PBP Commentary

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

Masatupo
vs
Silk

180 cm
26
158 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

173 cm
25
153 lbs
8 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite 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 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Haiki Masatupo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Casey Silk!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Masatupo throws a sloppy head kick and Silk moves out of range easily.
Masatupo checks a leg kick nicely.
Silk scores with a leg kick.

Silk shoots in and bounces Masatupo off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Masatupo wants to sweep here but Silk controlling him for the moment.
Silk content to stall in guard here.
Silk trying to control but Masatupo is working from the bottom.
Masatupo avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silk wants to control from the top but Masatupo keeps moving.
Masatupo looking to hit a scissor sweep but Silk is one step ahead there.
Silk trying to control the position from guard on top but Masatupo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Silk stays in close to Masatupo's body and controls the position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Masatupo doesn't manage to clinch there - Silk circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Silk misses with a low kick.
Silk tries to work over Masatupo's front leg with a kick but Masatupo checks it.
Silk tries to score a power double leg takedown but Masatupo sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Silk somewhat.

Silk drives through with a takedown into guard.
Silk tries to free his leg and advance position but Masatupo is retaining full guard.
Silk missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Masatupo avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Silk working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Silk trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Silk trying to control but Masatupo is working from the bottom.
Silk throws a strike but Masatupo rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silk wants to sweep but no luck.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Masatupo fails in his attempt to clinch.
Haiki Masatupo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Silk tries to bum rush Masatupo with a series of wild strikes but Masatupo uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Masatupo tries to clinch up.

Masatupo has taken the fight to the clinch.
Masatupo prevents the takedown attempt.
Masatupo throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Silk blocks it with crossed arms.
Masatupo with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Masatupo with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

It looks like Casey Silk has been cut.
Silk goes for a takedown attempt but Masatupo pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Haiki Masatupo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Casey Silk.
Masatupo tries to clinch but Silk moves out of range.
Silk throws a solid leg kick but Masatupo takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Silk.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Masatupo closes the distance and pushes Silk back into the cage.
Masatupo looking to throw knees to the head but Silk is blocking nicely.
Silk tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Masatupo smiles and moves away.

Masatupo rushes Silk and presses him up against the cage.
Masatupo using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Silk has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Silk tries to circle away but Masatupo has him pinned against the cage.
Masatupo prevents a takedown attempt there.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Silk drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Silk looks gassed!
Masatupo misses with a knee to the head.
Silk has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Masatupo manages to break the clinch.
Silk ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Masatupo moves away.

Masatupo moves into the clinch.
Silk takes a knee right on the jaw!
Masatupo misses with a short punch on the inside.
Silk tries to pull guard but Masatupo holds him up against the cage and eventually Silk drops back down to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Casey Silk will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Casey Silk's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Masatupo gets a clinch.
Masatupo is pressed up against the cage. Silk has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Masatupo down to the mat. Masatupo avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Silk tries for a takedown but Masatupo sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Silk shoots in looking for a takedown. Masatupo tries to sprawl out of it but Silk keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Masatupo manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Haiki Masatupo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Casey Silk.

Masatupo moves into range and clinches up with Silk.
Masatupo misses with a knee strike.

Masatupo breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Silk wants to slow Masatupo down by chopping away at his legs.
Silk throws a leg kick but Masatupo checks it.
Masatupo is looking to clinch.
Silk fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Masatupo.

Masatupo instigates a clinch.
Masatupo tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Masatupo using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Silk has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Masatupo using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Silk has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Masatupo using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Silk has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Masatupo tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Masatupo misses with a knee strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Silk is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Masatupo gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Silk tries for a takedown but Masatupo manages to get underhooks.
Silk tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Masatupo smiles and moves away.
Masatupo tries to clinch up but Silk circles away and keeps his distance.
Silk throws a lazy head kick
and Masatupo counters with a head kick. That will keep Silk thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Masatupo blocks a low kick nicely.
Haiki Masatupo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Silk shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Masatupo's guard.
Silk throwing strikes but missing.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Silk tries to free his leg and advance position but Masatupo is retaining full guard.
Silk trying to control but Masatupo is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silk postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Silk stays in close to Masatupo's body and controls the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Silk throws a big right hand that misses.
Silk pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Masatupo is keeping the position for now.
Silk pushes down on Masatupo's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masatupo moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Silk postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Silk is looking to work some ground and pound but Masatupo has wrist control.
Silk is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Silk trying to control but Masatupo is working from the bottom.

That's four 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.
Silk throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Silk slips nicely into half guard.
Silk not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Masatupo is refusing to be controlled, as Silk sits in half guard.
Silk throws a strike but Masatupo avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Casey Silk will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Casey Silk's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Masatupo checks a low kick from Silk.
Masatupo throws a combination. Silk tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Masatupo wants to clinch up but Silk keeps it at a distance.

Masatupo clinches up with Silk and pushes him back against the cage.
Silk tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Masatupo just stands there and leans against the cage.
Silk jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Masatupo walks away with a smile on his face. Silk gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Silk fails to land the takedown.
Haiki Masatupo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Casey Silk.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Silk lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Masatupo has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Masatupo and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Silk throws a leg kick that is checked
and Masatupo counters with a two punch combo.
Masatupo tries to clinch but Silk is having none of it.
Silk fails with a takedown attempt.

Masatupo rushes Silk and presses him up against the cage.
Masatupo looking to throw knees to the head but Silk is blocking nicely.
Silk takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Silk drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Silk's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Masatupo throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Silk blocks it with crossed arms.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Silk gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Silk stopping the sweep attempt from Masatupo.
Silk wants to control from the top but Masatupo keeps moving.
Silk looking to sit in guard and control but Masatupo gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Masatupo slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Haiki Masatupo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Masatupo pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Silk is keeping the position for now.

Silk working for a triangle but Masatupo defends it easily.
Silk wants to improve his position but instead Masatupo has moved into half guard.
Silk makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Silk.
Silk throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Silk is trying to keep Masatupo in close.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masatupo landing some decent shots from guard.
Masatupo trying to control but Silk is working from the bottom.
Masatupo is stalling in the full guard.
Masatupo is pushing down on Silk's leg trying to pass to half guard. Silk is fighting to maintain full guard but Masatupo has managed to sneak the leg through.
Silk wants to get back to his feet.
Silk blocking the ground and pound attempt from Masatupo.

That's four 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.
Masatupo trying to control from half guard but Silk is working away.
Silk tries to roll over but Masatupo keeps him under control.
Silk 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.
Masatupo scores with a head kick.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Masatupo is looking to clinch but Silk is avoiding it.
Masatupo tries to clinch there but Silk circles away.
Casey Silk is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Silk.
Masatupo scores with a leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Haiki Masatupo showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Silk 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Casey Silk!