PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Gordon Masten (ranked 2391 p4p, 23488 weight class) and Kotaro Minamino (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kotaro Minamino is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Masten
vs
Minamino

171 cm
21
159
5 - 0 - 0

176 cm
22
155
0 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Gordon Masten!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kotaro Minamino!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Ren Mimura and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Masten scores with a punch to the head.
Minamino looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Gordon Masten seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Minamino scores with a takedown into Masten's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Minamino is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Masten trying to control the position here.
Minamino stopping the sweep attempt from Masten.
Minamino is fighting to break Masten's control of his arms but Masten is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Minamino stopping the sweep attempt from Masten.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Minamino stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Masten swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Minamino being controlled here momentarily.
Masten is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Masten has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

Masten has his foot on Minamino's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Minamino works his way back into a safe position though.
Minamino won't allow Masten to sweep him here.
Masten managing to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Masten continues to stall.

Minamino drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Minamino jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Masten looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

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.
Masten controlling the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Masten has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Shadow Warriors in the buildup to the fight.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Masten connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Masten throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Minamino with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Masten to score with a decent uppercut.
Masten lands a nice shot to the body.
Masten throws a good cross that connects.
Decent striking displayed by Masten there.
Masten cracks Minamino with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Masten catches Minamino with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

Minamino shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Masten's guard.
Masten is controlling Minamino's posture.
Minamino trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Minamino thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masten controlling the position.

Masten is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Minamino is aware though and is defending well.
Masten keeping full guard, as Minamino tries to pass.

Minamino thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Minamino drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Minamino jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Masten seems keen to control Minamino's posture.

Minamino is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Masten controlling the position.
Masten looking to hit a scissor sweep but Minamino is one step ahead there.

Minamino is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's four 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.
Minamino stopping the sweep attempt from Masten.
Masten is pulling down on Minamino's head to control his posture.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Masten is on top in guard.

Masten got a little sloppy there for a moment and Minamino has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Masten has managed to get both his arms back between Minamino's legs - danger averted.
Masten not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Masten lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Minamino is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Masten defends well.
Masten makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Masten wants to pass the guard but Minamino is keeping the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Gordon Masten dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Minamino takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

Masten gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Minamino to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Masten is pulling down on Minamino's head. It's preventing any offense from Minamino, at least for the moment.
Masten lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Masten postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Masten sitting in guard, not really doing much.

Minamino looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Masten engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Masten stands up over Minamino, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Masten scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Minamino looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Masten working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Minamino is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Masten postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Masten looking to pass the guard.

Minamino looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Minamino is breathing heavily.

Minamino looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Masten sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Minamino working for a triangle but Masten defends it easily.
Masten cracks Minamino with a solid left hand.
Kotaro Minamino has got the better of the ground game so far.
Masten is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Masten has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

Minamino is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Masten postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Masten stands and throws Minamino's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Masten connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Minamino some visible discomfort.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Masten looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Masten wants to control but Minamino is keeping him busy.
Masten lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Masten moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Minamino is working to avoid the ground and pound but Masten connects with a decent elbow.
Masten controls the position from side control.
Minamino is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Masten scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Minamino to see if he's OK.
A lull in the action here as Masten stalls from top position.
Masten lands a decent elbow from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Minamino is trying to get back to half guard.
Masten content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Minamino is looking to regain half guard here but Masten keeps moving and retains side control.
Minamino manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Masten landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Masten not doing much here.

Minamino actively working from the bottom here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Gordon Masten dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Masten connects with a single shot there.
Masten is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

Masten closes the distance and clinches.
Masten lands a left hand.

Minamino has picked Masten up - he's going for a ride! Minamino dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Masten tries to roll over but Minamino keeps him under control.

Minamino is working for a submission of some sort.
Masten is looking to improve his position.
Masten is looking to control Minamino's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Masten avoid being mounted?
Masten is doing well to control the position and prevent Minamino from advancing to side control.
Masten works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Minamino thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Masten working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Minamino doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Minamino manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Masten is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Minamino drops back looking for a leg! Masten is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Masten manages to kick Minamino off! Minamino jumps back into Masten's guard.

Minamino drops back looking for a leg! Masten is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Masten manages to kick Minamino off! Minamino jumps back into Masten's guard.
Minamino takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Masten keeping full guard, as Minamino tries to pass.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Masten holds on and takes a little breather.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Masten looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Masten keeping full guard, as Minamino tries to pass.
Masten manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Minamino manages to get himself to full guard.

Masten pushes down on Minamino's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Masten lands with a punch from half guard.
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. Masten connects with a nice short shot to Minamino's temple.

Minamino looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Masten lands with a punch from half guard.
Masten seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Masten's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Masten is trying to work for a kimura but Minamino is defending well.

Minamino looking for submissions off his back.

Minamino looking for submissions off his back.
Minamino on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Masten keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Masten wants to pass to mount but Minamino is defending the position.
Masten is controlling the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Minamino looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Masten working over Minamino with some ground and pound. Minamino looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Masten wants to free his trapped foot but Minamino is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Masten takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
This is a sustained period of stalling by Masten.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Minamino looking for submissions off his back.
Kotaro Minamino has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Masten slips a nice elbow through Minamino's hands, connecting with Minamino's forehead.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gordon Masten showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Masten has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gordon Masten!
After the fight, Gordon Masten was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.