PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Matt Kinghorn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ken Masters (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Kinghorn
vs
Masters

180 cm
18
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
18
159 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Matt Kinghorn!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ken Masters!
The judges for this bout are Ryoma Takatsuka, Roger Salmon and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Masters looks to land a body kick but Kinghorn moved away.

Masters shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Masters was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Kinghorn tries to reverse the position but Masters maintains control.
Masters tries to control but Kinghorn wriggling away.
Kinghorn tries to improve his position but instead Masters has taken his back!
Masters thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.
Kinghorn is keeping busy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kinghorn just looking to survive in the bad position.
Masters misses with a punch to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kinghorn controlling his opponent's hands, preventing the submission attempt.
Masters throwing sloppy strikes.
I really don't envy Kinghorn right now.
Kinghorn covering up well under a series of strikes from Masters.
Kinghorn controlling Masters 's hands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Masters is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Kinghorn knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Kinghorn for a finish.
Masters is throwing shots to the body but Kinghorn manages to wriggle free. Masters pounces on him again and ends up in Kinghorn's guard.
Masters won't allow Kinghorn to sweep him here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kinghorn controlling Masters's posture.
Masters wants to stand and escape but instead Kinghorn has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Masters wants to get back to his feet but Kinghorn is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kinghorn controlling from the top position.
Masters looking for a sweep. Not yet Masters, not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Masters striking off his back but it's not causing Kinghorn any problems.
Kinghorn tries to free his leg and advance position but Masters is retaining full guard.
Kinghorn looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Matt Kinghorn wasn't doing enough on the ground.

Kinghorn moves into the clinch.

Masters manages to pull guard.
Kinghorn is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Kinghorn throws a big right hand that misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kinghorn is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ken Masters will probably get the nod.
That's time! Kinghorn's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Masters stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Masters wants it to stay on the feet.
Kinghorn shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Masters but Masters pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Matt Kinghorn is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kinghorn misses with a kick to the body.
Kinghorn lands with a kick to the temple. Masters shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

Masters darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Masters wants to control but Kinghorn is keeping him busy.
Kinghorn looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Masters wants to pass the guard but Kinghorn is defending well.
Kinghorn trying to control from the bottom.
Masters is trying to control the action in half guard but Kinghorn is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Ken Masters was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Masters shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Masters was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Kinghorn wants to hold on but Masters pushes him away.
Kinghorn slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kinghorn wants to control but Masters is keeping busy.
Kinghorn wants to get back to full guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Kinghorn manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Masters slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Kinghorn wants to sweep but no luck.
Kinghorn being controlled here, momentarily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Ken Masters wasn't active enough on the ground.
Kinghorn shoots in but Masters avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matt Kinghorn. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kinghorn shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Kinghorn showed some decent athleticism there.
Kinghorn landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Masters tries to get to full guard but Kinghorn has control of the leg.
Kinghorn with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Kinghorn lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kinghorn wants to lay and pray for a moment but Masters keeps working.
Kinghorn seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

We're going to have a standup here because Matt Kinghorn wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Masters moves into the clinch.
Kinghorn tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Kinghorn gets control of Masters's arms and successfully pulls guard. Kinghorn will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kinghorn wants to sweep here but Masters controlling him for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Kinghorn 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!

Kinghorn shoots in but no luck this time.
Masters throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Kinghorn throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Masters fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kinghorn, pushing him back against the cage.

Masters gets control of Kinghorn's arms and successfully pulls guard. Masters will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Masters not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Kinghorn trying to control but Masters is working from the bottom.
Masters controls Kinghorn momentarily but Kinghorn frees himself.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Ken Masters.

Masters feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Masters takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Masters's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kinghorn tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Masters looking to pass the guard.
Kinghorn wants to sweep here but Masters controlling him for the moment.

Ken Masters has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Kinghorn lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Masters circles away quickly and effectively.

Kinghorn gets caught napping as Masters dives in and scores a takedown. Kinghorn manages to retain guard.
Masters trying to control but Kinghorn is working from the bottom.
Masters trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kinghorn seems keen to control Masters's posture.

We're going to have a standup here because Matt Kinghorn wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Kinghorn.
Masters is trying to improve his position.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Kinghorn working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kinghorn takes a little break here. Masters wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Masters is looking to regain half guard here but Kinghorn keeps moving and retains side control.
Masters manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Kinghorn is controlling the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Matt Kinghorn wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Kinghorn fails in his attempt to clinch.

Masters shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Kinghorn napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Kinghorn gets back to half guard.
Kinghorn is pressing down on Masters's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Masters must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kinghorn controlling Masters's posture.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ken Masters.
I think Masters has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 28:29
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 28:29
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ken Masters!