VTFL: Ferguson vs. Montgomery PBP Commentary

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between John Dodson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Max Payne (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Max Payne will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Dodson
vs
Payne

167 cm
28
130 lbs
7 - 12 - 0

225 cm
25
130 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Dangerous knees
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Dodson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Max Payne!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Cecil Peabody and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Payne is defended easily by Dodson.
Payne shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Dodson sprawls well. Dodson wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Payne gets slowly back to his feet.
Payne shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Dodson defends it nicely.
John Dodson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Max Payne.
Dodson leaves Payne with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
A punch combination from Dodson misses.

Dodson looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Payne!
Dodson controlling the pace for now.
Payne wants to control but Dodson is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
BOOM! Dodson connects with a massive shot to the dome!

Payne is rocked!
Dodson content just to control the position here.
Dodson with shots to the head and body - Payne looks very uncomfortable down there.
Payne is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Payne has left one of his arms exposed and Dodson doesn't need a second invitation. He's isolated it and locked on a tight armbar. Payne screams and taps out, obviously in a lot of pain. Hopefully there isn't permanent damage to that arm.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:19 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). John Dodson!
John Dodson made sure to give a little speech post fight, saying 'i fight to win. shawn is a tough opponent. now i got my sights set on that belt and will face the winner of this coming up bantamweight match up.'.

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
37%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Franklin Worner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Albert (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters really staring each other down here, as John Albert enters the cage!

Worner
vs
Albert

180 cm
25
130 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

170 cm
25
135 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Dangerous knees
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Franklin Worner!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Albert!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, George Francis and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Albert fails with the takedown

and Worner counters with a takedown into side control.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Albert tries to improve position but can't.

Worner stands up.
Albert shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Worner defends it nicely.

Worner drives through and clinches with Albert against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Worner stops a takedown attempt from Albert.
Franklin Worner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Albert.
Albert is looking for a takedown.
Worner is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Albert lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

Worner gets control of Albert's arms and successfully pulls guard. Worner will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Worner had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Albert defends it easily.
Worner is looking to stand up but Albert isn't so interested in that idea.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Worner not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Worner is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Albert defends well.
Albert in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Albert trying to control the position from guard on top but Worner 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.
Worner is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Albert trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Worner avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Worner is working an open guard so Albert takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Albert looks for a takedown but Worner sprawls well.

Worner gets a double leg takedown into Albert's guard.
Worner is breathing heavily.
Albert is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Worner really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Worner decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Worner bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Albert taking a bit of punishment here - Worner scoring with strikes.
Albert is trying to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Worner wants to control but Albert is keeping him busy.

Worner thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Albert can't do much from the bottom here.
Albert wants to get back to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Albert struggling a bit here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Franklin Worner dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Worner looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Worner is looking to advance position but Albert has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Worner is looking to get to half guard.
Albert trying to control but Worner is having none of it.
Worner is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Worner is squirming around, avoiding Albert's attempts to control the action.
Albert is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Worner is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Albert trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Worner tries to improve his position but instead Albert has taken his back!
Albert is not going to allow Worner to sit and survive in this position.
Albert wants to control but Worner is keeping busy.
Worner is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Albert trying to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Albert controlling from the back.
Albert trying to control.
Worner is in bad spot here.
Worner staying busy and making it hard for Albert to control.
Worner wants to escape the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Albert is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Albert wants to control but Worner is keeping busy.
Worner tries to escape the position.

Albert looking for the choke but no joy.
Worner is trying to get back to his feet but Albert has full control of the position and if anything, Worner has just worked his way into a worse spot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Albert showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Horrible takedown by Albert or perhaps it was just good defense by Worner which made him look bad.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Albert enables Worner to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Albert manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Worner knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Albert on the ground.
Albert is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Albert had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Worner defends it easily.
Worner wants to control from the top but Albert keeps moving.
Franklin Worner overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Albert takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Worner postures up in Albert's guard and throws a big left but Albert blocks it.
Worner tries to free his leg and advance position but Albert is retaining full guard.
Worner is working hard here to advance position.
Worner slips nicely into half guard.
Albert wants to get back to full guard.
Albert wants to control but Worner is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Worner looking for a submission but Albert manages to get full guard, putting an end to that submission attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Worner postures up.
Albert looking to control but Worner passes into half guard.
Worner tries to stand but can't do so whilst Albert controls his leg.
Albert is trying to maintain the position but Worner is very close to passing his half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Albert manages to get to full guard.
Worner tries to free his leg and advance position but Albert is retaining full guard.
Worner is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Worner trying to control the position from guard on top but Albert is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Albert controlling Worner's posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Worner closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Worner lands in his opponent's guard.
Worner trying to control but Albert is working from the bottom.

Worner drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Albert manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Worner has Albert in his guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Worner lands a good elbow from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Franklin Worner showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Worner 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 29:28
Judge George Francis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Franklin Worner!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
42%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mike Ricci (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jon Manley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Ricci
vs
Manley

190 cm
22
170 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

180 cm
25
170 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Dangerous GnP
Great elbows
Very strong

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mike Ricci!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jon Manley !
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Chris Downing and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Horrible takedown by Manley or perhaps it was just good defense by Ricci which made him look bad.
Ricci looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
Manley tries to clinch but Ricci moves out of range.
Manley looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Ricci is trying hard to land a takedown here. Manley sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Manley shoots for a takedown but Ricci saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Ricci throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ricci circles away from the clinch attempt.

Manley looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Ricci!
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Manley looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ricci has left one of his arms exposed and Manley doesn't need a second invitation. He's isolated it and locked on a tight armbar. Ricci screams and taps out, obviously in a lot of pain. Hopefully there isn't permanent damage to that arm.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:37 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Jon Manley !

