PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Anthony Barbossa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Taka Masahuku (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Masahuku is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Saltarello by Dead Can Dance. Anthony Barbossa could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Taka Masahuku's chin.

Barbossa
vs
Masahuku

191 cm
20
240 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

175 cm
23
260 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Anthony Barbossa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Taka Masahuku!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Alec Ball and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Barbossa shoots in and bounces Masahuku off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Barbossa stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Masahuku swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Barbossa stopping the sweep attempt from Masahuku.
Barbossa passes into half guard.
Barbossa tries to stand and escape but Masahuku is controlling the position.
Barbossa thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Masahuku's head.
Masahuku wants to improve his position but Barbossa is controlling well.
Masahuku is trying to control but can't.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Barbossa lands a nice shot to the body.
Barbossa tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Masahuku was well out of range. Poor timing from Barbossa.
Barbossa tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Masahuku was well out of range. Poor timing from Barbossa.
Masahuku blocks a low kick nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Masahuku checks the leg kick nicely there.
Masahuku uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Barbossa.
Barbossa tried to score with a low kick but Masahuku checks it.
Masahuku tries to close the distance and clinch but Barbossa swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Barbossa.
Barbossa throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Masahuku checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Masahuku checks the leg kick nicely there.
Masahuku keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Barbossa.

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.
Barbossa throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Masahuku bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Barbossa misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Masahuku.
Masahuku changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Barbossa tries to avoid it but Masahuku manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Barbossa to the ground. Barbossa escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Barbossa misses with a takedown

and Masahuku counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Masahuku.
Barbossa can't get the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anthony Barbossa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Masahuku effectively controlling the action here.
Barbossa is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Barbossa has picked Masahuku up - he's going for a ride! Barbossa dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Barbossa thows a huge punch but Masahuku dodges it nicely.

Masahuku looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Barbossa looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masahuku wants to get back to full guard.
Barbossa is thwarting Masahuku's attempts to control the position.
Barbossa moves into full mount! Masahuku won't be happy about that!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Masahuku sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Masahuku has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Barbossa is working away from the top position though.
Masahuku tries to get to full guard but Barbossa has control of the leg.
Barbossa missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Barbossa is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Masahuku defends it well.
Masahuku tries to roll over but Barbossa keeps him under control.

Barbossa is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Masahuku moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Masahuku trying to keep a closed guard but Barbossa is proving a slippery customer.

Masahuku looking for a guillotine here but Barbossa defends easily.

Barbossa drops back looking for a leg! Masahuku is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Masahuku manages to kick Barbossa off! Barbossa jumps back into Masahuku's guard.
Barbossa with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Barbossa stands and throws Masahuku's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Barbossa tries to advance to mount but can't.
Masahuku tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Barbossa wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Barbossa in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Barbossa throws a body punch but Masahuku moves out of range.
Barbossa lands with a good body shot.
The fight stays on the outside here - Masahuku looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Barbossa fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Masahuku is out of range.

Masahuku closes the distance and clinches.
Masahuku stalling in the clinch but Barbossa improves position.
Masahuku stops a takedown attempt from Barbossa.
Barbossa fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Masahuku gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Barbossa.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anthony Barbossa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Barbossa looking for a takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barbossa is trying to drag Masahuku to the mat but Masahuku just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Barbossa drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Barbossa tries to score a body lock takedown but Masahuku shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Barbossa drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Masahuku gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Barbossa goes for a takedown attempt but Masahuku pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Masahuku has Barbossa up against the cage in a clinch.
Barbossa tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Masahuku smiles and moves away.
Barbossa looks to land a combination. Masahuku sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Masahuku is looking to clinch.
Masahuku doesn't manage to clinch there - Barbossa circles away.
Barbossa throws a sloppy head kick and Masahuku moves out of range easily.
Barbossa doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Masahuku holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Masahuku.

Barbossa gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Masahuku gets full guard.
Barbossa postures up and lands a big shot to Masahuku's brow.

Masahuku working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Barbossa doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Barbossa manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Barbossa 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.

Barbossa stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barbossa misses with a takedown

and Masahuku moves into the clinch.

Barbossa lands a takedown into guard.
Masahuku not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Barbossa wants to pass the guard but Masahuku is keeping the position.
Masahuku trying to control the position.
Masahuku might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Barbossa kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

Masahuku is looking for a triangle but Barbossa pushes his legs off easily.
Masahuku can't keep his opponent in guard - Barbossa advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Barbossa prevents Masahuku from improving his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Barbossa is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Masahuku is pressing down on Barbossa's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Masahuku is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Barbossa is aware though and is defending well.

Masahuku is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Barbossa is pushing down on Masahuku's leg trying to pass to half guard. Masahuku is fighting to maintain full guard but Barbossa has managed to sneak the leg through.
Masahuku tries to get to full guard but Barbossa has control of the leg.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Barbossa connects with a nice short shot to Masahuku's temple.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Barbossa postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Masahuku to stand up.
Barbossa looks to land a right hand but Masahuku moved out of range.
Barbossa ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Masahuku moves away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anthony Barbossa dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Masahuku tries to clinch but Barbossa moves out of range.
Masahuku keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Masahuku tries to clinch up.
Barbossa misses with a wild body shot.
Barbossa fails with the takedown

and Masahuku counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Masahuku is looking to take a break and control but Barbossa is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Barbossa won't allow Masahuku to pass to mount.

Masahuku is trying to work for a kimura but Barbossa is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barbossa gets full guard.
Masahuku looking to pass the guard.
Masahuku pushing down on Barbossa's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Masahuku is working for a kimura here but Barbossa manages to reverse the position and he's now in Masahuku's guard.
Masahuku takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Barbossa drops back looking for a leg! Masahuku is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Masahuku manages to kick Barbossa off! Barbossa jumps back into Masahuku's guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Masahuku looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Anthony Barbossa overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Masahuku is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Masahuku is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Barbossa advances position into side control!

Barbossa tries for a kimura but Masahuku is defending well.
Barbossa scores with punches from side control.
Barbossa has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Masahuku working to try and regain half guard.
Barbossa working the ground and pound effectively.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masahuku tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Barbossa goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Masahuku is on top in guard.
Barbossa trying to keep a closed guard but Masahuku is proving a slippery customer.
Masahuku stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Barbossa swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Masahuku slips nicely into half guard.
Barbossa moves into full guard.
Masahuku must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barbossa wants to sweep but no luck.
Taka Masahuku has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Barbossa has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Masahuku can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Masahuku drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Barbossa manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Masahuku has Barbossa in his guard.
Barbossa trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Masahuku manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Masahuku pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Barbossa is keeping the position for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
Anthony Barbossa showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Barbossa, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 William Peck scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anthony Barbossa!