PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ken Masters (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Torsti Monivamma (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Monivamma has chosen Dropkick Murphys: I'm shipping up to Boston as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Masters
vs
Monivamma

182 cm
26
183 lbs
8 - 6 - 0

180 cm
27
180 lbs
9 - 6 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Very strong

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ken Masters!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Torsti Monivamma!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Shigeki Sano and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Monivamma fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Masters misses with a looping left.
Monivamma fails to land the takedown.
Masters misses the shot to the body.
Masters scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Masters misses with the combination.
Masters scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Monivamma showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Masters.
Monivamma misses with a takedown attempt - Masters sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Ken Masters has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Torsti Monivamma.
Monivamma slips a jab and a cross from Masters.
Masters swinging wildly here.
Monivamma keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Masters.
Monivamma showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Masters.
Masters misses with a double jab.
A big right from Masters misses.
Monivamma shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Masters pinned against the cage. Masters gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Masters takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

It looks like Ken Masters has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Masters misses with an uppercut. Monivamma saw that one coming.
Monivamma avoids the body shot from Masters.
Monivamma moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Masters throws a right and a left that both miss.
Monivamma ducks under a wild hook from Masters.
Ken Masters is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Masters rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Monivamma moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Monivamma shoots for a double leg takedown but Masters sprawls well. He's pushed Monivamma's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Masters looks to score with a jab to the body but Monivamma is just out of range.
Monivamma thows a left - swing and a miss!
Some wild striking there from Masters.
Monivamma uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Masters has time to react.

Masters is rocked!

Monivamma closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Masters to the mat! Masters manages to get full guard.
Oh Masters is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!

Masters looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Masters is breathing heavily.
Monivamma tries to free his leg and advance position but Masters is retaining full guard.
Masters seems to have got his legs back now.

Monivamma drops back looking for a leg! Masters is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Masters manages to kick Monivamma off! Monivamma jumps back into Masters's guard.

Masters is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

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

Monivamma is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Masters working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Monivamma doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Monivamma manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Monivamma can't escape the position.
Masters pushing the pace here, looking to move to his opponents back and work for a finish.

Masters is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Monivamma has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Monivamma!
Monivamma wants to pass the guard but Masters is keeping the position.
Monivamma won't allow Masters to sweep him here.
Monivamma wants to pass the guard but Masters is keeping the position.

Masters looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Masters tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Monivamma passes into half guard.
Monivamma not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Monivamma looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Masters looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Monivamma not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Monivamma is looking for a kimura but Masters is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Monivamma to get the leverage.
Masters moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Torsti Monivamma dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ken Masters's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Masters lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Monivamma circles away quickly and effectively.
Monivamma shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Masters as he avoids it easily.
Monivamma with a jab.
Monivamma throws a right and a left that Masters avoids nicely.
Monivamma with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Masters to score with a decent uppercut.
A big left from Masters misses.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Monivamma.
Masters with a hook.
Masters lunges at Monivamma with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Monivamma's hand.
Masters scores with a hook.
No luck for Monivamma with that takedown attempt.
Ken Masters has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Torsti Monivamma.
Masters cracks Monivamma with an open hand slap.
Monivamma slips a jab and a cross from Masters.
Masters misses with a few strikes there.
Monivamma on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Monivamma shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Masters as he jumps to the side.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Monivamma takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from Masters finds it's way through Monivamma's defenses.
Masters misses with a jab, cross combination.
Masters throws a series of punches but Monivamma avoids them all with ease.
Masters cracks Monivamma with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Monivamma fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Masters throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Monivamma slips a jab and a cross from Masters.
A punch combination from Masters misses.
Ken Masters is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Masters connects with a jab.
Monivamma dodges the punch combination from Masters.
Monivamma throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Masters.
Nice takedown defense from Masters. No joy for Monivamma on that attempt.
Monivamma shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Masters as he jumps to the side.
Masters lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Masters keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Masters thows a body shot but no joy.
Masters looks to land a combination but Monivamma avoids it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Masters swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Monivamma scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Masters misses with the combination.

Monivamma shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Masters napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Monivamma thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Monivamma tries to advance to mount but can't.
Monivamma throws a strike aimed at the side of Masters's head but Masters avoids it well.
Masters is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Monivamma's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

Masters actively working from the bottom here.
Masters wants to control but Monivamma is keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Monivamma throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Monivamma is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Masters doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Monivamma.
Masters regains full guard. Nicely done.
Masters manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Monivamma manages to get himself to full guard.

Masters thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Monivamma escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Masters gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Monivamma wants to sweep here but Masters controlling him for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Monivamma keeping full guard, as Masters tries to pass.
Monivamma keeping moving, preventing Masters from controlling successfully.

Monivamma is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Monivamma wants to sweep here but Masters controlling him for the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Masters passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Masters is looking to take a break and control but Monivamma is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Ken Masters will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Ken Masters's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Masters throws a nice looking combination but Monivamma bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Masters misses with the combination.

Masters gets caught flat footed, as Monivamma shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Monivamma drops back looking for a leg! Masters is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Masters manages to kick Monivamma off! Monivamma jumps back into Masters's guard.
Masters manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Monivamma manages to get himself to full guard.
Monivamma tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Masters works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Monivamma won't allow Masters to pass to mount.

Monivamma looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Masters tries to pass the half guard into mount. Monivamma knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Monivamma gets full guard.
Masters tries to free his leg and advance position but Monivamma is retaining full guard.
Torsti Monivamma has got the better of the ground game so far.

Monivamma is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Masters tries to free his leg and advance position but Monivamma is retaining full guard.

Monivamma throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Masters works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Monivamma is trying to get back to full guard.
Masters passes to side control.

Masters tries for a kimura but Monivamma is defending well.
Monivamma tries to buck Masters off but Masters is having none of it.
Monivamma is not content to let Masters control the position.

Masters tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Monivamma sneaks back into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Monivamma regains full guard. Nicely done.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Masters drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Masters jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Monivamma has his foot on Masters's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Masters works his way back into a safe position though.

Monivamma is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Masters is aware though and is defending well.
Monivamma can't keep his opponent in guard - Masters advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Masters is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Monivamma!
Masters mounts Monivamma! Really nice guard pass there!

Masters jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Monivamma is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Monivamma and Masters has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

Masters tries for a kimura but Monivamma is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Masters is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Monivamma is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Monivamma is not content to let Masters control the position.
Monivamma is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Monivamma looking for submissions off his back.

Monivamma looking for submissions off his back.
Monivamma is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

And that's the end of the fight!
Torsti Monivamma comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Monivamma 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 Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 28:29
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Torsti Monivamma!