PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between James Masras (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Melvin Tucker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Melvin Tucker is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Masras
vs
Tucker

177 cm
23
133 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

176 cm
25
139 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, James Masras!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Melvin Tucker!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Frank Dennis and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Tucker clinches.
Masras drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Tucker breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Masras throws a series of punches but Tucker avoids them all with ease.
Masras connects with a body shot.
Masras tries to land a front kick but Tucker steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Masras tries a head kick but it misses.
Tucker fails in his attempt to clinch.
Tucker throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tucker pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Masras back to the cage. Tucker follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Masras misses with a body kick.

Tucker closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Masras quickly recovers to half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Masras won't allow Tucker to pass to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tucker trying to control from half guard but Masras is working away.
Tucker wants to stand up but Masras has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Masras trying to control here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tucker tries to pass to full mount but Masras defends it.
Tucker is taking a breather. Masras says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Masras is looking to control Tucker's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Masras avoid being mounted?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Tucker in particular looking to stall.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Tucker shoots in but Masras avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Masras shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Tucker napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Masras working the ground and pound but Tucker is defending the strikes.
Masras lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Tucker is trying to improve his position.
Tucker holding on.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tucker can't do much from the bottom here.
Tucker is not content to let Masras control the position.
Masras lands a decent elbow from side control.
You can see the frustration on Tucker's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Masras in the domination position with Tucker hanging on.
Tucker is looking for a sweep.
Masras wants to lay and pray for a moment but Tucker keeps working.
Tucker manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Masras is looking to control Tucker's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Masras avoid being mounted?
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Tucker drives through with a takedown into guard.
Tucker with a flurry of punches that miss.
Masras on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Masras tries to get out of the position.
Masras utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Tucker trying to control but Masras is working from the bottom.
Masras lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Masras trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tucker is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Masras stands up over Tucker, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Masras throws a strike but Tucker rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Masras is trying to keep Tucker in close.
Tucker trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Tucker trying to control but Masras is working from the bottom.
Tucker trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Melvin Tucker has got the better of the ground game so far.
Tucker trying to control the position from guard on top but Masras is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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.
Masras working a defensive guard here.

Masras is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Tucker is aware though and is defending well.
Tucker is looking to work some ground and pound but Masras has wrist control.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Tucker goes for a double leg but Masras avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Masras continues to drive forward.
Masras misses with a wild body shot.
Tucker wants to clinch up but Masras keeps it at a distance.
Tucker throws a body punch but Masras moves out of range.
Tucker tries to clinch up.
Masras is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Tucker.
Tucker has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Tucker closes the distance and clinches up with Masras, looking for a takedown. Tucker pushes Masras against the cage but Masras circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Masras misses

so Tucker counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Masras has control of Tucker's left arm, preventing Tucker from doing any damage.
Tucker preventing the sweep.
Tucker looking to pass the guard.
Masras looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Masras keeping moving, preventing Tucker from controlling successfully.
Tucker slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Masras tries to land a sweep but no joy.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Tucker shoots in for a takedown but Masras shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Masras is looking to counter with head kicks.
James Masras has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Melvin Tucker.

Masras gets tackled into the cage by Tucker. Tucker maintains the clinch.

Tucker pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Tucker takes the fight into the clinch.

Masras jumps guard and drags Tucker to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Tucker wants to pass the guard but Masras is keeping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Melvin Tucker showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Tucker throws the kick towards the body but Masras avoids it.
Tucker looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Tucker tries to score a power double leg takedown but Masras sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Tucker somewhat.
Tucker is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Tucker is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tucker tries to clinch up but Masras circles away and keeps his distance.
Tucker shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Masras as he avoids it easily.
Masras tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tucker 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.
Masras really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Masras controlling Tucker's posture.

Tucker thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Masras keeping moving, preventing Tucker from controlling successfully.
Masras is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Masras seems keen to control Tucker's posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tucker wants to stand but Masras has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Tucker loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Tucker doesn't manage to clinch there - Masras circles away.
Tucker shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Masras but Masras pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Masras drops down looking for a counter takedown but Tucker sprawls and moves away.
James Masras has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Melvin Tucker.
Tucker shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Masras pinned against the cage. Masras gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masras moves out of range as Tucker throws a body kick.

Masras closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
You can see the frustration on Tucker's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Masras controlling the position from side mount.
Tucker is looking to reverse the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tucker is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Masras stalling.

Masras is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
James Masras has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Melvin Tucker is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Tucker wants to control but Masras is keeping busy and won't allow it.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to James Masras.
I think Tucker 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Melvin Tucker!