PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dave Mastain (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dirk Blaylock (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Blaylock is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Head Like a Hole. Dave Mastain had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Mastain
vs
Blaylock

182 cm
27
279 lbs
15 - 6 - 1

192 cm
24
273 lbs
11 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ultimate Fighting Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Dave Mastain!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dirk Blaylock!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Joseph Jones and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Blaylock ducks right into an uppercut from Mastain.
Blaylock lands a jab to Mastain's midsection.
Blaylock just misses with a punch to the body.
Blaylock fails to land with a series of punches.
Blaylock shoots in looking for a takedown but Mastain manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Blaylock's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Mastain stuffs the takedown attempt from Blaylock. Blaylock gets slowly back to his feet.
Mastain thows a body shot but no joy.
Mastain throws an overhand right that lands on Blaylock's shoulder, as Blaylock tries to avoid the shot.
Mastain steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Blaylock.

Blaylock scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
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 referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Mastain wants to control but Blaylock postures up.
Mastain isn't going anywhere.
Mastain can't do much from the bottom here.
Blaylock wants to control but Mastain is keeping him busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blaylock misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Blaylock in side control, throwing shots but Mastain defends.
Blaylock misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mastain is trying to control Blaylock's posture but Blaylock avoids it.
Blaylock throws a strike aimed at the side of Mastain's head but Mastain avoids it well.
Mastain manages to get back to half guard.
Blaylock is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Blaylock stalling away here and it's allowed Mastain to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mastain avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Mastain wants to sweep here but Blaylock controlling him for the moment.
Blaylock postures up.
Mastain preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Mastain wants to sweep but no luck.
Mastain looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Blaylock advances to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blaylock tries to pass to full mount but Mastain defends it.
Mastain is holding on to half guard well.
Mastain is looking for a sweep. Blaylock is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Mastain manages to get to full guard.
Blaylock slips nicely into half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Blaylock in particular looking to stall.
Blaylock wants to control but Mastain is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blaylock throwing shots but Mastain is blocking nicely.
Mastain is not content to let Blaylock control the position.
Blaylock not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Dirk Blaylock wasn't active enough on the ground.
Blaylock takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Mastain with a hook.
Mastain lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A slow jab from Blaylock misses its intended target.
Blaylock shoots in for a double leg but Mastain sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Dave Mastain has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dirk Blaylock.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Mastain moves into the clinch.
Mastain lands a body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dirk Blaylock dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Mastain takes a swing at Blaylock's ribcage but misses.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Blaylock.
Blaylock ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Blaylock throws a big shot that misses.

Mastain has closed the distance and engaged Blaylock in a clinch.
Blaylock blocks an uppercut.
Blaylock wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Mastain misses with a short punch on the inside.

Mastain breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Mastain swinging wildly here.
Mastain lands a nice hook to Blaylock's body. Blaylock takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Nice defenses there by Mastain.
Mastain misses with an uppercut
and Blaylock makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Mastain.
Blaylock misses the shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blaylock closes this distance looking for a takedown but Mastain circles away.
Mastain takes one to the side of the head.
Mastain lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Blaylock looks to score with a jab to the body but Mastain is just out of range.
Mastain blocks a jab.
Mastain tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Blaylock was well out of range. Poor timing from Mastain.
Blaylock connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Mastain momentarily.
Mastain tries to clinch but Blaylock moves out of range.
Mastain bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Blaylock's head.
Blaylock takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Mastain scores with a jab to the jaw.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Blaylock scores with a nice right hand.
Blaylock throws out a loose jab but Mastain uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mastain lands a really nice looking cross but Blaylock seems unphased.
Blaylock keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Mastain.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mastain misses with a hook.
Mastain slips a jab and a cross from Blaylock.
Mastain lands with a nice body punch.
Mastain connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Blaylock looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Mastain is fending him off so far but Blaylock persists. Nope, Mastain circles away and we're back to standing.
Dave Mastain has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dirk Blaylock.
Blaylock changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Mastain tries to avoid it but Blaylock manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Mastain to the ground. Mastain escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Blaylock blocks a jab.
Blaylock takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Mastain keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Mastain fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Blaylock has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Mastain lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Mastain tries to close the distance and clinch but Blaylock swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Blaylock connects with a body shot.
Mastain scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Mastain throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blaylock lands a jab to the nose.
Mastain throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Sloppy strikes from Blaylock. Those never looked like landing.
Mastain stuns Blaylock with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Dirk Blaylock seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Mastain is looking to clinch.
Mastain thows a body shot but no joy.
Blaylock shoots for a takedown but Mastain saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Mastain feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Blaylock's calf.
Blaylock scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Blaylock changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Mastain throws a wild body kick that Blaylock sees coming a mile off.
Blaylock looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Mastain is fending him off so far but Blaylock persists. Nope, Mastain circles away and we're back to standing.
Blaylock is breathing heavily.
Blaylock stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Mastain.
Mastain takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blaylock misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mastain.
Mastain throws a series of strikes that have Blaylock backpedaling.
Mastain dodges the punch combination from Blaylock.
Mastain fails with an attempt to clinch.
Blaylock's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Mastain fails to land with a series of punches.
Blaylock takes a swing at Mastain's ribcage but misses.
Blaylock fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mastain manages to avoid it.
Mastain slips under a jab.
Blaylock shoots in for a double leg but Mastain sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Mastain avoids the body shot from Blaylock.
Dave Mastain is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nice sprawl there from Mastain as Blaylock shoots in.
Blaylock swats away the attempt to clinch by Mastain.
Mastain slips under a jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Dirk Blaylock will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

