PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Alexandro Monfardini (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Frankie Edgar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Monfardini
vs
Edgar

187 cm
20
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

168 cm
21
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Alexandro Monfardini!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Frankie Edgar!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Yves DeLean and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Monfardini lands a jab.
Monfardini shoots in for a takedown but Edgar shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Monfardini tries to clinch there but Edgar circles away.
Monfardini looks to clinch
and Edgar counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Edgar shoots in for a takedown but Monfardini shows good takedown defense.
Monfardini tries a head kick but it misses.
The fight stays on the outside here - Monfardini looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Edgar throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Monfardini was covering up waiting for the punch and Edgar finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Monfardini really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Edgar's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Edgar stops Monfardini from standing up.

Edgar avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Edgar looking to sit in guard and control but Monfardini gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Edgar is pulling down on Monfardini's head to control his posture.
Edgar looking for a sweep. Not yet Edgar, not yet.
Edgar has Monfardini pulled in close to control his posture.
Monfardini looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Edgar is controlling Monfardini's posture.
Monfardini will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Frankie Edgar was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Monfardini shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Edgar counters with a left to the body.
Monfardini shoots for a double leg takedown but Edgar sprawls well. He's pushed Monfardini's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexandro Monfardini. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Edgar clinches up against the cage.

Edgar breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Monfardini shoots in for a takedown but Edgar shows good takedown defense.
Edgar fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Monfardini.
Monfardini doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Edgar counters with a nice double leg into side control. Monfardini won't be happy with that.
Monfardini is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Edgar stands up.
Monfardini dodges the punch combination from Edgar.
Edgar shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Monfardini pinned against the cage. Monfardini gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Edgar is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Monfardini's half guard.
Monfardini is looking to control Edgar's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Monfardini avoid being mounted?

Monfardini kicks Edgar off and gets back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Edgar closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Monfardini to the mat! Monfardini manages to get full guard.
Monfardini can't keep his opponent in guard - Edgar advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Edgar is trying to control the action in half guard but Monfardini is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Edgar lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Monfardini pushes Edgar off looking to stand but Edgar dives back in and keeps control.
Edgar working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Edgar throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Monfardini is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Edgar scores with a couple of nice shots.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Edgar seems to be looking for submissions.

Edgar wants to work for an arm triangle but Monfardini is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frankie Edgar dominated that round.
That's time! Monfardini's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Edgar drives through with a takedown into guard.
Edgar pushing down on Monfardini's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Monfardini is trying to control but can't.
Edgar is nestled in close to Monfardini, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Edgar connects with a nice short shot to Monfardini's temple.

Edgar is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Edgar missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Edgar is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Monfardini sees it coming and defends easily.
Edgar lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Edgar is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Monfardini is just riding it out for now. Edgar eventually gives up the hold.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Monfardini is trying is best to control the position here.
Edgar sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Monfardini defending well though.
Edgar prevents Monfardini from improving his position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Edgar throws a strike but Monfardini avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Edgar trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Monfardini looking for a sweep. Not yet Monfardini, not yet.
Monfardini keeping moving, preventing Edgar from controlling successfully.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Monfardini tries to clinch up but Edgar circles away and keeps his distance.
Monfardini has his takedown stuffed

and Edgar counters with a shoot takedown. Monfardini fights it but they end up in guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Edgar accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Edgar drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Edgar jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Monfardini is trying to control the position but Edgar postures up.
Frankie Edgar has got the better of the ground game so far.

Edgar is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Edgar trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Edgar gets to his feet - Monfardini follows without any prompting.
Monfardini tries to clinch up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Edgar has Monfardini up against the cage in a clinch.
Edgar is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Monfardini to keep the fight standing.

Monfardini pulls Edgar into guard.

Edgar gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Monfardini changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Edgar tries to avoid it but Monfardini manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Edgar to the ground. Edgar escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Edgar wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Monfardini circles away from the clinch attempt.

Edgar looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Edgar stands up from Monfardini's guard - Edgar perhaps looking for a knockout.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Monfardini on the wrong end of a nice jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Edgar rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Monfardini moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
No luck for Monfardini with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexandro Monfardini. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Monfardini takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Monfardini shoots and misses
and Edgar counters with a stiff right hand.
Edgar fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Monfardini avoids it really well and circles away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Edgar throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Monfardini's waist but Monfardini gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Edgar off to one side.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frankie Edgar showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - 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.

Monfardini tries to clinch but Edgar is having none of it.
Monfardini throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Edgar's waist but Edgar gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Monfardini off to one side.
Edgar throws a nice looking combination but Monfardini bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Edgar tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Monfardini manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Edgar scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Monfardini tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Edgar wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Monfardini is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Edgar connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Monfardini some visible discomfort.
Monfardini is looking for a sweep.
Monfardini is trying to get back to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Edgar cracks Monfardini with an elbow. That is naaassty.

Edgar stands up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Edgar manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Monfardini on his heels. He'll look to pass Monfardini's guard now, I'm sure.
Edgar throwing strikes but missing.
Edgar working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Edgar tries to free his leg and advance position but Monfardini is retaining full guard.
Monfardini working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Edgar.

Edgar gets to his feet - Monfardini follows without any prompting.
Nice sprawl there from Monfardini as Edgar shoots in.
Alexandro Monfardini is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Edgar shoots in for a double leg but Monfardini sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Monfardini gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Edgar wants to pass the guard but Monfardini is keeping the position.
Monfardini wants to stand up but Edgar is controlling him.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Edgar accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Edgar distracts Monfardini with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Edgar stopping the sweep attempt from Monfardini.
Edgar throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Monfardini works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Edgar is pushing down on Monfardini's leg trying to pass to half guard. Monfardini is fighting to maintain full guard but Edgar has managed to sneak the leg through.

Edgar stands up out of the half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Monfardini slips a straight right by Edgar.
Edgar misses with a jab, cross combination.
Monfardini has a takedown stuffed.
Edgar misses with an uppercut.
Monfardini tries to land a front kick but Edgar steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Monfardini enables Edgar to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Monfardini manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Edgar throws a big right hand that misses.

Monfardini escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Edgar gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Monfardini looking for a guillotine here but Edgar defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Edgar gets to his feet. Monfardini looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Edgar fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Monfardini fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexandro Monfardini. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Edgar wants to slow Monfardini down by chopping away at his legs.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Monfardini dives in and grabs Edgar's left leg, looking for a takedown. Edgar pushes down on Monfardini's head and hops out.
Frankie Edgar is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Frankie Edgar seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Edgar drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Alexandro Monfardini has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Edgar scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Monfardini to see if he's OK.

And that's the end of the fight!
Frankie Edgar comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Edgar has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Trevor Gratis scores the fight for Frankie Edgar!
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight for Frankie Edgar!
Judge William Peck scores the fight for Frankie Edgar!

Frankie Edgar wins by unanimous decision!