PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between EJ Butkis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ken Masters (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). EJ Butkis could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Ken Masters's chin.

Butkis
vs
Masters

180 cm
22
180 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

182 cm
23
183 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Good in bed

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, EJ Butkis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ken Masters!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Shigeki Fujiwara and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Masters 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.
Masters trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Masters wants to control from the top but Butkis keeps moving.
Masters slips nicely into half guard.
Masters looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Masters is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Butkis defends it well.

Masters looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Masters is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Butkis is just riding it out for now. Masters eventually gives up the hold.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Masters wants to free his trapped foot but Butkis is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Masters is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Butkis defends it well.
Masters tries to pass to full mount but Butkis defends it.

That's two 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.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Masters keeps the fight on the outside.
Butkis tries to close the distance and clinch up but Masters swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Butkis tries to clinch but Masters is having none of it.
Butkis tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Masters paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Butkis is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
EJ Butkis seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Masters avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Butkis with a lazy takedown attempt

and Masters counters with a shoot takedown. Butkis fights it but they end up in guard.
Masters trying to move into half guard but instead Butkis has managed to sweep!
Masters 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 three minutes gone in the round.
Masters has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Butkis has passed into side control.
Masters is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Masters is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Masters looking for a sweep but Butkis has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Butkis manages to capitalize on a mistake by Masters to take his back!
You can see the frustration on Masters's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Masters looks gassed!

Butkis is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Masters tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Masters is looking to improve his position but Butkis isn't that keen on the idea.
Butkis looking to control but Masters is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Masters is looking to get to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ken Masters dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Masters shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Masters was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Masters moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Butkis has worked his arm free - good work by Butkis!
Masters trying to control the action but Butkis is working from the bottom.

Masters looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Masters is breathing heavily.

Masters goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Butkis rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Masters's guard! Nice work there by Butkis!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Masters tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Butkis showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Butkis pushing down on Masters's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Masters gets back to full guard.
Butkis wants to pass the guard but Masters is keeping the position.
Masters looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Masters keeping moving, preventing Butkis from controlling successfully.
Masters is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Masters looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Masters throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masters looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Butkis wants to clinch

and Masters counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Butkis trying to control from the bottom.

Masters is trying to work for a kimura but Butkis is defending well.

Masters is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Masters looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Butkis makes his way to full guard, as Masters worked for a kimura.
Butkis bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Masters's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ken Masters showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

The fight stays on the outside here - Butkis looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Butkis tries to clinch up.
Butkis tries to clinch but Masters moves out of range.
Butkis closes the distance but Masters moves to the side

and Masters counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Masters.

Masters drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Masters jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Butkis wants to improve his position but instead Masters has moved into half guard.
Masters is pressing down on Butkis's thigh, looking to free his foot. Butkis is holding on for now.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Masters is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Butkis is just riding it out for now. Masters eventually gives up the hold.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Butkis wants to control but Masters is keeping busy.
Butkis wants to get back to full guard.

Masters is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Masters is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Butkis!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Masters swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Butkis is now in Masters's guard. A big mistake from Masters there, giving up the dominant position!

Butkis avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Masters 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.

Masters had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Butkis is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Masters Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Butkis's back instead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Masters is looking for the choke from the back position but Butkis is controlling his hands well.
Butkis trying to control the action but Masters just sinks the hooks in.

Masters looking for the choke but no joy.

Butkis fending off the submission attempt from Masters.

That's four 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.
Butkis wants to control his opponent's hands but Masters gets his hands free.
Masters struggling to keep hold of the position.
Butkis trying to control the hands but Masters breaks the grip.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Masters is working hard for the rear naked choke here.

Masters looking to break Butkis's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Butkis remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Masters will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!

And that's the end of the fight!
Ken Masters comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Masters has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight for Ken Masters!
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight for Ken Masters!
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight for Ken Masters!

Ken Masters wins by unanimous decision!