PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Michael Mason (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arnold Wernicki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mason's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Final Countdown. Arnold Wernicki acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Mason
vs
Wernicki

180 cm
23
185 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

185 cm
25
188 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Good in bed

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Untouchable Fight Nutrition

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 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Michael Mason!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Arnold Wernicki!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, James Atkins and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mason shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Mason keeps the fight on the outside.

Mason gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Mason keeping full guard, as Wernicki tries to pass.
Wernicki being controlled here momentarily.
Mason's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wernicki with a flurry of punches that miss.
Wernicki trying to control the position from guard on top but Mason is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mason is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Wernicki postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Mason is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Wernicki, into his guard.
Mason 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.

Wernicki uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Wernicki tries to close the distance and clinch up but Mason swats him away and circles back towards the center.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mason prevents Wernicki from standing back up.

Wernicki is defending against the submission attempts here by Mason.
Mason trying to control the action but Wernicki is working from the bottom.
Wernicki is trying to get back to full guard.
Mason not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Mason wants to lay and pray for a moment but Wernicki keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Wernicki is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Mason pulls his head out easily.
Wernicki tries to get to full guard but Mason has control of the leg.
Mason tries to stand but can't do so whilst Wernicki controls his leg.
Wernicki moves into full guard.

Wernicki has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Mason is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Wernicki.
Wernicki looks gassed!
Mason taking a breather here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mason throws an elbow but Wernicki slips to the side and avoids it well.
Wernicki tries to control the position but he's not in luck - Mason easily slips into full mount!
Mason lands a big elbow.
Mason cracks Wernicki with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mason tries to control but Wernicki wriggling away.
Mason controlling the pace for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Mason dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Nice takedown defense from Mason. No joy for Wernicki on that attempt.
Wernicki throws a low kick but it's checked well by Mason.
Mason tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Wernicki counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Wernicki drops back, looking for a kneebar! Mason looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Mason looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Mason!

Mason decides to stand back up. Mason steps back and let's Wernicki get back to his feet.
Mason stuffs the takedown.
Good work by Mason as he checks the leg kick.
Wernicki tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Mason manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Wernicki scores with a takedown into Mason's guard.
Wernicki is breathing heavily.
Wernicki looking to sit in guard and control but Mason gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Wernicki looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Mason connects with a couple of short punches.
Wernicki keeping moving, preventing Mason from controlling successfully.

Wernicki is looking for a triangle but Mason pushes his legs off easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wernicki being controlled here, momentarily.
Mason trying to control the position from guard on top but Wernicki is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mason 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.

Mason gets to his feet - Wernicki follows without any prompting.
Michael Mason seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mason has a takedown stuffed.
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!
Mason walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Wernicki checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wernicki fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Mason avoids it really well and circles away.
Michael Mason has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Arnold Wernicki.
Wernicki shoots in looking for a takedown. Mason tries to sprawl out of it but Wernicki keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Mason manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Mason is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Wernicki's half guard.
Mason stalling.
Mason landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wernicki wants to control but Mason passes into side.

Mason decides to stand back up. Mason steps back and let's Wernicki get back to his feet.
Mason fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Mason shoots in for a double leg but Wernicki sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Wernicki forces Mason back against the cage and clinches.

Wernicki breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A head kick misses from Wernicki.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mason lands a nice looking kick to the body. Wernicki takes a step back to recover.
Wernicki changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Mason tries to avoid it but Wernicki manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Mason to the ground. Mason escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
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 Michael Mason will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Mason closes this distance looking for a takedown but Wernicki circles away.
Wernicki tries to score a power double leg takedown but Mason sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Wernicki somewhat.
Mason throws a head kick but Wernicki moves out of range.
Mason is looking to clinch.
Mason shoots for a takedown but Wernicki saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Mason shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Wernicki defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michael Mason. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Wernicki shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Mason closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Wernicki to the mat! Wernicki manages to get full guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Wernicki looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Wernicki tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Wernicki looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Mason passes into side control.
Mason advances nicely into full mount.
Mason controlling his opponent.
Wernicki is working to get back to half guard.
Wernicki reaches up to try and control the position but Mason seems to have an arm triangle now! Uh oh! Wernicki rolls and tries to escape and now Mason has his back!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mason looking for the choke from the back.
Mason connects with a series of strikes and the referee is calling for Wernicki to escape the position.

Mason sinks in the hooks and is looking for the choke. He's got it! Wernicki taps out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:41 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Michael Mason!
A pretty intense looking Michael Mason took the opportunity post-fight to ask for a shot at the title.