PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Yasegawa Masaki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andre Moraes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Masaki
vs
Moraes

174 cm
19
167 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

179 cm
20
190 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Yasegawa Masaki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Andre Moraes!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Summer Carpenter and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

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

Moraes is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Masaki pulls his head out easily.
Moraes wants to improve his position but Masaki is controlling well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Moraes actively working from the bottom here.

Moraes looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Moraes actively working from the bottom here.

Moraes actively working from the bottom here.
Moraes is pressing down on Masaki's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Moraes looks gassed!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Masaki passes Moraes's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Masaki performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Masaki wants to free his trapped foot but Moraes is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Moraes trying to control but Masaki postures up.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Masaki in particular looking to stall.
Masaki is thwarting Moraes's attempts to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Moraes actively working from the bottom here.
Masaki sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Masaki is looking to advance position but Moraes won't allow it.
Masaki is controlling the pace.
Masaki looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masaki stalling.
Moraes is looking for a sweep. Masaki is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Moraes is trying to maintain the position but Masaki is very close to passing his half guard.

Moraes looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Moraes trying to control from the bottom.
Moraes won't allow Masaki to pass to mount.

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

Moraes gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Moraes looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Masaki not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Masaki's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yasegawa Masaki dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Moraes with a lazy takedown attempt

and Masaki counters with a single leg into guard. Moraes didn't expect that.
Masaki advances to half guard.
Moraes is trying to maintain the position but Masaki is very close to passing his half guard.
Masaki slows the pace down in half guard.
Masaki stops Moraes from getting back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Moraes trying to control here.
Masaki knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Moraes on the ground.
Still in half guard, Masaki seems content to control.
Moraes wants to control but Masaki is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Masaki trying to control the pace.

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

Masaki shoots in and bounces Moraes off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Masaki controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Moraes wants to improve his position but instead Masaki has moved into half guard.
Moraes trying to control here.
Masaki trying to pass the guard but Moraes defending well.
Moraes is staying active underneath Masaki, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Masaki stalling.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Moraes looking for submissions off his back.
Moraes trying to control from the bottom.
Moraes moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Moraes is breathing heavily.
Moraes not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Masaki trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Moraes controls Masaki momentarily but Masaki frees himself.
Masaki is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Moraes escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Masaki gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Moraes working for a triangle but Masaki defends it easily.
Moraes not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yasegawa Masaki dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Masaki changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Moraes looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Moraes tries to control but Masaki manages to take his back.
Masaki keeps control of the position as Moraes tries to break free.
Masaki looking to soften up his opponent with punches.
Masaki has the hooks in. Moraes is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Moraes is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Masaki has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Moraes's body.
Moraes wants to control his opponent's hands but Masaki gets his hands free.
Moraes takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Moraes is taking damage to the body and head.
Masaki 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.
Moraes holding both Masaki 's hands and preventing any damage.
I really don't envy Moraes right now.
Masaki doesn't have the hooks in and Moraes manages to turn into his guard.
Moraes tries to free his leg and advance position but Masaki is retaining full guard.
Masaki tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Yasegawa Masaki is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

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

Masaki closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Masaki lands in his opponent's guard.
Moraes controls Masaki momentarily but Masaki frees himself.
Masaki stands and throws Moraes's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Masaki is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Moraes's shoulder. That is not cool.
Moraes is looking for a sweep.
Masaki tries to move to mount but Moraes blocks the move with his legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masaki is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Moraes's shoulder. That is not cool.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Masaki here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Moraes is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Masaki takes a little break here. Moraes wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.

That's four 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.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Yasegawa Masaki.
Masaki has his takedown stuffed
and Moraes counters with a lovely straight right hand!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Masaki drives through with a takedown into guard.
Andre Moraes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Masaki avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yasegawa Masaki showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Masaki, 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 Hugh Johnson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yasegawa Masaki!