PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Lutalo Masamba (ranked 1112 p4p, 3465 weight class) and Joseph Ducreux (ranked 139 p4p, 381 weight class). Masamba comes to the cage accompanied by Conversations (Skeler Remix) - Juice WRLD. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Masamba
vs
Ducreux

192 cm
28
197
15 - 10 - 0

184 cm
36
186
19 - 19 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Bondi MMA 🏝️

Shadow Realm Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 10 - 0, fighting out of New York, Lutalo Masamba!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 19 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Joseph Ducreux!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A big left from Masamba misses.
Ducreux takes one on the chin but seems OK.

It looks like Joseph Ducreux has been cut.
Lutalo Masamba seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Masamba feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Ducreuxs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!

Masamba gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Ducreux fails to pull guard.
Ducreux missing with knees to the body.
Masamba fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ducreux.

Ducreux manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Masamba stays in close to Ducreux's body and controls the position.
Ducreux pulls Masamba in close to prevent any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ducreux controls Masamba momentarily but Masamba frees himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Masamba stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ducreux swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ducreux wants to sweep but no luck.

Masamba stands and steps away. Ducreux gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Ducreux tries a head kick but it misses.
Masamba misses with a straight right.
Ducreux tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Masamba throws a big shot that misses.
Nice shot by Masamba.
Masamba throws the kick towards the body but Ducreux avoids it.
A jab from Masamba does it's job there.
Ducreux gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
enabling Masamba to counter with a crisp jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ducreux shoots in looking for a takedown but Masamba manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ducreux's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Lutalo Masamba has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joseph Ducreux.
Masamba circles away from the clinch attempt.
Masamba lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Masamba takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ducreux staying out of range there.
Ducreux wants to clinch.
Masamba scores with a leg kick.
Ducreux circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ducreux looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Masamba stuffs the takedown.
Ducreux throws a series of punches but Masamba moves out of range.
Ducreux takes one to the side of the head.

That has opened up Joseph Ducreux's cut even more.
Ducreux blocks a head kick by Masamba.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masamba misses with a looping right.
Ducreux fails with the takedown.

Masamba gets tackled into the cage by Ducreux. Ducreux maintains the clinch.
Masamba gets through Ducreux's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Masamba throws a punch but it's blocked by Ducreux.
A short uppercut from Masamba.
Ducreux blocking some punches.
Ducreux jumps guard but Masamba stands there with Ducreux around his waist. Ducreux gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Masamba misses with the head strike.
Ducreux blocks an uppercut.
Masamba prevents the takedown attempt.
Masamba swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ducreux jumps guard but Masamba turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Masamba fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Masamba misses with the head strike.
Masamba swings wildly with an uppercut but Ducreux uses good head movement to avoid it.
Masamba tries a body shot but Ducreux blocks it.
Ducreux blocking some punches.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Masamba as Ducreux tries to tie him up.
Masamba is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
A left hand lands to the body for Masamba.
Ducreux blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ducreux is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Ducreux tries to pull guard but Masamba won't allow it.
Ducreux blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ducreux has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Masamba after a bit of a struggle.
Masamba lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Lutalo Masamba dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Joseph Ducreux's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Masamba fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Ducreux.
A clash of legs there as Ducreux blocks the low kick.
Masamba tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ducreux fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Masamba avoids it really well and circles away.
An attempted straight right counter from Masamba misses the target.
Masamba pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Masamba fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Ducreux has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Lutalo Masamba is winning the standup battle so far.
Ducreux throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Masamba.
Masamba has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Ducreux tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Masamba paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ducreux tries for a takedown but Masamba sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Masamba moves in looking to clinch but Ducreux pushes him off.
Masamba cracks Ducreux with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Ducreux misses with a head kick.
A slow jab from Masamba misses its intended target.
Masamba lands with an overhand left.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ducreux tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Masamba swivels and escapes.
Lutalo Masamba has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joseph Ducreux.
Masamba scores with a jab to the jaw.
Ducreux shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Masamba but Masamba pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Ducreux shoots in looking for a takedown. Masamba tries to sprawl out of it but Ducreux keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Masamba manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Masamba ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

Masamba rushes Ducreux and presses him up against the cage.
Masamba tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Masamba has a couple of punches blocked by Ducreux.
Masamba misses with the head strike.
Masamba misses with a punch on the inside.
Masamba throws a punch but it's blocked by Ducreux.
Ducreux lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Masamba gets through Ducreux's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Ducreux is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Masamba is defending well.

