PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Abel Hershon (ranked 4813 p4p, 384 weight class) and Alex Monteil (ranked 24818 p4p, 433 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Hershon
vs
Monteil

170 cm
25
150 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

172 cm
25
154 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Very strong

Decent wrestler
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Abel Hershon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Alex Monteil!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Peter Branson and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Monteil throws out a loose jab but Hershon uses good head movement to avoid it.
The fighters circling - Monteil throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hershon misses with a body kick.
Monteil takes a kick to the side of the head.
Monteil swings for the body but Hershon moves out of range.
Monteil looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Hershon ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Monteil throws a hook but Hershon blocks it.
Monteil walks into a stiff left hand from Hershon.
Monteil doesn't manage to clinch there - Hershon circles away.
A solid leg kick lands there for Hershon.
Hershon lands a body shot.
Hershon misses the shot to the body.
Monteil lands with a nice body punch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Monteil fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hershon manages to avoid it.
Monteil scores with a hook to the body. Hershon takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Hershon misses with the combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hershon throws a front kick that sends Monteil stumbling back into the cage.
Hershon slips a straight right by Monteil.
Hershon has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Hershon goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

It looks like Alex Monteil has been cut.
Hershon slips a jab from Monteil.
Hershon staying out of range there.
Monteil lands a nice shot to the body.
Monteil throws the left hand but Hershon avoids the punch easily.
Monteil tries to clinch up but Hershon circles away and keeps his distance.
Hershon misses with a body shot.
Monteil steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Hershon. That one must have hurt.
Hershon lands a leg kick that knocks Monteil off balance momentarily.
Hershon chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Monteil misses with a double jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Monteil moves in looking to clinch but Hershon pushes him off.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Monteil lands a nice hook to Hershon's body. Hershon takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Hershon dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Monteil. That did some damage!
Hershon tries a head kick but it misses.
Hershon tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Monteil closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Hershon goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Monteil makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Monteil lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Monteil misses with a punch on the inside.
Hershon blocks a body shot from Monteil.
Monteil lands with a short shot to the head.
Hershon has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Monteil misses with the head strike.
Hershon doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short body shot lands from Hershon as the two fighters clinch.
Monteil blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Monteil lands with a short shot to the head.
A head punch on the inside from Monteil fails to land.
Hershon misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hershon goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Monteil can't find room to land a body shot as Hershon controls the action.
Monteil misses with a punch on the inside.
Hershon has a couple of punches blocked by Monteil.
Monteil throws a punch but it's blocked by Hershon.
Hershon blocking some punches.
Monteil digs a right hand underneath Hershon's ribcage. Hershon let out a lung full of air as it connected.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Monteil creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A short uppercut from Hershon.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hershon blocks a body shot from Monteil.
Hershon tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Monteil's elbow.
Monteil is leaning against Hershon and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Monteil working aggressively here.
Hershon wants to get back to striking at distance but Monteil won't allow it.
Monteil lands a hook to the side of the head.
Hershon takes a shot to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hershon's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Monteil lands with a light punch inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Monteil.
Monteil misses with a punch on the inside.
Hershon tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Monteil's elbow.
Hershon blocking some punches.
Monteil tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Monteil throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Hershons head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Alex Monteil will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Alex Monteil's cut.
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.

Hershon swats away the attempt to clinch by Monteil.
Monteil throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Monteil throws a nice looking combination but Hershon bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A right-left combo lands from Monteil.
Hershon lands a nice hook to Monteil's body. Monteil takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Hershon keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Monteil takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Monteil takes a swing at Hershon's ribcage but misses.
Monteil takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Monteil avoids the head kick by Hershon.
Monteil jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hershon thows a body kick. Monteil tries to catch it but that hurt him.

