PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Anthony Pettis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Mason (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Pettis
vs
Mason

186 cm
21
170 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

178 cm
18
178 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Big right hand

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Enjoys gardening

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Anthony Pettis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mike Mason!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Igor Prikhodko and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Mason closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Pettis did well to prevent Mason getting side control.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Pettis pushes Mason off looking to stand but Mason dives back in and keeps control.
Mason thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Pettis's head.
Mason missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Mason missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Mason is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Mason scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Mason not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Pettis knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Mason on the ground.
Pettis is trying to stand back up but Mason is controlling him
Pettis blocking the ground and pound attempt from Mason.
Mason drops an elbow to the side of Pettis's head.
Mason thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Pettis's head.
Mason throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Pettis tries to kick Mason off but Mason keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Mason missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Mason has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Pettis wants to get back to his feet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mason working over Pettis with some ground and pound. Pettis looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Mason missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Pettis is looking to escape.
Pettis on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Pettis is trying to stand up here but Mason is controlling him well.
Mason missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Mason thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mason not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Pettis avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Mason.
Pettis is trying to stand back up but Mason is controlling him
Pettis blocking the ground and pound attempt from Mason.
Mason missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Mason missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Mason winds up and cracks Pettis with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mason sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Pettis defending well though.
Pettis on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Pettis avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Mason.
Mason not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Mason connects with a nice short shot to Pettis's temple.
Mason missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Mason winds up and cracks Pettis with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Pettis looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.

Pettis manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Mason keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Mason keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Pettis's efforts to push away.
Mason has Pettis pressed against the cage, preventing Pettis from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Mason effectively controlling the action here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pettis can't break the clinch.
Pettis tries to break the clinch but Mason is controlling the position.

Mason has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Pettis regains guard immediately.

Pettis pushes Mason off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Pettis scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Pettis lands with a good body shot.
Mason fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Pettis gets off balance looking for a body kick

and Mason counters with a shoot takedown. Pettis fights it but they end up in guard.
Mason looks winded!
Mason won't allow Pettis to get back to his feet.

Pettis manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Pettis moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Pettis scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Pettis connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Mason momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pettis displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

Mason 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.
Mason throwing strikes but missing.
Mason postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Pettis kicks Mason off and gets to his feet.
Pettis scores with a three punch combo!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Mason is defended easily by Pettis.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Mason is defended easily by Pettis.
Anthony Pettis has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Mason.
Jab by Pettis.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pettis looks to land a combination. Mason sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Pettis works Mason's body with a nice hook.

Mason shoots in and bounces Pettis off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Pettis wriggles free and stands up.
Pettis lands a glancing blow to the side of Mason's head.
Nice shot lands for Pettis.
Mason takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Mason ducks right into an uppercut from Pettis.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Pettis connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Mason walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Pettis misses with a body kick.
Mason dives in for a single leg takedown but Pettis sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anthony Pettis dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Mason takes one to the side of the head.
Pettis throws a shot to the body.
Mason doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Pettis cracks Mason with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Pettis lands with a nice combination. Mason backs away looking to recover.
Pettis scores with a jab.

Mason closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Pettis's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mason throwing strikes but missing.
Mason throwing strikes but missing.
Pettis on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Pettis tries to get out of the position.
Mason postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Mason accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Mason with a nice head shot there.

Pettis uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Mason takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Pettis works the jab nicely.
Mason is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pettis scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Mike Mason is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Mason shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Mason not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Pettis is trying to stand up here but Mason is controlling him well.
Pettis blocking the ground and pound attempt from Mason.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pettis avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Mason.
Pettis is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Mason scores with a couple of nice shots.
Pettis keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Mason not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Mason decides to return to a standing position.
Pettis jabs Mason to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Pettis stuns Mason with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Anthony Pettis seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pettis throws a good cross that connects.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Mason looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Pettis has his feet on Mason's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mason moves forwards but Pettis connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Pettis scores with a jab to the jaw.
Pettis bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Mason's head backwards.
Pettis tests Mason's chin there with a solid looking shot.

