PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Joe Monroe (ranked 1733 p4p, 207 weight class) and Nate Masvidal (ranked 2989 p4p, 327 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Monroe
vs
Masvidal

191 cm
27
185 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

188 cm
19
185 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
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 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Joe Monroe !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Nate Masvidal!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Monroe displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Masvidal throws out the jab.
Monroe was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
We've been told by Monroe 's head coaches at Touch Of Death Combat Academy that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.

Masvidal tries to keep at a distance but Monroe has taken the fight into the clinch.
Masvidal has had enough of the clinch but Monroe keeps him there for the moment.
Masvidal is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Monroe working Masvidal over with knees to the body.
Monroe prevents Masvidal from breaking the clinch.
Monroe scores a nice knee to the body.
Monroe lands a hook to the side of the head.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Monroe lands a knee to the body.
Masvidal is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Monroe is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
A frustrated look appears on Masvidal's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Monroe lands a knee to the head.
Monroe lands a body shot in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Monroe lands a nice knee to the body.
Masvidal has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Monroe seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Masvidal can turn it around.
Masvidal is trying to force a seperation but Monroe has the dominant position.
Masvidal avoiding damage as Monroe throws knees to the body.
Masvidal is trying to break the clinch but Monroe is controlling him.

Monroe breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Monroe has taken the fight to the clinch.
Masvidal wants to stall.
Masvidal wants to break free but Monroe has control.
A nice right hand lands inside from Monroe .
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Monroe obliges.
Monroe scores a nice knee to the body.

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

Monroe pushes Masvidal up against the cage in a clinch.
Monroe throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Masvidals head.
Masvidal can't break the clinch.

Monroe breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Masvidal looks to throw the jab but Monroe is out of range.
A swing and a miss from Masvidal.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Monroe leaves Masvidal with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
A quick step to the side and Monroe tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Masvidal throws a right and a left that Monroe avoids nicely.
Masvidal fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Monroe pushes Masvidal up against the cage in a clinch.

Monroe pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Monroe displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Masvidal throws out the jab.
Masvidal throws a hook to the side of Monroe 's head but Monroe sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

Monroe moves into the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Masvidal's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Monroe prevents Masvidal from breaking the clinch.
Masvidal can't break the clinch.

Monroe pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masvidal thows a left - swing and a miss!
Monroe went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.

Monroe clinches with his opponent.

Monroe breaks the clinch.
Monroe slips a straight right by Masvidal.

Monroe gets a clinch.

Monroe escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Monroe drives through and clinches with Masvidal against the cage.
Monroe lands a body punch in the clinch.
Monroe lands a shot to the body.
Masvidal looking to slow down the pace here.

Monroe breaks the clinch.

Monroe gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Monroe landing knees to the body.
Monroe stalling.

Monroe manages to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Monroe gets in close and instigates a clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Monroe landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Monroe connects with a nasty looking knee right to Masvidal's face.
Masvidal has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Monroe taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Monroe keeps control of Masvidal as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Masvidal managing to block the knees to the body from Monroe .

Monroe breaks the clinch.
Masvidal swings widly with a right hand
and Monroe counters with a two punch combo.
Masvidal jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.

Monroe gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Monroe tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Masvidal avoids it.
Masvidal has had enough of the clinch but Monroe keeps him there for the moment.
The referee is keeping an eye on Monroe - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Monroe is working Masvidal over against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Monroe dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Masvidal fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Monroe on the side of the head.
Monroe takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

Monroe clinches up against the cage.
A short left from Monroe .
Monroe lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A right hand to the body from Monroe .
Monroe manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Masvidal is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Masvidal wants to break the clinch but can't.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Monroe 's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Masvidal.
Monroe is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Masvidal can do to turn this around?
A telegraphed right hand from Masvidal misses the target.
Masvidal might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Masvidal throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Monroe sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Masvidal throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Monroe has Masvidal up against the cage in a clinch.

Monroe pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Monroe fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Masvidal has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Masvidal takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

Monroe moves into range and clinches up with Masvidal.

Monroe escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Joe Monroe is winning the standup battle so far.
Monroe slips under a jab.

Monroe rushes Masvidal and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Masvidal blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Monroe lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Monroe working Masvidal over with knees to the body.
Masvidal is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Masvidal is trying to break free.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Monroe prevents Masvidal from breaking the clinch.