A big right from Blaylock misses.
Blaylock lands with an uppercut that bounces Mastain off the cage and back into range.
Mastain moves into range and connects with a jab.
A punch combination from Mastain misses.
A shot to the body from Blaylock misses
and Mastain counters with a head kick.
Mastain thuds his right hand into Blaylock's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Mastain works Blaylock's body with a nice hook.
Blaylock lands with a right hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mastain throws a big shot that misses.
Blaylock throws a sloppy body shot
and Mastain counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Blaylock misses the shot to the body.
Mastain keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Blaylock changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Mastain tries to avoid it but Blaylock manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Mastain to the ground. Mastain escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
A left lands for Mastain.
Mastain works the jab nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blaylock doesn't manage to clinch there - Mastain circles away.
Mastain throws a lazy right hand but Blaylock sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Blaylock moves out of range as Mastain throws a body kick.
Mastain misses with a wild body shot.
Blaylock dives in and grabs Mastain's left leg, looking for a takedown. Mastain pushes down on Blaylock's head and hops out.
A looping hook to the body misses from Blaylock. Mastain does a little dance to reset his feet.
Mastain throws a wild body kick that Blaylock sees coming a mile off.
A big left from Blaylock misses.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Mastain.
Blaylock scores with a shot to the body.
Mastain lands with an uppercut that bounces Blaylock off the cage and back into range.
Mastain uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Blaylock.
Mastain fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Blaylock looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Dave Mastain has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dirk Blaylock.
Blaylock takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Blaylock moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mastain cracks a nice hook into Blaylock's ribs.
Mastain fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Blaylock.
Mastain just misses with a punch to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mastain lands a jab to Blaylock's midsection.
Mastain fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Blaylock manages to avoid it.
Mastain ducks under a wild hook from Blaylock.
Blaylock lands a nice shot to the body.
Blaylock misses with the combination.
Mastain lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Mastain throws a shot to the body.
Mastain lands with an overhand left.
Mastain fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blaylock misses with a straight left.
Mastain rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Blaylock counters with a three punch combo that has Mastain backing up. Mastain nods at Blaylock to acknowledge the strikes.
Mastain lands an overhand right.
Mastain connects with a single shot there.
Blaylock circles away from the clinch attempt.
Blaylock tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Blaylock doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Blaylock scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Blaylock waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Mastain.
That kick from Mastain tenderised Blaylock's leg. Blaylock is trying to keep his angry face on.
Blaylock swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Blaylock misses the jab.
Blaylock's corner calls for a 1-2. Blaylock obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mastain keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blaylock tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Mastain takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Mastain moves out of range of the strikes.
Mastain moves out of range of the strikes.
Blaylock takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Mastain misses with a looping left.
Blaylock will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Mastain scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Blaylock doesn't seem bothered though.
Mastain with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Blaylock takes a shot to the body in his stride.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Blaylock closes the distance and clinches up with Mastain, looking for a takedown. Blaylock pushes Mastain against the cage but Mastain circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Blaylock keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Blaylock missing with a left hand there. Mastain was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Dave Mastain did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Blaylock ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A telegraphed right hand from Blaylock misses the target.
Blaylock just misses with a punch to the body.
Mastain showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Blaylock.
Blaylock lands a glancing blow to the side of Mastain's head.
Nice body punch from Mastain.
Mastain lands with a kick to the ribs.
Mastain fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Blaylock looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Blaylock comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Blaylock just misses with a punch to the body.
Blaylock pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Mastain back to the cage. Blaylock follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Blaylock is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
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!
Blaylock is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Mastain.
Blaylock slips a jab and a cross from Mastain.
Blaylock is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mastain swings for the body but Blaylock moves out of range.
Mastain scores with a hook to the body. Blaylock takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Blaylock misses with a two punch combination.
Mastain scores with a nice strike.
Mastain looks to score with a jab to the body but Blaylock is just out of range.
Blaylock has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Blaylock shoots for a double leg takedown but Mastain sprawls well. He's pushed Blaylock's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Mastain pushes Blaylock away with a front kick.
Mastain misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Blaylock.
Mastain lands a nice leg kick that just misses Blaylock's sensitive parts.
Mastain avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Blaylock misses with a wild body shot.
A big left from Blaylock misses.
Mastain lands a lovely overhand right.
Blaylock lands with a straight right. Mastain didn't see that one coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mastain scoring well with a low kick there.
Blaylock throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mastain showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Blaylock.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mastain uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Blaylock.
A slapping leg kick lands for Mastain.
Blaylock swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Mastain fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Blaylock tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Mastain was well out of range. Poor timing from Blaylock.
Blaylock stalks Mastain and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Mastain's face. Mastain staggers backwards, shaken.
Mastain dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Mastain misses with a wild body shot.
Mastain lands a nice looking body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mastain throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Blaylock sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Mastain steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Blaylock.
Mastain misses the shot to the body.
The fighters circling - Blaylock throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Blaylock fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Mastain misses with a wild body shot.
Mastain throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Mastain scores with a jab to the body.
Mastain lands with a shot to the body.
Blaylock misses with a body shot.