Pettis gets caught napping as Mason dives in and scores a takedown. Pettis manages to retain guard.
Pettis is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Mason is controlling him.
Pettis utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Mason prevents Pettis from getting back to his feet.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Mason accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Mason throwing strikes from guard but Pettis blocks nicely.
Mason distracts Pettis with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mason throwing strikes from guard but Pettis blocks nicely.
Pettis working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Mason.
Mason throws a big right hand that misses.
Mason throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Mason throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Mason in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Pettis scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Pettis feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Masons jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Pettis connects with a nice looking jab.
Mason on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Pettis thuds a left hand into Mason's body.
Pettis scores with a hook.
Mason misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Anthony Pettis is winning the standup battle so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pettis with a jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Pettis uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Decent striking displayed by Pettis there.
Pettis goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Mason takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

Pettis gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Pettis is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Mason presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Pettis is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Mason can do to turn this around?
Pettis is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Pettis is trying to break free.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Pettis has had enough of the clinch but Mason keeps him there for the moment.
Pettis is trying to break free.
Mason keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Pettis's efforts to push away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anthony Pettis dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Mason shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Mason showed some decent athleticism there.

Mason stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Pettis to get to his feet.
Nice shot lands for Pettis.
Pettis lands a nice looking body shot.
Mason gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Mason takes one to the chin there.

Mason scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
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!
Mason in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Mason postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

Pettis throws Mason to one side and escapes!
Nice uppercut there from Pettis.
Pettis digs a good hook to Mason's body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mason takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Pettis bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Mason's head.
Pettis scores with a sloppy right hand. Mason should have avoided that one.
Pettis misses with a kick to the body

and Mason counters with a single leg into guard. Pettis didn't expect that.

Pettis pushes Mason off and gets back to his feet.

Mason drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Pettis has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Mason off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Pettis gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Pettis pushes Mason off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Mason takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Pettis misses.
A lazy body kick from Pettis

and Mason counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Mason.

Pettis is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

Mason gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Mason lands with a punch from half guard.
Mason thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Pettis's head.
Pettis tries to kick Mason off but Mason keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Mike Mason has got the better of the ground game so far.
Pettis avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Mason.
Pettis blocking the ground and pound attempt from Mason.
Pettis keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Pettis pushes Mason off looking to stand but Mason dives back in and keeps control.
Mason sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Pettis defending well though.
Mason sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Pettis defending well though.
Pettis is trying to stand back up but Mason is controlling him
Mason scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pettis avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Mason.
Mason thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Pettis's head.
Pettis looks like he's trying to stand up.
Mason missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Pettis looks like he's trying to stand up.
Mason scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Mason stops Pettis from getting back to his feet.
Mason takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Mason is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Mason prevents Pettis from standing back up.
Mason lands strikes from half guard.
Pettis is trying to stand back up but Mason is controlling him
Mason sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Pettis defending well though.
Mason prevents Pettis from standing back up.
Mason looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice strikes from Mason there.
Pettis is trying to stand.
Mason scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Pettis avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Mason.
Mason sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Pettis defending well though.
Mason throwing shots but Pettis is blocking nicely.
Mason throwing shots but Pettis is blocking nicely.
Pettis pushes Mason off looking to stand but Mason dives back in and keeps control.
Mason thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Pettis's head.
Pettis is trying to stand back up but Mason is controlling him
Pettis keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Pettis is trying to stand up here but Mason is controlling him well.
Mason landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Mason throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Mike Mason has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mason thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Pettis is trying to stand up here but Mason is controlling him well.

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 Anthony Pettis.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Pettis, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Illya Tyunina scores the fight 30:27
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 30:27
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anthony Pettis!
An out of breath Anthony Pettis thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.