PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Dragan Tesanovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Stuart Monkhouse (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tesanovic comes to the cage accompanied by T.I.-Big Shit Poppin. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Tesanovic
vs
Monkhouse

188 cm
22
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

189 cm
22
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Dragan Tesanovic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Stuart Monkhouse!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Monkhouse keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Monkhouse closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Monkhouse missing with knees to the body.
Monkhouse throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Tesanovic blocks it with crossed arms.
Monkhouse lands an elbow just above Tesanovic 's eye.

Tesanovic breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Tesanovic throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Tesanovic shoots in but no luck this time.
Tesanovic throws a body punch but Monkhouse moves out of range.

Monkhouse moves into the clinch.
Monkhouse lands an elbow that stopped Tesanovic in his tracks for a moment.
Monkhouse looking to throw knees to the head but Tesanovic is blocking nicely.

Tesanovic manages to pull guard.
Monkhouse passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Tesanovic is trying to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Monkhouse decides to stand back up.
Stuart Monkhouse is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Monkhouse lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Monkhouse tries to close the distance and clinch but Tesanovic swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Monkhouse misses with the combination.
Tesanovic showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Monkhouse.

Tesanovic rushes Monkhouse and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
A knee to the head by Monkhouse.
Monkhouse working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Monkhouse is stalling here.
Monkhouse lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tesanovic is working for takedown but Monkhouse is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dragan Tesanovic. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Monkhouse escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Monkhouse throws a sloppy head kick and Tesanovic moves out of range easily.
Tesanovic tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Monkhouse rushes Tesanovic and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Stalling in the clinch from Monkhouse.
Tesanovic wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Monkhouse has him pressed against the cage.
Monkhouse wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Tesanovic has him pressed against the cage.
Monkhouse trying to land knees to the body.
Tesanovic misses with an elbow strike.
Monkhouse tries a knee to the head but Tesanovic blocks it.
Monkhouse on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Tesanovic is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Monkhouse unloads a knee to the mid-section. Tesanovic lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Tesanovic is breathing heavily.
Monkhouse lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Monkhouse breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Tesanovic tries to land a leg kick but Monkhouse saw it coming and moves away.
Monkhouse tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Tesanovic counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Monkhouse's guard now.
Monkhouse is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Tesanovic stands and steps away. Monkhouse gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Monkhouse stuffs the takedown attempt from Tesanovic. Tesanovic gets slowly back to his feet.

Monkhouse moves into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Monkhouse breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Monkhouse moves in looking to clinch but Tesanovic pushes him off.
Monkhouse looks to clinch

and Tesanovic counters by clinching up.
Monkhouse holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Monkhouse misses with a body punch.
Monkhouse working aggressively here.
Monkhouse trying to land knees to the body.

Monkhouse breaks from the clinch.
Tesanovic tries for a takedown but Monkhouse sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Monkhouse tries to clinch up but Tesanovic circles away and keeps his distance.
Tesanovic throws a sloppy head kick
and Monkhouse counters with a left and a right that stings Tesanovic.
Tesanovic lands with a right hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Tesanovic clinches up against the cage.
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 Dragan Tesanovic will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Tesanovic connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

Monkhouse takes the fight into the clinch.
Monkhouse unloads a knee to the mid-section. Tesanovic lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Tesanovic tries to break the clinch but Monkhouse is controlling the position.
Tesanovic lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Monkhouse wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Monkhouse throws a knee to the head but misses.
Monkhouse stalling in the clinch.
Tesanovic drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Monkhouse trying to stall but Tesanovic improves his position.
Monkhouse leaning against his opponent.
Tesanovic landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Monkhouse is breathing heavily.
Monkhouse gets underhooks to prevent Tesanovic's takedown attempt.
Tesanovic lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Tesanovic avoiding damage as Monkhouse throws knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tesanovic breaks the clinch.
Tesanovic rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Monkhouse moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Tesanovic closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Tesanovic pushes Monkhouse back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Monkhouse managing to block the knees to the body from Tesanovic.

Tesanovic breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Tesanovic tries a head kick but it misses.
Tesanovic tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Monkhouse counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Tesanovic shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dragan Tesanovic. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tesanovic bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Monkhouse takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.

