PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Toga Masotti (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Josiah Bartlet (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bartlet comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Gary Numan- Praying to the Alien kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Masotti
vs
Bartlet

177 cm
25
164 lbs
8 - 6 - 1

170 cm
25
159 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Good gas tank

Valhalla Fight Wear

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 8 - 6 - 1, fighting out of New York, Toga Masotti!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Josiah Bartlet!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, George Francis and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Masotti fails in his attempt to clinch.
Masotti checks the leg kick.
Bartlet shoots in looking for a takedown but Masotti manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Bartlet's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Masotti is looking to clinch but Bartlet is avoiding it.
Bartlet tries to score a power double leg takedown but Masotti sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Bartlet somewhat.
Bartlet checks a leg kick.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Masotti fails with an attempt to clinch.
Masotti digs a good body shot into Bartlet's ribs.
Masotti looks for the body kick but Bartlet saw that one coming.

Bartlet changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Masotti looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Bartlet trying to control the position but Masotti is working away.
Bartlet lands a nice forearm strike.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The strikes coming from Bartlet are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Masotti can't do much from the bottom here.
Masotti's coaches at The Sweat Lodge have been working on his defensive grappling in preparation for this fight so let's see if he can get out of this tricky position.
Masotti regains half guard, as Bartlet was trying to land strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bartlet throws a strike but Masotti avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Masotti preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Masotti bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Bartlet's guard.

Masotti tries to stand but Bartlet is controlling from the bottom.
Masotti slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Masotti has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Bartlet is proving hard to escape from.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Masotti decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Masotti misses with a head kick.
A head kick by Masotti misses

and Bartlet counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Bartlet chips away with some ground and pound.
Bartlet throws a big elbow that misses.
Bartlet distracts Masotti with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Bartlet loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Masotti utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Bartlet distracts Masotti with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bartlet throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Masotti works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Bartlet cracks Masotti with a solid left hand.
Bartlet postures up in Masotti's guard and throws a big left but Masotti blocks it.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Bartlet is fighting to break Masotti's control of his arms but Masotti is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Masotti moves out of range of the strikes.
Masotti thuds his shin into the meat of Bartlet's side.
Bartlet looks to score with a jab to the body but Masotti is just out of range.
Bartlet goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Bartlet takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Bartlet takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Masotti throws a nice head kick!
Bartlet looks to land a body kick but Masotti moved away.
Bartlet misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Toga Masotti has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Josiah Bartlet.
Bartlet looks to land a body kick but Masotti moved away.
Bartlet looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Masotti throws a sloppy head kick and Bartlet moves out of range easily.
Bartlet misses the shot to the body.
Masotti is looking to counter the offense by Bartlet and move into the clinch.
Masotti tries a head kick but it misses.
Masotti throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Bartlet has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Toga Masotti is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A head kick misses from Masotti.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Masotti tries to clinch up.
Bartlet doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Masotti counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Masotti.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Bartlet just misses with a elbow thrown towards Masotti's brow.
Masotti blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Bartlet tries to work over Masotti's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Masotti lands a knee to the head.

It looks like Josiah Bartlet has been cut.
Masotti avoiding damage as Bartlet throws knees to the body.
Bartlet managing to block the knees to the body from Masotti.
Masotti misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Bartlet.
Masotti misses with a knee to the head.
Bartlet changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Masotti fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Masotti throws a head kick that misses

and Bartlet counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Masotti!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Josiah Bartlet will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Josiah Bartlet's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Masotti dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Bartlet. That did some damage!
Masotti attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Masotti thuds his shin into the meat of Bartlet's side.
Bartlet misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Bartlet throws a sloppy head kick and Masotti moves out of range easily.
Masotti misses with a low kick.
Masotti tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Bartlet manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Bartlet shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Masotti as he avoids it easily.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Bartlet.
Bartlet moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bartlet lands a nice looking kick to the body. Masotti takes a step back to recover.
Masotti slips under a jab from Bartlet.
Masotti throws a nice outside leg kick.
Toga Masotti is winning the standup battle so far.
Nice sprawl there from Masotti as Bartlet shoots in.
Masotti feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Bartlet's calf.
Masotti delivers a nice body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Masotti throws out a leg kick but Bartlet moves out of range and Masotti only half commits.
Bartlet throws a half hearted mid kick.
Bartlet avoids the head kick by Masotti.
Bartlet changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Masotti tries to avoid it but Bartlet manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Masotti to the ground. Masotti escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Toga Masotti has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Josiah Bartlet.
Masotti avoids a kick to the body.
Bartlet tries a head kick but it misses.
Masotti throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Masotti misses with the combination.
Masotti tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Bartlet paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Bartlet throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Bartlet tries to land a leg kick but Masotti saw it coming and moves away.
Bartlet connects with an inside leg kick.
Bartlet shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
And Masotti counters with a quick kick to the body but Bartlet blocks it.
Masotti throws a sloppy head kick and Bartlet moves out of range easily.
Bartlet shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
That kick from Masotti tenderised Bartlet's leg. Bartlet is trying to keep his angry face on.
Bartlet looks to land a body kick but Masotti moved away.
Bartlet fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Masotti throws a sloppy head kick and Bartlet moves out of range easily.
Masotti moves out of range as Bartlet throws a body kick.
Masotti is looking to clinch.
Masotti cracks the inside of Bartlet's front leg.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Masotti throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Bartlet sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Bartlet keeps the fight on the outside.
Bartlet throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Masotti keeps Bartlet at a distance using the push kick.
Masotti tries a head kick but it misses.

