PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between brandon massie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and azael espinoza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). brandon massie could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to azael espinoza's chin.

massie
vs
espinoza

210 cm
20
205 lbs
2 - 9 - 0

189 cm
18
205 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Big right hand

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, brandon massie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, azael espinoza!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Alan Glass and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
massie fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

espinoza shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. espinoza showed some decent athleticism there.
massie on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if massie tries to get out of the position.
massie moves into full guard.
massie will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
espinoza wants to control from the top but massie keeps moving.
massie is striking but espinoza is not phased and passes to half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. espinoza lands a nice short elbow.
massie tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
massie is trying to get back to full guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
espinoza tries to pass to full mount but massie defends it.
espinoza seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
espinoza wants to clinch up but massie keeps it at a distance.
espinoza throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
massie has his takedown stuffed

and espinoza counters with a shoot takedown. massie fights it but they end up in guard.
espinoza wants to pass the guard but massie is keeping the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
espinoza advances to half guard.
massie tries to roll over but espinoza keeps him under control.
massie misses with some strikes from the bottom.

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

and espinoza counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for brandon massie. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
massie is striking from the bottom but espinoza uses the opportunity to pass into half guard.
espinoza scoring with strikes to the body and head.
massie throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
massie knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for espinoza on the ground.
massie tries to get to full guard but espinoza has control of the leg.
massie is breathing heavily.
massie tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
massie tries to get to full guard but espinoza has control of the leg.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
espinoza is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
espinoza tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but massie paws at him with a jab and circles away.
espinoza tries to clinch but massie is having none of it.
espinoza shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts massie as he jumps to the side.
brandon massie seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
massie fails with the takedown
and espinoza makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. massie really felt that one!
massie tries for a takedown but espinoza circles away easily

and espinoza counters with a shoot takedown. massie fights it but they end up in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

espinoza decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
massie misses with a takedown

and espinoza counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
espinoza working the head and body with strikes.
espinoza lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
espinoza wants to get back to his feet.
espinoza prevents massie from improving his position.
Ground and pound from espinoza.
espinoza is tying to control. massie wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
massie wants to get back to full guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
espinoza wants to clinch up but massie keeps it at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
massie gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and espinoza counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
massie looking for a sweep. Not yet massie, not yet.
massie striking off his back but it's not causing espinoza any problems.
espinoza pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. massie is keeping the position for now.
espinoza stands up over massie, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
massie wants to sweep here but espinoza controlling him for the moment.
espinoza postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
massie really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
massie looking for a sweep. Not yet massie, not yet.
espinoza stays in close to massie's body and controls the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
massie shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and espinoza counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
espinoza tries to clinch but massie moves out of range.
espinoza scoring well with a low kick there.
massie fails with the takedown

and espinoza holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
espinoza is pressed up against the cage. massie has hold of a leg and is looking to drag espinoza down to the mat. espinoza avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

azael espinoza dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

massie has his takedown stuffed
and espinoza counters with a low kick, right behind massie 's knee.
massie with a poor takedown

and espinoza counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
massie taking some punishment here, with espinoza in his half guard.
espinoza works his foot free and advances to mount.
espinoza can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as massie is looking to escape.
espinoza scoring with strikes but massie is staying in there.
massie is in all sorts of trouble here.
massie is working hard here to advance position.
massie throwing hammer fists to the chest of espinoza. What's that going to do exactly?
espinoza lands a big shot there that rocks massie but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
espinoza scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish massie?
espinoza trying to control but massie is having none of it.
espinoza scores with a couple of good head shots there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, espinoza cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
massie can't escape the position.
massie throwing punches from his back. He's mounted here but still fighting back.
massie is trying to escape the mount.
espinoza lands a big shot there that rocks massie but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
massie gets back to half guard.
massie wants to get back to full guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. espinoza lands a nice short elbow.
massie wants to get back to full guard but espinoza has mounted him!
massie can't escape the position.
espinoza wants to control the pace but massie is squirming around nicely.
massie sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
espinoza blocks the strikes from massie.
azael espinoza has got the better of the ground game so far.
espinoza tries to stand and escape but massie is controlling the position.
espinoza works his way into full mount!
massie taking shots to the head.
espinoza lands a big shot there that rocks massie but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
espinoza looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
massie taking shots to the head.
espinoza has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
espinoza is in the full mount, landing strikes.
espinoza scoring with strikes but massie is staying in there.
espinoza lands a big elbow.
espinoza with the ground and pound from mount.
massie is squirming around, avoiding espinoza's attempts to control the action.
espinoza has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of massie's face.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
massie is trying to escape the mount.
massie is squirming around, avoiding espinoza's attempts to control the action.
espinoza controlling his opponent.
espinoza scores with a couple of good head shots there.

