PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Sergei Petrov (ranked 109 p4p, 6 weight class) and Preston Mason (ranked 517 p4p, 30 weight class). Sergei Petrov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Petrov
vs
Mason

164 cm
24
140 lbs
14 - 2 - 0

170 cm
24
140 lbs
15 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sergei Petrov!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Preston Mason!
The judges for this bout are , Don Winkell and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Petrov misses with an uppercut.
Mason misses with a hook to the body
and Petrov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Mason lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Mason misses with a takedown
and Petrov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Petrov scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Mason misses with a straight right.

Mason scores with a takedown into Petrov's guard.

Petrov has his feet on Mason's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Petrov thuds his right hand into Mason's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Mason looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Mason looks to score with a jab to the body but Petrov is just out of range.
Mason tries a head kick but it misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mason throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Petrov tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Mason is in Petrov's guard.
Petrov is looking to stand back up but Mason counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Petrov.

Mason thows a huge punch but Petrov dodges it nicely.
Mason missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Mason throwing shots but Petrov is blocking nicely.
Petrov is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Blake Phoenix's Champion Factory, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Mason throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mason thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Petrov's head.
Mason sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Petrov defending well though.
Mason not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Mason has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
The fighters are battling for position here. Petrov manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Mason works over Petrov with some ground and pound from guard.
Mason trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Petrov pulls Mason in to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Petrov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Mason is stalling in the full guard.
Mason trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Mason missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Petrov has control of Mason's left arm, preventing Mason from doing any damage.
Mason trying to control but Petrov is working from the bottom.
Mason postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Petrov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Mason trying to control but Petrov is working from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Mason throws an overhand right that lands on Petrov's shoulder, as Petrov tries to avoid the shot.
An attempted straight right counter from Petrov misses the target.

Mason looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Mason with a flurry of punches that miss.
Mason trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Mason wants to control from the top but Petrov keeps moving.
Mason is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Mason working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Mason trying to control the position from guard on top but Petrov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mason working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Mason controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Mason throwing strikes from guard but Petrov blocks nicely.
Mason throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Mason missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Mason trying to control but Petrov is working from the bottom.
Mason stays in close to Petrov's body and controls the position.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Petrov keeping moving, preventing Mason from controlling successfully.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Petrov throws a looping overhand right but Mason ducks down to avoid it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Preston Mason will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Nice sprawl there from Petrov as Mason shoots in.
Preston Mason seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mason darts in looking for a takedown but Petrov gets double underhooks and turns Mason into the cage.
Mason looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Petrov is fending him off so far but Mason persists. Nope, Petrov circles away and we're back to standing.
Sergei Petrov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Preston Mason.
Petrov throws an overhand right that lands on Mason's shoulder, as Mason tries to avoid the shot.
Mason pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Mason shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Petrov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Mason has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Mason uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Petrov.
Mason drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Petrov defends it well.
Mason is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Sergei Petrov is winning the standup battle so far.
Petrov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Mason.
Petrov throwing a counter right hand but Mason manages to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mason misses with a hook
letting Petrov counter with a right hand.
Mason misses with a body shot.
Petrov moves away from the strike by Mason.
Mason misses with a right hand
and Petrov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Mason shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Petrov counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Petrov stuffs the takedown attempt from Mason. Mason gets slowly back to his feet.
Petrov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Mason.
Petrov avoids the head kick by Mason.

Mason shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Mason was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Mason misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Petrov is trying to get back to half guard.
Mason scores with a couple of short elbows.
Petrov is trying to improve his position.
Mason tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mason misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Petrov managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Mason.
Petrov wants to control but Mason postures up.
Mason lands a decent elbow from side control.
Mason throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Petrov works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Mason working over Petrov with some ground and pound. Petrov looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mason not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Mason not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Mason thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Petrov blocking the ground and pound attempt from Mason.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Petrov avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Mason.
Petrov is staying active underneath Mason, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Mason not doing much here.
Mason winds up and cracks Petrov with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Mason is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Mason postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Mason stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Petrov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Mason missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Mason throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Petrov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mason trying to control but Petrov is working from the bottom.
Petrov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Mason throwing strikes but missing.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Mason shoots for a double leg takedown but Petrov sprawls well. He's pushed Mason's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Mason ducks under a wild hook from Petrov.
Mason feints the counter takedown.
Mason shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Petrov sprawls well. Petrov wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Mason gets slowly back to his feet.
Petrov displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Mason.
Petrov misses the jab.
Mason looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Petrov is fending him off so far but Mason persists. Nope, Petrov circles away and we're back to standing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Sergei Petrov 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.

