PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Joao Monstrao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Oscar Lola (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Oscar Lola is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Monstrao
vs
Lola

178 cm
18
191 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

187 cm
25
190 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Inexperienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 London, Joao Monstrao!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Oscar Lola!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Steven Brown and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Monstrao defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Lola.
Monstrao shoots in looking for a takedown but Lola manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Monstrao's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Lola leaves Monstrao with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Lola takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Monstrao shoots in looking for a takedown but Lola manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Monstrao's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joao Monstrao. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lola shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Monstrao sprawls well. Monstrao wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Lola gets slowly back to his feet.
Monstrao shoots in for a takedown but Lola shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Lola darts in and clinches Monstrao up against the cage.
Monstrao tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Lola avoids it.
Monstrao fails to pull guard.

Lola pulls guard.
Monstrao slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lola bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Monstrao's guard.
Lola slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Oscar Lola has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Monstrao displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Lola.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lola moves into the clinch.
Lola will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Monstrao up against the cage.
Monstrao tries for a takedown. No joy.
Monstrao is defending well against a takedown attempt.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

Lola has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Monstrao is trying to keep an underhook but Lola manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Lola looks winded!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Monstrao is looking to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Monstrao looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Monstrao is trying to maintain the position but Lola is very close to passing his half guard.
Lola seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Monstrao does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Lola is just content to waste time from the top position. Monstrao takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Lola trying to control the position from guard on top but Monstrao is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Lola gets to his feet - Monstrao follows without any prompting.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Monstrao shoots in looking for a takedown but Lola manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Monstrao's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Monstrao pushes Lola up against the cage in a clinch.
Monstrao wants to take the fight to the mat but Lola manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Lola's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Lola fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Monstrao to the ground. Lola is now in Monstrao's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lola controls from within his opponent's guard.
Monstrao keeping moving, preventing Lola from controlling successfully.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Monstrao throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Oscar Lola dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Lola is trying hard to land a takedown here. Monstrao sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Monstrao has Lola up against the cage in a clinch.
Monstrao working hard to break the clinch.
Monstrao tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Lola smiles and moves away.

Lola scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Monstrao is looking to escape.

Lola is working for a submission of some sort.
Lola wants to take a breather but Monstrao is having none of it.
Lola is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Monstrao moves into full guard.
Monstrao is trying to keep Lola in close.

Monstrao working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Lola doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Lola manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Monstrao looking to hit a scissor sweep but Lola is one step ahead there.
Oscar Lola has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lola pushes down on Monstrao's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Monstrao is looking for a sweep. Lola is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Lola seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Monstrao does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Lola stands up from half guard.
Lola fails with a takedown attempt.
Lola dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Monstrao. That did some damage!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Monstrao tries to close the distance and clinch up but Lola swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Monstrao throws a lazy head kick

and Lola counters with a takedown into side control.
Lola wants to lay and pray for a moment but Monstrao keeps working.
Monstrao tries to improve position but can't.
Lola controlling the position from side mount.
Lola creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Monstrao sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Monstrao is trying to improve his position.
Lola happy to just control the position for now.
Monstrao pushes Lola away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Lola gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Lola tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Lola has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Lola trying to control the action but Monstrao is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Oscar Lola showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Lola tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Monstrao paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Monstrao is looking to clinch but Lola is avoiding it.
Monstrao swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Monstrao shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Lola as he jumps to the side.
Monstrao wants to clinch up but Lola keeps it at a distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice sprawl there from Lola as Monstrao shoots in.

Lola tries to keep at a distance but Monstrao has taken the fight into the clinch.
Monstrao wants to get back to striking at distance but Lola won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lola is looking to take this one to the mat.
Lola tries to score a body lock takedown but Monstrao shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Monstrao is looking to take this one to the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joao Monstrao. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Monstrao is trying to break the clinch but Lola has him pressed against the cage.
Monstrao is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Lola manages to pull guard.
Lola is adopting a defensive guard.
Monstrao wants to control from the top but Lola keeps moving.

Lola looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lola looking for a triangle here. Monstrao is fighting it but it looks tight! Lola pulls the arm across and this one won't last much longer! Nope, Monstrao is tapping out - this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:28 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Oscar Lola!