PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Angel Riori (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Leone Montana (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Angel Riori had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 156.0lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Riori
vs
Montana

160 cm
28
170 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

183 cm
32
166 lbs
17 - 7 - 0

BJJ Red Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Angel Riori!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 7 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Leone Montana!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Riori drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Montana throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Montana misses with a head kick.
Montana thows a body shot but no joy.
Montana swinging wildly here.
Nice shot by Montana.
Riori uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Montana.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Montana displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Riori.
Montana cracks Riori with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Montana lands a jab to the nose.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Montana has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Montana there as he acknowledges the shot.
Montana looks to land a combination but Riori avoids it well.
Montana blocks a head kick by Riori.
Riori throws an overhand right that lands on Montana's shoulder, as Montana tries to avoid the shot.

Riori decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Montana wants to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Riori misses with a head shot. Montana uses the momentum to regain guard.
Riori stops Montana from standing up.
Riori tries to free his leg and advance position but Montana is retaining full guard.
Riori prevents Montana from getting back to his feet.
Montana keeping full guard, as Riori tries to pass.
Riori trying to control but Montana is working from the bottom.

Montana pushes Riori off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Riori blocks a leg kick.
Riori's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Montana connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Riori scrambles back to his feet.
Nice cross by Montana.
Montana tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Riori shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Montana as he avoids it easily.
Montana throws a hook but Riori blocks it.
Montana scores with a head kick.
Montana is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Riori swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Montana.
Montana stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Montana wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Angel Riori. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Riori tries to clinch up but Montana circles away and keeps his distance.
Montana tries to clinch but Riori is having none of it.
Montana throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
enabling Riori to counter with a crisp jab.
Montana throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

It looks like Angel Riori has been cut.
A swing and a miss from Montana.
Montana throws a head kick that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Montana misses with a straight left.
Riori shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Montana but Montana pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Montana throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Montana displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Riori.
Angel Riori seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Riori moves away from the strike by Montana.
Riori blocks a head kick by Montana.
Montana stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Montana wants it to stay on the feet.
Riori dodges the punch combination from Montana.

Riori drives through with a takedown into guard.
Riori wants to control from the top but Montana keeps moving.
Montana is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Riori postures up in Montana's guard and throws a big left but Montana blocks it.
Riori trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Montana manages to escape and get back to his feet.

Riori looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Montana!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Riori throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Riori unloads with some shots from mount but Montana bucks and avoids them well.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Montana tries to buck Riori off but he can't manage it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Riori controlling the pace for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leone Montana dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Angel Riori's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Riori with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Montana's corner calls for a 1-2. Montana obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Montana pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Montana tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Riori shoots in and bounces Montana off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Riori might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Riori won't allow Montana to get back to his feet.
Riori stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Montana swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Montana is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Montana scrambles and gets back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No luck for Riori with that takedown attempt.
Nice sprawl there from Montana as Riori shoots in.
Riori shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Montana sprawls well. Montana wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Riori gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Angel Riori. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Montana tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Montana scores with a leg kick.
A swing and a miss from Riori.
Montana staying out of range there.
Leone Montana seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Riori showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Montana.
A bone on bone clash there as Montana blocks the leg kick.
Leone Montana is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Riori takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Montana throws a shot from downtown. Riori moves away and avoids it.
A lazy left from Montana finds it's target.
Montana misses with a two punch combination.
Montana tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Montana misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Montana has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Riori tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Montana is able to avoid easily.
Montana tries a head kick but it misses.
Riori shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Montana defends it nicely.
Riori shoots in for a double leg but Montana sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Montana misses the jab.

Riori changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Montana looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Riori is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Montana has escaped the position, nice work there.

Riori thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Riori swings around for an armbar but Montana sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Riori's guard.
Montana wants to stand but Riori has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Montana stands and steps away. Riori gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Montana tries a head kick but it misses.
Montana keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Montana misses with a jab, cross combination.
Riori slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good standup being displayed there by Riori as he connects with a hook.
Montana tries to clinch but Riori moves out of range.
Montana takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Montana displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Riori.
Montana stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Montana wants it to stay on the feet.
Montana lands with a slapping head kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Montana throws a head kick but Riori moves out of range.
Montana throws the kick towards the body but Riori avoids it.
Nice takedown defense from Montana. No joy for Riori on that attempt.
Riori looks for a takedown but Montana sprawls well.
Montana sizes up Riori with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Montana cracks Riori with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Montana stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Montana throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leone Montana showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Angel Riori's cut.
That's time! Riori's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Montana throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Riori shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Leone Montana is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Riori defending well as Montana loads up on a big left hand.
Riori takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Riori will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Montana throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Riori shoots in but Montana avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Angel Riori. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Montana pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Riori moves out of range of the strikes.
Riori avoids a punch combination nicely.
Riori takes one on the button.
Riori ducks under a wild hook from Montana.
Montana misses with a straight right.
Riori shoots in and drives through. Montana sprawls well.
Montana throws a head kick but Riori moves out of range.
Montana takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Montana tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Montana throws an overhand right that lands on Riori's shoulder, as Riori tries to avoid the shot.
Riori lands with an uppercut that bounces Montana off the cage and back into range.
Riori ducks under a wild hook from Montana.
A shot to the liver by Riori. Beautiful body shot.
Riori defending well as Montana loads up on a big left hand.
Montana blocks a jab.
Montana rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Riori moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Riori shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Riori avoids the head kick by Montana.
Riori throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A slow jab from Montana misses its intended target.
Montana throws a right hand that Riori ducks under and follows up with a left that Riori also avoids with ease.
Montana missing with a left hand there. Riori was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Riori shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Montana is trying to defend but Riori finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Montana blocking the ground and pound attempt from Riori.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Riori trying to control from half guard but Montana is working away.
Riori trying to pass the guard but Montana defending well.
Montana is staying active underneath Riori, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Riori is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Montana defends it well.
Montana is looking to escape.
Riori wants to take a breather but Montana is having none of it.
Angel Riori overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Riori 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Montana wants to get back to his feet.
Leone Montana is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Riori wants to lay and pray for a moment but Montana keeps working.
Angel Riori has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

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

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Angel Riori.
I think Montana has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Illya Tyunina scores the fight 28:30
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Leone Montana!