PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kurt Angle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mustafa Masad (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Angle
vs
Masad

194 cm
22
255 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

202 cm
23
280 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
KO power

Dangerous GnP
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Kurt Angle!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Mustafa Masad!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Winston Howard and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Angle gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Angle successfully pulls guard.
Masad trying to control the position from guard on top but Angle is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Angle has his hands on Masad's head, controlling the position.
Angle keeping moving, preventing Masad from controlling successfully.
Angle seems keen to control Masad's posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Angle is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Masad defends well.
Masad trying to control but Angle is working from the bottom.
Angle wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Kurt Angle.

Angle has Masad up against the cage in a clinch.
Masad takes a shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Angle gets underhooks to prevent Masad's takedown attempt.

Masad gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Angle regains guard.

Masad is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Angle keeping moving, preventing Masad from controlling successfully.
Masad must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Masad wants to pass the guard but Angle is keeping the position.
Angle controlling the position.
Angle trying to keep a closed guard but Masad is proving a slippery customer.
Angle is pulling down on Masad's head. It's preventing any offense from Masad, at least for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Angle has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Masad trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Angle managing to control the position.
Masad trying to control the position from guard on top but Angle is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Masad is fighting to break Angle's control of his arms but Angle is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Kurt Angle.

Angle has Masad up against the cage in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Angle breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Angle is looking to clinch but Masad is avoiding it.
Angle tries to clinch but Masad moves out of range.

Angle gets caught flat footed, as Masad shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Angle working a defensive guard here.

Masad thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Angle has Masad pulled in close to control his posture.
Masad trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Angle has his hands on Masad's head, controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kurt Angle dominated that round.
That's time! Angle's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Masad avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Masad.

Angle shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Masad actively working from the bottom here.
Angle performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Masad keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Angle keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Angle throwing shots but Masad is blocking nicely.
Masad trying to control but Angle postures up.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Angle here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Angle is pressing down on Masad's thigh, looking to free his foot. Masad is holding on for now.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Angle clinches with his opponent.
Angle throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Masads head.
Angle digs a right hand into Masad's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Masad's gas tank.
Angle cracks Masad with a nice body shot.
Masad is breathing heavily.

Angle has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Masad clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Angle slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Masad just trying to survive but Angle is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.

Angle has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Angle controlling the position well here. Masad rolled but Angle kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Masad looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good control from Angle.
I really don't envy Masad right now.
Angle has good solid back control here.
Masad trying to control the position but Angle manages to sink in the hooks.
Angle biding his time, looking for the opening.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Can Masad hold on?! Angle is landing more strikes to his hapless foe.
Masad trying to control the position but Angle manages to sink in the hooks.
Good control from Angle.
Masad trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.

Masad fending off the submission attempt from Angle.

Angle is looking for the choke from the back position but Masad is controlling his hands well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kurt Angle dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Angle with a lazy takedown attempt

and Masad counters with a single leg into guard. Angle didn't expect that.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Kurt Angle.
Masad shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Angle defends it nicely.
Masad circles away from the clinch attempt

and Masad counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Masad.

Masad drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Masad jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Angle looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Masad wants to pass the guard but Angle is keeping the position.
Angle pulls Masad in close to prevent any damage.
Masad trying to control the position from guard on top but Angle is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Angle looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Angle keeping moving, preventing Masad from controlling successfully.
Angle is trying to control the position but Masad postures up.

Masad is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Angle is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

Angle throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's two 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.
Masad being controlled here momentarily.

Angle is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Angle is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Masad wants to control from the top but Angle keeps moving.
Kurt Angle is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Angle is pulling down on Masad's head to control his posture.

Masad drops back looking for a leg! Angle is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Angle manages to kick Masad off! Masad jumps back into Angle's guard.
Angle pulls Masad in to control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Kurt Angle.

Angle gets a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Angle digs a right hand into Masad's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Masad's gas tank.
Angle gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Masad.

Angle lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Angle trying to control the pace.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mustafa Masad.
Well Angle 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 Skip Squint scores the fight 30:28
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 30:26
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kurt Angle!