PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Curtis James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ken Masters (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Curtis James had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 171.1lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. Curtis James has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

James
vs
Masters

184 cm
23
180 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

178 cm
20
170 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Curtis James!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ken Masters!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Alan Glass and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
James fails with the takedown.
James throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Masters's waist but Masters gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing James off to one side.
Masters rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but James moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Masters throws a hook but James blocks it.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
James throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Masters's waist but Masters gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing James off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Curtis James. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Masters misses with a straight left.
Masters swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
James changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Masters tries to avoid it but James manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Masters to the ground. Masters escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Masters misses with a wild combination.
James tries for a takedown but Masters sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Masters misses with a few strikes there.
Masters looks to throw the jab but James is out of range.
Masters throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
James has a takedown stuffed.
James defending well as Masters loads up on a big left hand.

James scores with a takedown into Masters's guard.
James passes into half guard.

James seems to be looking for submissions.
Masters really doesn't want to stay on the ground with James. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Masters wants to improve his position but James is controlling well.

James is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
James is breathing heavily.
Masters keeping hold of James's head, controlling as best he can.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Masters can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masters tries to get to full guard but James has control of the leg.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Masters is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Masters wants to get back to his feet.
Masters trying to control from the bottom.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Masters throws a hook but James blocks it.
Masters jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Masters throws a looping overhand right but James ducks down to avoid it.
James keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Masters.

That's four 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.
Masters will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Masters displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

It looks like Curtis James has been cut.
James moves away from the strike by Masters.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A swing and a miss from Masters.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ken Masters dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Curtis James's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Masters throws a hook but James blocks it.
James on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Good standup being displayed there by Masters as he connects with a hook.
James staying out of range there.
The crowd cheers as Masters lands an impressive looking overhand right. James doesn't seem phased though.
James looks for a takedown but Masters sprawls well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Masters looks to land a right hand but James moved out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Masters's waist but Masters gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing James off to one side.
James ducks right into an uppercut from Masters.
Ken Masters seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Masters misses with a two punch combination.
James moves out of range of the strikes.
Masters looks to throw the jab but James is out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good exchange - Masters coming out on top.
James moves out of range of the strikes.
Masters cracks James with a good jab.

Curtis James's cut is getting worse.
James dodges the punch combination from Masters.
Ken Masters is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Masters looks to land a right hand but James moved out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masters misses with the combination.
Masters swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Masters throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
James defending well as Masters loads up on a big left hand.

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.
Masters throws an uppercut from half a mile away. James sees it coming and avoids it easily.
No luck for James with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Curtis James. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Masters misses the jab.
Masters misses with an uppercut. James saw that one coming.
Masters swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ken Masters showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Curtis James's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

James moves out of range of the strikes.
James shoots for a takedown but Masters saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
James dodges the punch combination from Masters.
James tries for a takedown but Masters sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Masters scores with a crisp jab that stopped James in his tracks.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James ducks under a wild hook from Masters.
Masters fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Masters misses with an uppercut.
James takes a jab right on the kisser.
Masters throws out a loose jab but James uses good head movement to avoid it.
James slips under a jab from Masters.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Masters throws an uppercut from half a mile away. James sees it coming and avoids it easily.
James moves away from the strike by Masters.
Masters fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Masters misses with a straight left.
No joy there for Masters, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Masters jabs James right on the nose. James blinks but takes it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masters misses with a few strikes there.
Masters throws a series of punches but James moves out of range.
The fighters circling - Masters throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
James bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
James shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Masters but Masters pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Curtis James. That's going to take a lot out of him.
James walks into a left hand.
Curtis James is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

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.
Masters swinging wilding here.
Masters looks to throw the jab but James is out of range.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Masters lands with a hook. James tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Curtis James has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ken Masters is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Masters scores with a nice head shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ken Masters comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Masters winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ken Masters!