Mason will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Petrov blocks a head kick by Mason.
Petrov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Petrov fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Mason throws a head kick that misses.
Mason avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Mason throws an off balance right hand
and Petrov counters with a nice uppercut.
Mason scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Mason scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
A big left from Petrov misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Petrov throws a looping overhand right but Mason ducks down to avoid it.
A jab from Mason misses.
Mason tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Petrov swivels and escapes.
Petrov misses with a hook. Mason ducked under it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Petrov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Mason.
Mason looks to throw the jab but Petrov is out of range.
Mason doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Petrov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Sergei Petrov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Preston Mason.
Mason shoots in for a takedown but Petrov shows good takedown defense.
Mason throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Petrov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Petrov stuffs the takedown.
Mason has his takedown stuffed
and Petrov counters with a nice uppercut.
Mason takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Mason tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Petrov was well out of range. Poor timing from Mason.
A combination from Mason does no damage.
A counter left hand to the body from Petrov misses its target.
Petrov misses with an uppercut. Mason saw that one coming.
Petrov misses with a hook. Mason ducked under it nicely.
Petrov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mason tests Petrov's chin there with a solid looking shot.

Mason closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Petrov is not content to let Mason control the position.

Mason is working for a kimura from half guard. He's really concentrating on the hold and it's allowed Petrov to slip a leg under and get back to full guard.
Mason trying to control but Petrov is working from the bottom.
Petrov is controlling Mason's posture.
Mason looking to pass the guard.
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.
Mason wants to control from the top but Petrov keeps moving.
Petrov pulls Mason in close to prevent any damage.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Mason throws a big right hand that misses.
Mason trying to control the position from guard on top but Petrov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Mason throws a predictable looking body shot
and Petrov counters with a stiff right hand.
Mason tries a head kick but it misses.
An attempted straight right counter from Petrov misses the target.
The crowd cheers as Petrov lands an impressive looking overhand right. Mason doesn't seem phased though.
Mason takes a shot right to the bread basket.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Petrov scores with a jab to the head.
Mason misses with a takedown attempt
and Petrov counters with a nice uppercut.
Mason throws a sloppy head kick
enabling Petrov to counter with a crisp jab.
Petrov lands with a nice body punch.
Petrov cracks Mason with a good jab.
Petrov takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nice takedown defense from Petrov. No joy for Mason on that attempt.
A counter left hand to the body from Petrov misses its target.
Sergei Petrov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A slow jab from Petrov misses its intended target.
Mason throws a sloppy body shot
and Petrov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Petrov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Mason throws a right and a left that both miss.
An attempted straight right counter from Petrov misses the target.
Mason shoots in for a takedown but Petrov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
A little feinted left hand from Petrov on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Mason throws a big shot that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sergei Petrov clearly takes that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Mason takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Mason with a poor takedown
and Petrov makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Petrov bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Mason's head backwards.
Petrov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Mason.
Mason missing with a left hand there. Petrov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
It looked like Petrov wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Mason throws a predictable looking body shot
enabling Petrov to counter with a crisp jab.

Mason is rocked!
Petrov staying out of range there.
Mason is still on wobbly legs! Can Petrov finish him?
Mason looks up at the clock. Bad move! Petrov lands a right hand from hell, dropping Mason. Petrov pounces and finishes the fight with a flurry of punches and elbows.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:34 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Sergei Petrov!
Sergei Petrov retains his bantamweight title!
During a confident post fight interview, Sergei Petrov thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.