PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Larry Monthan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bernardo Fagundes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Monthan
vs
Fagundes

198 cm
26
213 lbs
2 - 2 - 1

188 cm
18
205 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Big right hand

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Larry Monthan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Bernardo Fagundes!
The judges for this bout are Ben Watson, Skip Squint and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Fagundes lands a left and a right that send Monthan crashing to the mat, dazed. Fagundes thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!

It looks like Larry Monthan has been cut.
Fagundes is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Monthan.
No luck for Monthan with that takedown attempt.
Monthan 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.
Fagundes throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Monthan shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Monthan showed some decent athleticism there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fagundes is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Fagundes really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Monthan. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Monthan lands a nice short elbow.
Fagundes wants to get back to full guard.
Fagundes is refusing to be controlled, as Monthan sits in half guard.
Monthan throwing shots but Fagundes is blocking nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Monthan is keen to just control but Fagundes is a slippery customer.
Fagundes wants to improve his position but Monthan is controlling well.
Monthan is keen to just control but Fagundes is a slippery customer.
Fagundes is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Monthan throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Monthan missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Fagundes is looking for a sweep. Monthan is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Monthan is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Fagundes doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Monthan.

Monthan is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Fagundes defends it well.

That's two 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.
Fagundes on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Monthan thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Monthan lands with a punch from half guard.
Fagundes is refusing to be controlled, as Monthan sits in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Fagundes clinches up with Monthan and pushes him back against the cage.
Monthan is trying to break free.

Monthan breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Monthan tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Monthan lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Monthan turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Fagundes will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Monthan circles away from the clinch attempt.
Fagundes blocks a low kick nicely.
Monthan is trying hard to land a takedown here. Fagundes sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Monthan moves out of range of the strikes.
Jab, jab by Fagundes - just one landing.
Monthan tries to score a power double leg takedown but Fagundes sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Monthan somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Larry Monthan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fagundes stuffs the takedown.
Fagundes doesn't manage to clinch there - Monthan circles away.
Fagundes swings widly with a right hand
and Monthan makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

Monthan clinches with his opponent.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fagundes struggles to land a body shot inside as Monthan controls his hands.
A nice right hand lands inside from Monthan.
Fagundes gets underhooks to prevent Monthan's takedown attempt.

Monthan breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Monthan misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Fagundes is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Monthan with a body shot.
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 Larry Monthan will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Larry Monthan's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Monthan circles away from the clinch attempt.

Monthan moves into the clinch.
Fagundes tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Monthan breaks the clinch.
Fagundes stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Fagundes wants it to stay on the feet.
Monthan fails to land with a series of punches.
Fagundes keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Monthan throws a hook to the side of Fagundes's head but Fagundes sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Monthan shoots in for a double leg but Fagundes sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Fagundes is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Fagundes misses with a jab, cross combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Monthan shoots in but Fagundes avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Larry Monthan. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Fagundes has managed to clinch.
Monthan tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Monthan fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Monthan fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Fagundes is trying to break free.
Fagundes wants to get back to striking at distance but Monthan won't allow it.
Fagundes is trying to break the clinch but Monthan is controlling him.
Fagundes is trying to force a seperation but Monthan has the dominant position.
Monthan has Fagundes pressed against the cage, preventing Fagundes from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Monthan drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Fagundes gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Fagundes looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

Monthan breaks from the clinch.
Bernardo Fagundes seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Fagundes has managed to clinch.
Monthan working Fagundes over with knees to the body.
Monthan prevents Fagundes from breaking the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Monthan's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A frustrated look appears on Fagundes's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Monthan is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Monthan jumps guard but Fagundes stands there with Monthan around his waist. Monthan gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Monthan tries to land knees in the clinch but Fagundes avoids the damage to the body.