Monkhouse closes the distance and clinches.
Monkhouse has Tesanovic pressed against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Monkhouse on the inside.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Monkhouse landing knees to the head.
Monkhouse comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Monkhouse with a knee to the head.
Monkhouse lands an uppercut.
Monkhouse scores with a knee to the head.
Monkhouse stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Monkhouse receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
Monkhouse creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

Monkhouse breaks the clinch.
Monkhouse tries to clinch up

and Tesanovic counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Monkhouse tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Tesanovic wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Monkhouse has him pressed against the cage.
Tesanovic using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Tesanovic can't break the clinch.
Tesanovic is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Tesanovic wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Monkhouse misses with an elbow strike.
Tesanovic blocks the elbow strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Knees to the body from Monkhouse.
The referee calls for Monkhouse to work.
Monkhouse lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Tesanovic blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Monkhouse missing with knees to the body.
Tesanovic wants to break free but Monkhouse has control.
Monkhouse throws a knee to the head but misses.
Tesanovic pushes off an throws an elbow but Monkhouse leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

Monkhouse breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Tesanovic rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Monkhouse moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Monkhouse closes the distance looking to clinch
and Tesanovic counters with a head kick. That will keep Monkhouse thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Dragan Tesanovic will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Tesanovic shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Tesanovic tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Monkhouse swivels and escapes.
Tesanovic clinches but Monkhouse breaks the clinch
and Monkhouse counters with a flying knee. Nice.

Monkhouse darts in and clinches Tesanovic up against the cage.
Monkhouse misses with a body punch.
Monkhouse tries to land knees in the clinch but Tesanovic avoids the damage to the body.
Tesanovic tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Monkhouse smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dragan Tesanovic. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tesanovic darts in trying to clinch

and Monkhouse holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Monkhouse lands a knee to the head.
Monkhouse takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Monkhouse misses with a knee strike.
Tesanovic tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Monkhouse smiles and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tesanovic fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Monkhouse, pushing him back against the cage.
Tesanovic tries to pull guard but Monkhouse holds him up against the cage and eventually Tesanovic drops back down to his feet.

Tesanovic escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Monkhouse tries to clinch up

and Tesanovic holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Tesanovic breaks from the clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Tesanovic looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Monkhouse tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Tesanovic cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Monkhouse fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Tesanovic, pushing him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tesanovic wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Monkhouse with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Tesanovic wants to get back to striking at distance but Monkhouse won't allow it.
Monkhouse has a couple of punches blocked by Tesanovic.

Monkhouse manages to break the clinch.
Tesanovic tries a head kick but it misses.
Monkhouse tries to clinch but Tesanovic moves away
and Tesanovic counters with a straight right hand.
Monkhouse uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Tesanovic.

Monkhouse moves into range and clinches up with Tesanovic.
Tesanovic wants to get back to striking at distance but Monkhouse won't allow it.

Monkhouse escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Monkhouse tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Tesanovic counters with a body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tesanovic moves in looking to clinch but Monkhouse pushes him off.
Tesanovic tries a head kick but it misses.
Tesanovic swinging wilding here.
Tesanovic shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Monkhouse pinned against the cage. Monkhouse gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Monkhouse lands with an overhand left.

Monkhouse fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Tesanovic, pushing him back against the cage.

Tesanovic breaks from the clinch.
Dragan Tesanovic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tesanovic shoots in for a double leg but Monkhouse sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Monkhouse tries to clinch up

and Tesanovic moves into the clinch.
Tesanovic tries to land knees in the clinch but Monkhouse avoids the damage to the body.
Monkhouse tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Tesanovic's elbow.
Monkhouse stops a takedown attempt from Tesanovic.
Monkhouse lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Tesanovic or not.

Monkhouse breaks the clinch.
Monkhouse closes the distance looking to clinch

and Tesanovic holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Monkhouse avoiding damage as Tesanovic throws knees to the body.
Monkhouse can't break the clinch.
Stuart Monkhouse has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tesanovic landing knees to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Stuart Monkhouse comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Tesanovic 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 29:30
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Stuart Monkhouse!