PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Gianfranco Zola (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jesh Masilungan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zola comes to the cage accompanied by Balls to the Wall. Masilungan is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Heaven Hell. Jesh Masilungan has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Zola
vs
Masilungan

163 cm
28
142 lbs
22 - 6 - 0

167 cm
26
147 lbs
16 - 6 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Syndicate Drugs

Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Gianfranco Zola!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jesh Masilungan!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Mauricio Rocha and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zola loads up on a big right hand but Masilungan slips the punch.
Zola throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Masilungan throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Zola throws a hook to the side of Masilungan's head but Masilungan sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Masilungan slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Zola swings away with a body shot that misses
and Masilungan counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Good leg kick by Masilungan there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Masilungan cracks Zola with an open hand slap.
Zola misses with a body punch
and Masilungan counters with a nice leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zola throws a head kick that misses
and Masilungan counters with a nice uppercut.
Zola gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Masilungan counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A jab from Masilungan finds it's way through Zola's defenses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A punch combination from Zola misses.
Zola with a poor takedown
and Masilungan counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A right-left combo lands from Zola.
Zola throws a predictable looking body shot
and Masilungan connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Zola takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Zola misses the jab.
Zola throws a looping overhand right but Masilungan ducks down to avoid it.
Masilungan misses with a looping left.
Zola misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Masilungan counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Donk. Masilungan catches Zola right on the button with a cross.
Masilungan ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Gianfranco Zola seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zola lands a lovely overhand right.
Masilungan bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Zola takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Zola takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Zola misses with a straight left.
Zola throws a hook but Masilungan avoids it easily.
A solid leg kick lands there for Masilungan.
Zola with a lazy takedown attempt
and Masilungan counters with a flying knee. Nice.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gianfranco Zola. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zola looks to score with a jab to the body but Masilungan is just out of range.
Zola ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Masilungan moves away.
Zola misses with a shot to the body
and Masilungan counters with a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zola throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Masilungan counters with a one-two to the body.
Zola throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Masilungan counters with a two punch combo.
Zola misses the body punch
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Masilungan digs a good body shot into Zola's ribs.
Masilungan uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Zola.
Zola throws a looping overhand right but Masilungan ducks down to avoid it.
A jab from Zola misses.
Masilungan throws a nice inside leg kick.
A lazy body kick from Zola
and Masilungan counters with a nice uppercut.
Masilungan scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Zola doesn't seem bothered though.
Masilungan is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Zola had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Zola misses the body punch
and Masilungan counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zola swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Masilungan counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Zola is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Zola misses with a looping right.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Zola. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
A low kick from Zola is predictable there
and Masilungan counters with a series of strikes. Zola will be more careful next time no doubt.
Masilungan slips a jab from Zola.
Masilungan works Zola's body with a nice hook.
Masilungan turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Zola with a poor takedown
and Masilungan counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Masilungan gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Zola wants to stand but Masilungan is controlling his posture from full guard.
Zola is breathing heavily.

Masilungan manages to escape and get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jesh Masilungan dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Zola on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Masilungan staying out of range there.
Zola misses with an uppercut.
Zola has his takedown stuffed
and Masilungan counters with a head kick. That will keep Zola thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Zola misses with a body shot
and Masilungan counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Zola takes one on the button.
Zola scores with a body shot.
Jesh Masilungan seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Zola swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Zola swings away with a body shot that misses
and Masilungan counters with a big head kick but Zola shrugs it off.
Zola fails with the takedown
and Masilungan counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Zola is lucky that one didn't land flush.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zola gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Masilungan counters with a stiff right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gianfranco Zola. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Masilungan cracks Zola with an open hand slap.
Masilungan lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Zola throws a jab but it's blocked by Masilungan.
Masilungan tries to bum rush Zola with a series of wild strikes but Zola uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Zola throws a hook but Masilungan avoids it easily.
Zola throws a hook to the side of Masilungan's head but Masilungan sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Masilungan ducks under a wild hook from Zola.
Masilungan lands a right hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zola misses with a jab to the body
and Masilungan counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
The fighters circling - Zola throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Zola throws a lazy right hand but Masilungan sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Zola throws a hook but Masilungan blocks it.
Zola throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Zola takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Zola misses with a hook. Masilungan ducked under it nicely.
Masilungan lands a head shot.
Zola misses with a double jab
and Masilungan counters with a left and a right that stings Zola.
Zola gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Masilungan counters with a left and a right that stings Zola.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jab, jab by Masilungan - just one landing.
A big right from Zola misses.
Zola takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Zola ducks under a wild hook from Masilungan.
Masilungan uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Zola.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Masilungan.
Masilungan gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Zola takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Zola misses with an uppercut. Masilungan saw that one coming.

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.
Zola keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Zola throws a sloppy body shot
and Masilungan counters with a three punch combo that has Zola backing up. Zola nods at Masilungan to acknowledge the strikes.

Zola gets a takedown into half guard.
Zola wants to control but Masilungan is keeping him busy.
Masilungan is trying to stand.

Zola is looking for a kimura but Masilungan is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Zola to get the leverage.
Masilungan tries to kick Zola off but Zola keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Zola passes to side control.

Masilungan sneaks out the side door and pushes Zola away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Zola throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jesh Masilungan showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Masilungan throws a head kick that Zola semi-blocks.
Masilungan blocks a leg kick.
Masilungan slips a straight right by Zola.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Zola.
Zola is looking to take a break and control but Masilungan is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Masilungan tries to improve position but can't.
Masilungan is not content to let Zola control the position.
Masilungan is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Masilungan manages to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Masilungan gets full guard.
Masilungan looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Zola advances to half guard.
Masilungan is not content to let Zola control the position.
Masilungan tries to kick Zola off but Zola keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Masilungan trying to control here.
Masilungan pushes Zola off but Zola dives into side control.
Masilungan takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Zola is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Masilungan has escaped the position, nice work there.
Masilungan is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Gianfranco Zola has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

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.
Masilungan gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Masilungan tries to reverse the position but Zola maintains control.
Zola looking to finish with strikes here!
Zola pushing the pace here, looking to move to his opponents back and work for a finish.
Masilungan's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Zola manages to capitalize on a mistake by Masilungan to take his back!
Zola struggling to keep hold of the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masilungan wants to get back to his feet.
Zola controlling well, preventing Masilungan from escaping the position.
Masilungan is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

Zola is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Masilungan knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Masilungan for a finish.
Zola controlling well, preventing Masilungan from escaping the position.
Masilungan is trying to get back to his feet but Zola has full control of the position and if anything, Masilungan has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Jesh Masilungan is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Zola is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Masilungan knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Masilungan for a finish.

Zola is looking for the choke from the back position but Masilungan is controlling his hands well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Zola is looking for the choke from the back position but Masilungan is controlling his hands well.
Masilungan trying to control the action but Zola just sinks the hooks in.
Zola doesn't have the hooks in and Masilungan manages to turn into his guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Masilungan is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Masilungan stands and throws Zola's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Check out the look on Masilungan's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Zola tries to improve position but can't.
A lull in the action here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gianfranco Zola showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Masilungan 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 Emerson Jorge scores the fight 28:29
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 28:29
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jesh Masilungan!