PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kaimana Kalainawai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Masterson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kalainawai kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Collie Buddz - She Gimme Love. Masterson is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Kanye West & Jamie Fox - Gold Digger. Kaimana Kalainawai could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to James Masterson's chin.

Kalainawai
vs
Masterson

180 cm
27
195 lbs
19 - 6 - 0

180 cm
29
200 lbs
18 - 8 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kaimana Kalainawai!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, James Masterson!
The judges for this bout are Micheangelo Fripello, Ryoma Takatsuka and Jeff Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Masterson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kalainawai circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kalainawai misses with a wild body shot.
Masterson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kalainawai.
James Masterson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Masterson shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Kalainawai takes a swing at Masterson's ribcage but misses.
A bone on bone clash there as Kalainawai blocks the leg kick.
Kalainawai scores with a crisp jab that stopped Masterson in his tracks.

Kalainawai is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Masterson's half guard.

Kalainawai is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Masterson has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kalainawai is working away from the top position though.

Kalainawai is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Masterson doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Kalainawai.

Kalainawai is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kalainawai is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Masterson has managed to free his arm - good work.
Kalainawai trying to control from half guard but Masterson is working away.
Masterson is looking to escape.
Kalainawai thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Masterson is controlling Kalainawai's trapped leg to prevent Kalainawai from advancing to side control.
Kalainawai is pressing down on Masterson's thigh, looking to free his foot. Masterson is holding on for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kalainawai is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Kalainawai is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Masterson regains full guard. Nicely done.
Masterson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kalainawai pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Masterson is keeping the position for now.
Masterson wants to sweep but no luck.
Kalainawai trying to control the position from guard on top but Masterson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masterson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Masterson wants to sweep but no luck.
Masterson keeping full guard, as Kalainawai tries to pass.
Masterson can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Kalainawai controls the pace.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Kalainawai looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Masterson!
Kalainawai punching from mount but Masterson doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Masterson is trying to escape the mount.

Kalainawai jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Masterson is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Masterson and Kalainawai has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Masterson avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Kalainawai.
Masterson is looking for a sweep.
Kalainawai wants to lay and pray for a moment but Masterson keeps working.
Masterson tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Kalainawai wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Kalainawai working away.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Kalainawai is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Masterson knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Kalainawai is working Masterson over with some ground and pound from side control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Kalainawai tries for a kimura but Masterson is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kaimana Kalainawai dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Kalainawai throws a right and a left that both miss.
Masterson throws a leg kick that misses.
Masterson tries to close the distance and clinch but Kalainawai swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Masterson walks into a straight right hand from Kalainawai.
Kalainawai throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kalainawai misses the shot to the body.
Masterson pivots, looking for a leg kick but Kalainawai is out of range and Masterson settles back down.
Kalainawai fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Masterson looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Masterson lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Kalainawai looks to score with a jab to the body but Masterson is just out of range.
Masterson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Masterson fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Kalainawai is out of range.
A nice leg kick lands there from Masterson.
Masterson tries to clinch but Kalainawai is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Masterson pivots, looking for a leg kick but Kalainawai is out of range and Masterson settles back down.

Kalainawai shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Kalainawai being controlled here momentarily.

Kalainawai 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.
Masterson has Kalainawai pulled in close to control his posture.
Masterson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Kalainawai looking to pass the guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Kalainawai looking to sit in guard and control but Masterson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kalainawai has his foot on Masterson's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Masterson works his way back into a safe position though.
Masterson showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Kalainawai is looking for a triangle but Masterson pushes his legs off easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Kalainawai working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Masterson doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Masterson manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Masterson wants to control from the top but Kalainawai keeps moving.
Masterson must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Masterson content to stall in guard here.
Kalainawai trying to keep a closed guard but Masterson is proving a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masterson sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Kalainawai manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Masterson manages to get himself to full guard.
Masterson wants to sweep here but Kalainawai controlling him for the moment.
Kalainawai throws an elbow that misses. Masterson uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kalainawai's guard. Nice move by Masterson!
Kalainawai working a defensive guard here.
Kalainawai is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Kaimana Kalainawai overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Masterson slips nicely into half guard.
Masterson is keen to just control but Kalainawai is a slippery customer.
Kalainawai is trying to maintain the position but Masterson is very close to passing his half guard.
Kalainawai is looking to improve his position.

Kalainawai looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Kalainawai looking for submissions off his back.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kalainawai has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Masterson is working away from the top position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Kaimana Kalainawai will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Masterson lands a jab to the nose.
Kalainawai tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Masterson was well out of range. Poor timing from Kalainawai.

Kalainawai gets a double leg takedown into Masterson's guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Masterson holds on and takes a little breather.
Masterson wants to sweep here but Kalainawai controlling him for the moment.

Kalainawai has gone for a leg lock! Masterson slips out almost immediately though and dives into Kalainawai's guard.
Kalainawai looking to hit a scissor sweep but Masterson is one step ahead there.
Masterson's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Masterson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kalainawai is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kalainawai is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Kalainawai is looking for a triangle but Masterson pushes his legs off easily.
Kalainawai wants to sweep but no luck.

Kalainawai has an active guard here but Masterson has managed to pass into half guard.
Kalainawai has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Masterson is working away from the top position though.
Masterson not doing much here.
Masterson tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Masterson wants to take a breather but Kalainawai is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Kalainawai is looking to improve his position.
Kalainawai is working hard here to advance position.

OK we're going to have a standup here. James Masterson hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Masterson takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Nice sprawl there from Masterson as Kalainawai shoots in.
Masterson tries to clinch there but Kalainawai circles away.
Kalainawai looks to score with a jab to the body but Masterson is just out of range.
A big right from Kalainawai misses.
A shot to the body from Kalainawai misses
and Masterson counters with a head kick. That will keep Kalainawai thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Masterson tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Kalainawai manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kalainawai moves out of range of the body kick from Masterson.

Masterson fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kalainawai, pushing him back against the cage.
Masterson lands with a left to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masterson misses with an elbow over the top.
Kalainawai blocks a body shot from Masterson.

Kalainawai jumps guard and drags Masterson to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Kalainawai trying to control the position.
Masterson looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Let's hope that Masterson has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
James Masterson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Kalainawai is on top in guard.
Kalainawai stopping the sweep attempt from Masterson.
Masterson pulls Kalainawai in close to prevent any damage.
Kaimana Kalainawai is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. James Masterson was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Kalainawai circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kalainawai takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Masterson looks to land a body kick but Kalainawai moved away.
Kalainawai checks the leg kick.
Kalainawai closes this distance looking for a takedown but Masterson circles away.
Masterson will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Kalainawai throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Masterson.
Kalainawai ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kalainawai scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
No luck for Kalainawai with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kaimana Kalainawai. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Masterson slips a jab from Kalainawai.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to James Masterson.
I think Kalainawai has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kaimana Kalainawai!
Post fight, Kaimana Kalainawai took to the microphone: 'oh man I´m scared of myself, thanks for beeing part of it folks !!!'.