PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Steve Begin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Taka Masahuku (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Begin comes to the cage accompanied by Kid rock, American Badass. Masahuku has chosen Saltarello by Dead Can Dance as his entrance music. Both fighters really staring eachother down here, as Taka Masahuku enters the cage!

Begin
vs
Masahuku

182 cm
24
225 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

175 cm
24
275 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Powerful

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 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Steve Begin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Taka Masahuku!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Yves DeLean and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Masahuku avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Masahuku closes the distance and pushes Begin back into the cage.
Masahuku keeps control of Begin as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Begin wants to break the clinch but can't.
Begin is looking to break free of the clinch but Masahuku has double underhooks.
Begin trying to stall but Masahuku improves his position.
Masahuku keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Begin's efforts to push away.
Begin wants to break the clinch but can't.
Masahuku stalls.
Begin has had enough of the clinch but Masahuku keeps him there for the moment.
Masahuku tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Begin wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Begin wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Masahuku has him pressed against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Begin tries to circle away but Masahuku has him pinned against the cage.

Masahuku gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Masahuku passes into half guard.
Masahuku trying to mount his opponent but Begin defends it.
Masahuku wants to take a breather but Begin is having none of it.
Begin is in trouble now - Masahuku has advanced to mount!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Masahuku looking to control but Begin is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Begin is desperately trying to improve his position but Masahuku has a good base and remains in mount.

Masahuku is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Begin has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Masahuku takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Masahuku can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Begin is looking to escape.

Masahuku working for a guillotine from mount but Begin is in no mood to give up.
Begin is in all sorts of trouble here.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Begin bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Masahuku wants to sweep here but Begin controlling him for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Begin working some strikes from top position.
Masahuku looking to hit a scissor sweep but Begin is one step ahead there.
Begin trying to control but Masahuku is working from the bottom.

Masahuku looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Begin with a flurry of punches that miss.
Masahuku utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Masahuku is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Begin stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Masahuku swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Masahuku bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Begin's guard.
Masahuku passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Begin tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Masahuku wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masahuku postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Masahuku working away.

Masahuku is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Begin has escaped the position, nice work there.

Masahuku tries for a kimura but Begin is defending well.
Masahuku looks gassed!
Begin tries to improve position but can't.

Masahuku tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Masahuku has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Masahuku is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Begin has escaped the position, nice work there.
Begin is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Masahuku off and has taken his back!
Begin scores with strikes from the back.
Begin thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Begin throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.
Begin trying to control.
Begin somehow managing to miss with a strike from the back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Begin is punishing Masahuku with strikes - can he finish him?!
Begin connects with a big shot to the side of Masahuku's head.
Begin doesn't have the hooks in and Masahuku manages to turn into his guard.
Begin keeping full guard, as Masahuku tries to pass.
Masahuku trying to control but Begin is working from the bottom.

Begin looking for a guillotine here but Masahuku defends easily.
Begin trying to control the position.
Begin looking for a sweep. Not yet Begin, not yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Taka Masahuku dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Masahuku moves into the clinch successfully.
Masahuku keeps control of Begin as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Begin wants to break the clinch but can't.
Begin has had enough of the clinch but Masahuku keeps him there for the moment.
Begin looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Begin is trying to force a seperation but Masahuku has the dominant position.

Masahuku drags the fight down to the ground.
Begin landing some decent shots from guard.
Masahuku is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Begin has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Begin postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Begin wants to pass the guard but Masahuku is keeping the position.
Begin stopping the sweep attempt from Masahuku.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Begin looking to pass the guard.
Masahuku trying to keep a closed guard but Begin is proving a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Begin got a little sloppy there for a moment and Masahuku has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Begin has managed to get both his arms back between Masahuku's legs - danger averted.
Begin wants to control from the top but Masahuku keeps moving.
Masahuku is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Masahuku keeping moving, preventing Begin from controlling successfully.
Masahuku trying to control the position.
Masahuku has Begin pulled in close to control his posture.
Masahuku is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Begin tries to free his leg and advance position but Masahuku is retaining full guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Begin lands with a shot to the body.
Masahuku slips a jab and a cross from Begin.
Masahuku slips a jab from Begin.
Begin throws a shot from downtown. Masahuku moves away and avoids it.
Begin throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Begin misses with the combination.
Masahuku avoids the head kick by Begin.
A combination from Begin does no damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Begin throws a leg kick but Masahuku moved away.
Masahuku moves in looking to clinch but Begin pushes him off.
Begin misses with a head kick.

