PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Morton Masters (ranked 1665 p4p, 1248 weight class) and Jim Rhat (ranked 225 p4p, 172 weight class). Rhat has chosen Das Ist It as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Masters
vs
Rhat

178 cm
28
184
11 - 8 - 0

180 cm
22
172
8 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Powerful

Voodoo Nutrition

Fantasy Threads

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Morton Masters!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Jim Rhat!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, John Kavanagh and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Masters misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rhat.
Masters just misses with a punch to the body.
And Rhat tries to counter it with a takedown but Masters pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Masters throws a series of punches but Rhat moves out of range.
Masters keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Masters cracks Rhat with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Masters checks the leg kick nicely there.
A looping hook to the body misses from Masters. Rhat does a little dance to reset his feet.
Masters throws out a loose jab but Rhat uses good head movement to avoid it.
Masters scores with a hook to the body. Rhat takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Rhat shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Masters as he avoids it easily.
Rhat shoots for a takedown but Masters saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Rhat shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Masters but Masters pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Morton Masters has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jim Rhat.
Masters swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
And Rhat tries to counter it with a takedown but Masters pushes his down on his head and steps out.
A telegraphed right hand from Masters misses the target.
Rhat steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Masters.
Rhat is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Danga de danga de dang - Masters scores with a four punch combination!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rhat misses with a body kick.
Rhat displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Masters throws out the jab.
Masters goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Rhat.
Rhat shoots in for a takedown but Masters shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Rhat fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Rhat takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
A low kick from Masters misses

and Rhat counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Rhat trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Masters trying to keep a closed guard but Rhat is proving a slippery customer.
Masters is really struggling to control Rhat but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Rhat preventing the sweep.
Rhat pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Masters is keeping the position for now.
Rhat has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Masters is trying to keep Rhat in close.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rhat is pushing down on Masters's leg trying to pass to half guard. Masters is fighting to maintain full guard but Rhat has managed to sneak the leg through.

Rhat is looking for a kimura but Masters is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Rhat to get the leverage.
Rhat is looking to take a break and control but Masters is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Rhat might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Masters haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

Rhat seems to be looking for submissions.
Rhat wants to lay and pray for a moment but Masters keeps working.
Masters on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Masters tries to get out of the position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Masters keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Masters wants to improve his position but Rhat is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masters is trying to maintain the position but Rhat is very close to passing his half guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Rhat wants to free his trapped foot but Masters is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Masters knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Rhat on the ground.

Rhat is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Masters is trying to get back to full guard.
Rhat stalling.
Masters trying to control here.

That's four 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.
Masters tries to roll over but Rhat keeps him under control.
Masters is working hard here to advance position.
Rhat has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

Rhat working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Rhat wants to control the pace but Masters is squirming around nicely.

Rhat swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Masters is now in Rhat's guard. A big mistake from Rhat there, giving up the dominant position!
Masters showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Morton Masters dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Rhat displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Masters throws out the jab.
Masters tries to clinch but Rhat moves out of range.
Rhat shoots for a double leg takedown but Masters sprawls well. He's pushed Rhat's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Masters is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rhat can do to turn this around?
Nice takedown defense from Masters. No joy for Rhat on that attempt.
Rhat throws a looping overhand right but Masters ducks down to avoid it.
Rhat finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
A punch combination from Rhat misses.
Rhat bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Masters lands with a shot to the body.
Rhat uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Masters.
Rhat walks into a jab.
Masters uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Rhat.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Rhat moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Masters connects with a nice looking jab.
Rhat looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

Masters clinches with his opponent.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rhat is looking to take this one to the mat.
Morton Masters has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jim Rhat.
A nice left hand lands by Masters.
Masters creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Rhat letting Masters take a breather here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Masters scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Masters lands a nice uppercut.
Rhat tries to pull guard but Masters won't allow it.
Our sources have told us that Masters has been working on his knees in the buildup to the fight.
Masters comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

It looks like Jim Rhat has been cut.
Masters lands an elbow just above Rhat 's eye.
Masters comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Masters lands an elbow that stopped Rhat in his tracks for a moment.
Masters with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Rhat avoids the elbow strike from Masters, against the cage.
Rhat with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Rhat tries to pull guard but Masters won't allow it.
Rhat goes for a takedown attempt but Masters pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Masters lands a slapping body shot.
Rhat is looking to land body kicks.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Masters lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Rhat circles away quickly and effectively.

