PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Shaun Gonzalez (ranked 118 p4p, 119 weight class) and Masa Saitoh (ranked 17 p4p, 18 weight class). Gonzalez comes to the cage accompanied by Mind Playing Tricks On Me - Geto Boys. On his way into the cage it seems that Shaun Gonzalez has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Shaun Gonzalez seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Gonzalez
vs
Saitoh

192 cm
28
205
18 - 8 - 1

182 cm
29
205
19 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Conviction
Bondi MMA 🏝️

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 8 - 1, fighting out of London, Shaun Gonzalez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 7 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Masa Saitoh!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Matheus Silva and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gonzalez avoids the body shot from Saitoh.
Gonzalez looks for the body kick but Saitoh saw that one coming.
Gonzalez throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

Saitoh rushes Gonzalez and presses him up against the cage.

Gonzalez breaks from the clinch.
Gonzalez misses with a lunging right hand
and Saitoh counters with a stiff right hand.
Saitoh on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Gonzalez connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Saitoh has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Saitoh takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Gonzalez throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Saitoh on the side of the head.
Saitoh moves forwards but Gonzalez connects with a nice, crisp jab.
A nice leg kick lands there from Gonzalez.
Gonzalez looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gonzalez displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Saitoh throws out the jab.
Saitoh on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Gonzalez. Gonzalez obviously looking to wear him down.
Good work by Saitoh as he checks the leg kick.
Gonzalez jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Saitoh throws a body punch but Gonzalez moves out of range.
Gonzalez connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Gonzalez feints and then cracks Saitoh's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Saitoh down.
Gonzalez is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gonzalez throws a leg kick but Saitoh checks it.
Gonzalez misses with an attempted mid kick.
Gonzalez darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Gonzalez lands a leg kick that knocks Saitoh off balance momentarily.
Shaun Gonzalez is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Saitoh misses with a lunging right hand
and Gonzalez counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Gonzalez misses with a hook. Saitoh ducked under it nicely.
Saitoh uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Gonzalez.
Gonzalez lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Saitoh bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Gonzalez's head.
Saitoh takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Saitoh misses the jab.
Gonzalez is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Saitoh misses with a looping left.
An attempted straight right counter from Gonzalez misses the target.
Nice shot by Gonzalez.
A decent looking cross lands there for Gonzalez.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gonzalez with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Saitoh tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Saitoh stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Gonzalez stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Gonzalez wants it to stay on the feet.
As Saitoh backs away, Gonzalez returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gonzalez scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Saitoh misses with an uppercut.
Gonzalez throws a body shot but no joy.
Gonzalez lands a leg kick that knocks Saitoh off balance momentarily.
Nice body punch from Gonzalez.
Saitoh misses the jab.
Saitoh's corner calls for a 1-2. Saitoh obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Saitoh has his takedown stuffed
and Saitoh takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Both fighters circling a little - Gonzalez finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.

Saitoh dives in and scores a takedown into Gonzalez's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Saitoh trying to control but Gonzalez is working from the bottom.
Gonzalez is trying to keep Saitoh in close.
Saitoh controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gonzalez wants to sweep but no luck.
Saitoh is looking to work some ground and pound but Gonzalez has wrist control.
Gonzalez has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Saitoh loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Gonzalez jabs at Saitoh's body.
Gonzalez is looking to slow Saitoh down with leg kicks.

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.
Saitoh misses with a wild body shot.
Gonzalez throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Saitoh sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Saitoh throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Saitoh is defended easily by Gonzalez.
Shaun Gonzalez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Masa Saitoh.
Saitoh scores with a shot to the body.
Gonzalez throws a low kick but Saitoh avoids it.
Gonzalez buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Saitoh misses with a left hand
and Gonzalez counters with an outside leg kick.
Gonzalez lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Saitoh fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Saitoh looks to clinch
and Gonzalez counters with a straight right hand.
Gonzalez keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Saitoh.
Gonzalez with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Gonzalez connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Gonzalez pivots, looking for a leg kick but Saitoh is out of range and Gonzalez settles back down.
Gonzalez misses with a straight right.
Gonzalez is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Saitoh can do to turn this around?
A leg kick checked by Saitoh.
Shaun Gonzalez is winning the standup battle so far.

Saitoh closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Saitoh tries a body shot but Gonzalez blocks it.
Gonzalez comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

It looks like Masa Saitoh has been cut.
Saitoh lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Saitoh misses with a punch to the body.
Saitoh scores with an uppercut up the middle.