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
33%

Undercard bout

Co-main event

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Isaiah Ferguson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and George Wahl (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Isaiah Ferguson has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Ferguson
vs
Wahl

165 cm
25
150 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

167 cm
25
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Dangerous knees
KO power

Good takedowns
Brawler
Determined

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Isaiah Ferguson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, George Wahl !
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Tiny Johnson and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ferguson dodges the punch combination from Wahl .
Wahl throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Wahl closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Ferguson did well to prevent Wahl getting side control.
Wahl prevents Ferguson from improving his position.
Ferguson regains full guard. Nicely done.
Ferguson bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Wahl 's guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Wahl holds on and takes a little breather.
Ferguson wants to control from the top but Wahl keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wahl is looking to stand up but Ferguson isn't so interested in that idea.
Wahl is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by George Wahl .
Ferguson misses with a takedown attempt - Wahl sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Ferguson looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Ferguson wants to clinch.
Ferguson doesn't manage to clinch there - Wahl circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wahl throws a sloppy head kick
and Ferguson counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A head kick misses from Ferguson.

Wahl closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Ferguson quickly recovers to half guard.
Wahl takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

Wahl is trying to work for a kimura but Ferguson is defending well.
Wahl is thwarting Ferguson's attempts to control the position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Wahl is trying to work for a kimura but Ferguson is defending well.
Ferguson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Ferguson pushes Wahl off and gets back to his feet.

Wahl shoots in and bounces Ferguson off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Wahl 's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Ferguson throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Ferguson wants to stand up but Wahl is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wahl wants to get up but he can't break Ferguson's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Ferguson is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Wahl wants to get up but he can't break Ferguson's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Ferguson dives in and grabs Wahl 's left leg, looking for a takedown. Wahl pushes down on Ferguson's head and hops out.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Ferguson is defended easily by Wahl .
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Isaiah Ferguson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ferguson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Ferguson is breathing heavily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Wahl darts in and clinches Ferguson up against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ferguson is trying to maintain a safe position but Wahl gets an underhook and turns Ferguson into the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but George Wahl will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Wahl drives through with a takedown into guard.
Wahl postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Wahl trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Wahl is sitting in close to Ferguson's body. Ferguson has gone for a guillotine from the bottom. Oh damn, that looks pretty tight! Wahl is panicking - it looks like this one could be all over! Yes, Wahl is tapping! That was a very nice submission by Ferguson.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:34 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Isaiah Ferguson!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
100%

Main event

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between bj Ferguson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cody Montgomery (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). bj Ferguson has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Ferguson
vs
Montgomery

164 cm
29
135 lbs
9 - 6 - 0

172 cm
18
136 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, bj Ferguson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Cody Montgomery!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Tiny Johnson and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ferguson lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

Ferguson shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Montgomery trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Ferguson controlling the position easily from mount.
Ferguson's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

Ferguson working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Ferguson sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ferguson is working for a guillotine from mount but Montgomery frees his head quite easily.
Ferguson controlling from the full mount.
Ferguson lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Montgomery is working to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ferguson with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Ferguson controlling his opponent.
Ferguson working the ground and pound effectively.
Ferguson sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Montgomery really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Ferguson controlling from the full mount.

Ferguson is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Montgomery is surviving well by controlling Ferguson's body position as best he can.

Ferguson stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
Montgomery misses with a series of wild punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Montgomery shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Ferguson but Ferguson pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Ferguson clinches.

Ferguson pulls guard successfully.
Ferguson is pulling down on Montgomery's head to control his posture.
Ferguson manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Montgomery manages to get himself to full guard.
Montgomery trying to keep a closed guard but Ferguson is proving a slippery customer.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ferguson content to stall in guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

bj Ferguson dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Ferguson has taken the fight to the clinch.

Ferguson ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Ferguson no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ferguson is pulling down on Montgomery's head. It's preventing any offense from Montgomery, at least for the moment.
Ferguson keeping moving, preventing Montgomery from controlling successfully.
Ferguson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Montgomery is one step ahead there.
Montgomery looking to sit in guard and control but Ferguson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Montgomery working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Ferguson has passed into half guard!
Ferguson seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

Ferguson 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.
Ferguson works his foot free and advances to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Montgomery?
Montgomery is looking to improve his position but Ferguson isn't that keen on the idea.

Ferguson working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Ferguson controlling his opponent.
bj Ferguson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Montgomery tries to hold on but Ferguson pushes him away.
Ferguson controlling the pace for now.
Montgomery is working to get back to half guard.
Ferguson controlling from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Montgomery takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Ferguson controlling from mount.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ferguson with the ground and pound from mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

bj Ferguson dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Montgomery tries to clinch up

and Ferguson counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Montgomery's guard now.
Ferguson postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Montgomery is trying to control the position but Ferguson postures up.
Ferguson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Montgomery can do to turn this around?
Montgomery wants to stand and escape but Ferguson is having none of it.
Ferguson slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Montgomery being controlled for a moment.
Montgomery tries to control but end up mounted... ooooh, that's bad.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ferguson looking to control and managing it successfully.
Ferguson in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Ferguson controlling the pace for now.
Ferguson scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Montgomery?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson is in the full mount, landing strikes.

Montgomery is rocked!
Ferguson controlling from the full mount.
Montgomery is still in real trouble! Can Ferguson finish him?
Montgomery wants to try and get back to his feet.
Ferguson landing strikes, looking to finish!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ferguson unloads with some vicious shots from mount and Montgomery wants out - he looks towards the referee who steps in to save him! Ferguson celebrates on the cage and the crowd goes wild!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:44 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). bj Ferguson!
bj Ferguson retains his bantamweight title!
Post fight, an emotional bj Ferguson said 'This was a good fight. Can't wait for my next obstacle. (10-6)'.