PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Sylvain Lievremont (ranked 1441 p4p, 169 weight class) and Hadecki Matsui (ranked 743 p4p, 98 weight class). Lievremont comes to the cage accompanied by Stromae - Papaoutai. The crowd seem to be enjoying Matsui's choice of entrance music: Noypi by Bamboo. 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.

Lievremont
vs
Matsui

167 cm
31
156 lbs
9 - 6 - 0

168 cm
30
153 lbs
16 - 1 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Fenrir Fightgear - Anno 2013

Zenith Nutrition (160q/$200)
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

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 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Sylvain Lievremont!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Hadecki Matsui!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Taro Takaoka and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Lievremont shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Lievremont was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Lievremont taking a breather here.
Lievremont prevents Matsui from escaping the position.
Lievremont trying to control the action but Matsui is working from the bottom.
Lievremont controlling from side mount.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Lievremont tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsui trying to remain calm as Lievremont controls from the top position.

Lievremont goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Matsui rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Lievremont's guard! Nice work there by Matsui!

Matsui got a little sloppy there for a moment and Lievremont has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Matsui has managed to get both his arms back between Lievremont's legs - danger averted.
Lievremont tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsui would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Lievremont has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsui wants to get up but he can't break Lievremont's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lievremont is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Lievremont looking to control.
Matsui wants to get up but he can't break Lievremont's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Matsui stopping the sweep attempt from Lievremont.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Lievremont fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Matsui misses with a left hand
and Lievremont counters with a straight right hand.
Lievremont misses with a takedown
and Matsui counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsui lands a nice shot that snaps Lievremont's head back.
Lievremont throws a right and a left that Matsui avoids nicely.
Matsui doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
A telegraphed right hand from Matsui misses the target.
Lievremont swings widly with a right hand
and Matsui counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Matsui jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Lievremont fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Matsui avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sylvain Lievremont. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Matsui misses with a double jab
and Lievremont counters with a series of strikes. Matsui will be more careful next time no doubt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Matsui misses with a looping left.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Hadecki Matsui 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.

Matsui lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Lievremont at a distance.
Matsui comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Matsui just misses with a punch to the body.
Lievremont missing with a left hand there. Matsui was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
As Lievremont backs off Matsui throws a huge counter combo but Lievremont manages to avoid it all.
Lievremont doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Matsui counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Lievremont shoots in looking for a takedown. Matsui tries to sprawl out of it but Lievremont keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Matsui manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lievremont throws a shot from downtown. Matsui moves away and avoids it.
Matsui appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Matsui throws a body punch but Lievremont moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Decent striking displayed by Lievremont there.
Matsui misses with a looping right.
Lievremont half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Matsui misses with a left hand
and Lievremont cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Lievremont connects with a jab.
Matsui dips to his left and cracks Lievremont with an uppercut!
Matsui looks to land a combination but Lievremont avoids it well.
Lievremont closes this distance looking for a takedown but Matsui circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sylvain Lievremont. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Matsui swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A looping hook to the body misses from Matsui. Lievremont does a little dance to reset his feet.
Lievremont walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsui throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Lievremont counters with a stiff right hand.
Lievremont slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nice straight punches there by Lievremont. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Lievremont.
Matsui throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Lievremont goes for a double leg but Matsui avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Matsui continues to drive forward.
Matsui misses with a right hand

and Lievremont counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Matsui is looking to stand back up but Lievremont counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Matsui.

Lievremont is taking a breather. Matsui says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lievremont is trying to control the action in half guard but Matsui is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lievremont is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Lievremont seems to be working for a kimura but Matsui defends the submission attempt.
Lievremont is pressing down on Matsui's thigh, looking to free his foot. Matsui is holding on for now.
Lievremont looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

Lievremont is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Matsui is just riding it out for now. Lievremont eventually gives up the hold.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Matsui is trying to stand up here but Lievremont is controlling him well.

Lievremont is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Matsui defends it well.

Lievremont seems to be looking for submissions.
Lievremont is keen to just control but Matsui is a slippery customer.
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 Sylvain Lievremont will probably get the nod.
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 hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Matsui catches Lievremont with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Lievremont slips under a jab from Matsui.
Hadecki Matsui seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Lievremont throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Lievremont takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Matsui waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Lievremont.
A slow jab from Lievremont misses its intended target.
Matsui misses with a body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matsui misses with a straight left.
Lievremont fails with the takedown.
Lievremont loads up on a big right hand but Matsui slips the punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsui pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Lievremont moves out of range as Matsui strikes.
Lievremont fails with the takedown.
Matsui let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Lievremont walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Lievremont changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Matsui tries to avoid it but Lievremont manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Matsui to the ground. Matsui escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sylvain Lievremont. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice defenses there by Matsui.
Lievremont shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Matsui as he avoids it easily.
Matsui moves into range and connects with a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circle momentarily. Matsui darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Lievremont tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Matsui defends well and Lievremont ends up having to push Matsui into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Matsui smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Matsui rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
enabling Lievremont to counter with a crisp jab.
Matsui looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Hadecki Matsui seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lievremont getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Lievremont misses with a takedown
and Matsui counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Lievremont fails to land the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsui looks to land a combination but Lievremont avoids it well.
Hadecki Matsui is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Matsui looks to throw the jab but Lievremont is out of range.
Lievremont steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Matsui.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Lievremont.
Matsui lands a slapping body shot.
Matsui looks to score with a jab to the body but Lievremont is just out of range.
Lievremont swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Matsui ducks under a wild hook from Lievremont.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lievremont slips under a jab from Matsui.
Matsui is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Lievremont.
Matsui looks to land a right hand but Lievremont moved out of range.
Matsui throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Matsui ducks right into an uppercut from Lievremont.
Lievremont lands with an overhand left.
Lievremont ducks under a wild hook from Matsui.
Matsui throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Lievremont sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Lievremont is looking to counter punch.
Lievremont shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Matsui sprawls well. Matsui wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Lievremont gets slowly back to his feet.
Matsui doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hadecki Matsui comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Matsui 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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 29:28
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 28:30
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Hadecki Matsui!
Our winner, Hadecki Matsui, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.