PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Michale Massey (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Noah Vonleh (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Massey
vs
Vonleh

175 cm
23
215 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

208 cm
19
240 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Inexperienced

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 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Michale Massey!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Noah Vonleh!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Shigeki Sano and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vonleh tries to score a power double leg takedown but Massey sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Vonleh somewhat.
Massey is looking to counter the offense by Vonleh and move into the clinch.
Vonleh misses with a wild combination.

Vonleh instigates a clinch.
Massey has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Vonleh is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Massey is trying to maintain a safe position but Vonleh gets an underhook and turns Massey into the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Vonleh pulls guard successfully.
Vonleh looking for a sweep. Not yet Vonleh, not yet.
Vonleh can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Massey controls the pace.
Massey wants to control from the top but Vonleh keeps moving.
Massey really is a fat lump.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Massey controlling from the top position.
Vonleh avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Massey with a flurry of punches that miss.
Massey 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.
Vonleh keeping moving, preventing Massey from controlling successfully.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Vonleh has managed to clinch.

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.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Massey is looking to take this one to the mat.

Vonleh pulls guard successfully.
Massey missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Massey trying to control but Vonleh is working from the bottom.
Massey is looking to work some ground and pound but Vonleh has wrist control.
Vonleh avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Vonleh trying to control the position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Massey wants to control from the top but Vonleh keeps moving.
Vonleh is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Massey is controlling him.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Vonleh wants to sweep but no luck.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Vonleh gets tackled into the cage by Massey. Massey maintains the clinch.
Massey is trying to drag Vonleh to the mat but Vonleh just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michale Massey. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Massey is working for takedown but Vonleh is calmly controlling the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Vonleh manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Vonleh working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Massey.
Massey won't allow Vonleh to get back to his feet.
Massey missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Massey throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Vonleh pulls Massey in close to prevent any damage.
Massey wants to stand but Vonleh is controlling his posture from full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Noah Vonleh dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Michale Massey's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Vonleh shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Massey pinned against the cage. Massey gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Vonleh moves into the clinch successfully.
Vonleh gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Massey.
Vonleh wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Massey has him pressed against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vonleh throws a head punch that misses.
A bit of stalling here from Vonleh.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vonleh can't break the clinch.
Vonleh prevents a takedown attempt there.

Massey lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Vonleh is positioning himself well to prevent Massey advancing to mount.
Vonleh is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Massey slips a nice elbow through Vonleh's hands, connecting with Vonleh's forehead.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Massey sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Vonleh defending well though.
Massey trying to control the action but Vonleh is working from the bottom.
Vonleh controlling the position for now.
Massey throws a strike but Vonleh avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Massey is fighting to break Vonleh's control of his arms but Vonleh is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Massey might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Massey controlling from the top position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Vonleh moves into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Vonleh jumps into guard, dragging Massey to the mat.
Vonleh is looking to stand up but Massey isn't so interested in that idea.
Vonleh has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Vonleh working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Massey.
Massey sitting in guard here, content to control.
Massey trying to control but Vonleh is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four 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.
Massey looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Massey tries to clinch but Vonleh moves out of range.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Vonleh closes the distance and clinches.
Massey is looking to take this one to the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michale Massey. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Massey has Vonleh pressed against the cage, preventing Vonleh from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Noah Vonleh will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Michale Massey'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. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Vonleh tries for a takedown but Massey sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Vonleh tries for a takedown but Massey circles away easily
and Massey counters with a head kick.
Vonleh fails with the takedown.
Michale Massey has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Noah Vonleh.
Massey avoids the head kick by Vonleh.

Vonleh rushes Massey and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Vonleh looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vonleh tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Vonleh drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Massey gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Vonleh lands an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vonleh is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Massey to keep the fight standing.
Vonleh looking to stall.
Vonleh can't find room to land a body shot as Massey controls the action.
Massey is looking to take this one to the mat.
Vonleh lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Massey has Vonleh pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Vonleh manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Vonleh can't find room to land a body shot as Massey controls the action.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Vonleh wants to break the clinch but can't.
Vonleh jumps guard but Massey turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Vonleh throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Masseys head.
Vonleh softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Vonleh misses with a punch to the body.
Vonleh taking a breather.

Vonleh ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Vonleh no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Massey makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Massey would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Vonleh takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Massey loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Noah Vonleh has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Massey sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Vonleh has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Massey trying to control but Vonleh is working from the bottom.
Massey throws a big elbow that misses.
Vonleh is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Massey wants to get up but he can't break Vonleh's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's four 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.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Vonleh.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Massey.
Massey laying and praying for a moment but Vonleh takes advantage and regains half guard.
Massey missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Massey is thwarting Vonleh's attempts to control the position.
Michale Massey has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Noah Vonleh is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Vonleh avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Massey.

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 Michale Massey.
I think Vonleh 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 28:29
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Noah Vonleh!