PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Carl Jones (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Haiki Masatupo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jones comes to the cage accompanied by Dillinger Escape Plan - 43% Burnt. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Jones
vs
Masatupo

173 cm
23
163 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

180 cm
25
158 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Carl Jones!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Haiki Masatupo!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Masatupo shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Masatupo is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Jones has managed to free his arm - good work.
Masatupo is keen to just control but Jones is a slippery customer.
Jones tries to roll over but Masatupo keeps him under control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jones is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Masatupo's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Masatupo's back!
Masatupo rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Jones works his foot free and advances to mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones scoring with strikes but Masatupo is staying in there.
Jones looking to finish with strikes here!
Poor strikes thrown by Jones there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Jones working some short elbows here. He postures up to throw some more ground and pound but Masatupo slips a leg through to get back to half guard. Nice work.

Jones is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Masatupo sees it coming and defends easily.
Jones thows a huge punch but Masatupo dodges it nicely.

That's two 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.
Masatupo is looking for a sweep. Jones is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Masatupo regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Jones.
Jones loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Jones prevents Masatupo from getting back to his feet.
Jones working some strikes from top position.
Jones passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Masatupo is looking to regain half guard here but Jones keeps moving and retains side control.
Jones misses with the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jones tries for a kimura but Masatupo is defending well.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Masatupo defending against the ground and pound.

Jones goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Masatupo has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Jones but great work by Masatupo.
Jones regains half guard.
Masatupo controlling the action here.
Jones moves into full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jones is trying to control the position but Masatupo postures up.
Masatupo wants to control from the top but Jones keeps moving.
Masatupo looking to sit in guard and control but Jones gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Masatupo wants to stand up but Jones is controlling him.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Jones postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Masatupo is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Jones, into his guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Carl Jones will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Masatupo has closed the distance and engaged Jones in a clinch.
Masatupo prevents the takedown attempt.
Masatupo throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Jones blocks it with crossed arms.
Jones is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Jones tries to land a knee to the head but Masatupo blocks with his arms.
Jones taking a breather.
Masatupo throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Jones blocks it with crossed arms.
Jones is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Jones is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Masatupo gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Carl Jones. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jones is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Masatupo is defending well for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A knee to the head by Masatupo.
Jones wants a takedown but no success here.
Masatupo with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Jones has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Masatupo avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Jones goes for a takedown in the clinch but Masatupo prevents it.
Jones goes for a takedown in the clinch but Masatupo prevents it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Jones is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Masatupo gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones goes for a takedown attempt but Masatupo pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Masatupo shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Masatupo throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Masatupo is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Masatupo tries to stand but his arm is trapped.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Masatupo takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Masatupo prevents Jones from improving his position.
Masatupo looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Jones 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.
Masatupo trying to control the pace.
Masatupo is just content to waste time from the top position. Jones takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Masatupo wants to control from the top but Jones keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masatupo postures up.
Jones wants to sweep here but Masatupo controlling him for the moment.
Masatupo throws a strike but Jones rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Jones pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Masatupo is keeping the position for now.

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.
Masatupo avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Masatupo tries to clinch there but Jones circles away.
Jones has his takedown stuffed
and Masatupo makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Masatupo throws a sloppy head kick and Jones moves out of range easily.

Masatupo gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Masatupo tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Masatupo is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Jones takes a shot to the head.
Masatupo with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Jones is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Masatupo pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Jones's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Haiki Masatupo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Masatupo throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Jones's head.

Masatupo pushes Jones up against the cage in a clinch.
Jones looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Masatupo scores with a shoulder strike.
Jones crunches a lovely knee into Masatupo's ribcage.
Masatupo landing knees to the head.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Masatupo misses with a punch on the inside.
Masatupo is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Jones tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Masatupo scores with a knee to the head.
Jones looking for a takedown.
Jones wants a takedown.
A knee to the head by Jones.
Masatupo with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Masatupo pressing his opponent against the cage.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Jones takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Jones misses with a knee strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Masatupo lands a knee to the head.

Masatupo breaks the clinch.
Masatupo moves in looking to clinch but Jones pushes him off.
Masatupo misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Jones.
Haiki Masatupo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Jones shoots in for a double leg but Masatupo sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Carl Jones. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Masatupo tries to clinch but Jones is having none of it.
Masatupo tries to clinch but Jones moves out of range.

Masatupo fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Jones, pushing him back against the cage.
Masatupo with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Jones wants a takedown.
Jones takes a knee right on the jaw!
Jones is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Masatupo is keeping busy.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Masatupo with a knee to the head.

Jones is rocked!
Masatupo slows down the pace here.
Oh Jones is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Masatupo tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Masatupo misses with a knee to the head.
Jones seems to have got his legs back now.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Masatupo.
Jones tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Jones misses with a knee to the head.
Masatupo looking to throw knees to the head but Jones is blocking nicely.
Masatupo keeps control of Jones as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Stalling in the clinch from Masatupo.
Jones tries to land a knee to the head but Masatupo blocks with his arms.
Masatupo gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Jones.
Masatupo is looking to control Jones's arms but Jones gets an underhook and turns him. Now Masatupo has his back to the cage.
Masatupo lands with a right to the head.
Jones is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Masatupo gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Masatupo tries a knee to the head but Jones blocks it.
Masatupo throws a knee to the head but misses.
Masatupo leaning his opponent against the cage.
Masatupo tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Masatupo on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Masatupo blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Jones has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Masatupo scores with a shoulder strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masatupo scores with a nice hook to the head.
Masatupo tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Masatupo throws a knee to the head but misses.
Jones lands a knee to the head.
Jones goes for a takedown attempt but Masatupo pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Jones tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Masatupo fails in his attempt to clinch.
Masatupo takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

Masatupo closes the distance and clinches.
Jones tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Masatupo with a knee to the head.
Masatupo wants to stall.
Jones has Masatupo pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Masatupo manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Masatupo misses with a knee to the head.
Jones throws a knee to the head but misses.
Masatupo throws a knee to the head but misses.
Jones takes a shot to the head.
Jones throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Masatupo blocks it with crossed arms.
Jones changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Masatupo fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Masatupo is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Masatupo darts in and clinches Jones up against the cage.
Jones changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Masatupo fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Masatupo is looking to clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Haiki Masatupo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Masatupo 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Haiki Masatupo!