PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Tom Cirus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jed Masilungan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Cirus might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Lonely Boy - The Black Keys. Masilungan has chosen Return to Strength as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Jed Masilungan has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Cirus
vs
Masilungan

180 cm
28
168 lbs
16 - 7 - 0

178 cm
39
164 lbs
36 - 21 - 0

Great wrestler
Basic striking
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Tom Cirus!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 36 - 21 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jed Masilungan!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Paulo Santos and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Cirus.
Masilungan throws out a loose jab but Cirus uses good head movement to avoid it.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Masilungan.
Cirus has his takedown stuffed
and Masilungan counters with a three punch combo that has Cirus backing up. Cirus nods at Masilungan to acknowledge the strikes.
Cirus looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Jab from Masilungan.
Tom Cirus seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cirus misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tom Cirus. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cirus misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Masilungan throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cirus tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Masilungan swivels and escapes.
Masilungan misses with a body kick.
Cirus changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Masilungan tries to avoid it but Cirus manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Masilungan to the ground. Masilungan escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Masilungan connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Cirus tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Masilungan swivels and escapes.
Masilungan stuffs the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Masilungan with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Good exchange - Masilungan coming out on top.
Cirus takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Cirus shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Masilungan defends it nicely.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Masilungan.
Masilungan misses with a low kick.

Masilungan feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Masilungan prevents Cirus from getting back to his feet.
Cirus keeping moving, preventing Masilungan from controlling successfully.
Masilungan won't allow Cirus to get back to his feet.
Masilungan trying to control the position from guard on top but Cirus is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cirus is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Masilungan looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Cirus wants to stand but Masilungan is controlling the position.
Masilungan sitting in guard here, content to control.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Masilungan trying to control but Cirus is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Masilungan cracks Cirus with an open hand slap.
Masilungan keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Cirus fails with a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masilungan connects with a solid leg kick.
Cirus fails with a takedown attempt.
Cirus moves out of range of the leg kick from Masilungan.
Cirus fails with a takedown attempt.
No joy there for Masilungan, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Masilungan throws a sloppy head kick and Cirus moves out of range easily.
Cirus misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Masilungan.
Masilungan scores with a spinning back kick!
Masilungan misses the jab.
Cirus throws a lazy right hand but Masilungan sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Cirus goes for a double leg but Masilungan avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Masilungan continues to drive forward.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cirus blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Masilungan stops a takedown attempt from Cirus.

Masilungan has Cirus pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Masilungan pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Cirus tumbling to the mat - Masilungan dives into Cirus's guard.
Masilungan passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Masilungan misses with the ground and pound.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cirus is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Masilungan has just dragged him back down to the mat.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Masilungan cracks Cirus with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Cirus is pushing Masilungan's head away, looking to escape. Masilungan manages to hold on to the position though.
Masilungan has knee on belly and moves into mount.
My spies in The Warehouse inform me that Masilungan has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Cirus is squirming around, avoiding Masilungan's attempts to control the action.

Cirus defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Masilungan.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jed Masilungan dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Masilungan misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cirus.
Cirus looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Cirus fails with a takedown attempt.
Masilungan dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Masilungan shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Cirus as he avoids it easily.
Masilungan stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Masilungan wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tom Cirus. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Masilungan scores with a nice right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cirus on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Cirus tries for a takedown but Masilungan circles away easily

and Masilungan counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Masilungan throws a big right hand that misses.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Masilungan wants to control from the top but Cirus keeps moving.
Masilungan passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cirus wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Cirus bucks up and tries to throw Masilungan off but instead Masilungan has got his back!
Cirus is trying to stand back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Masilungan lands with a couple of good shots - one to the side of the head and one questionable shot that could be viewed as to the back of the head but the referee lets it go.
Masilungan has his opponent trapped and is landing shots. Not a good position for Cirus.
Cirus is covering up but some of the strikes from Masilungan are getting through and doing damage.

Cirus preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Masilungan.
Cirus is trying to stand back up.
Masilungan lands a shot to the body.
Masilungan looking to soften up his opponent with punches.
Cirus is trying to get back to his feet but Masilungan has full control of the position and if anything, Cirus has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Oooh a big shot gets through from Masilungan. Many more shots like that and the referee will have to think about stepping in!
Cirus wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masilungan is loading up with his shots from the back and Cirus is in big trouble! Cirus taps out to strikes and the fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:29 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Strikes). Jed Masilungan!
Our winner, Jed Masilungan, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.