PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between AJ Adams (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hayato Masato (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hayato Masato has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Adams
vs
Masato

173 cm
24
155 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

170 cm
25
158 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, AJ Adams!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Hayato Masato!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Wesley Smith and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Adams rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Masato moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Masato misses the jab.
Masato misses with a few strikes there.
Masato loads up on a big right hand but Adams slips the punch.
Adams is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Masato.
Adams will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Masato throws a right and a left that Adams avoids nicely.
Adams fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Masato manages to avoid it.
Masato scores with a body shot.
Adams steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Masato.
Adams throws out a leg kick but Masato moves out of range and Adams only half commits.
Hayato Masato seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Masato fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Adams manages to avoid it.
Masato throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Masato misses with a hook to the body

and Adams counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Adams throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Masato is controlling Adams's trapped leg to prevent Adams from advancing to side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Adams is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Masato has managed to free his arm - good work.

Adams is looking for a kimura here.
Masato tries to kick Adams off but Adams keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Masato is not content to let Adams control the position.
Adams thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Masato's head.

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.

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

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Nice body punch from Masato.
Adams is breathing heavily.
Masato lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
A big right from Masato misses.
Masato connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Masato misses with a hook. Adams ducked under it nicely.
Nice defenses there by Adams.
Masato throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Masato swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Adams counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Masato gets full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masato is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Masato looking to hit a scissor sweep but Adams is one step ahead there.
Adams is looking to work some ground and pound but Masato has wrist control.

Adams is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Masato wants to sweep here but Adams controlling him for the moment.
Masato is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Adams fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
The fighters circling - Masato throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Hayato Masato will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Adams shoots in but no luck this time.
Masato is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Adams.
Masato lands with a straight right. Adams didn't see that one coming.
Adams shoots for a double leg takedown but Masato sprawls well. He's pushed Adams's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Masato throws a body punch but Adams moves out of range.
Adams keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Masato.
Adams uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Masato.
Masato with a nice cross.
Masato digs a good body shot into Adams's ribs.
Adams closes this distance looking for a takedown but Masato circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for AJ Adams. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice defenses there by Masato.
Masato scores with a nice head shot.
Masato digs a good hook to Adams's body.
Adams shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Masato is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Adams.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Adams shoots for a takedown but Masato saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Adams slips a jab and a cross from Masato.
Masato throws a sloppy body shot
and Adams counters with a good, hard body kick but Masato shrugs it off.
Adams takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Masato misses with a few strikes there.
Masato swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Hayato Masato is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Adams uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Masato.
Masato throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Adams fails with a takedown attempt.
Adams ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Masato misses with an uppercut.

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.
Adams shoots in but no luck this time.
Masato tests Adams's chin there with a solid looking shot.
AJ Adams is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Masato lands with an uppercut that bounces Adams off the cage and back into rage.
Adams slips under a jab from Masato.
Masato getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Adams moves out of range as Masato strikes.
Adams takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Adams doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Masato swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Adams.
Adams takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

Masato gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Adams prevents Masato from getting back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masato looking to hit a scissor sweep but Adams is one step ahead there.
Adams thows a big elbow that misses.
Adams postures up.
Adams trying to control but Masato is working from the bottom.
Masato looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's four 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.
Adams working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Masato's head.
Adams wants to control from the top but Masato keeps moving.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Adams throws a combination that misses
and Masato counters with a stiff right hand.
Masato lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Adams circles away quickly and effectively.
Adams avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Adams uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Masato.
Adams uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Masato.
Adams misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Masato.
Adams misses with a wild body shot.
Masato rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Adams moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Masato misses with a hook to the body
and Adams counters with a one-two to the body.
Masato takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hayato Masato showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. This is the final round!

Masato misses with a body shot

and Adams counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Adams throwing strikes from guard but Masato blocks nicely.

Adams drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Masato dives on top into guard.
Adams 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.
Masato looking to sit in guard and control but Adams gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Masato keeping moving, preventing Adams from controlling successfully.
Masato utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Masato takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Adams has gone for a leg lock! Masato slips out almost immediately though and dives into Adams's guard.

Adams looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Adams throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Masato won't allow Adams to sweep him here.
Adams is trying to control the position from the bottom.

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.
Masato works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Masato wants to take a breather but Adams is having none of it.
Masato performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Masato prevents Adams from improving his position.
Masato controlling the action here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masato tries to stand but can't do so whilst Adams controls his leg.
Adams trying to control here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Masato trying to control the action but Adams is working from the bottom.
Adams preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Hayato Masato is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

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.
The fighters are battling for position here. Adams manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Masato wants to control from the top but Adams keeps moving.
Masato won't allow Adams to sweep him here.
Masato showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Adams has his foot on Masato's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Masato works his way back into a safe position though.

And that's the end of the fight!
AJ Adams showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Masato 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 29:29
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Hayato Masato!