroe is not content to let Hall control the position.

Monroe pushes Hall off and gets back to his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hall misses with a series of wild punches.
Hall waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Monroe.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jon Monroe will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Hall throws a hook but Monroe avoids it easily.
Monroe displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Monroe fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Monroe misses with a looping right.
Hall ducks under a wild hook from Monroe.
Hall misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Monroe.
Monroe misses with a hook.
Hall misses with the combination.
Hall fails to land with a series of punches.
A jab from Hall misses.
Hall lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Monroe lands with a nice body punch.
Monroe throws a right hand that misses
and Hall counters with a left to the body.
Monroe takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Monroe waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hall.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hall on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Hall moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Hall blocks a jab.
Monroe throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hall.
Monroe tries to score with a low kick but Hall moves his leg out of the way.
Hall misses the shot to the body.

Monroe gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Monroe as Hall tries to tie him up.
Hall struggles to land a body shot inside as Monroe controls his hands.

Monroe breaks from the clinch.
Hall misses with a straight right.
Monroe circles away from the clinch attempt.
Hall throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Monroe thuds his right hand into Hall's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hall is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Monroe.
Monroe displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hall throws out the jab.

Monroe moves into the clinch successfully.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hall struggles to land a body shot inside as Monroe controls his hands.
Hall lands a body shot.

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

Monroe forces Hall back against the cage and clinches.
Hall goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hall is trying to push Monroe away but Monroe has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Hall is looking to control Monroe's arms but Monroe gets an underhook and turns him. Now Hall has his back to the cage.
Monroe tries to break the clinch but Hall is controlling the position.

Monroe breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Monroe tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hall was well out of range. Poor timing from Monroe.
Hall showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Monroe.
Hall slips a jab and a cross from Monroe.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hall keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Monroe looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Monroe scores with a sloppy right hand. Hall should have avoided that one.
Monroe uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hall.
Monroe wants to clinch.
Hall tries to close the distance and clinch but Monroe swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hall circles away from the clinch attempt.
Jon Monroe seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Monroe looks to score with a jab to the body but Hall is just out of range.
Monroe takes a jab right on the kisser.
Monroe lands with a cross.
Hall swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Hall misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Monroe lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!

Monroe gets tackled into the cage by Hall. Hall maintains the clinch.

Monroe breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hall takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Hall misses with a combination
and Monroe counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Hall misses with a looping right.
Hall just misses with a punch to the body.

Monroe drives through and clinches with Hall against the cage.
Hall swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Monroe breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hall is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Monroe tries to close the distance and clinch but Hall swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Monroe lands a nice looking body shot.
Hall doesn't manage to clinch there - Monroe circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jon Monroe showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Hall looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Monroe is fending him off so far but Hall persists. Nope, Monroe circles away and we're back to standing.

Monroe clinches.
Hall lands with a left to the head.
Hall tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Monroe's elbow.
Hall throws a punch but it's blocked by Monroe.

Monroe pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hall shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Monroe takes a swing at Hall's ribcage but misses.
Monroe throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Monroe doesn't manage to clinch there - Hall circles away.
Monroe swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Hall ducks under a wild hook from Monroe.
Monroe steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hall.
Hall throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Monroe holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Monroe breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Hall closes the distance and pushes Monroe back into the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Monroe breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Monroe misses with a series of wild punches.
Monroe fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Monroe doesn't manage to clinch there - Hall circles away.
Monroe misses with a hook to the body
and Hall counters with a left to the body.
Hall throws a jab when Monroe was well out of range.
Hall doesn't manage to clinch there - Monroe circles away.
Hall wants to clinch.
Hall misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Monroe.
Hall misses with an uppercut.
Hall fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Monroe misses with a wild body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Monroe misses with a wild body shot.
Hall throws a body punch but Monroe moves out of range.
Hall lands a nice shot to the body.

Monroe gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Hall trying to control the position but instead, Monroe has worked for underhooks and has pushed Hall into the cage.

Monroe's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Hall lands a nice looking body shot.
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!
Monroe blocks a jab.
Monroe slips under a jab.
Monroe swings for the body but Hall moves out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Monroe looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hall tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Monroe was well out of range. Poor timing from Hall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Monroe has closed the distance and engaged Hall in a clinch.
Hall misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hall fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hall wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Monroe breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Monroe on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Monroe with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Hall shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Monroe eats them both and turns towards Hall to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Monroe tests Hall's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Hall fails to land with a series of punches.
Monroe clobbers Hall with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Hall misses with an uppercut. Monroe saw that one coming.
Monroe doesn't manage to clinch there - Hall circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A shot to the body from Hall misses
and Monroe cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Monroe misses with a looping left.
Monroe lands a right hook to the body.
Hall tries to clinch but Monroe is having none of it.
Hall steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Monroe.
A telegraphed right hand from Hall misses the target.
Monroe throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Monroe paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Monroe tries to score with a low kick but Hall moves his leg out of the way.
Nice jab there from Monroe.
Monroe walks into a jab.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hall throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hall misses with a straight right.
Hall throws a hook but Monroe blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Jon Monroe just about did enough to take it.
That's time! Hall's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Hall scores with a nice strike.
Monroe tries to clinch but Hall moves out of range.
A big left from Hall misses.
Jon Monroe seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hall ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Monroe moves away.
Monroe connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

