PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Hideki Masada (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pavel Kotov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Masada comes to the ring accompanied by "Tokyo Drift (Restage Remix)" by Teriyaki Boyz. Pavel Kotov struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 157.0lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the ring.

Masada
vs
Kotov

176 cm
24
155 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

175 cm
27
168 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Hideki Masada!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Pavel Kotov!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Masada fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Kotov looks for a takedown but Masada sprawls well.
Kotov tries for a takedown but Masada sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Masada lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Masada fails with an attempt to clinch.
Masada tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Kotov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kotov darts in looking for a takedown but Masada gets double underhooks and turns Kotov into the ropes.
Hideki Masada has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pavel Kotov.
Kotov goes for a takedown attempt but Masada pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Masada wants to clinch.
Masada shoots for a takedown but Kotov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Kotov stuffs the takedown.
Masada looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Masada fails with a takedown attempt.
Masada stuffs the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Masada dives in and grabs Kotov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kotov pushes down on Masada's head and hops out.
Kotov shoots in but no luck this time.
Kotov swats away the attempt to clinch by Masada.
Masada tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Masada shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Kotov avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Masada.
Masada thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Masada is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kotov wants to improve his position but Masada is controlling well.

Kotov is defending against the submission attempts here by Masada.
Masada is breathing heavily.
Kotov tries to kick Masada off but Masada keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Kotov works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kotov tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Masada decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Kotov, up you get!
Masada lands a head kick. Kotov smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

Kotov scores with a takedown into Masada's guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Kotov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Masada is keeping the position for now.
Masada looking to control.
Kotov working some strikes from top position.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Kotov works over Masada with some ground and pound from guard.
Kotov with a nice head shot there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kotov postures up in Masada's guard and throws a big left but Masada blocks it.
Kotov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kotov scoring with some ground and pound.
Kotov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Kotov postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Kotov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Kotov working some strikes from top position.
Kotov scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Kotov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Masada has momentary wrist control but Kotov slips an elbow through the middle.
Kotov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Masada's head.
Kotov keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Masada's head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kotov advances position into side control!
Kotov landing strikes.
Masada taking punishment in the form of punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pavel Kotov dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Masada misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Masada lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Masada.
Masada leaves Kotov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Kotov stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kotov wants it to stay on the feet.

Masada looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Kotov moves into full guard.
Masada looking to sit in guard and control but Kotov gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Kotov passes Masada's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kotov landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kotov lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Kotov scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Kotov is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Kotov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Masada is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Kotov scores with a couple of nice shots.
Kotov tries to pass the half guard into mount. Masada knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kotov looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Masada taking some punishment here, with Kotov in his half guard.
Kotov seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Kotov lands a nice short elbow.
Pavel Kotov has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kotov working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Masada on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Kotov lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Masada is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Kotov scores with a couple of nice shots.
Kotov winds up and cracks Masada with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

Masada is rocked!
Kotov working over Masada with some ground and pound. Masada looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Oh Masada is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Kotov takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Kotov looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Masada with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Masada is looking for a sweep. Kotov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Masada seems to have got his legs back now.
Kotov working the head and body with strikes.
Kotov seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Masada is trying to stand back up but Kotov is controlling him
Kotov scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kotov is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Masada is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Kotov scores with a couple of nice shots.
Masada is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Kotov scores with a couple of nice shots.
Kotov winds up and cracks Masada with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Kotov working Masada over with strikes.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Kotov lands a nice short elbow.
Kotov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Kotov lands a nice short elbow.
Masada is looking to control Kotov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Masada avoid being mounted?
Kotov looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kotov lands with a punch from half guard.
Kotov is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kotov working over Masada with some ground and pound. Masada looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Masada taking some punishment here, with Kotov in his half guard.
Masada punching from the bottom.
Kotov scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Kotov winds up and cracks Masada with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Kotov looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Ground and pound from Kotov.
Masada tries to get to full guard but Kotov has control of the leg.
Kotov working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kotov winds up and cracks Masada with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Masada taking some punishment here, with Kotov in his half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pavel Kotov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

No luck for Kotov with that takedown attempt.
Masada shoots in and drives through. Kotov sprawls well.
Masada changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kotov tries to avoid it but Masada manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kotov to the ground. Kotov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Masada will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hideki Masada. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Masada keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Masada looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kotov is fending him off so far but Masada persists. Nope, Kotov circles away and we're back to standing.
Kotov misses with a takedown attempt - Masada sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Masada throws a front kick aimed at Kotov's knee but Kotov avoids it well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kotov shoots in looking for a takedown but Masada manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Kotov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Kotov closes the distance and clinches up with Masada, looking for a takedown. Kotov pushes Masada against the ropes but Masada circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Masada scores with a three punch combo!
Kotov has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Masada.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Masada looks to score with a jab to the body but Kotov is just out of range.
Hideki Masada is winning the standup battle so far.
Masada stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Masada wants it to stay on the feet.
Masada throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kotov's waist but Kotov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Masada off to one side.
Masada throws a combination. Kotov tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Sloppy strikes from Masada. Those never looked like landing.
Kotov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Masada sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Masada shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kotov.
Masada tries to clinch up.
Kotov swats away the attempt to clinch by Masada.
No luck for Masada with that takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Masada tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kotov swivels and escapes.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kotov is defended easily by Masada.
Masada goes for a double leg but Kotov avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the ropes as Kotov continues to drive forward.
Kotov has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Masada avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Masada lands a body shot.
Masada is pressed up against the ropes. Kotov has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Masada down to the mat. Masada avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Masada clinches up against the ropes.

Masada has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Kotov uses from the top position.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Kotov throws a big right hand that misses.
Masada controls Kotov momentarily but Kotov frees himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masada tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kotov is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Masada wants to stand but Kotov is controlling the position.
Masada will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Kotov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Kotov cracks Masada with a solid left hand.
Kotov is working Masada over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Kotov scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Kotov content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Kotov landing with the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kotov is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kotov landing some decent shots from guard.
Kotov working some strikes from top position.
Kotov postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Masada is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Kotov is controlling him.
Kotov landing some decent shots from guard.
Hideki Masada has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kotov chips away with some ground and pound.
Pavel Kotov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Masada can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Kotov controls the pace.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pavel Kotov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Kotov winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight for Pavel Kotov!
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight for Pavel Kotov!
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight for Pavel Kotov!

Pavel Kotov wins by unanimous decision!