Monteil moves into the clinch.
Monteil throws a punch but it's blocked by Hershon.
Hershon blocks a body shot from Monteil.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Monteil blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Monteil tries to work over Hershon's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Monteil has a couple of punches blocked by Hershon.
Monteil swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hershon tries a body shot but Monteil blocks it.
Hershon has a couple of punches blocked by Monteil.
Hershon blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hershon tries to work over Monteil's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Monteil struggles to land a body shot inside as Hershon controls his hands.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hershon.
Alex Monteil seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Monteil blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Monteil tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Monteil working aggressively here.
Hershon goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Monteil lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Hershon blocking some punches.
Monteil misses with a body punch.
Monteil lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Hershon backwards.
Monteil lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Hershon backwards.
Monteil swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Monteil can't find room to land a body shot as Hershon controls the action.
Monteil misses with a body punch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hershon.
Hershon blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Monteil lands a nice shot to the body.
Hershon fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Hershon breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The fighters circling - Monteil throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hershon cracks the inside of Monteil's front leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Monteil throws a body punch but Hershon moves out of range.
A left lands for Hershon.
Monteil connects with a right hand. Hershon shakes it off.
A jab from Monteil misses.
Monteil lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hershon circles away quickly and effectively.
Alex Monteil seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Monteil throws a body shot but no joy.
Hershon was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Monteil takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Hershon keeps the fight on the outside.
Hershon finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Hershon misses with a body kick.
Hershon connects with a solid leg kick.
Hershon ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Monteil takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Monteil dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hershon misses with a kick to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Monteil throws a sloppy body shot
and Hershon counters with a body kick that stops Monteil in his tracks momentarily.
Hershon uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Monteil.
Hershon throws a leg kick
and Monteil connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Hershon throws a head kick but Monteil moves out of range.
Hershon tests Monteil's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Monteil ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hershon moves away.
Hershon fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Monteil has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Monteil fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hershon manages to avoid it.
Hershon misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Monteil now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Monteil connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Monteil's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Monteil closes the distance looking to clinch
and Hershon counters with a right hand to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Alex Monteil will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Alex Monteil's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Monteil on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Hershon throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hershon defending well as Monteil loads up on a big left hand.
Monteil jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Hershon lands with a slapping head kick.
Monteil bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Hershon's head backwards.
Hershon tries a head kick but it misses.
Monteil tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hershon was well out of range. Poor timing from Monteil.
Monteil throws a lazy uppercut
and Hershon counters with a big head kick but Monteil shrugs it off.
Hershon is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Monteil.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hershon takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Monteil fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Hershon looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Hershon throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hershon throws a head kick that misses.
Monteil thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Monteil rushes Hershon and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Monteil has a couple of punches blocked by Hershon.
Monteil keeps control of Hershon as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Hershon throws a punch but it's blocked by Monteil.
Hershon pushes Monteil back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Monteil tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hershon works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Hershon misses with a body punch.
Hershon tries to circle away but Monteil has him pinned against the cage.
Good body shot from Hershon.
Hershon blocks an uppercut.
Monteil lands a shoulder strike.
Hershon tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hershon goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Monteil misses with a hook from the clinch.
Monteil lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Monteil misses with the head strike.
Monteil misses with a hook from the clinch.
Monteil tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hershon tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hershon lands with a light punch inside.
Hershon swings wildly with an uppercut but Monteil uses good head movement to avoid it.
A body shot lands from Hershon.
Monteil misses with a body punch.
Monteil tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hershon gets through Monteil's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hershon has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Hershon's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Hershon is trying to break free.
Monteil goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Monteil pushes Hershon back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Abel Hershon has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Monteil misses with a body punch.
Hershon struggles to land a body shot inside as Monteil controls his hands.
A hook to the body from Hershon.
Monteil has a couple of punches blocked by Hershon.
Hershon lands a body punch.
Hershon goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hershon misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hershon goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Monteil's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hershon has had enough of the clinch but Monteil keeps him there for the moment.
Nice body punch from Monteil - that landed with a thud.
Alex Monteil is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Monteil has a couple of punches blocked by Hershon.
Hershon tries to throw a body punch but Monteil avoids it by throwing Hershon back against the cage.
Hershon swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Monteil misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hershon lands a shot to the body.
Monteil lands a body shot in the clinch.
Hershon fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Monteil misses with a punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Hershon fails to land.
Monteil tries to work over Hershon's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hershon goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hershon scores with a shoulder strike.

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 Abel Hershon.
I think Monteil 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 Santiago Holmes scores the fight 28:29
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alex Monteil!
A relieved looking Alex Monteil thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.