Monthan pulls Fagundes into guard.
Monthan keeping moving, preventing Fagundes from controlling successfully.
Fagundes is looking to stand up but Monthan won't let him.
Monthan is trying to keep Fagundes in close.
Fagundes is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fagundes wants to stand but Monthan has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Monthan uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Monthan tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Fagundes manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Fagundes tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Monthan feints a jab promting Fagundes to slip. Monthan then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Fagundes slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

It looks like Bernardo Fagundes has been cut.
Monthan shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Monthan darts in looking for a takedown but Fagundes gets double underhooks and turns Monthan into the cage.
Fagundes swats away the attempt to clinch by Monthan.
No joy there for Fagundes, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Monthan tries to keep at a distance but Fagundes has taken the fight into the clinch.
Monthan wants to get back to striking at distance but Fagundes won't allow it.
Fagundes is looking to break free of the clinch but Monthan has double underhooks.
Fagundes is looking to break free of the clinch but Monthan has double underhooks.

Monthan manages to pull guard.
Monthan lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

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!

Fagundes is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Monthan defends well.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Fagundes can do anything to dispel that myth.
Monthan slips nicely into half guard, despite the strikes coming from Fagundes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Larry Monthan dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Monthan misses with a jab, cross combination.
Monthan pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Fagundes feints the counter takedown.
Fagundes fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Fagundes keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Monthan shoots in but no luck this time.
Fagundes is looking for the big counter here.
Monthan tries to score a power double leg takedown but Fagundes sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Monthan somewhat.
Fagundes tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Monthan paws at him with a jab and circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Fagundes looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Monthan throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Fagundes.
Monthan throws a series of strikes that have Fagundes backpedaling.
Larry Monthan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Monthan shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Fagundes holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Larry Monthan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fagundes is trying to break the clinch but Monthan has him pressed against the cage.
Fagundes has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Fagundes wants to break the clinch but can't.
Monthan wants to break free but Fagundes has control.
Fagundes is looking to break free of the clinch but Monthan has double underhooks.
A frustrated look appears on Monthan's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Fagundes tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Monthan's elbow.
Fagundes has had enough of the clinch but Monthan keeps him there for the moment.

Monthan breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Fagundes scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
The fight stays on the outside here - Monthan looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Monthan changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Fagundes tries to avoid it but Monthan manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Fagundes to the ground. Fagundes escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Monthan misses with a few strikes there.
Monthan fails with a takedown attempt.
Fagundes steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Monthan.
Fagundes misses with a jab, cross combination.
Fagundes tries to clinch but Monthan is having none of it.
Fagundes wants to clinch up but Monthan keeps it at a distance.
As Fagundes looks to move away, Monthan throws a big counter combo bu Fagundes just gets out of the way.
Monthan misses with a double jab.
Monthan is trying hard to land a takedown here. Fagundes sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Fagundes throws out a counter right but Monthan avoids it with no problem.
Monthan's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Fagundes connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Monthan scrambles back to his feet.
Fagundes lands a nice hook to Monthan's body. Monthan takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

Fagundes gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Monthan wants to break the clinch but can't.

Monthan escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Monthan throws a combination. Fagundes tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Fagundes tries to clinch up.
Monthan moves in looking to clinch but Fagundes pushes him off.
Bernardo Fagundes is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Fagundes takes a swing at Monthan's ribcage but misses.
Monthan seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Monthan tries to close the distance and clinch up but Fagundes swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A countering left hand to the body from Fagundes misses.
Fagundes leaves Monthan with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Bernardo Fagundes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Fagundes tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Monthan paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Fagundes tries to clinch up but Monthan circles away and keeps his distance.
Monthan moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Fagundes throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Fagundes fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Monthan, pushing him back against the cage.
Fagundes prevents Monthan from breaking the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fagundes working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Monthan wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Fagundes misses with a short punch on the inside.
A shot in the inside from Fagundes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Monthan is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Fagundes is defending well for now.

Fagundes breaks the clinch.

Fagundes pushes Monthan up against the cage in a clinch.
Fagundes wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Monthan has him pressed against the cage.
Monthan is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Fagundes tries to circle away but Monthan has him pinned against the cage.
Monthan misses with a hook to the ribs.
Fagundes wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Monthan manages to break the clinch.
Larry Monthan is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Monthan shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Fagundes pinned against the cage. Fagundes gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Bernardo Fagundes.
I think Monthan 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 Ben Watson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bernardo Fagundes!