PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gaisafa Masoe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anatoli Valutchko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Masoe comes to the ring accompanied by Bang On by Boo Yaa Tribe. Valutchko has chosen Gimn Sovetskogo Sojuza as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Masoe
vs
Valutchko

177 cm
25
281 lbs
12 - 2 - 0

204 cm
30
295 lbs
17 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Prestige Clothing
Supersize Me

Perkele!
Perkele!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the super heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Gaisafa Masoe!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Anatoli Valutchko!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Masoe throws a front kick aimed at Valutchko's knee but Valutchko avoids it well.
Masoe throws a low kick but Valutchko moves out of range easily.
Valutchko 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.
Masoe misses with a leg kick
and Valutchko counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Masoe attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Masoe scoring well with a low kick there.
Masoe motions for Valutchko to come forward. Masoe throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Masoe tries a low kick but Valutchko avoids it.
Valutchko checks a low kick from Masoe.
Valutchko jabs Masoe to the body, keeping him at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Masoe keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

Valutchko looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Valutchko lands a couple of digs.
Valutchko throwing strikes but missing.
Valutchko has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Masoe wants to sweep but no luck.
Valutchko pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Masoe is keeping the position for now.
Valutchko sitting in guard here, content to control.
Masoe is trying to control the position but Valutchko postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Masoe working a defensive guard but Valutchko passes into half guard.
Valutchko wants to lay and pray for a moment but Masoe keeps working.
Valutchko controlling the action here.
Masoe is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Valutchko wants to lay and pray for a moment but Masoe keeps working.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Masoe won't allow Valutchko to pass to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masoe tries to kick Valutchko off but Valutchko keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Valutchko thows a huge punch but Masoe dodges it nicely.
Valutchko is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Masoe!
Valutchko is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Valutchko prevents Masoe from getting the reversal.
Masoe is squirming around, avoiding Valutchko's attempts to control the action.
Valutchko breaks from Masoe's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Valutchko lands a heavy elbow.
Masoe really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Valutchko wants to control the pace but Masoe is squirming around nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Masoe really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Valutchko throwing strikes here but Masoe is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Masoe working to try and regain half guard.
Valutchko working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Valutchko can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Masoe is looking to escape.
Valutchko looking to control and managing it successfully.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Valutchko punishing his opponent with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anatoli Valutchko dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Masoe uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Valutchko.
Masoe misses with a combination

and Valutchko counters with a shoot takedown. Masoe fights it but they end up in guard.
Masoe manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Valutchko tries to hold on but Masoe pushes him away.
Anatoli Valutchko has got the better of the ground game so far.
Valutchko is squirming around, avoiding Masoe's attempts to control the action.
Valutchko working to try and regain half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Masoe avoids the attempt from Valutchko to control.
Valutchko is desperately trying to improve his position but Masoe has a good base and remains in mount.
Valutchko tries to lock up and control but Masoe gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Masoe looking to control and managing it successfully.
Masoe trying to control but Valutchko is having none of it.

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.
Valutchko can't escape the position.
Masoe looking to control but Valutchko is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Masoe controlling from mount.
Valutchko wants to control but Masoe is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valutchko tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Masoe wants to control the pace but Valutchko is squirming around nicely.

That's four 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.
Masoe is really struggling to control Valutchko but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Valutchko is wriggling around trying to escape.
Masoe wants to control the pace but Valutchko is squirming around nicely.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Gaisafa Masoe will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Masoe bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Valutchko's head.
Masoe throws a leg kick but Valutchko moved away.
Masoe misses with a left hand
and Masoe takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A solid leg kick lands there for Masoe.
Masoe fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Valutchko checks it well.
Masoe tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Valutchko swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Masoe counters with a two punch combo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Masoe scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Valutchko takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A looping hook to the body misses from Masoe. Valutchko does a little dance to reset his feet.
Valutchko has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Masoe.
Masoe tries to bum rush Valutchko with a series of wild strikes but Valutchko uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Masoe tries to close the distance and clinch up but Valutchko swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Masoe throws a shot from downtown. Valutchko moves away and avoids it.
Masoe misses the body punch
and Valutchko counters with a straight right hand.
Masoe misses with a leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Masoe tries to clinch up but Valutchko circles away and keeps his distance.
Masoe swings widly with a right hand

and Valutchko decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Masoe's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Masoe manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Masoe can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Valutchko is looking to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masoe takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Masoe looking to control but Valutchko is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Valutchko tries to lock up and control but Masoe gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

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.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Valutchko is looking to get to half guard.
Masoe controlling the pace for now.
Valutchko is squirming around, avoiding Masoe's attempts to control the action.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gaisafa Masoe clearly takes that 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.