Masters clinches.
Rhat wants a takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rhat drops down looking for an ankle pick but Masters pulls his leg out and moves away.
Masters throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Rhat.
Morton Masters is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Masters throws a hook to the side of Rhat's head but Rhat sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Rhat changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Rhat throws a sloppy head kick and Masters moves out of range easily.
Masters throws a big counter combination but Rhat scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Masters scores with a sloppy right hand. Rhat should have avoided that one.
Rhat moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Rhat throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Morton Masters is winning the standup battle so far.
Masters jabs at Rhat's body.
Rhat looks for a takedown but Masters sprawls well.
Rhat is breathing heavily.
The fight stays on the outside here - Masters looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Masters lands a head shot.
Rhat shoots for a double leg takedown but Masters sprawls well. He's pushed Rhat's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rhat walks into a jab.
Masters misses with an uppercut.
Rhat drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Masters defends it well.
Masters throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Rhat sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Masters scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Rhat throws a lazy head kick

and Masters counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Masters digs a right hand underneath Rhat's ribcage. Rhat let out a lung full of air as it connected.

Rhat jumps guard and drags Masters to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Rhat is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Masters slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Masters trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Rhat wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Masters wants to control from the top but Rhat keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Masters looking to pass the guard.
Rhat is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Rhat has control of Masters's left arm, preventing Masters from doing any damage.
Rhat wants to sweep here but Masters controlling him for the moment.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Masters controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Morton Masters dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Jim Rhat's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Masters leaves Rhat with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Masters tries to counter by clinching up but Rhat breaks away and moves out of range.
Masters is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Rhat.
Masters misses with a head kick.
A jab from Masters misses.
Masters scores with a hook to the body. Rhat takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Rhat fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Rhat.
Masters is looking to counter the offense by Rhat and move into the clinch.
Morton Masters has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jim Rhat.
Rhat digs a good hook to Masters's body.
Rhat lands with a slapping head kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rhat misses with a head kick.
Rhat tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Masters defends well and Rhat ends up having to push Masters into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Rhat pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Rhat throws a series of punches but Masters moves out of range.
Masters was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Rhat takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Masters throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Masters connects with a right hand. Rhat shakes it off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rhat takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Rhat fails to land the takedown.
Masters swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Masters drives through and clinches with Rhat against the cage.
Rhat tries to pull guard but Masters holds him up against the cage and eventually Rhat drops back down to his feet.
Rhat is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Masters to keep the fight standing.

Rhat has hold of one of Masters's legs. Masters is fighting the takedown attempt but Rhat gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Rhat is fighting to break Masters's control of his arms but Masters is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Masters is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Masters controlling Rhat's posture.
Masters 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rhat looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Masters keeping full guard, as Rhat tries to pass.
Jim Rhat has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Masters is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Masters looking to control.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
A big left from Rhat misses.
Rhat shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Masters as he jumps to the side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masters misses with a straight left.
A telegraphed right hand from Rhat misses the target.

Masters instigates a clinch.
Morton Masters has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Rhat is trying to pull guard but Masters has him pressed against the cage.
Rhat tries to break free but Masters pushes him back against the cage.
Nice body punch from Masters.
Rhat's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Masters lands a damaging elbow.
Rhat takes a knee right on the jaw!
Masters connects with a knee to the head.
Masters lands a nice elbow.
Masters lands a body shot.
Masters scores with a shot to the side of Rhat's head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Masters lands an elbow that stopped Rhat in his tracks for a moment.
Rhat takes an elbow to the forehead.
Rhat is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Masters to keep the fight standing.
Rhat takes an elbow to the forehead.

Rhat is rocked!

Masters drops Rhat with a big knee straight up the middle! Rhat is covering up against the cage but manages to escape and gets back to his feet!
Rhat is still on wobbly legs! Can Masters finish him?

That has opened up Jim Rhat's cut even more.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Masters wobbles Rhat with a right hand and the left hook that follows puts him on his rear! Masters dives in with a huge flying punch that connects right on the button and puts Rhat to sleep! - What a violent and spectacular finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:07 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Morton Masters!
Morton Masters is the new welterweight champion!
Morton Masters tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.