Masahuku closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Masahuku lands in his opponent's guard.
Begin controls Masahuku momentarily but Masahuku frees himself.

Masahuku thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Masahuku's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Masahuku postures up.

Begin looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Begin working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Masahuku.
Masahuku stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Begin swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Masahuku checks a leg kick.

Masahuku scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Begin trying to control but Masahuku postures up.
Masahuku wants to control but Begin is keeping him busy.
Begin trying to hold on to Masahuku's head to control him but Masahuku postures up.
Begin throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Masahuku wants to take a breather but Begin is having none of it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Masahuku looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

Masahuku is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Begin is pressing down on Masahuku's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Taka Masahuku showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Begin scores with a one two! Masahuku had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Masahuku is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Masahuku blocks a jab.
A big right from Begin misses.
Masahuku blocks a jab.
Masahuku slips under a jab from Begin.
Begin throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Masahuku sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Begin misses with a few strikes there.
Begin looks to land a left hand but Masahuku moved out of range nicely.

Masahuku closes the distance and clinches.
Begin wants to get back to striking at distance but Masahuku won't allow it.
Begin is trying to break free.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Masahuku stalls.

Begin manages to break the clinch.
Begin tries to land a front kick but Masahuku steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Begin tried to score with a low kick but Masahuku checks it.
Begin throws a hook but Masahuku avoids it easily.

Masahuku moves into the clinch.
Begin wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Masahuku has him pressed against the cage.
Begin wants to break the clinch but can't.
Begin wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Masahuku has him pressed against the cage.
Begin tries to score a body lock takedown but Masahuku shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Begin wants to get back to striking at distance but Masahuku won't allow it.
Begin working hard to break the clinch.
The referee is keeping an eye on Masahuku - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Begin avoiding damage as Masahuku throws knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Begin wants to break the clinch but can't.
Begin misses with a punch on the inside.
Masahuku blocks an uppercut.
Masahuku dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Begin tries to break the clinch but Masahuku is controlling the position.
Begin looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Begin wants to get back to striking at distance but Masahuku won't allow it.
Begin tries to break free but Masahuku pushes him back against the cage.
Masahuku fails to pull guard.
Begin has had enough of the clinch but Masahuku keeps him there for the moment.

Masahuku decides to pull guard.
Begin trying to control the position from guard on top but Masahuku is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Masahuku looking to control.
Taka Masahuku has got the better of the ground game so far.

Masahuku is looking for a triangle but Begin pushes his legs off easily.

Begin drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Masahuku dives on top into guard.
Steve Begin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Begin looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Masahuku trying to control but Begin is working from the bottom.
Begin wants to sweep here but Masahuku controlling him for the moment.
Taka Masahuku is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Masahuku looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Masahuku preventing the sweep.
Masahuku is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Begin misses with the combination.
Steve Begin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Begin is looking to score with low kicks.
Steve Begin is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Masahuku avoids the head kick by Begin.
Masahuku tries to clinch there but Begin circles away.
Begin misses with the combination.
Begin throws a right hand that Masahuku ducks under and follows up with a left that Masahuku also avoids with ease.
Masahuku fails with an attempt to clinch.

Masahuku closes the distance and clinches.
Begin wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Taka Masahuku.
I've got Masahuku winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Robert Douchet scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Taka Masahuku!