espinoza jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but massie manages to avoid the submission attempt.
espinoza landing strikes.
massie is trying to get back to half guard.
espinoza trying to control the action but massie is working from the bottom.
massie is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked espinoza off and has taken his back!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
massie scores with strikes from the back.
massie scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.
massie lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
massie throwing damaging strikes from the back! espinoza could be in trouble here!
espinoza turns into massie and is now in his guard.
massie 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.

espinoza stands and steps away. massie gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
espinoza tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but massie swivels and escapes.
espinoza tries to clinch but massie moves out of range.
massie with a poor takedown

and espinoza counters with a shoot takedown. massie fights it but they end up in guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for brandon massie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
espinoza forces his way into half guard.
massie missing with punches from the bottom.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
massie gets back to full guard.
massie throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

azael espinoza showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

massie with a lazy takedown attempt
and espinoza counters with a flying knee. Nice.
massie doesn't succeed with the takedown
and espinoza counters with a nice body kick.

espinoza gets a takedown into half guard.
massie tries to roll over but espinoza keeps him under control.
massie misses with some strikes from the bottom.
espinoza prevents massie from improving his position.
espinoza is trying to control the action in half guard but massie is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
massie tries to get to full guard but espinoza has control of the leg.
espinoza wants to stand but massie has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.

espinoza is working for a submission of some sort.
massie wants to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

espinoza closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
massie tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but espinoza wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
massie looks to move to half guard but instead espinoza has passed into mount! Damn!
espinoza has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
massie in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
espinoza working the ground and pound effectively.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, espinoza cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
massie is looking to improve his position but espinoza isn't that keen on the idea.
espinoza takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
espinoza in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
espinoza cracks massie with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
massie in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
espinoza pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.

espinoza has control of massie's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and massie regains control of the situation pretty easily.
massie is looking to improve his position but espinoza isn't that keen on the idea.
espinoza connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
A nice elbow there by espinoza.
massie is trying desperately to improve position.
massie gets back to half guard.
massie tries to roll over but espinoza keeps him under control.
espinoza is keen to just control but massie is a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
massie missing with punches from the bottom.
espinoza is tying to control. massie wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
massie punching from the bottom.

espinoza is trying to work for a kimura but massie is defending well.
espinoza prevents massie from improving his position.

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

espinoza scores with a takedown into massie's guard.
massie wants to sweep here but espinoza controlling him for the moment.
massie striking off his back but it's not causing espinoza any problems.
massie will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
massie lands with a heel strike from the guard.
massie 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.
massie thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
massie throws a nice elbow from the bottom.
massie looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but espinoza puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
massie is looking for a sweep. espinoza is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
espinoza is tying to control. massie wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
massie misses with a takedown

and espinoza counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by espinoza.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for brandon massie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
espinoza changes levels and goes for a takedown here. massie fights it off and pushes away nicely.
massie with a poor takedown
and espinoza counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from massie.

espinoza shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than espinoza was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
espinoza trying to control but he's not successful this time.
brandon massie has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
massie really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

And that's the end of the fight!
azael espinoza comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well espinoza has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 26:30
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 26:30
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... azael espinoza!