PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Luke Castilano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Montelibano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Castilano
vs
Montelibano

180 cm
25
180 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

179 cm
24
175 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Luke Castilano!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Michael Montelibano!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Jonathan Paton and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Castilano shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Montelibano sprawls well. Montelibano wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Castilano gets slowly back to his feet.
Montelibano lands a slapping body shot.
Montelibano ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Castilano throws a big shot that misses.

Castilano closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Castilano lands in his opponent's guard.
Montelibano wants to stand but Castilano is controlling the position.
Montelibano pulls Castilano in close to prevent any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Castilano advances to half guard.
Montelibano is not content to let Castilano control the position.

Castilano is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Montelibano sees it coming and defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Castilano is looking for a kimura but Montelibano is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Castilano to get the leverage.
Castilano not landing any meaningful shots this time.

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

Castilano is looking for a kimura here.

Castilano looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Castilano is looking for a kimura here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Castilano is looking to advance position but Montelibano won't allow it.

Castilano wants to work for an arm triangle but Montelibano is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Montelibano tries to get to full guard but Castilano has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Castilano looks to land a strike but Montelibano avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Castilano thows a big elbow that misses.
Castilano looking to pass the guard.
Castilano postures up in Montelibano's guard and throws a big left but Montelibano blocks it.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Montelibano can do anything to dispel that myth.
Montelibano utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Castilano working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Castilano tries to free his leg and advance position but Montelibano is retaining full guard.
Castilano postures up in Montelibano's guard and throws a big left but Montelibano blocks it.
Castilano is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Castilano has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Castilano stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Montelibano swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Castilano with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Castilano throwing strikes but missing.
Castilano looking to pass the guard.
Castilano advances position into side control!
Montelibano defending against the ground and pound.

Castilano wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Montelibano, who protects the arm well.
Montelibano is trying to improve his position.
Castilano scores with a couple of short elbows.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luke Castilano dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Montelibano.

It looks like Luke Castilano has been cut.
Castilano lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Montelibano dips to his left and cracks Castilano with an uppercut!

Castilano shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Montelibano trying to get back to full guard but Castilano takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Castilano unloading with bombs!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Castilano working for a submission but Montelibano is keeping him at bay.
Castilano misses with a head shot.
Montelibano manages to regain half guard. Good work.

Montelibano is defending against the submission attempts here by Castilano.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Castilano throwing shots but Montelibano is blocking nicely.
Montelibano looks like he's trying to stand up.
Castilano trying to control from half guard but Montelibano is working away.
Castilano thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Montelibano's head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Montelibano has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Castilano is working away from the top position though.

Castilano is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

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.

Montelibano is defending against the submission attempts here by Castilano.
Castilano not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Castilano lands strikes from half guard.
Castilano landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Castilano is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Montelibano!
Montelibano really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Castilano. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Castilano is in the full mount, landing strikes.

Castilano looking for a guillotine from mount but Montelibano is having none of it.
Montelibano trying desperately to get to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Castilano raining down hammerfists from mount.
Castilano misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Castilano controlling the pace for now.
Castilano landing shots from mount.

Castilano is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Montelibano to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Montelibano shrugs it off.
Castilano wants to control the action but instead Montelibano gets a body lock and reverses into Castilano's guard! Nice work!

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Castilano has an active guard here but Montelibano has managed to pass into half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Castilano manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Montelibano tries to stand but Castilano is controlling from the bottom.
Montelibano is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Castilano working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Montelibano doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Montelibano manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Castilano working for a triangle but Montelibano defends it easily.
Montelibano wants to get up but he can't break Castilano's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luke Castilano dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Luke Castilano's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Castilano throws the left hand but Montelibano avoids the punch easily.

Castilano feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Castilano stops Montelibano from standing up.
Castilano trying to control the position from guard on top but Montelibano is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Castilano pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Montelibano is keeping the position for now.
Montelibano controls Castilano momentarily but Castilano frees himself.
Castilano throws a big right hand that misses.

Castilano 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.
Castilano missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Castilano drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Montelibano manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Castilano has Montelibano in his guard.

Montelibano gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Castilano's jab looks to have found its range, popping Montelibano under the eye.
Castilano uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Montelibano.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Montelibano.
A jab from Castilano misses.
Luke Castilano seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A lazy left from Castilano finds it's target.
Castilano misses with an uppercut. Montelibano saw that one coming.
Castilano uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Montelibano stuffs the takedown.
Castilano ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Montelibano moves away.
Montelibano keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Castilano misses with an uppercut.
Michael Montelibano has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Castilano buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Castilano shoots in looking for a takedown but Montelibano manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Castilano's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Luke Castilano. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Montelibano throws a jab but it's blocked by Castilano.
Castilano bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Montelibano's head backwards.
Castilano moves in looking to clinch but Montelibano pushes him off.
Castilano throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Montelibano's waist but Montelibano gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Castilano off to one side.
Montelibano takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Castilano thows a left - swing and a miss!
Castilano scores with the left hand. Montelibano knows he should have avoided that one.
Castilano misses with a looping left.
Castilano blocks a jab.
Montelibano looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A combination from Montelibano does no damage.
Castilano throws out a loose jab but Montelibano uses good head movement to avoid it.
Castilano misses with a straight right.
Montelibano checks a leg kick.

Castilano looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Montelibano!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Montelibano wants to control but Castilano is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Castilano looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Montelibano is working to get back to half guard.
Castilano throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Luke Castilano is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Castilano has control of Montelibano's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Montelibano regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Luke Castilano overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Poor strikes thrown by Castilano there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Castilano looking to ground and pound but Montelibano is blocking nicely.
Montelibano sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Montelibano won't allow Castilano to pass to mount.

Castilano is working for a kimura but Montelibano is defending it quite comfortably.
Castilano thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Montelibano's head.
Castilano wants to take a breather but Montelibano is having none of it.
Castilano not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Castilano is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Montelibano sees it coming and defends easily.
Montelibano is refusing to be controlled, as Castilano sits in half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Luke Castilano showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Castilano, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Chad Campbell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 30:27
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Luke Castilano!