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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Nate Masvidal (ranked 852 p4p, 362 weight class) and Cesare Borgia (ranked 121 p4p, 58 weight class). Borgia has chosen Eye Of The Tiger as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.
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| 188 cm
28
185
17 - 14 - 1 |
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175 cm
27
178
15 - 5 - 0 |
Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin |
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Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin |
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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 17 - 14 - 1, fighting out of London, Nate Masvidal!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Cesare Borgia!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Topper Green and Eliza Hachem.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Borgia drives through with a takedown into Masvidal's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Borgia passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Masvidal tries to buck Borgia off but Borgia is having none of it.
Masvidal is working hard here to advance position.
Borgia throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Masvidal is looking to regain half guard here but Borgia keeps moving and retains side control.
Borgia is trying to get an arm triangle but Masvidal is defending well.
Borgia misses with the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Masvidal tries to bench press Borgia off him but Borgia keeps the position.
Borgia trying to control the position but Masvidal is working away.
Masvidal is looking for a sweep.
Masvidal's coaches at Shut Up & Train! {$1000} have been working on his defensive grappling in preparation for this fight so let's see if he can get out of this tricky position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Borgia landing a few strikes.
Borgia landing strikes.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Masvidal tries to bench press Borgia off him but Borgia keeps the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Borgia wants to control but Masvidal is keeping him busy.
Borgia landing a few strikes.
Masvidal struggling a bit here.
Masvidal tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Borgia wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Borgia remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Borgia working the ground and pound.
Borgia is chipping away with strikes.
Masvidal defending against the ground and pound.
Borgia trying to control the action but Masvidal is working from the bottom.
Masvidal struggling a bit here.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Borgia landing a few strikes.
Borgia grinds an elbow into Masvidal's temple.
Borgia lands some shots froms side control.
Masvidal takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Masvidal is working to avoid the ground and pound but Borgia connects with a decent elbow.
Borgia scores with punches from side control.
Borgia landing a few strikes.
Borgia connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Masvidal some visible discomfort.
Borgia working the ground and pound.
Borgia wants to lay and pray for a moment but Masvidal keeps working.
Borgia working the head and body with strikes.
Borgia tries to score with some ground and pound. Masvidal controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Borgia working the ground and pound.
Borgia scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Masvidal to see if he's OK.
Borgia has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Borgia controlling the position.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Borgia in side control, throwing shots but Masvidal defends.
Borgia looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
You can see the frustration on Masvidal's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Masvidal is looking to reverse the position.
Masvidal takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Borgia grinds an elbow into Masvidal's temple.
Borgia scoring with punches from side control.
Borgia grinds an elbow into Masvidal's temple.
Borgia landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Masvidal is rocked!
Masvidal tries to buck Borgia off but Borgia is having none of it.
Oh Masvidal is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Masvidal is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Borgia asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Borgia grinds an elbow into Masvidal's temple.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Masvidal is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Masvidal seems to have got his legs back now.
Masvidal taking a bit of punishment here - Borgia scoring with strikes.
Borgia wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Masvidal, who protects the arm well.
Masvidal is trying to control Borgia's posture but Borgia avoids it.
Borgia lands some shots froms side control.
Masvidal is working to avoid the ground and pound but Borgia connects with a decent elbow.
Borgia is chipping away with strikes.
Masvidal tries to buck Borgia off but Borgia is having none of it.
Borgia prevents Masvidal from escaping the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Cesare Borgia dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!
Borgia closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Masvidal quickly recovers to half guard.
Nice strikes from Borgia there.
Borgia landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Masvidal wants to control but Borgia is keeping busy.
Borgia seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Masvidal does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Masvidal tries to kick Borgia off but Borgia keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Borgia takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Masvidal is trying to get back to full guard.
Borgia sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Masvidal defending well though.
Borgia is nestled in close to Masvidal, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Borgia landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Borgia lands a nice short elbow.
Cesare Borgia has got the better of the ground game so far.
Borgia tries to pass to full mount but Masvidal defends it.
Masvidal is looking to improve his position.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Borgia looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Masvidal with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Borgia scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Borgia lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Borgia wants to take a breather but Masvidal is having none of it.
Borgia working the head and body with strikes.
Masvidal trying to control but Borgia postures up.
Masvidal on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Borgia lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Borgia winds up and cracks Masvidal with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Borgia trying to control the pace.
Masvidal is looking to improve his position.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Masvidal avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Borgia.
Masvidal wants to control but Borgia is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Borgia looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Masvidal with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Masvidal is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Borgia's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Borgia's back!