No luck for Valutchko with that takedown attempt.
Valutchko with a body punch. A glancing blow.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Masoe throws a right hand that misses
and Valutchko cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Valutchko scores with a hook to the body. Masoe takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Masoe uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Valutchko.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valutchko throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Masoe counters with a leg kick.
Valutchko scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Masoe uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Valutchko.
Masoe misses with a lunging right hand
and Valutchko counters with a stiff right hand.
Valutchko fails with the takedown.
Valutchko has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Masoe lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Valutchko circles away quickly and effectively.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valutchko misses with a looping right.
Valutchko lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Valutchko is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Masoe misses with the body kick
and Valutchko cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Good standup being displayed there by Valutchko as he connects with a hook.
Masoe throws a left and a right that both miss
and Valutchko counters with a stiff right hand.
Masoe thows a leg kick but Valutchko checks it
and Valutchko counters with a one-two to the body.
Masoe throws an off balance right hand
and Valutchko counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Masoe fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Valutchko is out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masoe throws a right hand that misses
and Valutchko counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Valutchko catches Masoe with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
A low kick from Masoe misses
and Valutchko counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Masoe misses with a left hand
and Valutchko counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Masoe fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Valutchko checks it well.
Masoe throws a sloppy head kick
and Valutchko counters with a stiff right hand.
A telegraphed right hand from Valutchko misses the target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Masoe swings widly with a right hand
and Valutchko counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Masoe slips a jab from Valutchko.
Valutchko looks to score with a jab to the body but Masoe is just out of range.
Masoe walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Valutchko checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
A low kick from Masoe is predictable there

and Valutchko counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Valutchko.
Masoe looking for a sweep. Not yet Masoe, not yet.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Valutchko accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Masoe looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Valutchko looking to sit in guard and control but Masoe gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anatoli Valutchko dominated that fourth round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Masoe throws a nice outside leg kick.
Masoe throws a sloppy body shot
and Valutchko counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Masoe throws a poor cross that misses
and Valutchko counters with a left and a right that stings Masoe.
Masoe throws a half hearted mid kick.
Masoe swings widly with a right hand
and Valutchko makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Masoe misses with a kick to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Masoe misses with a left hand
and Valutchko counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Masoe throws an ugly left hook that misses
enabling Valutchko to counter with a crisp jab.
Masoe fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Valutchko has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Masoe fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Valutchko on the side of the head.
Masoe lands with a slapping head kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Masoe paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Gaisafa Masoe is winning the standup battle so far.
Masoe throws an off balance right hand
and Valutchko counters with a stiff right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Masoe is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Masoe tries to sprawl but Valutchko drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Masoe is pressing down on Valutchko's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Masoe wants to sweep but no luck.
Valutchko throws and elbow that misses. Masoe uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Valutchko's guard. Nice move by Masoe!
Masoe stopping the sweep attempt from Valutchko.
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 three minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Masoe accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Valutchko controlling the position.
Valutchko tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Masoe wants to stand but Valutchko has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Masoe wants to stand and escape but instead Valutchko has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Valutchko is working Masoe over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

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.
Masoe keeping moving, preventing Valutchko from controlling successfully.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Valutchko accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Valutchko trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Valutchko throws a big right hand that misses.
Valutchko wants to control from the top but Masoe keeps moving.
Valutchko stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Masoe swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Valutchko trying to control but Masoe is working from the bottom.
Masoe is trying to control the position but Valutchko postures up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gaisafa Masoe showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Masoe has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Andi Peters scores the fight 48:48
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 48:48
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 47:48

The fight is ruled a majority draw!
Gaisafa Masoe retains his title. It's always disappointing when a championship fight ends as a draw but that's what happens when you leave the fight in the judges hands!