Gonzalez manages to break the clinch.
Gonzalez shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Saitoh will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Saitoh jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Saitoh paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Saitoh changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Saitoh connects with a nice looking jab.
Shaun Gonzalez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A big left from Saitoh misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gonzalez defending well as Saitoh loads up on a big left hand.
A slow jab from Gonzalez misses its intended target.
Saitoh tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Saitoh walks forward, straight into a front kick from Gonzalez.
Saitoh throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Gonzalez counters with a nice uppercut.
Gonzalez keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Saitoh shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Gonzalez sprawls well. Gonzalez wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Saitoh gets slowly back to his feet.
A nice leg kick from Gonzalez, right into the meat of the thigh.
Gonzalez dips to his left and cracks Saitoh with an uppercut!
Gonzalez lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Saitoh scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Gonzalez lands a leg kick that knocks Saitoh off balance momentarily.
Saitoh rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Gonzalez counters with a nice uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saitoh throws a hook but Gonzalez blocks it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Saitoh closes the distance and clinches.
Saitoh goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Still in the clinch, Saitoh scores with a nice short uppercut.
Saitoh lands a right hand that snaps the head of Gonzalez backwards.
Gonzalez lands a hook that snaps the head of Saitoh backwards.
Saitoh lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Gonzalez.
Saitoh wants a takedown but no success here.
Shaun Gonzalez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Masa Saitoh.
Saitoh tries to work over Gonzalez's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Gonzalez takes a shot to the head.
Saitoh misses with a punch to the body.
Gonzalez blocks an uppercut.
Saitoh misses with some punches.
Gonzalez blocking some punches.
A head punch on the inside from Gonzalez fails to land.

Gonzalez breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Saitoh bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Gonzalez's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gonzalez leaves Saitoh with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Gonzalez feints and then cracks Saitoh's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Saitoh down.
Gonzalez throws an overhand right that lands on Saitoh's shoulder, as Saitoh tries to avoid the shot.
Good standup being displayed there by Gonzalez as he connects with a hook.
Saitoh misses with a body shot.
Gonzalez appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Gonzalez lands with an overhand left.
A low kick lands for Gonzalez.
Saitoh with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Gonzalez to score with a decent uppercut.
Gonzalez uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Saitoh.
Gonzalez throws out a leg kick but Saitoh moves out of range and Gonzalez only half commits.
Gonzalez slips a straight right by Saitoh.
Saitoh misses with a left hand
and Gonzalez counters with a straight right hand.
Gonzalez fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Saitoh on the side of the head.
Gonzalez lands a nice looking body kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gonzalez circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gonzalez attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Gonzalez staying out of range there.
Horrible takedown attempt by Saitoh or perhaps it was just good defense by Gonzalez, which made it look bad.
Saitoh checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Gonzalez throws a nice inside leg kick.
Gonzalez scores with a hook.
Good standup being displayed there by Gonzalez as he connects with a hook.
Saitoh has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Gonzalez moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Gonzalez tries a low kick but Saitoh avoids it.
Saitoh's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Saitoh tries to clinch but Gonzalez moves out of range.
Saitoh shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Gonzalez sprawls well. Gonzalez wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Saitoh gets slowly back to his feet.
Gonzalez blocks a jab.
Jab from Gonzalez.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Shaun Gonzalez dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Masa Saitoh's cut.
That's time! Gonzalez's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Gonzalez looks to land a left hand but Saitoh moved out of range nicely.
Gonzalez finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Saitoh displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Gonzalez throws out the jab.
A little jabbing left from Saitoh on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Gonzalez lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Saitoh darts in looking for a takedown but Gonzalez gets double underhooks and turns Saitoh into the cage.

Saitoh closes the distance and clinches.
Gonzalez throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Saitohs head.
Saitoh dodges an elbow strike from Gonzalez.
Saitoh misses with a hook to the ribs.
Saitoh doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Gonzalez lands an elbow inside.
Saitoh misses with a hook to the ribs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saitoh goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Saitoh.

Gonzalez breaks the clinch.

Saitoh changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Gonzalez looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Saitoh trying to control the position but Gonzalez is working away.
Saitoh tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saitoh laying and praying for a moment but Gonzalez takes advantage and regains half guard.
Saitoh is trying to control. Gonzalez wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Gonzalez makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Gonzalez.
Gonzalez seems keen to control Saitoh's posture.
Saitoh stopping the sweep attempt from Gonzalez.
Masa Saitoh has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Saitoh sitting in guard here, content to control.
Saitoh trying to control the position from guard on top but Gonzalez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Saitoh controls from within his opponent's guard.
Gonzalez wants to sweep but no luck.
Saitoh trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Saitoh trying to control the position from guard on top but Gonzalez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A head kick from Gonzalez lands but Saitoh takes it in his stride.
That kick from Gonzalez tenderised Saitoh's leg. Saitoh is trying to keep his angry face on.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gonzalez moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Saitoh. Gonzalez does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gonzalez throws a leg kick
and Saitoh counters with a straight right hand.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Saitoh.
Saitoh in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Gonzalez can't do much from the bottom here.
Gonzalez takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Gonzalez gets back to half guard.
Masa Saitoh has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saitoh controlling the pace.
Gonzalez is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Gonzalez wants to control but Saitoh is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Ground and pound from Saitoh.
Gonzalez is looking to improve his position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Saitoh thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Gonzalez's head.
Saitoh thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Gonzalez's head.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Shaun Gonzalez.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Gonzalez, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Seu Braga scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 30:27
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shaun Gonzalez!
After winning the bout, Shaun Gonzalez thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.