PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rafael Cortez (ranked 3031 p4p, 0 weight class) and Monsun Moon (ranked 3530 p4p, 0 weight class). Cortez comes into the arena with Wake Me Up blaring out of the sound system. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Cortez
vs
Moon

183 cm
37
219 lbs
18 - 19 - 0

195 cm
40
206 lbs
27 - 17 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Rafael Cortez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Monsun Moon!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Moon rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Cortez moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A jab from Moon misses.
A combination from Moon does no damage.
Rafael Cortez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Moon throws a right and a left that Cortez avoids nicely.
Moon throws a right and a left that both miss.
Moon with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Cortez takes a swing at Moon's ribcage but misses.
And Moon tries to counter it with a takedown but Cortez pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Moon moves forwards but Cortez connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Cortez walks into a straight right hand from Moon.
Moon lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Nice body punch from Cortez.
Cortez shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Cortez scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cortez swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Cortez scores with a head kick.
Cortez tries to clinch but Moon moves out of range.

Moon decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Moon tries to pass the half guard into mount. Cortez knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Cortez has a hand on Moon's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Moon takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cortez wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Moon.
Cortez wants to hold on but Moon pushes him away.

Moon looking for a guillotine from mount but Cortez is having none of it.

Moon goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Cortez turns into him and now he's in Moon's guard.
Cortez trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Cortez stopping the sweep attempt from Moon.
Cortez loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Moon is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Cortez might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Moon pulls Cortez in close to his closed guard and prevents Cortez from doing any damage or advancing position.
Cortez passes into half guard.
Cortez is trying to control the action in half guard but Moon is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Moon has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Cortez is working away from the top position though.
Moon is trying to stand back up but Cortez is controlling him
Moon is trying to control but can't.
Moon keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Cortez controlling the action here.
Moon moves into full guard.
Moon wants to sweep here but Cortez controlling him for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cortez tries to free his leg and advance position but Moon is retaining full guard.
Moon wants to stand up but Cortez is controlling him.

Moon working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Cortez doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Cortez manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Moon manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Cortez manages to get himself to full guard.

Moon trying to control the position from guard on top but Cortez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cortez wants to sweep here but Moon controlling him for the moment.
Cortez wants to get back to his feet but Moon is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cortez avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Cortez seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

Moon drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Moon jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Moon lands a couple of digs.
Moon throws a strike but Cortez rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Moon is pulling down on Cortez's head to control his posture.
Cortez trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Moon pulls Cortez in close to his closed guard and prevents Cortez from doing any damage or advancing position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Monsun Moon will probably get the nod.
That's time! Cortez's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Cortez fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Moon misses with a straight right.
Jab by Moon.
Cortez lands a jab to the head.
Cortez throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A head kick misses from Moon.
Moon swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Moon takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Moon looks to land a combination but Cortez avoids it well.
Moon misses with a wild body shot.
Moon tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cortez was well out of range. Poor timing from Moon.
Cortez tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Moon was well out of range. Poor timing from Cortez.
A looping hook to the body misses from Moon. Cortez does a little dance to reset his feet.

Moon shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Cortez's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Moon throwing strikes but missing.
Moon lands a couple of elbows.

Cortez is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Moon wants to control from the top but Cortez keeps moving.
Moon content to stall in guard here.
Moon is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Cortez looking for a sweep. Not yet Cortez, not yet.
Moon looking to pass the guard.
Moon throws a big elbow that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Moon throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Cortez works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Moon throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Cortez wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Moon is in close to Cortez's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Moon wants to control from the top but Cortez keeps moving.
Moon makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Cortez looking to hit a scissor sweep but Moon is one step ahead there.
Moon throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cortez motions for Moon to come forward. Cortez throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Cortez scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Cortez throws a combination. Moon tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Cortez throws a combination that misses

so Moon counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Moon engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Cortez looking to hit a scissor sweep but Moon is one step ahead there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Moon postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Moon trying to control but Cortez is working from the bottom.
Cortez wants to get back to his feet but Moon is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cortez keeping full guard, as Moon tries to pass.
Moon wants to control from the top but Cortez keeps moving.
Moon advances to half guard.

