PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Doug Masters (ranked 5963 p4p, 589 weight class) and Petko Petkov (ranked 9717 p4p, 721 weight class). Doug Masters could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Petko Petkov's chin.

Masters
vs
Petkov

200 cm
25
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

184 cm
20
185 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Experienced

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Doug Masters!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Petko Petkov!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Timothy Bukovac and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Masters takes the fight into the clinch.
Petkov keeps control of Masters as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Petkov gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Masters.
Petkov is trying to break the clinch but Masters has him pressed against the cage.
Petkov working aggressively here.
Masters is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Masters is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

Masters tightens his grip and picks Petkov up, before dumping him to the ground. Petkov manages to land in guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Masters decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Petkov, up you get!
Masters takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Masters drops down looking for a counter takedown but Petkov sprawls and moves away.
Petkov looks winded!
Petkov doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Masters holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Masters is trying to break free.
Masters wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Petkov has him pressed against the cage.
Stalling in the clinch from Masters.

Masters jumps guard.
Masters tries to strike from the bottom.
Masters pulls Petkov in close to prevent any damage.

Masters looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Petkov has picked Masters up and slammed him! Masters can't keep hold of the triangle and Petkov manages to pass to side control!
Both fighters take a look at the clock.
My spies in Wolf's Den Cardio and Sparring ($50 a week!!) inform me that Petkov has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Petkov tries to move to mount but Masters blocks the move with his legs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Masters parries the strikes from Petkov easily there. Petkov is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Masters to escape.
Masters struggling a bit here.
Petkov prevents Masters from escaping the position.
You can see the frustration on Masters's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Masters prevents Petkov from moving into mount.
Masters knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Petkov on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masters tries to buck Petkov off but Petkov is having none of it.
Masters on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Masters tries to get out of the position.
Masters controls the position for a moment.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Masters gets back to half guard.
Masters is looking for a sweep. Petkov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

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.

Masters closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Masters pulls guard successfully.
Masters really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Masters seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Petkov preventing the sweep.

Masters is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Petkov wants to stand but Masters has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Doug Masters dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Masters clinches up with Petkov and pushes him back against the cage.
Petkov's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Petkov looking for a takedown.
Petkov is trying to maintain a safe position but Masters gets an underhook and turns Petkov into the cage.
Masters scores with a shoulder strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Masters prevents Petkov from breaking the clinch.
Masters missing with knees to the body.
Petkov is breathing heavily.
Petkov is trying to break free.
Masters effectively controlling the action here.
Masters is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Petkov can do to turn this around?

That's one minute gone in the round.

Masters pulls Petkov into guard.
Petkov trying to stand up but can't free himself from Masters's guard.
Petkov tries to free his leg and advance position but Masters is retaining full guard.
Masters is pulling down on Petkov's head. It's preventing any offense from Petkov, at least for the moment.
Masters continues to stall.
Petkov won't allow Masters to sweep him here.

That's two 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.

Masters is looking for a triangle but Petkov pushes his legs off easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Masters looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Petkov keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Masters goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Petkov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masters tries to score a power double leg takedown but Petkov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Masters somewhat.
Masters misses with a low kick.

Masters moves into the clinch.
Petkov has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Masters avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Doug Masters has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Petko Petkov.
Masters has had enough of the clinch but Petkov keeps him there for the moment.
Petkov tries to pull guard but Masters holds him up against the cage and eventually Petkov drops back down to his feet.
Stalling in the clinch from Masters.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Petkov drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Masters gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Masters is looking to break free of the clinch but Petkov has double underhooks.
Masters pressing his opponent against the cage.
Petkov wants a takedown.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Petkov is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Petkov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Masters has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Petkov is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Doug Masters dominated that second round.
That's time! Masters's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Masters moves out of range of the body kick from Petkov.
Petkov is looking to clinch but Masters is avoiding it.
Masters closes the distance and clinches up with Petkov, looking for a takedown. Masters pushes Petkov against the cage but Petkov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Masters.
Masters tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Petkov swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Doug Masters. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Masters tries to clinch
and Petkov counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Masters moves out of range of the body kick.
Petkov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Masters tries to score a power double leg takedown but Petkov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Masters somewhat.
Doug Masters seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice body kick from Petkov.
Petkov has a takedown stuffed.
Petkov looks to throw a body kick
and Masters counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Masters scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

Masters gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Petkov is looking for a takedown.
Masters is working for takedown but Petkov is calmly controlling the position for now.
Masters lands on the inside with an uppercut.

Masters breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Masters throws a series of punches but Petkov moves out of range.
Masters throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Petkov counters with a body kick.
Petkov with a lazy takedown attempt
and Masters cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Crunch! Petkov slams his shin into Masters's torso.
Nice sprawl there from Petkov as Masters shoots in.
Masters fails with the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masters fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Petkov wants to clinch up but Masters keeps it at a distance.
Petkov slaps away a takedown attempt from Masters, before circling back to the center of the mat.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Masters enables Petkov to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Masters manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Masters is looking to stand back up but Petkov counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Masters.

Petkov is trying to control the action in half guard but Masters is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Masters trying to control here.
Masters is not content to let Petkov control the position.

Masters looking for submissions off his back.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Petkov is keen to just control but Masters is a slippery customer.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Petko Petkov.
I think Masters 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:28

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