PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mason Christian (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bobby Backlash (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bobby Backlash is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Christian
vs
Backlash

175 cm
23
279 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

194 cm
24
250 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Likes musicals

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mason Christian!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Bobby Backlash!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Ren Mimura and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Christian wants to clinch up but Backlash keeps it at a distance.

Backlash clinches.

Backlash gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Christian regains guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Backlash is stalling in the full guard.
Christian is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Backlash throws a big right hand that misses.
Christian wants to get back to his feet but Backlash is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Backlash won't allow Christian to sweep him here.
Backlash trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Backlash must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Backlash chips away with some ground and pound.
Christian keeping moving, preventing Backlash from controlling successfully.
Backlash throwing strikes but missing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Backlash is looking to work some ground and pound but Christian has wrist control.

Christian is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Backlash defends well.
Christian could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Christian working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Backlash.
Backlash passes Christian's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Christian is pressing down on Backlash's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Backlash trying to control but Christian is working from the bottom.
Backlash really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Christian. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Backlash trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Christian working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Backlash doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Backlash manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Backlash wants to control from the top but Christian keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Backlash's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Backlash is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Christian trying to keep a closed guard but Backlash is proving a slippery customer.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Backlash won't allow Christian to sweep him here.
Backlash throwing strikes from guard but Christian blocks nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Backlash stands and steps away. Christian gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Christian throws a body kick that misses.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Christian.
Christian prevents Backlash from escaping the position.
Backlash looks winded!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Christian wants to stand but Backlash is controlling his arm.
Backlash struggling a bit here.
Christian wants to control but Backlash is keeping him busy.
Backlash tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Christian wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Christian throws a strike aimed at the side of Backlash's head but Backlash avoids it well.
Christian is looking to take a break and control but Backlash is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Christian tries to score with some ground and pound. Backlash controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Backlash is looking for a sweep.
Christian 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.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Bobby Backlash will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Christian looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Backlash is fending him off so far but Christian persists. Nope, Backlash circles away and we're back to standing.
Backlash is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Backlash shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Backlash wants to stand but Christian has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Backlash. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Christian trying to control but Backlash postures up.
Christian blocking the ground and pound attempt from Backlash.
Christian gets back to full guard.
Christian wants to get back to his feet but Backlash is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Backlash loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Christian might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Backlash is stalling in the full guard.
Christian pulls Backlash in close to prevent any damage.
Christian trying to control the position.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Backlash postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Christian is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Backlash, into his guard.
Backlash is breathing heavily.
Christian has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Backlash is proving hard to escape from.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

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

Backlash drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Christian dives on top into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Christian wants to control from the top but Backlash keeps moving.
Christian slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Christian slows the pace down.
Christian is looking to take a break and control but Backlash is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Backlash is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Christian asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Christian tries to stand but Backlash is controlling his head.
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 Mason Christian will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

Christian instigates a clinch.
Backlash fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Christian is trying to break the clinch but Backlash is controlling him.

Backlash has clasped his hands together around Christian's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Christian sneaks back into half guard.
Christian moves into full guard.
Backlash prevents Christian from getting back to his feet.
Backlash throws a big right hand that misses.
Christian looking to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Christian has Backlash pulled in close to control his posture.
Christian is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Backlash slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Mason Christian just wasn't active enough.

Backlash shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Christian manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Backlash takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Christian wants to get back to his feet but Backlash is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Christian is trying to control the position but Backlash postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Christian is really struggling to control Backlash but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Backlash won't allow Christian to sweep him here.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Mason Christian just wasn't active enough.

Backlash shoots in and gets a takedown into Christian's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Backlash stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Christian swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Backlash throws a big right hand that misses.
Backlash stops Christian from standing up.
Christian is controlling Backlash's posture.
Backlash is looking to stand up but Christian won't let him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bobby Backlash has got the better of the ground game so far.
Backlash is looking to work some ground and pound but Christian has wrist control.

Backlash stands and steps away. Christian gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Christian drives through with a takedown into guard.

Christian has gone for a leg lock! Backlash slips out almost immediately though and dives into Christian's guard.
Christian looking to hit a scissor sweep but Backlash is one step ahead there.
Backlash landing with the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Christian looking to try and escape his hips here, looking for a submission. It looks like he's going for a triangle but Backlash is defending well. Christian quickly switches to an armbar and extends the arm! Backlash has no choice but to tap, to a very quick submission! Wow, that was lightning fast! Christian celebrates on the cage, with the crowd.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:30 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Mason Christian!