Moon is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Cortez defends it well.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cortez is staying active underneath Moon, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Cortez is trying to control but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Monsun Moon showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Cortez throws an overhand right that lands on Moon's shoulder, as Moon tries to avoid the shot.
Cortez throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Moon throws a counter combo.
A slapping leg kick lands for Cortez.
Cortez looks to land a right hand but Moon moved out of range.
Cortez misses with a body kick.
It seemed like Moon was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Moon has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Moon there as he acknowledges the shot.

Moon decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Cortez regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Moon.

Moon drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Moon jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Moon is looking to stand up but Cortez won't let him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cortez utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Monsun Moon has got the better of the ground game so far.
Cortez has Moon pulled in close to control his posture.
Cortez has a closed guard, preventing Moon from standing up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cortez is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Moon is controlling him.
Moon trying to control but Cortez is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Moon lands a head kick. Cortez smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Moon throws a head kick but Cortez moves out of range.
Cortez throws a head kick that misses.
Moon throws an overhand right that lands on Cortez's shoulder, as Cortez tries to avoid the shot.
Moon takes a swing at Cortez's ribcage but misses.
Moon throws a body shot but no joy.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Cortez.
Cortez misses with a low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cortez throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Cortez walks into a left hand.
Moon looks to land a right hand but Cortez moved out of range.
Cortez scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Rafael Cortez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cortez swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Moon changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Cortez takes a swing at Moon's ribcage but misses.
Moon checks a low kick from Cortez.
Cortez fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Moon has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
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!
Moon misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Rafael Cortez is winning the standup battle so far.
Moon avoids a punch combination nicely.
Cortez connects with a leg kick. Moon looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Cortez ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Moon moves away.
Moon uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Cortez.
Moon misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Moon throws a body shot but no joy.
Cortez misses with a straight right.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cortez misses with a wild body shot.
Moon misses with a looping right.
Cortez misses with a low kick.
Cortez uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Moon.
Cortez misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Cortez connects with a single shot there.
Donk. Moon catches Cortez right on the button with a cross.
Moon blocks a low kick nicely.
Cortez connects with a high kick.
Rafael Cortez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Moon misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cortez.
Moon throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Moon misses with a jab, cross combination.
Moon darts in looking for a takedown but Cortez gets double underhooks and turns Moon into the cage.
Cortez cracks the inside of Moon's front leg.
Cortez ducks under a wild hook from Moon.
Cortez looks to land a right hand but Moon moved out of range.
Cortez throws a solid leg kick but Moon takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Cortez.
And Moon tries to counter it with a takedown but Cortez pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Cortez misses with a double jab
and Moon counters with a lovely shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cortez throws a leg kick but Moon sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Moon rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Cortez moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Cortez misses with an uppercut.
A looping hook to the body misses from Moon. Cortez does a little dance to reset his feet.
Moon lands a glancing blow to the side of Cortez's head.
Moon uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Cortez.
Cortez takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Moon swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Cortez has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Moon finds it's way round the side to connect with Cortez's head.
Cortez throws a left and a right that both miss
and Moon counters with a stiff right hand.
Moon is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Moon tries to bum rush Cortez with a series of wild strikes but Cortez uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Rafael Cortez is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Moon moves away from the strike by Cortez.
Moon lands with a good body shot.
Moon has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Moon takes a kick to the side of the head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cortez is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Moon.
Moon sizes up Cortez with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

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 Rafael Cortez.
I think Moon 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 Shigeki Sano scores the fight 28:30
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 28:30
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Monsun Moon!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Monsun Moon waved his t-shirt featuring Sun-Tzu's logo in front of the cameras.