PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Miguel Azevedo Souza (ranked 692 p4p, 1795 weight class) and Millard Masters (ranked 83 p4p, 193 weight class). Masters is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Enter the Sandman. Miguel Azevedo Souza has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Azevedo Souza
vs
Masters

176 cm
29
150
17 - 8 - 0

160 cm
29
151
12 - 7 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Powerful

KOMBAT KLOTHING

Conquer
KOMBAT KLOTHING

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Miguel Azevedo Souza!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Millard Masters!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Azevedo Souza scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Azevedo Souza misses the jab.
Masters lands a nice looking body shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Azevedo Souza misses the target.
Azevedo Souza uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Masters.
Azevedo Souza has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Masters looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Azevedo Souza throws a jab when Masters was well out of range.
A lazy left from Azevedo Souza finds it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Azevedo Souza lands with a cross.

Masters bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Azevedo Souza is not content to let Masters control the position.
My spies in The Jungle Room inform me that Masters has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Azevedo Souza manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Azevedo Souza wants to control but Masters is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Azevedo Souza looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Azevedo Souza tries to roll over but Masters keeps him under control.
Masters seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Azevedo Souza does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Masters wants to free his trapped foot but Azevedo Souza is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Masters is keen to just control but Azevedo Souza is a slippery customer.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Masters seems to be looking for submissions.
Masters stalling.

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.
Azevedo Souza wants to get back to full guard.
Azevedo Souza moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Azevedo Souza looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

Masters drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Azevedo Souza manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Masters has Azevedo Souza in his guard.

Azevedo Souza trying to control but Masters is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Masters looking to control.
Azevedo Souza trying to control but Masters is working from the bottom.
Azevedo Souza trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Masters manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Masters wants to pass the guard but Azevedo Souza is keeping the position.
Masters trying to control but Azevedo Souza is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Azevedo Souza trying to keep a closed guard but Masters is proving a slippery customer.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Masters trying to control but Azevedo Souza is working from the bottom.

Masters is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Azevedo Souza is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Azevedo Souza has escaped and now he's on top!

Azevedo Souza passes into half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Masters slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Miguel Azevedo Souza will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Masters drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Masters tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Masters thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Azevedo Souza is looking to regain half guard here but Masters keeps moving and retains side control.
Azevedo Souza sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Masters wants to pass to mount but Azevedo Souza is defending the position.

Masters is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Azevedo Souza is trying to control but can't.

Masters is working for a kimura here but Azevedo Souza manages to reverse the position and he's now in Masters's guard.
Azevedo Souza stopping the sweep attempt from Masters.
Azevedo Souza wants to control from the top but Masters keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Azevedo Souza tries to free his leg and advance position but Masters is retaining full guard.
Masters wants to sweep but no luck.
Masters keeping moving, preventing Azevedo Souza from controlling successfully.
Azevedo Souza passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Azevedo Souza goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Masters has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Azevedo Souza but great work by Masters.
Masters controls the position from side control.
Masters tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Masters wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Azevedo Souza, who protects the arm well.

Masters goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Azevedo Souza has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Masters but great work by Azevedo Souza.
Masters tries to buck Azevedo Souza off but Azevedo Souza is having none of it.
You can see the frustration on Masters's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Azevedo Souza wants to control but Masters is keeping him busy.
Masters tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Masters looking for a sweep but Azevedo Souza has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Masters is looking to improve his position but Azevedo Souza isn't that keen on the idea.
Azevedo Souza will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Masters is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Azevedo Souza looking to control but Masters is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Masters really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Masters tries to hold on but Azevedo Souza pushes him away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Millard Masters will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Azevedo Souza's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Azevedo Souza connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Masters momentarily.
A jab from Azevedo Souza misses.
A swing and a miss from Azevedo Souza.
Masters feints the counter takedown.
Masters tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Azevedo Souza defends well and Masters ends up having to push Azevedo Souza into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
The fighters circling - Azevedo Souza throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Masters takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Azevedo Souza misses with an uppercut. Masters saw that one coming.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Masters with a poor takedown
enabling Azevedo Souza to counter with a crisp jab.
Azevedo Souza darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Masters takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Azevedo Souza scores with a jab. Masters acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Masters shoots in for a takedown but Azevedo Souza shows good takedown defense.
Miguel Azevedo Souza has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Millard Masters.
Masters takes a jab right on the kisser.
Masters shoots in for a double leg but Azevedo Souza sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Azevedo Souza sizes up Masters with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
The fighters circling - Azevedo Souza throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Masters closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Masters tries for a takedown but Azevedo Souza circles away easily
letting Azevedo Souza counter with a right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Masters drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Masters tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Masters misses with a takedown attempt - Azevedo Souza sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Millard Masters is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Masters doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Azevedo Souza counters with a nice uppercut.
Azevedo Souza missing with a left hand there. Masters was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Millard Masters seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Horrible takedown attempt by Masters or perhaps it was just good defense by Azevedo Souza, which made it look bad.
Azevedo Souza is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Masters as Azevedo Souza shoots in.
Good standup being displayed there by Azevedo Souza as he connects with a hook.
A big left from Azevedo Souza misses.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Masters.
A little feinted left hand from Azevedo Souza on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Masters closes the distance and clinches up with Azevedo Souza, looking for a takedown. Masters pushes Azevedo Souza against the cage but Azevedo Souza circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
It looked like Azevedo Souza wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Masters slips under a jab.
A jab lands there for Azevedo Souza.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Azevedo Souza throws an overhand right that lands on Masters's shoulder, as Masters tries to avoid the shot.
Masters ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Masters is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Azevedo Souza throws a big shot that misses.
Masters shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Azevedo Souza pinned against the cage. Azevedo Souza gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Azevedo Souza is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Masters can do to turn this around?
Masters ducks under a wild hook from Azevedo Souza.
Masters shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Azevedo Souza but Azevedo Souza pushes him off and we're back to square one.

And that's the end of the fight!
Miguel Azevedo Souza showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Azevedo Souza 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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 28:28
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 29:27
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Miguel Azevedo Souza!
Miguel Azevedo Souza seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
In defeat, Millard Masters stepped up to the mic, saying 'Damn, I will go back to the gym and get stronger'.