PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Anton Altair (ranked 1655 p4p, 82 weight class) and Ricardo Monteban (ranked 1942 p4p, 90 weight class). Altair kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Bran's freestyle . Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Altair
vs
Monteban

180 cm
32
141 lbs
18 - 11 - 0

165 cm
39
148 lbs
35 - 27 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Power Matrix Nutrition

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 18 - 11 - 0, fighting out of London, Anton Altair!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 35 - 27 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ricardo Monteban!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Monteban gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Monteban ties up his opponent against the ropes and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Monteban no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Monteban seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

Altair got a little sloppy there for a moment and Monteban has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Altair has managed to get both his arms back between Monteban's legs - danger averted.
Altair has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Monteban is proving hard to escape from.
Altair really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Altair stands up from Monteban's guard - Altair perhaps looking for a knockout.
Altair uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Monteban.
Monteban displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Altair throws out the jab.
Monteban tries a quick counter leg kick but Altair is wise to it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Monteban with a lazy takedown attempt
and Altair counters with a slapping leg kick.
Good exchange - Altair coming out on top.
Monteban tries a low kick but Altair avoids it.
Nice body punch from Monteban.
Anton Altair seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A solid leg kick lands there for Altair.
Altair pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Monteban throws out a counter right but Altair avoids it with no problem.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Monteban lands a hook that snaps the head of Altair backwards.
Monteban can't find room to land a body shot as Altair controls the action.
Monteban tries to score a body lock takedown but Altair shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Altair misses with a hook from the clinch.
Altair working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Monteban blocking some punches.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Monteban as Altair tries to tie him up.

Monteban gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Altair regains guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Monteban stops Altair from standing up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Monteban throws a strike but Altair rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Monteban is looking to sweep but instead, Altair has passed into half guard.
Altair tries to stand but can't do so whilst Monteban controls his leg.
Monteban is looking to control Altair's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Monteban avoid being mounted?
Monteban gets back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Monteban is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Altair wanted to stand there but Monteban had control of the position.

Monteban isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Altair stacks Monteban on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Altair!
Monteban can't do much from the bottom here.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

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.
Monteban manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Monteban is trying to control but can't.

Altair decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Altair lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Monteban slips under a jab from Altair.
Altair throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Altair throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Monteban shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Altair as he jumps to the side.
Anton Altair has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ricardo Monteban.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Monteban jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Monteban jabbing away but nothing is landing.
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 Anton Altair will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

A combination from Altair does no damage.
Good exchange - Altair coming out on top.
Altair stuffs the takedown.
Altair throws a nice head kick!
Monteban misses with an uppercut.
Anton Altair is winning the standup battle so far.
Altair throws a head kick but Monteban moves out of range.
Altair is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Monteban can do to turn this around?
Altair pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Monteban takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Altair moves away from the strike by Monteban.
Altair throws a nice looking combination but Monteban bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Altair throws a hook to the side of Monteban's head but Monteban sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Altair cracks Monteban with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
A combination from Altair does no damage.
Monteban blocks a leg kick.
Altair ducks under a wild hook from Monteban.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Altair clinches up with Monteban and pushes him back against the ropes.
Altair lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Monteban blocks a body shot from Altair.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Altair scores with a hook to the body.
Altair misses with a punch to the body.
Monteban lands with a right to the head.
Monteban drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Altair gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Monteban has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Altair avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Anton Altair has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ricardo Monteban.
Altair misses with a punch to the body.
Monteban has a couple of punches blocked by Altair.
Altair lands a body punch.
Altair lands an uppercut.
Monteban lands an uppercut.
Altair blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Altair working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Monteban looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
A short left from Altair.
Altair tries a body shot but Monteban blocks it.
Anton Altair has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Monteban blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Altair prevents the takedown attempt.
Altair lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Monteban scores with an uppercut up the middle.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Monteban is looking to control Altair's arms but Altair gets an underhook and turns him. Now Monteban has his back to the ropes.
Altair scores with a shot to the side of Monteban's head.
Monteban trying to control the position but instead, Altair has worked for underhooks and has pushed Monteban into the ropes.
Monteban lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Altair goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Altair lands a right hand that snaps the head of Monteban backwards.
Monteban blocks an uppercut.

Monteban manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Monteban looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Altair gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Altair lands a head kick!
Monteban is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Monteban tries a low kick but Altair avoids it.
Altair throws a quick counter head kick but Monteban was just out of range.

