PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gaisafa Masoe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Max Grace (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Masoe kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Bang On by Boo Yaa Tribe. Grace has chosen Doggystyle - Snoop Dogg as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Masoe
vs
Grace

177 cm
32
277 lbs
26 - 9 - 1

182 cm
35
275 lbs
20 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Syndicate Nutrition
Xtreme Merchandise

Untouchable Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 26 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Gaisafa Masoe!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Max Grace!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Ryoma Takatsuka and Josh West.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Masoe dodges the punch combination from Grace.
Masoe misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Grace shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Gaisafa Masoe seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Grace dodges the punch combination from Masoe.
Grace checks a low kick from Masoe.
Grace misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Masoe.
Masoe takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Masoe takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Grace fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Masoe looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Masoe wants to clinch but Grace slips to the side
and Grace counters with a nice uppercut.
Grace misses with a wild body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Masoe. Grace does a little dance to reset his feet.
Grace moves away from the strike by Masoe.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Horrible takedown by Grace or perhaps it was just good defense by Masoe which made him look bad.
A chopping leg kick lands by Masoe.
Masoe works Grace's body with a nice hook.
Masoe misses with a low kick.
Grace ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
A chopping leg kick lands by Masoe.
Grace lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Grace blocks a head kick by Masoe.
Masoe throws out a leg kick but Grace moves out of range and Masoe only half commits.
Nice body punch from Grace.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A head kick by Masoe misses
and Grace counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Nice uppercut there from Masoe.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Masoe's corner calls for a 1-2. Masoe obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Masoe is looking to chop away at Grace's legs.
Grace swats away the attempt to clinch by Masoe.
Masoe tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Grace manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Masoe throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Grace stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Grace throws an overhand right that lands on Masoe's shoulder, as Masoe tries to avoid the shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Grace. Masoe does a little dance to reset his feet.
Masoe misses with a kick to the body.
Masoe is looking to clinch but Grace is avoiding it.
Masoe throws a leg kick but Grace sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Masoe tries a head kick but it misses.
Grace misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Masoe.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheers as Masoe lands an impressive looking overhand right. Grace doesn't seem phased though.
Grace connects with the punch.
A big left from Grace misses.
Masoe scores with a spinning back kick!
A clash of legs there as Masoe blocks the low kick.
Masoe gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Grace.
Masoe connects with a solid leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Masoe tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Grace thows a body shot but no joy.
Grace on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Grace thows a left - swing and a miss!
Masoe moves away from the strike by Grace.
Masoe lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Grace circles away quickly and effectively.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grace moves out of range of the body kick.
Grace moves out of range as Masoe strikes.
Masoe throws a hook to the side of Grace's head but Grace sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Grace walks into a straight right hand from Masoe.
Grace throws the left hand but Masoe avoids the punch easily.
Grace throws a series of strikes that have Masoe backpedaling.
Masoe fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Masoe misses the jab.
Masoe misses with an attempted mid kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
An inside leg kick lands from Masoe.
Masoe ducks under a wild hook from Grace.
Masoe throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
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 Gaisafa Masoe will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Masoe scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Grace avoids a punch combination nicely.
Grace lands with a shot to the body.
Grace throws a body punch but Masoe moves out of range.
Masoe misses with a low kick.
Grace takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Grace jabs Masoe right on the nose. Masoe blinks but takes it well.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Grace takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Grace looks to land a body kick but Masoe moved away.
Grace on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Masoe. Masoe obviously looking to wear him down.
Masoe catches Grace with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Grace takes one on the chin but seems OK.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grace swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nice shot lands for Grace.
Grace takes a swing at Masoe's ribcage but misses.
Gaisafa Masoe is winning the standup battle so far.
Masoe lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Masoe misses with a kick to the body.