Monroe moves into the clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Hall is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Monroe pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Monroe breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Monroe avoids the body shot from Hall.
Monroe walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
A clash of legs there as Hall blocks the low kick.
Good standup being displayed there by Monroe as he connects with a hook.
Hall is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Monroe.
Monroe jabs at Hall's body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hall scores with a body shot.
Monroe is looking to clinch but Hall is avoiding it.
Monroe tries to clinch but Hall moves out of range.
Hall uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Monroe.
Hall throws an overhand right that lands on Monroe's shoulder, as Monroe tries to avoid the shot.
Monroe thows a body shot but no joy.
Hall circles away from the clinch attempt.
Hall's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Monroe connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Hall scrambles back to his feet.
Hall tries to clinch up.
Hall throws a shot from downtown. Monroe moves away and avoids it.
Hall misses with a few strikes there.

Monroe clinches up with Hall and pushes him back against the cage.
Hall tries to work over Monroe's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hall tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Monroe's elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hall is trying to pull guard but Monroe turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Monroe manages to break the clinch.
Monroe keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Monroe keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hall.
Hall staying out of range there.
Monroe moves out of range of the strikes.
Hall throws a predictable looking body shot
and Monroe counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hall takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

Monroe drives through and clinches with Hall against the cage.
Hall misses with a hook to the ribs.

Monroe manages to break the clinch.
Monroe tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hall paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Monroe ducks under a wild hook from Hall.
Monroe takes a swing at Hall's ribcage but misses.
Monroe is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Monroe scores with a jab to the body.
Monroe misses with a body shot.
Hall throws a looping overhand right but Monroe ducks down to avoid it.
Hall staying out of range there.
Hall takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Monroe jabs at Hall's body.
Jon Monroe is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hall looks to throw the jab but Monroe is out of range.
Hall looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Hall misses with a double jab.
Monroe misses with a body shot.
Hall closes the distance and lands a one-two.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

Monroe has closed the distance and engaged Hall in a clinch.

Monroe pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Monroe moves into the clinch.

Hall pulls guard successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Monroe trying to stand up but can't free himself from Hall's guard.
Monroe postures up.
Monroe really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Hall. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
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!

Hall working for a triangle but Monroe defends it easily.

Hall looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Hall has a closed guard, preventing Monroe from standing up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Monroe decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Hall, up you get!
Monroe moves in looking to clinch but Hall pushes him off.
Monroe throws a poor cross that misses
and Hall cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jon Monroe dominated that fourth round.
That's time! Hall's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Monroe takes one to the side of the head.
Monroe uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hall.
A right-left combo lands from Hall.
Monroe keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Monroe uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hall.
Hall throws a nice looking combination but Monroe bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A big left from Monroe misses.
Monroe thows a body shot but no joy.
Hall throws a series of punches but Monroe avoids them all with ease.
Monroe throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Hall throws a looping overhand right but Monroe ducks down to avoid it.

Monroe gets a clinch.
Jon Monroe seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Monroe pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Monroe uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Hall has time to react.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hall tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Monroe pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hall tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Monroe manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Hall lands an overhand right.
Monroe swings for the body but Hall moves out of range.
Monroe keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hall throws a jab but it's blocked by Monroe.

Monroe moves into the clinch successfully.

Monroe breaks the clinch.
Monroe uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hall.
Monroe looks to score with a jab to the body but Hall is just out of range.
Monroe tries to clinch up but Hall circles away and keeps his distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Monroe lands with a good body shot.
Hall lands a lovely overhand right.
Monroe has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Hall finds it's way round the side to connect with Monroe's head.
Hall circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kirk Hall has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Monroe instigates a clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hall goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hall is working Monroe over against the cage.
Monroe is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

Monroe breaks from the clinch.

Hall clinches.

Hall has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Monroe uses from the top position.

Hall is looking for a triangle but Monroe pushes his legs off easily.

Hall looking for a guillotine here but Monroe defends easily.
Hall is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Monroe decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Hall, up you get!

Monroe moves into range and clinches up with Hall.
Hall misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hall misses with a punch on the inside.
Hall working aggressively here.

Monroe breaks from the clinch.
Nice straight punches there by Monroe. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Monroe.
Monroe throws a big shot that misses.
Hall misses with a double jab

and Monroe moves into the clinch.

Monroe breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hall ducks under a wild hook from Monroe.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hall bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

Monroe rushes Hall and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Hall tries to pull guard but Monroe holds him up against the cage and eventually Hall drops back down to his feet.
Nice body punch from Hall.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Monroe has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Hall is trying to pull guard but Monroe has him pressed against the cage.

Monroe breaks from the clinch.

Monroe moves into the clinch successfully.
Hall tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A hook to the body from Hall.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Monroe breaks the clinch.
Monroe lands a jab to the nose.
A big right from Hall misses.
Jon Monroe is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Monroe slips under a jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Kirk Hall.
I think Monroe has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Columbo Gatti scores the fight 48:47
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 46:49
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Jon Monroe!
Jon Monroe is the new welterweight champion!
After winning the bout, Jon Monroe thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.