PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Takeru Masaru (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jack Burton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Masaru's entrance music is The Naked And Famous - Young Blood. A fine choice. Jack Burton told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Masaru
vs
Burton

180 cm
27
151 lbs
12 - 7 - 0

180 cm
25
158 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

GREEN!160

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 12 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, Takeru Masaru!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jack Burton!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Patrick Alders and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Masaru fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Burton misses with a takedown attempt - Masaru sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Masaru takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Burton shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Burton thows a left - swing and a miss!
Burton just misses with a punch to the body.
Burton shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Masaru is looking to counter the offense by Burton and move into the clinch.
Burton blocks a jab.
Burton pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Masaru shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Masaru avoids a kick to the body.
Masaru thinks about countering with a head kick.
Burton fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Masaru has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

Masaru scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A lull in the action here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Masaru is looking to take a break and control but Burton is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Masaru wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Burton, who protects the arm well.
Burton felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Burton tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Masaru wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's two 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.
Burton is still trying to improve position.
Burton is not content to let Masaru control the position.
Masaru tries to advance to mount but Burton denies him.
Masaru working away.

Masaru tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Masaru has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Burton regains half guard.
Masaru tries to pass the half guard into mount. Burton knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burton controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Masaru passes the guard and advances to mount!
Masaru fails to take his opponent's back.

Masaru looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.

Masaru is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Burton has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Burton!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burton throwing strikes but missing.
Burton postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Burton accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Burton landing with the ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Burton stopping the sweep attempt from Masaru.
Masaru is working hard here to advance position.
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 Takeru Masaru will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Masaru stuffs the takedown.
Masaru definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Burton.
Masaru misses with a kick to the body.
Burton scores with a jab to the jaw.
Burton keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Burton connects with a good right hand that stumbles Masaru. Masaru circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Burton lands with a nice body punch.
Masaru lands with a thumping leg kick.
Masaru bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Burton's head.
Masaru lands a nice shot that snaps Burton's head back.
A jab from Burton does it's job there.

Masaru is rocked!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Burton cracks Masaru with a brutal left hook that knocks him out cold! This one is over in a flash! Game over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:54 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Jack Burton!
Jack Burton thanked the fans post fight for their support.