PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Idgyunn Monster (ranked 4880 p4p, 0 weight class) and Benji Verggan (ranked 4744 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.

Monster
vs
Verggan

188 cm
25
265 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

203 cm
25
280 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Idgyunn Monster!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Benji Verggan!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Illya Tyunina and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Monster looks to throw the jab but Verggan is out of range.
Verggan does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Monster showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Verggan.
Verggan is looking to clinch.

Verggan gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Monster taking a breather.

Monster breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nice sprawl there from Monster as Verggan shoots in.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Monster, right into the meat.
Verggan shoots in but Monster avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Verggan closes the distance and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Verggan missing with knees to the body.

Monster breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Verggan tries to clinch there but Monster circles away.
Verggan displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Monster.
Monster shoots for a takedown but Verggan saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Verggan tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Monster manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Monster connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

It looks like Benji Verggan has been cut.
Monster shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Verggan sprawls well. Verggan wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Monster gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Idgyunn Monster. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Verggan looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Verggan tries to clinch up but Monster circles away and keeps his distance.
Verggan tries to score a power double leg takedown but Monster sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Verggan somewhat.
Monster appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Monster shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Verggan counters with a crisp one two that drops Monster! Verggan thinks about following him to the mat for a moment but instead steps back and waves Monster to his feet! Monster is in big trouble!

Monster clinches up against the cage.
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!
Monster keeps control of Verggan as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Verggan content to slow the pace in the clinch.

Monster breaks the clinch.
Verggan shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Verggan tries to clinch there but Monster circles away.
Monster shoots in for a double leg but Verggan sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Monster clinches up against the cage.
Verggan tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Monster avoids it.
Monster drops down looking for an ankle pick but Verggan pulls his leg out and moves away.
Verggan wants to clinch up but Monster keeps it at a distance.
Verggan misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Monster seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
A combination from Verggan does no damage.
Some wild striking there from Verggan.
Verggan looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Verggan looks winded!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Monster.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Monster misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Verggan is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Verggan with a lazy takedown attempt

and Monster counters by moving into the clinch.
Verggan stops a takedown attempt from Monster.
Monster prevents Verggan from breaking the clinch.
Verggan blocks a body shot from Monster.

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

Verggan moves into the clinch.
Monster keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Verggan's efforts to push away.
Monster tries to pull guard but Verggan forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Benji Verggan will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Benji Verggan's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Monster misses with a hook.
Monster tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Verggan defends well and Monster ends up having to push Verggan into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Monster leaves Verggan with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Verggan misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Monster throws a big counter combination but Verggan scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Verggan dives in for a single leg takedown but Monster sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Idgyunn Monster has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Benji Verggan.
Monster misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Verggan appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Monster scores with a nice head shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Monster throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Verggan's waist but Verggan gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Monster off to one side.
Verggan throws a lazy head kick
and Monster counters with a two punch combo.
Verggan throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Monster attempts a counter takedown but Verggan avoids it well and moves away.
Idgyunn Monster is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Verggan is breathing heavily.
Verggan is looking to clinch but Monster is avoiding it.
Idgyunn Monster is winning the standup battle so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Verggan moves in looking to clinch but Monster pushes him off.

Monster lands a big head kick that sends Verggan tumbling to the mat! Monster takes a step backwards and waves Verggan back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Verggan is rocked!
Monster shoots in looking for a takedown but Verggan manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Monster's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Verggan is still on wobbly legs! Can Monster finish him?
Verggan throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Monster's waist but Monster gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Verggan off to one side.
Monster tries for a takedown but Verggan sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Monster clinches.

Monster pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Monster stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Monster wants it to stay on the feet.
Monster is looking to counter punch.
Verggan seems to have recovered his senses.
Verggan takes one to the side of the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Monster changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Verggan tries to avoid it but Monster manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Verggan to the ground. Verggan escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Verggan throws a sloppy head kick and Monster moves out of range easily.
Monster goes for a double leg but Verggan avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Verggan continues to drive forward.
Verggan looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Monster keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Monster closes this distance looking for a takedown but Verggan circles away.
Monster tries for a takedown but Verggan sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Verggan shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Monster pinned against the cage. Monster gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Verggan is looking to clinch but Monster is avoiding it.
Verggan misses with a wild combination.
Monster throws a series of punches but Verggan avoids them all with ease.
Verggan is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Verggan shoots in and drives through. Monster sprawls well.
Monster shoots in but no luck this time.
Monster is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Verggan can do to turn this around?
An inside leg kick from Monster misses.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Monster - that will leave a mark!
A slow jab from Monster misses its intended target.

Monster takes the fight into the clinch.
Monster tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Monster is pushing Verggan up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Verggan goes for a takedown in the clinch but Monster prevents it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Monster slows down the pace here.
Verggan tries for a takedown. No joy.
Monster is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Verggan pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Verggan tries to circle away but Monster has him pinned against the cage.

Monster breaks from the clinch.
Verggan goes for a double leg but Monster avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Monster continues to drive forward.
Monster shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Verggan as he jumps to the side.
And Verggan tries to counter it with a takedown but Monster pushes his down on his head and steps out.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Idgyunn Monster dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Benji Verggan's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Verggan leaves Monster with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Monster clinches up with Verggan and pushes him back against the cage.
Verggan working hard to break the clinch.

Verggan pulls guard.

Verggan escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Monster gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Monster stays in close to Verggan's body and controls the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Monster preventing the sweep.
Verggan keeping full guard, as Monster tries to pass.

Verggan has an active guard here but Monster has managed to pass into half guard.
Monster seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Monster could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

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.
Verggan is trying to maintain the position but Monster is very close to passing his half guard.
Monster takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Monster missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Monster trying to control the pace.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Verggan looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Monster is fending him off so far but Verggan persists. Nope, Monster circles away and we're back to standing.
Monster shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Verggan counters with a thumping low kick.
Verggan takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Verggan throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Monster seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Monster stuffs the takedown.
Monster displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Verggan.
Idgyunn Monster has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Benji Verggan.
Monster swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Monster drives through and clinches with Verggan against the cage.
Monster is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Verggan pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Monster is trying to pull guard but Verggan turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

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

Monster moves into the clinch successfully.
Verggan is looking for a takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Verggan has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Monster is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Verggan tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Monster just stands there and leans against the cage.
Monster crunches a lovely knee into Verggan's ribcage.

Monster jumps guard.
Monster looking for a sweep. Not yet Monster, not yet.
Monster pulls Verggan in to control the position.
Monster manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Verggan manages to get himself to full guard.

A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Monster accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Monster got a little sloppy there for a moment and Verggan has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Monster has managed to get both his arms back between Verggan's legs - danger averted.

And that's the end of the fight!
Idgyunn Monster showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Monster has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Sergei Dronov scores the fight 30:28
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 29:28
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Idgyunn Monster!