Monroe 's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Masvidal lands with a nice combination. Monroe backs away looking to recover.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Monroe moves into the clinch successfully.

Monroe breaks from the clinch.

Monroe clinches up with Masvidal and pushes him back against the cage.
Monroe with a knee to the head.

Monroe breaks the clinch.
Nate Masvidal seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Monroe closes the distance but Masvidal moves to the side
enabling Masvidal to counter with a crisp jab.
Masvidal misses with a hook
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
and Monroe counters with an outside leg kick.

Monroe has managed to clinch.
Monroe scores a nice knee to the body.
Masvidal is breathing heavily.
Monroe holding his opponent close, against the cage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Monroe slows down the pace here.

Monroe breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Monroe takes a jab right on the kisser.
Masvidal staying out of range there.
Masvidal looks to throw the jab but Monroe is out of range.
Masvidal misses with a hook. Monroe ducked under it nicely.
A quick step to the side and Monroe tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Masvidal closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

Monroe darts in and clinches Masvidal up against the cage.
Monroe unloads a knee to the mid-section.
A body shot lands from Monroe .
Monroe is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Monroe breaks the clinch.
Masvidal throws a jab but it's blocked by Monroe .
Monroe was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.

Monroe moves into the clinch.
Masvidal has Monroe pushed against the cage.
Masvidal is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Monroe is keeping busy.
Monroe putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Masvidal in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Monroe lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Masvidal tries to break free but Monroe pushes him back against the cage.
Monroe lands a good knee to the midsection. Masvidal won't want to take too many of those.
Monroe lands a body punch.
Monroe stalls.
A short uppercut from Monroe .
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Monroe dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Monroe has closed the distance and engaged Masvidal in a clinch.
Monroe lands a nice uppercut.
Monroe scores a nice knee to the body.
Monroe stalling.
Monroe blocking some punches.
Masvidal wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Monroe pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Monroe pushes Masvidal up against the cage in a clinch.
Monroe landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Monroe putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Masvidal in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Masvidal wants to get back to striking at distance but Monroe won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

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

Monroe takes the fight into the clinch.
Good body shot from Monroe .
Masvidal takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Monroe will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Masvidal up against the cage.
Monroe unloads a knee to the mid-section.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Monroe has Masvidal pressed against the cage.
Monroe is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Monroe content to slow the pace in the clinch.
A knee to the head by Monroe .
Knees to the body from Monroe .
Masvidal is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Masvidal letting Monroe take a breather here.
Monroe working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Monroe .
Monroe lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Masvidal is trying to break the clinch but Monroe is controlling him.
Nate Masvidal has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Monroe slows down the pace here.

Monroe breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Masvidal works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Masvidal throws a left and a right that both miss
and Monroe finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Monroe works Masvidal's body with a nice hook.
Masvidal connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Masvidal misses with a two punch combination.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Monroe landing some nice looking knees to the body.
A short left from Monroe .
Masvidal is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Monroe stalling the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Monroe lands an uppercut.
Masvidal is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
A right hand to the body from Monroe .
Monroe stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Monroe landing knees to the body.
Monroe lands a right hand that snaps the head of Masvidal backwards.
Monroe lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Monroe putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Masvidal in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Monroe unloads a knee to the mid-section. Masvidal lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Monroe working Masvidal over with knees to the body.
Monroe holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Monroe is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.

Monroe breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Monroe closes the distance and clinches.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Monroe lands a body shot in the clinch.
Monroe digs a right hand into Masvidal's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Masvidal's gas tank.

Monroe breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Monroe tries to clinch but Masvidal moves out of range.
Masvidal looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Masvidal throws a hook to the side of Monroe 's head but Monroe sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

Monroe rushes Masvidal and presses him up against the cage.
Masvidal is trying to maintain a safe position but Monroe gets an underhook and turns Masvidal into the cage.
Monroe lands a nice knee to the body.
Monroe lands a nice knee to the body.

Monroe breaks from the clinch.
Joe Monroe is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Masvidal looks to land a left hand but Monroe moved out of range nicely.
The fight stays on the outside here - Monroe looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Monroe clinches up against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joe Monroe showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Monroe has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:26
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joe Monroe !