PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Marco Mo (ranked 2463 p4p, 1640 weight class) and Davide Fontolan (ranked 178 p4p, 123 weight class). Marco Mo had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 136.4lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Mo
vs
Fontolan

170 cm
22
148
5 - 3 - 0

163 cm
24
146
5 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Insanely flexible

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
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 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Marco Mo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Davide Fontolan!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Anni Minnemäki and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Donk. Mo catches Fontolan right on the button with a cross.
Mo throws a leg kick but Fontolan moved away.
Mo fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Fontolan has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Mo throws a nice outside leg kick.
A slow jab from Mo misses its intended target.
Mo blocks a low kick nicely.
A decent looking cross lands there for Mo.
Mo tries a head kick but it misses.
Mo tries to land a leg kick but Fontolan saw it coming and moves away.
A head kick misses from Mo.
Mo tries to clinch but Fontolan moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Fontolan shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mo avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Fontolan.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fontolan throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Mo is trying to stand up here but Fontolan is controlling him well.
Fontolan throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Fontolan throwing shots but Mo is blocking nicely.

Fontolan is trying to work for a kimura but Mo is defending well.
Fontolan throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Fontolan is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Fontolan not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Fontolan is controlling the pace.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mo keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Mo taking some punishment here, with Fontolan in his half guard.
Fontolan wants to take a breather but Mo is having none of it.
Fontolan looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mo blocking the ground and pound attempt from Fontolan.

Fontolan is looking for a kimura but Mo is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Fontolan to get the leverage.
Fontolan trying to control from Mo's half guard. Mo has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Fontolan trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Fontolan missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Mo throws an overhand right that lands on Fontolan's shoulder, as Fontolan tries to avoid the shot.
Fontolan closes the distance and clinches up with Mo, looking for a takedown. Fontolan pushes Mo against the cage but Mo circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Mo thows a left - swing and a miss!
Fontolan tries to score a power double leg takedown but Mo sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Fontolan somewhat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fontolan moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Mo throws a hook to the side of Fontolan's head but Fontolan sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Fontolan shoots in looking for a takedown. Mo tries to sprawl out of it but Fontolan keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Mo manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Marco Mo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Davide Fontolan.
Mo throws a hook but Fontolan avoids it easily.
Fontolan now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Fontolan shoots in for a takedown but Mo shows good takedown defense.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mo thows a left - swing and a miss!
Fontolan shoots in looking for a takedown but Mo manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Fontolan's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Fontolan takes a jab right on the kisser.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Marco Mo dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Fontolan shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Mo's guard.
Fontolan loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Mo is looking to stand up but Fontolan isn't so interested in that idea.
Mo utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Fontolan is looking to work some ground and pound but Mo has wrist control.
Fontolan postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fontolan missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Fontolan accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Fontolan throws a strike but Mo rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Fontolan is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fontolan wants to sweep here but Mo controlling him for the moment.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Fontolan uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Mo.
Mo loads up on a big right hand but Fontolan slips the punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Mo attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Fontolan shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Mo as he jumps to the side.
Marco Mo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Fontolan blocks a head kick by Mo.
Marco Mo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fontolan cracks Mo with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Fontolan looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Fontolan staying out of range there.
Mo misses with a straight left.
Mo cracks Fontolan with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Marco Mo is winning the standup battle so far.

Fontolan drives through with a takedown into guard.
Fontolan missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mo preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Fontolan throws a strike but Mo rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Fontolan wants to stand and escape but Mo is having none of it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Mo with a nice calf kick.
We've been told by Mo's head coaches at Hey Steves Fight Shack that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Mo throws a hook but Fontolan avoids it easily.
Fontolan is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Mo misses with a few strikes there.
Mo cracks Fontolan with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Mo misses with a looping right.

Fontolan throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Mo tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Fontolan is in Mo's guard.
Fontolan's corner is telling him to maintain position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Fontolan wants to control from the top but Mo keeps moving.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Mo throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Fontolan sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Fontolan is looking for the big counter here.
Marco Mo is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Mo throws a quick inside leg kick.
Fontolan fails with a takedown attempt.
Fontolan slips under a jab.
Mo lands with a thumping leg kick.
Nice shot by Mo.
Fontolan shoots in for a double leg but Mo sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
And Mo counters with a quick kick to the body but Fontolan blocks it.
Fontolan takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fontolan ducks under a wild hook from Mo.
Mo wants to clinch
and Fontolan counters with a one-two to the body.
Mo swings away with a leg kick that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mo scores with a jab. Fontolan acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Davide Fontolan is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A leg kick checked by Fontolan.
Mo missing with a left hand there. Fontolan was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Fontolan slips a jab from Mo.
Nice defenses there by Fontolan.

Fontolan closes the distance and pushes Mo back into the cage.
Fontolan goes for a takedown attempt but Mo pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Marco Mo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Davide Fontolan.
Fontolan slips under a jab from Mo.
Fontolan looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Mo throws a looping overhand right but Fontolan ducks down to avoid it.

Fontolan closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Mo dodges the ground and pound from Fontolan.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fontolan wants to take a breather but Mo manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Fontolan.
Fontolan throws a big right hand that misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Fontolan content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Fontolan throws a strike but Mo rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

This has been an exciting period of action!
Mo won't allow Fontolan to get back to his feet.
Mo trying to stand up but can't free himself from Fontolan's guard.
Davide Fontolan has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fontolan wants to stand but Mo is controlling the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Fontolan fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Mo sprawls well initially but Fontolan persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fontolan is looking to take a break and control but Mo is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Mo tries to kick Fontolan off but Fontolan keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Fontolan missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Well, if Fontolan is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Fontolan landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Davide Fontolan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mo blocking the ground and pound attempt from Fontolan.
Fontolan not landing any meaningful shots this time.

And that's the end of the fight!
Marco Mo showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Mo, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 30:27
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marco Mo!
Our winner, Marco Mo, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.