PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ray Monsoon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ritchie Blacklands (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Blacklands is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: The Wicker Man, by Iron Maiden. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Monsoon
vs
Blacklands

184 cm
27
205 lbs
14 - 10 - 0

191 cm
21
218 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Big right hand

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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 14 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ray Monsoon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ritchie Blacklands!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Blacklands lands with a nice combination. Monsoon backs away looking to recover.
Monsoon gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Blacklands counters with a one-two to the body.

Monsoon looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Blacklands wants to get back to his feet but Monsoon is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Monsoon trying to stand up but can't free himself from Blacklands's guard.
Monsoon has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Monsoon controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Monsoon wants to control from the top but Blacklands keeps moving.
Blacklands is looking to stand up but Monsoon isn't so interested in that idea.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Monsoon working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Monsoon loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Monsoon stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Blacklands swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Monsoon sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Blacklands's guard.
Monsoon throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Blacklands is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Monsoon scores with a couple of nice shots.
Blacklands is refusing to be controlled, as Monsoon sits in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Monsoon is looking to pass Blacklands's guard but actually Blacklands recovers to full guard.

Blacklands manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Blacklands misses with a head kick.
Monsoon misses with a takedown

and Blacklands counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Blacklands won't allow Monsoon to sweep him here.

Blacklands drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Blacklands jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Monsoon is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Monsoon throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Monsoon trying to mount his opponent but Blacklands defends it.

Blacklands makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Blacklands fails with the takedown

and Monsoon decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Blacklands's guard.
Monsoon throwing strikes from guard but Blacklands blocks nicely.
Monsoon trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Blacklands manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Monsoon is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Monsoon wants to advance to full mount but Blacklands doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.

Blacklands has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Monsoon off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Blacklands bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Ritchie Blacklands seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Monsoon shoots in but Blacklands avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ray Monsoon. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Blacklands leaves Monsoon with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ritchie Blacklands will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Monsoon dodges the punch combination from Blacklands.

Blacklands looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Monsoon!

Blacklands working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Monsoon really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Monsoon tries to lock up and control but Blacklands gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Monsoon is desperately trying to improve his position but Blacklands has a good base and remains in mount.

Blacklands moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Monsoon has worked his arm free - good work by Monsoon!
Monsoon is trying to get back to half guard.
Monsoon wants to control but Blacklands postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Monsoon is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Blacklands's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Monsoon is defending against the submission attempts here by Blacklands.
Ray Monsoon overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Monsoon regains full guard. Nicely done.
Blacklands preventing the sweep.
Monsoon tries to strike from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Blacklands thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Blacklands 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.
Monsoon striking off his back but it's not causing Blacklands any problems.
Monsoon is trying to control the position but Blacklands postures up.
Blacklands stays in close to Monsoon's body and controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Blacklands drops back looking for a leg! Monsoon is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Monsoon manages to kick Blacklands off! Blacklands jumps back into Monsoon's guard.
Blacklands stopping the sweep attempt from Monsoon.
Blacklands wants to pass the guard but Monsoon is keeping the position.

Blacklands drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Blacklands jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Monsoon is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Monsoon prevents Blacklands from standing back up.
Monsoon wants to pass the guard but Blacklands is defending well.
Monsoon with the ground and pound but Blacklands uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Blacklands keeping full guard, as Monsoon tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Blacklands avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Monsoon stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Blacklands swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Blacklands utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Monsoon throws a big right hand that misses.
Monsoon stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Blacklands swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Monsoon postures up in Blacklands's guard and throws a big left but Blacklands blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ritchie Blacklands will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Monsoon tries for a takedown but Blacklands circles away easily

and Blacklands counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Monsoon!
Monsoon is wriggling around trying to escape.
Monsoon is working hard here to advance position.

Blacklands looking to secure an arm triangle but Monsoon defends it well.

Blacklands is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Monsoon has managed to escape the submission attempt.

Blacklands has control of Monsoon's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Monsoon regains control of the situation pretty easily.

Blacklands goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Monsoon is on top in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Monsoon throwing strikes but missing.
Blacklands working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Monsoon.
Blacklands wants to get back to his feet but Monsoon is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Monsoon throwing strikes but missing.
Monsoon trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's two 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.
Blacklands wants to get back to his feet but Monsoon is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Monsoon with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Monsoon pushes down on Blacklands's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Blacklands blocking the ground and pound attempt from Monsoon.
Monsoon tries to pass to full mount but Blacklands defends it.
Monsoon thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blacklands regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Monsoon.
Monsoon pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Blacklands is keeping the position for now.
Monsoon passes Blacklands's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Monsoon not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

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.
Monsoon trying to pass the guard but Blacklands defending well.
Monsoon wants to advance to full mount but Blacklands doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Monsoon with a flurry of punches that miss.
Monsoon stops Blacklands from standing up.
Monsoon stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Blacklands swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Monsoon lands a couple of elbows.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ritchie Blacklands comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Blacklands winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight for Ritchie Blacklands!
Judge Suge Night scores the fight for Ritchie Blacklands!
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight for Ritchie Blacklands!

Ritchie Blacklands wins by unanimous decision!