PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Godfrey McNaughton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tomas Masaliauskas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tomas Masaliauskas has the eye of the tiger tonight.

McNaughton
vs
Masaliauskas

180 cm
21
185 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

185 cm
20
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Godfrey McNaughton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Tomas Masaliauskas!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Andrew Berry and Richard Clark.

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

McNaughton fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Masaliauskas sprawls well initially but McNaughton persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
McNaughton tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Masaliauskas.
Masaliauskas is trying to control but can't.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McNaughton prevents Masaliauskas from improving his position.

McNaughton is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Masaliauskas moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
McNaughton slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Masaliauskas is on top in guard.
McNaughton keeping full guard, as Masaliauskas tries to pass.
McNaughton wants to sweep here but Masaliauskas controlling him for the moment.
McNaughton is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
McNaughton wants to get back to his feet but Masaliauskas is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McNaughton looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Masaliauskas postures up.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Godfrey McNaughton wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Masaliauskas pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Masaliauskas misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
McNaughton with a lazy takedown attempt

and Masaliauskas counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in McNaughton's guard now.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Masaliauskas stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Masaliauskas closes the distance and clinches up with McNaughton, looking for a takedown. Masaliauskas pushes McNaughton against the cage but McNaughton circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
McNaughton shoots in for a takedown but Masaliauskas shows good takedown defense.
Masaliauskas wants to clinch but McNaughton slips to the side

and McNaughton counters with a shoot takedown. Masaliauskas fights it but they end up in guard.
McNaughton is breathing heavily.
Masaliauskas trying to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masaliauskas keeping moving, preventing McNaughton from controlling successfully.
McNaughton trying to move into half guard but instead Masaliauskas has managed to sweep!
Masaliauskas wants to control from the top but McNaughton keeps moving.
Masaliauskas passes into half guard.
McNaughton is staying active underneath Masaliauskas, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
McNaughton tries to kick Masaliauskas off but Masaliauskas keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McNaughton is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Masaliauskas pulls his head out easily.
McNaughton tries to get to full guard but Masaliauskas has control of the leg.
Masaliauskas content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Masaliauskas wants to free his trapped foot but McNaughton is holding on for dear life with his legs.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McNaughton is not content to let Masaliauskas control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Tomas Masaliauskas will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

McNaughton blocks the body kick.
McNaughton stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and McNaughton wants it to stay on the feet.

Masaliauskas dives in and scores a takedown into McNaughton's guard.
McNaughton knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Masaliauskas on the ground.
McNaughton is looking to stand up but Masaliauskas isn't so interested in that idea.
Masaliauskas works over McNaughton with some ground and pound from guard.
McNaughton is looking to stand up but Masaliauskas isn't so interested in that idea.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McNaughton keeping moving, preventing Masaliauskas from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Masaliauskas drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but McNaughton manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Masaliauskas has McNaughton in his guard.
Masaliauskas throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Masaliauskas keeping full guard, as McNaughton tries to pass.
McNaughton would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
McNaughton postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McNaughton pushing down on Masaliauskas's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
McNaughton tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Masaliauskas.
McNaughton scoring with strikes to the body and head.
McNaughton wants to take a breather but Masaliauskas is having none of it.
Masaliauskas throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Masaliauskas trying to control here.
Masaliauskas is breathing heavily.
Masaliauskas wants to get back to his feet.
Masaliauskas works his way to full guard. Good work.
McNaughton tries to stand but Masaliauskas is controlling from the bottom.
Masaliauskas lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for McNaughton!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masaliauskas with good strikes from the mount here!
Masaliauskas throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for McNaughton because Masaliauskas loaded up on that one.
McNaughton taking shots to the head.
Masaliauskas throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.

Masaliauskas goes for an armbar but he's not got it… McNaughton turns into him and now he's in Masaliauskas's guard.
McNaughton is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Masaliauskas has his foot on McNaughton's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. McNaughton works his way back into a safe position though.
McNaughton scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

McNaughton gets to his feet. Masaliauskas looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

McNaughton dives in and scores a takedown into Masaliauskas's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Masaliauskas working for a triangle but McNaughton defends it easily.
Tomas Masaliauskas has got the better of the ground game so far.
McNaughton throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Tomas Masaliauskas will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Nice takedown defense from Masaliauskas. No joy for McNaughton on that attempt.
Masaliauskas fails to land the takedown.
McNaughton misses with a jab, cross combination.

McNaughton looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Masaliauskas!
McNaughton dominating with strikes here.
Masaliauskas tries to hold on but McNaughton postures up.
McNaughton can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Masaliauskas is looking to escape.
McNaughton landing strikes from the mount.
Masaliauskas takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McNaughton controlling his opponent.
Masaliauskas tries to reverse the position but McNaughton maintains control.
McNaughton landing strikes, looking to finish!
McNaughton trying to control but Masaliauskas is having none of it.
Masaliauskas working to try and regain half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Masaliauskas wants to control but McNaughton is having none of it.
McNaughton looking to control and managing it successfully.
McNaughton looking to control but Masaliauskas is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

McNaughton goes for an armbar but Masaliauskas turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Masaliauskas.
McNaughton wants to stand up but Masaliauskas is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masaliauskas wants to control from the top but McNaughton keeps moving.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
McNaughton has a takedown stuffed.

Masaliauskas manages to get an easy takedown there - catching McNaughton on his heels. He'll look to pass McNaughton's guard now, I'm sure.
Masaliauskas postures up.
Masaliauskas wants to control from the top but McNaughton keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McNaughton uses the cage to get back to his feet.

Masaliauskas clinches up with McNaughton and pushes him back against the cage.
McNaughton missing with knees to the body.
Masaliauskas tries to pull guard but McNaughton forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Godfrey McNaughton has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
McNaughton tries to circle away but Masaliauskas has him pinned against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Masaliauskas is trying to pull guard but McNaughton has him pressed against the cage.
Godfrey McNaughton has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tomas Masaliauskas.

Masaliauskas pulls guard.
Tomas Masaliauskas is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Masaliauskas pulls McNaughton in close to prevent any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Godfrey McNaughton showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Masaliauskas 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 Phil Schofield scores the fight 28:29
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 28:29
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tomas Masaliauskas!