Masoe fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Grace, pushing him back against the cage.
Masoe trying to stall but Grace improves his position.
Masoe misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Grace lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Masoe.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Masoe throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Grace blocks it with crossed arms.
Grace working hard to break the clinch.
Grace tries to throw a body punch but Masoe avoids it by throwing Grace back against the cage.
Grace letting Masoe take a breather here.

Grace manages to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grace avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Grace has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Masoe.
Grace lands a jab to Masoe's midsection.
Masoe scores with a leg kick.
Masoe connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Grace checks a leg kick.
Grace is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Masoe rather than just go for the knockout.
Grace dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Masoe moves out of range of the strikes.
Grace swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Masoe.
Masoe takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Gaisafa Masoe is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Masoe throws a wild body kick that Grace sees coming a mile off.
Masoe walks into a stiff left hand from Grace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masoe lands a leg kick that knocks Grace off balance momentarily.
Masoe tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Grace was well out of range. Poor timing from Masoe.
Grace avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Grace throws a body punch but Masoe moves out of range.
Masoe tries to close the distance and clinch up but Grace swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Masoe lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Masoe connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Grace's hands.
Grace takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Grace takes a swing at Masoe's ribcage but misses.
Grace punishes Masoe's body with a nice straight punch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Masoe lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Grace's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Grace misses with a looping right.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grace takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Grace scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Grace defending well as Masoe loads up on a big left hand.
Masoe throws a body kick that misses.
Grace takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
The fighters circle momentarily. Grace darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Grace takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Masoe rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Grace moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Grace pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Masoe back to the cage. Grace follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Good work by Grace as he checks the leg kick.
Masoe throws the kick towards the body but Grace avoids it.
Masoe tried to score with a low kick but Grace checks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gaisafa Masoe dominated that second round.
That's time! Masoe's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Masoe misses with a hook. Grace ducked under it nicely.
Grace ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Masoe moves away.
Grace lands a jab to Masoe's midsection.
A nice leg kick lands there from Masoe.
A head kick misses from Grace.
Masoe stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Grace.
Masoe tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Grace moves out of range of the leg kick from Masoe.
Grace scores with a body shot.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Grace looks to score with a jab to the body but Masoe is just out of range.
Masoe lands a leg kick that knocks Grace off balance momentarily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Masoe tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Horrible takedown by Grace or perhaps it was just good defense by Masoe which made him look bad.
Masoe takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Masoe leaves Grace with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Grace takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Grace avoids the head kick by Masoe.
Masoe throws a hook to the side of Grace's head but Grace sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Masoe throws a body punch but Grace moves out of range.
Masoe ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Masoe misses with a head kick.
Nice uppercut lands for Masoe. That snapped Grace's head back.
Max Grace has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grace takes a kick to the side of the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Grace, as that shot connected.
Masoe cracks Grace with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Masoe leaves Grace with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Gaisafa Masoe has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Max Grace.
Masoe connects with a looping right hand.
Masoe tries to score with a low kick but Grace moves his leg out of the way.
Masoe displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Grace tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Masoe fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Grace is out of range.
Grace looks to score with a jab to the body but Masoe is just out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grace ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Grace throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Masoe on the side of the head.

Grace fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Masoe to the ground. Grace is now in Masoe's guard.
Grace trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Masoe bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Grace's guard.
Masoe stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Grace swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Grace avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Grace 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.
Masoe has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Masoe looking to pass the guard.
Masoe working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Masoe trying to control but Grace is working from the bottom.
Masoe loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Grace preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Grace is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Masoe throwing strikes from guard but Grace blocks nicely.
Masoe works over Grace with some ground and pound from guard.
Masoe throws a big elbow that misses.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Masoe postures up and lands a big shot to Grace's brow.
Masoe trying to control but Grace is working from the bottom.
Masoe throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

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 Gaisafa Masoe.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Masoe, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Paul Gruel scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 28:29
Judge Josh West scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Gaisafa Masoe!
Gaisafa Masoe very nearly forgot to thank Hilo Clothing Co **Laundry 3% fee** amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.