PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Thiago Masagao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Redd (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Masagao
vs
Redd

180 cm
24
130 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

172 cm
24
152 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Solid 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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Thiago Masagao!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Mike Redd!
The judges for this bout are Micheangelo Fripello, Colin Fray and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Redd shoots in but no luck this time.
Redd shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Masagao counters by clinching up.
Masagao is trying to maintain a safe position but Redd gets an underhook and turns Masagao into the cage.
Redd tries for a takedown. No joy.
Thiago Masagao has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Redd.

Masagao gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Redd regains guard.

Redd is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Masagao wants to control from the top but Redd keeps moving.

Redd is looking for a triangle but Masagao pushes his legs off easily.
Masagao wants to pass the guard but Redd is keeping the position.
Masagao stopping the sweep attempt from Redd.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Masagao wants to stand but Redd is controlling his posture from full guard.

Masagao decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Redd, up you get!
Nice sprawl there from Redd as Masagao shoots in.

Masagao closes the distance and pushes Redd back into the cage.
Redd is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Masagao gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Redd pulls guard successfully.

Redd throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Redd looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Redd is looking for a triangle but Masagao pushes his legs off easily.
Redd is trying to keep Masagao in close.

Redd isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Masagao stacks Redd on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Masagao!
Redd is trying to control Masagao's posture but Masagao avoids it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Masagao stands up and we're back to a striking position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Redd drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Redd swings around for an armbar but Masagao sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Redd's guard.
Masagao wants to control from the top but Redd keeps moving.
Redd is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Masagao wants to control from the top but Redd keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Redd is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Masagao with a flurry of punches that miss.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Redd looking to control.
Masagao sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Redd's guard.

Masagao is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Masagao is looking to take a break and control but Redd is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
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 Thiago Masagao will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Redd scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Redd seems to be working for a kimura but Masagao defends the submission attempt.

Masagao is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Redd pulls his head out easily.

Redd is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Masagao doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Redd.
Mike Redd has got the better of the ground game so far.

Redd is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Masagao is trying to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Redd is working for a submission of some sort.
Masagao wants to control but Redd is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Redd seems to be working for a kimura but Masagao defends the submission attempt.

Redd is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Masagao has managed to free his arm - good work.
Masagao trying to hold on to Redd's head to control him but Redd postures up.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Redd is looking for a kimura but Masagao is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Redd to get the leverage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Masagao won't allow Redd to pass to mount.

Redd 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.
Redd moves into full mount! Masagao won't be happy about that!

Redd goes for an armbar but Masagao turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Masagao.

Redd working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Masagao doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Masagao manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Redd is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masagao trying to control the position from guard on top but Redd is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Masagao trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Masagao won't allow Redd to sweep him here.
Masagao working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Redd has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Masagao advances to half guard.

Redd looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Redd is looking to control Masagao's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Redd avoid being mounted?
Masagao seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Masagao is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Redd showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Redd takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Nice sprawl there from Masagao as Redd shoots in.
Masagao shoots in and drives through. Redd sprawls well.
Redd shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Masagao as he avoids it easily.
Redd shoots and misses

and Masagao counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Redd!
Thiago Masagao has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Redd.

Masagao has control of Redd's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Redd regains control of the situation pretty easily.

Masagao get's back to his feet.
Redd fails with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Masagao fails to land the takedown.
Masagao really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Redd closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Masagao is defending against the submission attempts here by Redd.

Redd is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Redd prevents Masagao from standing back up.

Redd is actively looking for submissions here but good counter grappling here from Masagao as he works his way to full guard.
Redd stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Masagao swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Redd postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Masagao is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Redd, into his guard.
Masagao stands and throws Redd's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Redd is looking to reverse the position.
Redd is trying to control Masagao's posture but Masagao avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Masagao tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Redd prevents Masagao from improving position.
Redd is not content to let Masagao control the position.
Redd gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Redd has a hand on Masagao's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Masagao takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Redd wants to hold on but Masagao pushes him away.
Redd is desperately trying to improve his position but Masagao has a good base and remains in mount.
Redd tries to hold on but Masagao postures up.
Masagao manages to capitalize on a mistake by Redd to take his back!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Masagao is not going to allow Redd to sit and survive in this position.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Thiago Masagao.
I think Masagao 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 for Mike Redd!
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight for Thiago Masagao!
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight for Mike Redd!

Mike Redd wins by split decision!