Masga did not disappoint in ROP 23

Vince “The Clinch” Masga, top, rains down punches and elbows on Sang Hyun Park of South Korea in one of the two semi-main event fights in last Friday’s Rites of Passage 23: Beatdown at the Marianas Business Plaza. (Jon Perez)

Trench Tech fighter Vince “The Clinch” Masga held his own against a taller Sang Hyun Park in last Friday’s Rites of Passage 23: Beatdown at the Marianas Business Plaza in Susupe.

Masga fought in one of two the semi-main event bouts and did not disappoint fight fans, giving it all inside the eight sides. He defeated Park via technical knockout with 2:21 left in the second round, giving the local warrior his fourth straight win and improving his fight record to 7-1. His lone loss was against Ricky Camp in ROP 16: Unleashed, four years ago.

It was Park’s first defeat after three matches in ROP events and also first overall in four fights. He won his debut in Top Fighting Championship 12 in September 2016 when he topped compatriot Hyun Woo Park via rear-naked choke in 3:43 of the first round.

For his fourth fight, Sang Hyun Park had the clear height advantage against Masga, but the local warrior compensated that with his speed and skills in ground fighting. Masga, who has a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, showed his Korean foe that he’s no pushover and went toe-to-toe against Park. He worked his way against Park, throwing punches and kicks to open up the Korean’s defense.

Park also had his moments and managed to thwart Masga’s repeated attempts to take him down. At one point, Park pinned down Masga at the corner and worked his way for an arm bar submission. But, thanks to his jiu-jitsu training, Masga was able to wiggle out of harm’s way and went for a stand up fight against Park. He took down Park and went for a submission victory, but the latter was saved by the bell.

It was almost the same story in the second round with Masga connecting several kicks to Park’s side. He immediately took down his opponent once he saw an opening and began to throw punches to Park’s head.

The Korean tried to defend and covered his face to shield himself from Masga’s rain of punches and elbows. Seconds later, referee Mike Ulloa stepped in and stopped the fight, as Park was just lying down and doing nothing to retaliate against Masga’s blows.

Park protested, but Ulloa stood by his earlier decision, as fighter’s safety always comes first. The Korean, besides absorbing a loss, had several bruises on his face and a cut in the lower lip and left eye brow.