PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Danny Welds (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ken Masters (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Welds
vs
Masters

180 cm
25
179 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

182 cm
26
183 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
KO power

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Powerful

Tokyo Defiance

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 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Danny Welds!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ken Masters!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Sosuke Kotani and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Masters lands a really nice looking cross but Welds seems unphased.
Masters throws a shot from downtown. Welds moves away and avoids it.
Welds shoots for a takedown but Masters saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Masters swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Masters misses with a wild combination.
Welds scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Masters doesn't seem bothered though.
Masters throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Welds shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Welds closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Masters gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Masters keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Masters sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Welds working over Masters with some ground and pound. Masters looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Masters moves into full guard.

Masters is looking for a triangle but Welds pushes his legs off easily.
Masters manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Welds manages to get himself to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Masters tries to free his leg and advance position but Welds is retaining full guard.
Masters looks gassed!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Welds pulls Masters in close to his closed guard and prevents Masters from doing any damage or advancing position.
Masters tries to free his leg and advance position but Welds is retaining full guard.
Welds wants to sweep here but Masters controlling him for the moment.
Masters works a leg free and moves into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Welds is looking for a sweep. Masters is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Masters working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Welds's thigh. Welds counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Masters sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Welds's guard.
Masters is pressing down on Welds's thigh, looking to free his foot. Welds is holding on for now.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Masters is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Welds tries to roll over but Masters keeps him under control.

Masters is looking for a kimura here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Welds pushes Masters off looking to stand but Masters dives back in and keeps control.
Masters trying to mount his opponent but Welds defends it.
Welds moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Masters pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Welds is keeping the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Masters stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Masters wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Danny Welds. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Welds uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Masters.
Masters throws a right and a left that both miss.
Nice sprawl there from Masters as Welds shoots in.
No luck for Welds with that takedown attempt.
Welds shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Masters pinned against the cage. Masters gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Masters lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Welds circles away quickly and effectively.
Masters sizes up Welds with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Masters avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Masters slaps away a takedown attempt from Welds, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Masters connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Welds momentarily.
Masters misses with a two punch combination.
Ken Masters is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Welds shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Masters as he jumps to the side.
Masters with a jab.
Masters misses with a double jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ken Masters will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

A left and a right from Masters both land. Nice combination.
Masters fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Welds shoots for a double leg takedown but Masters sprawls well. He's pushed Welds's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Masters's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Masters duly obliges.
Masters misses with a jab, cross combination.
Masters moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Welds rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Masters moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Masters lands with a nice combination. Welds backs away looking to recover.
Welds tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Masters misses with the combination.
Masters looks to land a combination. Welds sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Masters rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Welds moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Welds looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Masters is fending him off so far but Welds persists. Nope, Masters circles away and we're back to standing.
Masters throws a left and a right that both miss

and Welds counters with a single leg into guard. Masters didn't expect that.
Welds has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Masters is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Welds is aware though and is defending well.

Masters is looking for a triangle but Welds pushes his legs off easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Masters throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Welds lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Masters manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

Masters is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Welds has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Welds!
Welds trying to control but Masters is working from the bottom.

Masters is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Welds is aware though and is defending well.
Welds stands up over Masters, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Welds is in close to Masters's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Welds working some strikes from top position.

Masters working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Welds has passed into half guard!
Welds is nestled in close to Masters, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Welds is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Welds slips a nice elbow through Masters's hands, connecting with Masters's forehead.
Masters works his way to full guard. Good work.
Welds scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Welds works over Masters with some ground and pound from guard.

Masters is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Welds defends well.
Welds stands up over Masters, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Welds is working Masters over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Welds trying to control but Masters is working from the bottom.

Masters looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Welds trying to control but Masters is working from the bottom.
Welds lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Masters has momentary wrist control but Welds slips an elbow through the middle.
Welds trying to control but Masters is working from the bottom.
Welds postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Masters tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Welds's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Welds content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Masters has his foot on Welds's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Welds works his way back into a safe position though.
Welds wants to control from the top but Masters keeps moving.
Welds won't allow Masters to sweep him here.

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.

Masters working for a triangle but Welds defends it easily.
Welds lands a couple of elbows.

Masters escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Welds gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Welds trying to control the position from guard on top but Masters is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Welds throws a nice looking combination but Masters bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Welds tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Masters swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Danny Welds. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Welds will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Masters throws a right hand that Welds ducks under and follows up with a left that Welds also avoids with ease.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Masters works the jab nicely.
Masters throws a right hand that Welds ducks under and follows up with a left that Welds also avoids with ease.
Welds shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Masters pinned against the cage. Masters gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A punch combination from Masters misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ken Masters showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Welds has a takedown stuffed.
Masters scores with a sloppy right hand. Welds should have avoided that one.
Welds moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Masters changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Welds uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Masters.
Welds defending well as Masters loads up on a big left hand.
Masters slaps away a takedown attempt from Welds, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Masters looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Masters throws a right hand that Welds ducks under and follows up with a left that Welds also avoids with ease.
Welds shoots in and drives through. Masters sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Danny Welds. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Masters throws a series of punches but Welds avoids them all with ease.
Masters lands a head shot.
Masters misses with a two punch combination.
Masters swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Welds shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Masters but Masters pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Masters lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Masters.
Welds shoots in and drives through. Masters sprawls well.
Masters throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Welds stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Masters checks the leg kick nicely there.
Masters lands with a nice combination. Welds backs away looking to recover.
Welds waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Masters.
Welds shoots in looking for a takedown. Masters tries to sprawl out of it but Welds keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Masters manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Masters misses with the combination.
Masters connects with a looping right hand.

Welds drives through with a takedown into guard.
Welds chips away with some ground and pound.
Welds scoring with punches to the head and body.
Welds won't allow Masters to sweep him here.
Welds lands a couple of elbows.
Welds throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Masters looking to control.
Welds is in close to Masters's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Welds wants to pass the guard but Masters is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Masters will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Welds shoots for a double leg takedown but Masters sprawls well. He's pushed Welds's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Masters connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Welds tries for a takedown but Masters sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ken Masters seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Masters dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Masters dodges the punch combination from Welds.
Welds shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Masters!
A combination from Masters does no damage.
Welds fails with a takedown attempt.
Masters swinging wildly here.
Danny Welds is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Welds shoots in for a double leg but Masters sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Masters scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Welds shoots in but Masters avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masters scores with a jab to the head.
Welds takes one to the side of the head.
Masters avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Welds shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Masters napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Masters is working to avoid the ground and pound but Welds connects with a decent elbow.
Welds looks up at the clock and then as Masters takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Welds smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Welds is putting a hurting on Masters here, landing some big shots from side control.
Masters manages to work his way to half guard, despite Welds's best efforts.
Ken Masters is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Masters wants to control but Welds is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Welds controlling the pace.
Welds takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Masters is trying to get back to full guard.
Masters is trying to maintain the position but Welds is very close to passing his half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Masters is trying to get back to full guard.
Welds is thwarting Masters's attempts to control the position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Welds.
Masters throws a right and a left that Welds avoids nicely.

Welds shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Masters looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Welds lands strikes from half guard.
Masters tries to roll over but Welds keeps him under control.
Danny Welds has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Danny Welds overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

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 Danny Welds.
I think Masters 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 28:29
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ken Masters!