Monteban gets a clinch.

Monteban escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A telegraphed right hand from Monteban misses the target.
Altair throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Monteban.
Altair looks to score with a jab to the body but Monteban is just out of range.
Monteban throws a nice outside leg kick.
The fighters circling - Monteban throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Monteban on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Altair scores with a sloppy right hand. Monteban should have avoided that one.
Altair is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Altair looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Monteban throws a chopping leg kick but Altair manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
A slow jab from Monteban misses its intended target.
Altair works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Monteban looks to throw a body kick
and Altair counters with an outside leg kick.
Altair lands a high kick!

Monteban fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Altair, pushing him back against the ropes.
Monteban lands a nice uppercut.
Altair tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Altair is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Altair swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Monteban has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Altair is trying to keep an underhook but Monteban manages to get the takedown into half guard.

Altair makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Altair fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Monteban.
Altair loads up on a big right hand but Monteban slips the punch.
Monteban takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Altair looks to land a left hand but Monteban moved out of range nicely.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Altair is looking to chop away at Monteban's legs.
Monteban tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Altair was well out of range. Poor timing from Monteban.
Altair tried to counter with a leg kick but Monteban avoided it.
Altair throws a leg kick but Monteban checks it.
Monteban drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Altair defends it well.
Monteban shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Altair defends it nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anton Altair dominated that second round.
That's time! Altair's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!

Altair lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Monteban tries for a takedown but Altair circles away easily
and Altair counters with a nice leg kick.
Good shot there by Altair.
Altair throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Monteban.
Altair throws a nice looking combination but Monteban bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Monteban fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Altair connects with an inside leg kick.
Altair throws a head kick that misses.
Altair looks to land a left hand but Monteban moved out of range nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A slow jab from Monteban misses its intended target.
Altair appears to be looking for a big counter.
Monteban fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Altair connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Monteban momentarily.
Monteban misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Altair.

Monteban moves into range and clinches up with Altair.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Monteban is trying to pull guard but Altair has him pressed against the ropes.
Monteban lands a right hand that snaps the head of Altair backwards.
Nice body punch from Altair.
Altair struggles to land a body shot inside as Monteban controls his hands.
Altair working aggressively here.
Altair lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Monteban backwards.
Monteban wants a takedown.
Anton Altair has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ricardo Monteban.
Monteban is looking to control Altair's arms but Altair gets an underhook and turns him. Now Monteban has his back to the ropes.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Altair.
Altair misses with a body punch.
Altair scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Monteban being controlled against the ropes.
Altair takes a shot to the head.
Altair can't find room to land a body shot as Monteban controls the action.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Altair throws a right hand that Monteban ducks under and follows up with a left that Monteban also avoids with ease.
Altair cracks the inside of Monteban's front leg.
Monteban stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Altair.
Monteban shoots in but Altair avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Monteban rushes Altair and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Altair lands an uppercut.
Monteban blocks a body shot from Altair.
Monteban tries a body shot but Altair blocks it.
Monteban goes for a takedown in the clinch but Altair prevents it.
Monteban's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Altair misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Monteban looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Ricardo Monteban has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Monteban blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Altair misses with a hook from the clinch.
Monteban throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Altair.
Altair misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Altair misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A left hand lands to the body for Altair.
Monteban blocks a body shot from Altair.
Altair swings wildly with an uppercut but Monteban uses good head movement to avoid it.
Monteban jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Altair walks away with a smile on his face. Monteban gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Altair tests Monteban's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Monteban throws a left and a right that both miss
and Altair counters with a nice leg kick.
Monteban stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Altair.
Altair keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Anton Altair is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Altair avoids a kick to the body.

Altair clinches with his opponent.

Monteban has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Altair uses from the top position.

Altair gets to his feet. Monteban looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Nice takedown defense from Altair. No joy for Monteban on that attempt.
Anton Altair is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Monteban takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Altair. Those never looked like landing.
Monteban avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Monteban takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A decent looking cross lands there for Altair.
Monteban throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Monteban attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
That kick from Altair tenderised Monteban's leg. Monteban is trying to keep his angry face on.

Altair gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Monteban manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Monteban can't find room to land a body shot as Altair controls the action.
Monteban taking a breather.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Altair.

And that's the end of the fight!
Anton Altair showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Altair 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anton Altair!
Anton Altair spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.