Mastain has closed the distance and engaged Blaylock in a clinch.
Mastain lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Mastain lands a left hand.
A short right from Mastain.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blaylock blocks a body shot from Mastain.
Mastain misses with a body punch.
Mastain lands a body punch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A right handed body shot lands from Mastain.
Mastain lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Mastain dodges an elbow strike from Blaylock.
Mastain works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Mastain throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Mastain lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Mastain working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A body shot lands from Mastain.
Mastain scores with a hook to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mastain lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Mastain digs a right hand underneath Blaylock's ribcage. Blaylock let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Blaylock has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dave Mastain had his way with Dirk Blaylock in that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Mastain keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Blaylock swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Mastain cracks the inside of Blaylock's front leg.
Mastain throws a head kick that half lands.
Good shot there by Mastain.
Blaylock misses with a body shot.
Mastain misses the jab.
Mastain slips a straight right by Blaylock.

Mastain gets a clinch.
Mastain can't find room to land a body shot as Blaylock controls the action.
Blaylock wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Mastain breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Blaylock throws a jab but it's blocked by Mastain.
Blaylock takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Mastain takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

That's one minute gone in the round.
That kick from Mastain tenderised Blaylock's leg. Blaylock is trying to keep his angry face on.
Blaylock lands a nice shot that snaps Mastain's head back.
Mastain swings for the body but Blaylock moves out of range.
Blaylock takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Mastain lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
No luck for Blaylock with that takedown attempt.
Mastain scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Blaylock doesn't seem bothered though.
Blaylock throws a poor cross that misses
and Mastain counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Mastain avoids the body shot from Blaylock.
Mastain throws a lazy right hand but Blaylock sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Mastain avoids the body shot from Blaylock.
Blaylock is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Mastain.
Blaylock throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blaylock misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mastain.
Mastain turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Blaylock. Mastain does a little dance to reset his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mastain uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Blaylock.
Blaylock misses with a lunging right hand
and Mastain counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Blaylock is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Mastain throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Blaylock stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Mastain lands a nice shot to the body.

Blaylock gets tackled into the cage by Mastain. Mastain maintains the clinch.
Mastain has a couple of punches blocked by Blaylock.
Mastain misses with a punch to the body.
Mastain presses Blaylock against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

Mastain pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Mastain scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Mastain connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mastain tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Blaylock manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Nice shot by Mastain.
A looping hook to the body misses from Mastain. Blaylock does a little dance to reset his feet.
Mastain connects with the punch.
Mastain connects with a single shot there.
Blaylock bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Blaylock misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Blaylock misses with a takedown
and Mastain counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Dave Mastain has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dirk Blaylock.
Mastain keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Blaylock.
The fight stays on the outside here - Mastain looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Blaylock takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Blaylock gets cracked there but stands up to it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Blaylock looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Mastain working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Blaylock.
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!
Mastain has control of Blaylock's left arm, preventing Blaylock from doing any damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Blaylock accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Blaylock throws a big right hand that misses.
Mastain is trying to control the position but Blaylock postures up.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

We're going to have a standup here because Dave Mastain wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Blaylock throws an overhand right that lands on Mastain's shoulder, as Mastain tries to avoid the shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dave Mastain showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Mastain 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 48:47
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 48:47
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dave Mastain!
Dave Mastain was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.