Masotti tries to sprawl but Bartlet drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Bartlet looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Masotti holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masotti works his way to full guard. Good work.
Masotti is trying to control the position but Bartlet postures up.
Masotti 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.
Masotti trying to control the position here.
Bartlet throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Masotti.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Bartlet fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Masotti thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Bartlet if he has to take too many more of those.
Bartlet fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Masotti looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Masotti pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Masotti takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Masotti moves out of range of the body kick from Bartlet.
Masotti throws a push kick but Bartlet slaps the foot to one side.
Masotti throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Bartlet throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Bartlet goes for a double leg but Masotti avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Masotti continues to drive forward.
Masotti finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Bartlet misses with a low kick.

Bartlet looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Bartlet is working Masotti over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Josiah Bartlet will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Josiah Bartlet's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Masotti connects with an inside leg kick.
Masotti throws a body punch but Bartlet moves out of range.
Bartlet avoids the head kick by Masotti.
A bone on bone clash there as Masotti blocks the leg kick.
Bartlet looks to score with a jab to the body but Masotti is just out of range.
Masotti is looking to counter the offense by Bartlet and move into the clinch.
Bartlet slips a straight right by Masotti.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Bartlet is defended easily by Masotti.
Masotti thows a leg kick but Bartlet checks it

and Bartlet counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Masotti has his hands clasped together around Bartlet's back. He's all about the action.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bartlet thows a huge punch but Masotti dodges it nicely.
Masotti blocking the ground and pound attempt from Bartlet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bartlet missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Bartlet trying to control the action but Masotti is working from the bottom.
Bartlet working over Masotti with some ground and pound. Masotti looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Josiah Bartlet has got the better of the ground game so far.
Bartlet lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Masotti is trying to get back to full guard.
Bartlet throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Bartlet feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Masotti's calf.
Toga Masotti has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Masotti fakes the leg kick and cracks Bartlet in the body.
Bartlet lands a nice leg kick that just misses Masotti's sensitive parts.
Masotti with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Masotti lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Bartlet.
Bartlet is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Masotti rather than just go for the knockout.
That kick from Masotti tenderised Bartlet's leg. Bartlet is trying to keep his angry face on.
Bartlet's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Bartlet cracks Masotti with a good jab.
Bartlet throws a push kick but Masotti slaps the foot to one side.
Bartlet lands with a slapping head kick.
Masotti lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Masotti moves in looking to clinch but Bartlet pushes him off.
Masotti lands a nice leg kick that just misses Bartlet's sensitive parts.
Bartlet has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Masotti.
Masotti uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bartlet.
Bartlet tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Masotti instigates a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bartlet is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Masotti pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Bartlet takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Masotti on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Masotti throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Bartlet blocks it with crossed arms.
Bartlet has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Masotti misses with a knee strike.
Masotti tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Bartlet avoids it.
Masotti throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Bartlet blocks it with crossed arms.
Masotti trying to land knees to the body.
Masotti looking to slow down the pace here.
Bartlet is trying to force a seperation but Masotti has the dominant position.
Masotti prevents the takedown attempt.
Toga Masotti has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Josiah Bartlet.
Masotti misses with a knee strike.
Bartlet goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A nice right hand lands inside from Bartlet.

Bartlet breaks the clinch.
A big left from Masotti misses.
Bartlet swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bartlet misses with a kick to the body.
Bartlet has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Masotti.
Bartlet blocks a head kick by Masotti.
Masotti misses with a head kick.
Bartlet looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Josiah Bartlet is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Masotti throws a leg kick but Bartlet sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Bartlet misses the jab.
Masotti stuffs the takedown.
Bartlet goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Masotti connects with a high kick.
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!
Masotti throws a sloppy head kick and Bartlet moves out of range easily.
Masotti keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Bartlet avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Masotti throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Bartlet slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Masotti stuffs the takedown.
It appears Masotti was looking to counter with a kick there.

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 Toga Masotti.
I think Bartlet has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 30:27
Judge George Francis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Toga Masotti!
Toga Masotti gave a mention to Zipp Zapp in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).