PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Haiki Masatupo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Piolo Pascual (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Masatupo
vs
Pascual

180 cm
33
158 lbs
17 - 19 - 0

190 cm
24
159 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
World class MT
Determined

Steel Penn's Laundry 93%

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 17 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Haiki Masatupo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Piolo Pascual!
The judges for this bout are Micheangelo Fripello, Ryoma Takatsuka and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pascual darts in trying to clinch

and Masatupo counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Masatupo looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Masatupo is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Pascual sees it coming and defends easily.

Masatupo is looking for a kimura here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Pascual is defending against the submission attempts here by Masatupo.
Masatupo lands with a punch from half guard.

Pascual is defending against the submission attempts here by Masatupo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Masatupo perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Masatupo seems to be working for a kimura but Pascual defends the submission attempt.

Masatupo is working for a submission of some sort.
Masatupo is trying to control. Pascual wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Masatupo looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Masatupo is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Masatupo is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Pascual is just riding it out for now. Masatupo eventually gives up the hold.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Masatupo is looking for a kimura here.
Pascual is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Masatupo is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Pascual defends it well.
Pascual is trying to control but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Haiki Masatupo dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Masatupo fails with a takedown attempt.

Pascual gets caught napping as Masatupo dives in and scores a takedown. Pascual manages to retain guard.
Masatupo wants to control from the top but Pascual keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pascual controls Masatupo momentarily but Masatupo frees himself.
Masatupo throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Haiki Masatupo overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Pascual trying to control the position.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Masatupo advances to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Masatupo looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Masatupo is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Masatupo seems to be looking for submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Masatupo is keen to just control but Pascual is a slippery customer.
Masatupo works his way into side control.

Masatupo is working to tighten is grip on Pascual's neck. He's isolated an arm and is working for an arm triangle. Pascual has recognised the danger and is trying to turn with the submission but Masatupo is really squeezing tight and eventually Pascual passes out! Masatupo breaks the hold and jumps onto the cage to celebrate! Submission of the night, I'd say!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:47 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Haiki Masatupo!
Haiki Masatupo bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.