PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Roman Burza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jed Masilungan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Burza kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Guns N' Roses - Welcome To The Jungle. Masilungan has chosen Return to Strength as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Burza
vs
Masilungan

178 cm
36
170 lbs
20 - 14 - 0

178 cm
36
164 lbs
29 - 17 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Rush Supplements 160Q
GRAND Royal Wear

Rush Supplements 160Q

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 20 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Roman Burza!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 29 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jed Masilungan!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Matheus Silva and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Masilungan looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Burza is fending him off so far but Masilungan persists. Nope, Burza circles away and we're back to standing.
A leg kick checked by Masilungan.
A swing and a miss from Masilungan.
We've been told by Burza's head coaches at Evolution Fight Academy [16 Coaches] 1000$ LowCap that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Roman Burza seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Masilungan throws a nice inside leg kick.
Burza scores with a head kick. Masilungan tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Masilungan blocks the body kick.

Burza changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Masilungan looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
You can see the frustration on Masilungan's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Burza throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Masilungan struggling a bit here.
Masilungan tries to improve position but can't.
Burza misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Masilungan is trying to improve his position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Burza controls the position from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Masilungan struggling a bit here.
Burza throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Masilungan is looking for a sweep.
Masilungan is still trying to improve position.
Sloppy strikes there by Burza.
Masilungan tries to improve position but can't.
Masilungan is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Burza's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Masilungan is trying to get back to full guard.
Burza trying to control from Masilungan's half guard. Masilungan has other ideas though and has regained full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burza engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Burza lands a couple of digs.
Masilungan avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Burza postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Burza trying to control the position from guard on top but Masilungan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Burza scoring with some ground and pound.

Masilungan throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Burza trying to control but Masilungan is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masilungan looking to hit a scissor sweep but Burza is one step ahead there.
Burza trying to control but Masilungan is working from the bottom.
Burza has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Masilungan not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Masilungan keeping full guard, as Burza tries to pass.
Masilungan wants to sweep here but Burza controlling him for the moment.

We're going to have a standup here because Roman Burza wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Burza shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Masilungan as he jumps to the side.
Burza will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Burza swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burza takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Burza misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Masilungan throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Burza scoring well with a low kick there.
Masilungan misses with a body shot.
Masilungan scores with a crisp jab that stopped Burza in his tracks.
Burza lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Burza blocks a leg kick.
Burza looks to score with a jab to the body but Masilungan is just out of range.
Masilungan misses with a hook.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Burza throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Masilungan.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Burza feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Masilungans jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Masilungan throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Masilungan connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roman Burza dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Masilungan pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Burza scores with a jab.
Burza swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Masilungan has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Burza misses with a kick to the body.
The fighters circling - Masilungan throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Burza throws a right hand that Masilungan ducks under and follows up with a left that Masilungan also avoids with ease.
Sloppy strikes from Burza. Those never looked like landing.
Masilungan fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Burza checks it well.
Burza fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Masilungan misses with a body shot.
Masilungan pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Masilungan tries a head kick but it misses.
Burza closes the distance and clinches up with Masilungan, looking for a takedown. Burza pushes Masilungan against the cage but Masilungan circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Burza fails to land with a series of punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Masilungan shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Burza sprawls well. Burza wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Masilungan gets slowly back to his feet.
Burza misses with a wild combination.
Roman Burza is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Burza misses with a wild combination.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Burza.
Masilungan throws a head kick but Burza moves out of range.
Burza throws a low kick, looking for Masilungan's leg but Masilungan calmly moves out of range.
Burza tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Masilungan defends well and Burza ends up having to push Masilungan into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roman Burza. That's going to take a lot out of him.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Masilungan.

Masilungan ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Masilungan no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Masilungan 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.
Burza trying to control but Masilungan is working from the bottom.
Masilungan looking to hit a scissor sweep but Burza is one step ahead there.

Burza got a little sloppy there for a moment and Masilungan has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Burza has managed to get both his arms back between Masilungan's legs - danger averted.
Burza trying to control but Masilungan is working from the bottom.

Burza stands up from Masilungan's guard - Burza perhaps looking for a knockout.
Roman Burza is winning the standup battle so far.
Burza throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masilungan lands a jab to the nose.
Burza pushes Masilungan away with a front kick.
Masilungan stuffs the takedown attempt from Burza. Burza gets slowly back to his feet.
Masilungan tries to land a leg kick but Burza saw it coming and moves away.
Burza tries a head kick but it misses.
Burza uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Masilungan.
Masilungan pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Burza steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Masilungan. That one must have hurt.
Burza looks to land a combination. Masilungan sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Burza stuffs the takedown attempt from Masilungan. Masilungan gets slowly back to his feet.
Masilungan displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Burza displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Masilungan throws out the jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burza throws a leg kick
and Masilungan counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Burza scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Burza scores with a nice right hand.
Masilungan fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Masilungan tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Burza is able to avoid easily.
The fighters circling - Masilungan throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Burza throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Masilungan.
Burza is looking to chop away at Masilungan's legs.
Masilungan throws a front kick that sends Burza stumbling back into the cage.
Burza avoids a kick to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Burza throws a nice looking combination but Masilungan bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Burza fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Masilungan manages to avoid it.
Burza is looking to chop away at Masilungan's legs.
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 Roman Burza will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Masilungan cracks Burza with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

Masilungan is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Burza's half guard.
Burza avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Masilungan.
Masilungan seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Masilungan is looking to advance position but Burza won't allow it.
Burza moves into full guard.
Masilungan wants to control from the top but Burza keeps moving.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Masilungan forces his way into half guard.
Masilungan is keen to just control but Burza is a slippery customer.
Burza manages to get to full guard.
Roman Burza overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Burza wants to stand up but Masilungan is controlling him.
Masilungan stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Burza swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Burza wants to sweep but no luck.
Masilungan tries to free his leg and advance position but Burza is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burza utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Masilungan engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Burza looking to hit a scissor sweep but Masilungan is one step ahead there.
Masilungan trying to control the position from guard on top but Burza is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Burza wants to stand and escape but Masilungan is having none of it.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Burza tries a head kick but it misses.
Masilungan closes the distance and clinches up with Burza, looking for a takedown. Masilungan pushes Burza against the cage but Burza circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Burza slips under a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burza throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Masilungan's waist but Masilungan gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Burza off to one side.
Burza lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Masilungan circles away quickly and effectively.
Burza takes one to the side of the head.
Masilungan blocks a leg kick.
Masilungan scores with a shot to the body.
A lazy left from Burza finds it's target.
Decent striking displayed by Masilungan there.
Burza shoots in for a takedown but Masilungan shows good takedown defense.
Masilungan scoring well with a low kick there.
Burza fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Masilungan throws a right and a left that Burza avoids nicely.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Burza is defended easily by Masilungan.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roman Burza. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Burza misses with a hook. Masilungan ducked under it nicely.
Jed Masilungan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A solid leg kick lands there for Burza.
Masilungan shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Burza changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Masilungan tries to avoid it but Burza manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Masilungan to the ground. Masilungan escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Masilungan thuds a left hand into Burza's body.
Masilungan throws a nice inside leg kick.
Roman Burza is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Burza takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Masilungan throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Burza misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Masilungan.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Burza looks to land a combination but Masilungan avoids it well.
Masilungan avoids a punch combination nicely.
Burza connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jed Masilungan comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Burza 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 28:29
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 29:28
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Roman Burza!
Roman Burza really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that Ultra Fight Gear(Launder 85%) logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.