PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Kokaku Masaki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bael Basileos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bael Basileos acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Masaki
vs
Basileos

175 cm
25
152 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

160 cm
18
150 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kokaku Masaki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Bael Basileos!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Kenichi Hosakawa and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Basileos doesn't manage to clinch there - Masaki circles away.
Basileos takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Masaki throws a series of punches but Basileos avoids them all with ease.
Basileos tries to clinch there but Masaki circles away.
Basileos slips a jab and a cross from Masaki.
Basileos shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Masaki swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Basileos dives in for a single leg takedown but Masaki sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Masaki throws a right and a left that both miss.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Basileos! But no joy.
Masaki throws a combination that misses

and Basileos counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Basileos.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Basileos is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Masaki gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Kokaku Masaki has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bael Basileos.
Basileos jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Masaki walks away with a smile on his face. Basileos gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Basileos looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Masaki fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Masaki looks to land a combination but Basileos avoids it well.
Nice takedown defense from Masaki. No joy for Basileos on that attempt.
As Basileos tries to get set, Masaki tries to push him back and clinch up but Basileos manages to avoid the attempt.
Kokaku Masaki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Basileos doesn't manage to clinch there - Masaki circles away.
Masaki swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Masaki lands with an uppercut that bounces Basileos off the cage and back into range.
Masaki throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Masaki scores with a shot to the body.
Masaki will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Masaki swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Basileos moves into the clinch.
Masaki pressing his opponent against the cage.
Basileos misses with a knee strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Masaki is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Basileos is defending well.

Masaki has clasped his hands together around Basileos's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Masaki decides to stand back up.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Masaki!
Masaki throws a combination. Basileos tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Masaki throws a series of strikes that have Basileos backpedaling.

Basileos drives through and clinches with Masaki against the cage.
A short uppercut from Masaki.
Basileos is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Basileos jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Masaki walks away with a smile on his face. Basileos gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Masaki looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Masaki is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Basileos is looking to clinch.
Basileos darts in looking for a takedown but Masaki gets double underhooks and turns Basileos into the cage.
Masaki misses with a combination
and Basileos counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Masaki throws a series of punches but Basileos avoids them all with ease.
Basileos blocks a low kick nicely.
Basileos should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Masaki lands the left hand.
Masaki lands a nice looking body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Basileos takes one on the button.
Masaki fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Masaki throws a sloppy head kick
and Basileos counters with a low kick, right behind Masaki 's knee.
Basileos doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Masaki misses with the combination.
Kokaku Masaki is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
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!
Masaki getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Masaki looks to land a body kick but Basileos moved away.
Basileos follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
A punch combination from Masaki misses.
Basileos raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Masaki throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Basileos.
Masaki misses with a body shot.
Basileos tries to counter by closing the distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kokaku Masaki dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

No luck with that takedown attempt from Basileos.
Masaki throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Basileos.
Masaki is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Basileos tries to clinch but Masaki moves out of range.
Basileos needs to keep his hands up - Masaki had a free shot at his head there.
Basileos will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Kokaku Masaki is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nice body punch from Masaki.
Masaki misses with a double jab.
Masaki misses with the combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Masaki misses with a combination
and Basileos makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Masaki really felt that one!
Masaki tries to bum rush Basileos with a series of wild strikes but Basileos uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Basileos steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Masaki.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A right-left combo lands from Masaki.
Masaki is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Basileos can do to turn this around?
Masaki fails to land with a series of punches.
Nice takedown defense from Masaki. No joy for Basileos on that attempt.
Kokaku Masaki has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bael Basileos.
Masaki throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Basileos.
Masaki looks to land a combination but Basileos avoids it well.
Basileos steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Masaki.
Masaki misses with a two punch combination.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Masaki throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Masaki leaves Basileos with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Basileos fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Basileos takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Masaki throws a shot from downtown. Basileos moves away and avoids it.
Masaki stuffs the takedown attempt from Basileos. Basileos gets slowly back to his feet.
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!
A right-left combo lands from Masaki.
Masaki cracks Basileos with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Basileos is trying desperately to land a takedown but Masaki is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Basileos.
Masaki scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Masaki jabs at Basileos's body.
Basileos dodges the punch combination from Masaki.
Masaki moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromBasileos.
Masaki looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masaki misses with a series of wild punches.
Basileos tries a quick counter leg kick but Masaki is wise to it.
Masaki throws a combination that misses
and Basileos counters with a low kick, right behind Masaki 's knee.
Basileos tries to clinch but Masaki is having none of it.
Basileos tries to clinch up but Masaki circles away and keeps his distance.
Basileos dodges the punch combination from Masaki.
Basileos is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Masaki lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Basileos avoids a punch combination nicely.
Basileos drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Masaki defends it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Masaki throws a series of strikes that have Basileos backpedaling.
Masaki rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Basileos moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Masaki throws a nice looking combination but Basileos bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Masaki looks to land a left hand but Basileos moved out of range nicely.
Basileos goes for a double leg but Masaki avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Masaki continues to drive forward.
Masaki lands with a nice body punch.
No joy there for Masaki, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Basileos steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Masaki.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Masaki scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Sloppy strikes from Masaki. Those never looked like landing.
Masaki misses with the combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kokaku Masaki dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Basileos dives in and grabs Masaki's left leg, looking for a takedown. Masaki pushes down on Basileos's head and hops out.
Some wild striking there from Masaki.
Basileos is looking for the big counter here.
Masaki fails to land with a series of punches.
Basileos is looking for the big counter here.
Masaki connects with a body shot that sends Basileos's belly button to the back.
Masaki throws a left and a right that both miss
and Basileos counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Masaki swats away the attempt to clinch by Basileos.
Basileos is looking to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Basileos avoids the body shot from Masaki.
Basileos looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Masaki is fending him off so far but Basileos persists. Nope, Masaki circles away and we're back to standing.
Kokaku Masaki is winning the standup battle so far.
Masaki misses with a jab, cross combination.
Masaki ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Basileos moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Masaki darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Masaki throws a nice looking combination but Basileos bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Masaki misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Masaki misses with a double jab
and Basileos counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Basileos wants to clinch up but Masaki keeps it at a distance.
Basileos is looking to clinch.
Basileos takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Masaki displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Basileos.
Kokaku Masaki has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bael Basileos.
An inside leg kick from Masaki misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Basileos has a takedown stuffed.
Some wild striking there from Masaki.
Basileos fails with an attempt to clinch.
Masaki half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Masaki throws a right and a left that Basileos avoids nicely.
Basileos fails with an attempt to clinch.
Basileos takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Masaki misses with a jab, cross combination.
Masaki throws a one two combo.
A nice combination there by Masaki.
Masaki throws a right hand that Basileos ducks under and follows up with a left that Basileos also avoids with ease.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masaki misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Basileos scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Masaki slaps away a takedown attempt from Basileos, before circling back to the center of the mat.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Kokaku Masaki is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Masaki has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Basileos after a bit of a struggle.

Masaki gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.

Basileos scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Masaki misses with a two punch combination.
Basileos looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Basileos tries to clinch up but Masaki circles away and keeps his distance.
Masaki swinging wildly here.
Basileos tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Masaki looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Masaki rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Basileos moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Basileos throws out a counter right but Masaki avoids it with no problem.
Basileos will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Basileos fails with a takedown attempt.
Bael Basileos has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sloppy strikes from Masaki. Those never looked like landing.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kokaku Masaki showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Masaki, 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 30:26
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 30:26
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kokaku Masaki!