Ducreux breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ducreux scores with a head kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Masamba tests Ducreux's chin there with a solid looking shot.

The cut above Joseph Ducreux's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Masamba misses with a hook.

Masamba fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ducreux, pushing him back against the cage.
A bit of stalling here from Ducreux.
Masamba tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Masamba stops a takedown attempt from Ducreux.
Masamba lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Ducreux or not.
Ducreux is breathing heavily.
Ducreux blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ducreux blocks an uppercut.
Ducreux drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Masamba gets the underhooks and prevents it.
A nice right hand lands inside from Masamba.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masamba working aggressively here.
Ducreux blocks a body shot from Masamba.
Masamba misses with the head strike.
Lutalo Masamba has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Masamba has a couple of punches blocked by Ducreux.
Masamba tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ducreux's elbow.
Masamba misses with a body punch.
Ducreux fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Masamba has a couple of punches blocked by Ducreux.
Masamba misses with a hook from the clinch.
Masamba misses with a punch to the body.
Ducreux drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Masamba lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Masamba misses with a hook from the clinch.
Masamba is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ducreux can do to turn this around?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A body shot lands from Masamba.
Masamba misses with a punch on the inside.
Nice body punch from Masamba - that landed with a thud.
Masamba misses with a short punch on the inside.
Masamba working aggressively here.
Masamba misses with the head strike.
Ducreux is trying to drag Masamba to the mat but Masamba just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Masamba.
Masamba lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

Joseph Ducreux's cut is absolute horrible now. This looks like something out of a horror film with blood covering both fighters.
Ducreux wants to take the fight to the mat but Masamba manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Masamba misses with a punch on the inside.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ducreux.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Lutalo Masamba dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Joseph Ducreux's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Masamba lands an overhand right.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Ducreux.
Masamba tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Ducreux manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
As Masamba backs off Ducreux throws a huge counter combo but Masamba manages to avoid it all.
Ducreux avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Ducreux is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

Masamba forces Ducreux back against the cage and clinches.
Ducreux blocks an uppercut.
Masamba misses with a body punch.
Masamba misses with a punch to the body.

Ducreux breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Masamba misses with an uppercut. Ducreux saw that one coming.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Masamba swats away the attempt to clinch by Ducreux.
Masamba is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Masamba connects with a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Masamba misses with a hook.
Lutalo Masamba is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Masamba is looking to slow Ducreux down with leg kicks.
Masamba looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Masamba tests Ducreux's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A slow jab from Masamba misses its intended target.
Masamba tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ducreux paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ducreux shoots and misses
and Masamba counters with a nice uppercut.

Masamba moves into the clinch.
Masamba scores with a nice hook to the head.
Masamba misses with a punch on the inside.
Masamba goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Masamba working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Ducreux jumps guard but Masamba turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Lutalo Masamba has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joseph Ducreux.
Masamba misses with a short punch on the inside.
Masamba swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ducreux tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Ducreux tries to score a body lock takedown but Masamba shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Ducreux fails to pull guard.
Ducreux fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Ducreux takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Masamba has a couple of punches blocked by Ducreux.
Masamba lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Masamba has a couple of punches blocked by Ducreux.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Masamba.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Masamba.
Ducreux blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Masamba lands a left hand that snaps the head of Ducreux backwards.
Masamba lands with a short shot to the head.
Masamba is working Ducreux over against the cage.
Masamba misses with the head strike.
A short left from Masamba.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ducreux tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Masamba just stands there and leans against the cage.
Ducreux blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ducreux is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Masamba swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Masamba prevents a takedown attempt there.
Masamba lands an uppercut.
Masamba tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ducreux is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Masamba pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Masamba lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Masamba can't find room to land a body shot as Ducreux controls the action.
Masamba misses with a short punch on the inside.
Masamba misses with a punch to the body.
Masamba fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Masamba swings wildly with an uppercut but Ducreux uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ducreux jumps guard and drags Masamba to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Masamba is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Masamba trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Masamba's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Ducreux wants to sweep here but Masamba controlling him for the moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lutalo Masamba showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Masamba, 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lutalo Masamba!
A very excited looking Lutalo Masamba made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.