Masvidal controlling well, preventing Borgia from escaping the position.
Borgia has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Borgia tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Masvidal will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Masvidal controlling the pace for now.
Borgia tries to hold on but Masvidal pushes him away.
Borgia manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Borgia works his way to full guard. Good work.
Borgia manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Masvidal manages to get himself to full guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masvidal wants to sweep but no luck.
Borgia trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Borgia is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Borgia works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Borgia wants to work for an arm triangle but Masvidal is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Borgia is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Masvidal slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Masvidal looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Borgia puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Borgia is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Masvidal has hold of Borgia's hands but Borgia slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Borgia working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Borgia working over Masvidal with some ground and pound. Masvidal looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Borgia is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Masvidal is just riding it out for now. Borgia eventually gives up the hold.
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. Borgia connects with a nice short shot to Masvidal's temple.
Masvidal avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Borgia.
Borgia drops an elbow to the side of Masvidal's head.
Masvidal is looking to improve his position.
Masvidal regains full guard. Nicely done.
Masvidal is looking to stand up but Borgia isn't so interested in that idea.
Masvidal looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Borgia puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Masvidal on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Cesare Borgia showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Masvidal's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!
Masvidal dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Borgia throws a hook but Masvidal blocks it.
Borgia scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Borgia shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Masvidal as he avoids it easily.
Masvidal is looking to counter punch.
Borgia moves out of range as Masvidal strikes.
Nice shot lands for Masvidal.
Borgia misses with a right hand
and Masvidal cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Borgia throws a body punch but Masvidal moves out of range.
Masvidal sizes up Borgia with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Borgia tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Masvidal was well out of range. Poor timing from Borgia.
Borgia throws a body punch but Masvidal moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Masvidal moves forwards but Borgia connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Borgia shoots in but Masvidal avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Masvidal throwing a counter right hand but Borgia manages to avoid it.
Masvidal scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Borgia scores with a takedown into Masvidal's guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Borgia with a nice head shot there.
Borgia lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Borgia is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Borgia keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Masvidal's head.
Borgia trying to control but Masvidal is working from the bottom.
Masvidal tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Masvidal is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Borgia is controlling him.
Borgia working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Borgia wants to control from the top but Masvidal keeps moving.
Borgia won't allow Masvidal to get back to his feet.
Nate Masvidal has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's two 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.
Borgia scoring with punches to the head and body.
Borgia distracts Masvidal with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Masvidal scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Cesare Borgia seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Masvidal moves out of range as Borgia strikes.
Borgia jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Borgia misses with a takedown
and Masvidal counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Nate Masvidal has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cesare Borgia.
Borgia dives in and grabs Masvidal's left leg, looking for a takedown. Masvidal pushes down on Borgia's head and hops out.
Nate Masvidal is winning the standup battle so far.
Masvidal throws a hook but Borgia blocks it.
Borgia defending well as Masvidal loads up on a big left hand.
Masvidal lands a jab to the head.
Masvidal misses with a straight right.
Masvidal closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Borgia cracks Masvidal with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Nice defenses there by Borgia.
Masvidal throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masvidal cracks Borgia with an open hand slap.
Masvidal throws a hook to the side of Borgia's head but Borgia sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Borgia fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Masvidal manages to avoid it.
Borgia misses with a body shot.
Borgia takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Cesare Borgia is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Borgia drives through with a takedown into Masvidal's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Masvidal wants to stand and escape but Borgia is having none of it.
Borgia stays in close to Masvidal's body and controls the position.
Borgia's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Masvidal is looking for a triangle but Borgia pushes his legs off easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Masvidal is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Borgia is aware though and is defending well.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Masvidal is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Borgia got a little sloppy there for a moment and Masvidal has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Borgia has managed to get both his arms back between Masvidal's legs - danger averted.
Borgia is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Borgia moves out of range as Masvidal strikes.
Borgia shoots in and drives through. Masvidal sprawls well.
Borgia throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Masvidal stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Borgia ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Borgia drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
A shot to the liver by Borgia. Beautiful body shot.
Borgia lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Masvidal lands with a good body shot.
Borgia avoids the body shot from Masvidal.
And that's the end of the fight!
Nate Masvidal showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Borgia 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 Hugh Johnson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Topper Green scores the fight 28:29
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 28:29
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cesare Borgia!
Cesare Borgia opened up his post fight interview with a scream to camera that he wants a title shot! Whether he deserves the shot will be up to the management of the organization, so I guess he'll have to wait and see.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
48% |
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