PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ricky Monroe (ranked 1122 p4p, 131 weight class) and Bung Popper (ranked 1604 p4p, 186 weight class). Monroe comes into the arena with Deep Ocean - Island drumming blaring out of the sound system. Popper has chosen Runnin with the Devil as his entrance music. Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Bung Popper enters the cage!

Monroe
vs
Popper

166 cm
30
143 lbs
18 - 12 - 2

168 cm
36
154 lbs
24 - 10 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

KAISER Nutrition - Q160

Sin City Allstars

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 18 - 12 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ricky Monroe!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Bung Popper!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Monroe doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Popper counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Monroe fails with the takedown.

Monroe manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Popper on his heels. He'll look to pass Popper's guard now, I'm sure.
Monroe trying to control the position from guard on top but Popper is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Monroe with a nice head shot there.
Popper wants to sweep but no luck.
Monroe throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Monroe missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Monroe missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Monroe throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Popper works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Popper managing to control the position.
We've been hearing that Monroe has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Monroe throwing strikes but missing.
Monroe is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Monroe makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Monroe landing with the ground and pound.
Monroe postures up in Popper's guard and throws a big left but Popper blocks it.
Monroe distracts Popper with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Monroe throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Monroe accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Monroe has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Monroe distracts Popper with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Popper is trying to control the position but Monroe postures up.
Monroe stops Popper from standing up.
Popper avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Monroe throwing strikes from guard but Popper blocks nicely.
Popper wants to sweep here but Monroe controlling him for the moment.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Monroe landing with the ground and pound.
Popper is trying to control the position but Monroe postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Popper is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Monroe throws a big elbow that misses.
Monroe chips away with some ground and pound.
Monroe throws a big elbow that misses.
Popper wants to stand up but Monroe is controlling him.
Popper utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Popper preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Popper darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Popper has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Monroe is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Donk. Monroe catches Popper right on the button with a cross.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Monroe with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ricky Monroe. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Monroe throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Popper lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Popper.
Popper displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Monroe.
Popper changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Monroe misses with a takedown attempt - Popper sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Sloppy strikes from Popper. Those never looked like landing.
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!
Popper displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Monroe.
Popper doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Monroe tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Popper defends well and Monroe ends up having to push Popper into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
It seemed like Popper was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Monroe fails with a takedown attempt.
Monroe is breathing heavily.
Popper tests Monroe's chin there with a solid looking shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Ricky Monroe will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Popper stuns Monroe with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Popper missing with a left hand there. Monroe was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Monroe walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

Monroe looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Popper!
Monroe prevents Popper from escaping the position.
Monroe scores with punches from side control.
Popper is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Monroe is controlling him well.
You can see the frustration on Popper's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Monroe lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Monroe tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Popper is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Monroe is controlling him well.
Sloppy strikes there by Monroe.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Popper looking for a sweep but Monroe has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Popper squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Popper suckers Monroe into throwing a sloppy strike and uses the momentum to reverse the position beautifully! Popper is now in Monroe's guard!

Popper avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Monroe manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Popper manages to get himself to full guard.

Monroe scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Monroe loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Monroe throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Popper works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Monroe throwing strikes from guard but Popper blocks nicely.
Monroe stopping the sweep attempt from Popper.
Monroe trying to control but Popper is working from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Monroe accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Monroe is in close to Popper's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Monroe stops Popper from standing up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Popper had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Monroe defends it easily.
Popper utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Monroe throws a big elbow that misses.
Popper wants to stand but Monroe is controlling the position.
Popper utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Popper is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Monroe drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Popper keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Monroe doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Popper counters with a straight right hand.
Monroe shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Popper but Popper pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ricky Monroe. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Popper misses with the combination.
Bung Popper is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Monroe decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Popper has one foot on Monroe's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Monroe fails with a takedown attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Popper scores with a jab to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Bung Popper will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Monroe gets a double leg takedown into Popper's guard.
Monroe is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Monroe trying to control the position from guard on top but Popper is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Popper is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Ricky Monroe overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Popper is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Popper moves nicely into side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Popper controlling the position.
Monroe prevents Popper from improving position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Monroe is looking for a sweep.
Monroe manages to get back to half guard.
Popper content to control rather than advance.
Monroe is looking to get back to is feet but Popper passes into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Monroe tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Popper wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Popper advances to full mount.
Popper controlling from mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Monroe throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Monroe tries to reverse the position but Popper maintains control.
Monroe tries to improve his position but instead Popper has taken his back!
Monroe wants to get back to his feet.
Popper has the hooks in. Monroe is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Popper tries to keep control of the position but Monroe is staying busy.
Popper controlling from the back.
Monroe trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Popper really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Monroe.
Monroe trying to control the hands but Popper won't let him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Monroe is keeping busy.
Monroe trying to control the action but Popper just sinks the hooks in.
Monroe is really stuck here.
Monroe looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Monroe wants to escape the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Popper looking for the choke but no joy.
Monroe wants to control his opponent's hands but Popper gets his hands free.
Monroe tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Monroe is looking to improve his position but Popper isn't that keen on the idea.
Popper controlling from mount.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

And that's the end of the fight!
Bung Popper comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Popper 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bung Popper!
Bung Popper bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.