PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jabbar Omarov (ranked 353 p4p, 45 weight class) and Valentine Masterson (ranked 574 p4p, 78 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Omarov
vs
Masterson

184 cm
25
200 lbs
11 - 2 - 1

188 cm
25
190 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter
Aspire Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 2 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jabbar Omarov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Valentine Masterson!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, George Francis and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Omarov takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Masterson throws a lazy right hand but Omarov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
An attempted straight right counter from Omarov misses the target.
Omarov is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

Omarov decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Masterson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Masterson wants to get back to his feet.
Omarov lands with a punch from half guard.
Omarov prevents Masterson from standing back up.
Masterson is positioning himself well to prevent Omarov advancing to mount.
Masterson gets back to full guard.
Masterson working a defensive guard here.
We've been hearing that Omarov has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Omarov wants to control from the top but Masterson keeps moving.
Omarov throwing strikes but missing.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Masterson working a defensive guard here.
Masterson controlling Omarov's posture.
Omarov slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Omarov misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Omarov grinds an elbow into Masterson's temple.
Omarov misses with the ground and pound.
The strikes coming from Omarov are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Omarov throws a strike aimed at the side of Masterson's head but Masterson avoids it well.
Masterson is not content to let Omarov control the position.

Omarov is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Masterson has escaped the position, nice work there.
Omarov 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.
Masterson is looking to regain half guard here but Omarov keeps moving and retains side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Omarov working away.
Masterson takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Omarov misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Omarov misses with the ground and pound.
Omarov working the ground and pound from side control.
Omarov scoring with punches from side control.
Omarov throws an elbow but Masterson slips to the side and avoids it well.
Omarov postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Omarov trying to control the position but Masterson is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes there by Omarov.
Masterson is working to avoid the ground and pound but Omarov connects with a decent elbow.
Masterson is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Omarov misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Omarov looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Masterson is avoiding damage well.
Masterson is trying to control Omarov's posture but Omarov avoids it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Omarov is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Masterson's shoulder. That is not cool.

Omarov looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jabbar Omarov dominated that round.
That's time! Omarov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Omarov shoots for a double leg takedown but Masterson sprawls well. He's pushed Omarov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Masterson was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Omarov avoids a punch combination nicely.
Omarov is looking to counter punch.
Masterson scores with a shot to the body.
Masterson chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Masterson swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Omarov.
Omarov staying out of range there.
A good leg kick by Masterson.
Omarov slips a jab from Masterson.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Omarov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Masterson.
Omarov takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Masterson throws an off balance right hand
and Omarov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Masterson is looking to slow Omarov down with leg kicks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Masterson throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Masterson takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Masterson fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Omarov has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Omarov checks the leg kick nicely there.
Masterson looks to land a left hand but Omarov moved out of range nicely.
Omarov darts in looking for a takedown but Masterson gets double underhooks and turns Omarov into the cage.
Masterson looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Omarov takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Omarov fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jabbar Omarov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Masterson walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Omarov checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Omarov misses with a looping right.
Masterson throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Masterson looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Masterson throws the left hand but Omarov avoids the punch easily.
Omarov feinted with a counter takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Omarov shoots in looking for a takedown. Masterson tries to sprawl out of it but Omarov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Masterson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Masterson fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Masterson turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
A solid leg kick lands there for Masterson.
Omarov is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Masterson looks to throw the jab but Omarov is out of range.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Masterson connects with a leg kick. Omarov looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Omarov misses the jab.
Valentine Masterson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Masterson throws a hook but Omarov blocks it.
Masterson loads up on a big right hand but Omarov slips the punch.
Omarov attempts a counter takedown but Masterson avoids it well and moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masterson scores with a jab to the head.
Masterson throws a hook to the side of Omarov's head but Omarov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Omarov drops down looking for a counter takedown but Masterson sprawls and moves away.
Masterson lands a glancing blow to the side of Omarov's head.
Masterson throws a right hand that misses
and Omarov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Masterson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Omarov.
Masterson darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Omarov fails with the takedown.
Omarov shoots in but no luck this time.
Masterson staying out of range there.
Masterson fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Omarov checks it well.
Masterson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Omarov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Nice takedown defense from Masterson. No joy for Omarov on that attempt.
Omarov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Masterson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Masterson misses with a hook.
Masterson tries to land a leg kick but Omarov saw it coming and moves away.
Valentine Masterson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Omarov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Masterson.
Omarov misses with a hook. Masterson ducked under it nicely.
Omarov lands a jab to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Masterson connects with a solid leg kick.
Omarov moves out of range as Masterson strikes.

Omarov closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Masterson is trying to stand back up but Omarov is controlling him
Omarov lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Omarov throwing shots but Masterson is blocking nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Valentine Masterson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Omarov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

A nice inside leg kick there by Masterson. That's going to slow Omarov down.
Omarov misses with an uppercut. Masterson saw that one coming.
Omarov tries for a takedown but Masterson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Masterson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Omarov swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Omarov moves out of range as Masterson strikes.
A low kick from Masterson misses

and Omarov counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Omarov prevents Masterson from standing back up.

Omarov wants to work for an arm triangle but Masterson is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Masterson wants to get back to full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Omarov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Jabbar Omarov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Omarov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Omarov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Omarov looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Omarov stops Masterson from getting back to his feet.
Masterson trying to control here.
Omarov lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Omarov with the ground and pound but Masterson uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Masterson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Omarov trying to control the position from guard on top but Masterson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Masterson is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Omarov throws a jab when Masterson was well out of range.
A countering left hand to the body from Masterson misses.
Omarov has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Masterson finds it's way round the side to connect with Omarov's head.
Masterson connects with a leg kick. Omarov looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Omarov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masterson getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Masterson staying out of range there.
Omarov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Masterson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Omarov somewhat.
Omarov lands a jab to the nose.
Masterson lands a body shot.
Valentine Masterson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Masterson throws a head kick that Omarov semi-blocks.
Omarov shoots for a double leg takedown but Masterson sprawls well. He's pushed Omarov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jabbar Omarov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Omarov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Omarov takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Masterson.
Omarov attempts a counter takedown but Masterson avoids it well and moves away.
Omarov fails with the takedown.
Masterson connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Omarov on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Omarov lands the left hand.
Masterson misses with a head kick.
Omarov throws an overhand right that lands on Masterson's shoulder, as Masterson tries to avoid the shot.
Omarov shoots in but Masterson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Masterson! But no joy.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Masterson lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Omarov has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Omarov and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Omarov looks to throw the jab but Masterson is out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Valentine Masterson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Masterson 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 28:29
Judge George Francis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Valentine Masterson!