PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Johnny Matthews (ranked 2842 p4p, 3126 weight class) and Tolby Tovington (ranked 370 p4p, 398 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Matthews
vs
Tovington

180 cm
19
180
3 - 1 - 0

181 cm
24
181
5 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Cardio machine

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Powerful

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Johnny Matthews!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tolby Tovington!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Ron Honeybunn and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matthews fails with a takedown attempt.

Tovington tries to keep at a distance but Matthews has taken the fight into the clinch.
Tovington is trying to push Matthews away but Matthews has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Matthews swings away with an uppercut that misses.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Matthews just misses with a elbow thrown towards Tovington's brow.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matthews tries to score a body lock takedown but Tovington shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Tovington wants to break the clinch but can't.
Tovington blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Matthews has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Tovington clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Matthews not allowing Tovington to control his hands.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Matthews is hanging on to Tovington's back as he tries to escape.
Tovington trying to control the position but Matthews manages to sink in the hooks.

Matthews has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Tovington has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!

Matthews working for the choke.
Tovington is in bad spot here.
Matthews is throwing strikes from the back here. Oh that last one was to the back of the head. Matthews gets a warning from the referee. He throws another strike to the back of the head straight away though and the referee has seen enough. He breaks up the two fighters and stands them back up. Matthews gets a real talking to here and is lucky not to get a point deducted. Matthews apologises and we restart here on the feet.
Matthews tries for a takedown but Tovington sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Johnny Matthews. That's going to take a lot out of him.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Tovington enables Matthews to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Tovington manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Tovington manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Matthews has been working on his balance at LET Gym, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Tovington.
Tovington is trying to break the clinch but Matthews is controlling him.
Matthews tries for a takedown. No joy.
Matthews looking for a takedown.
Matthews has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Tovington after a bit of a struggle.
Tovington tries to circle away but Matthews has him pinned against the cage.
Tovington prevents a takedown attempt there.
Matthews is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Tovington gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matthews wants to take the fight to the mat but Tovington manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Matthews tries to score a body lock takedown but Tovington shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Tovington has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Matthews seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Tovington can turn it around.
Tovington is trying to break free.
Tovington is trying to break the clinch but Matthews is controlling him.
Matthews dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Tovington wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Matthews gets a trip takedown into half guard.

Matthews is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Matthews is working for a kimura but Tovington is defending it quite comfortably.
Tovington avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Matthews.
Matthews thows a huge punch but Tovington dodges it nicely.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tovington is trying to get back to full guard.
Matthews trying to mount his opponent but Tovington defends it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Matthews dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Matthews closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

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

Matthews is looking for a kimura here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tovington has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Matthews is working away from the top position though.

Matthews is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matthews thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Matthews is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Tovington can do to turn this around?
Matthews wants to pass to mount but Tovington is defending the position.
Matthews missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Matthews is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Tovington has managed to free his arm - good work.
Matthews lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Matthews is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Tovington reverses the position - he's now on top in Matthews's guard.
Matthews keeping moving, preventing Tovington from controlling successfully.
Tovington looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Matthews looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matthews being controlled here, momentarily.

Matthews had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Tovington defends it easily.
Tovington controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Tovington must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Tovington is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Tovington accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Matthews is looking for a triangle here but Tovington uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Tovington has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Matthews gets back to half guard.
Tovington controlling the pace.
Let's hope that Tovington has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

Matthews looking for submissions off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tovington seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

Matthews looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Matthews is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Tovington pulls his head out easily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Matthews is trying to stand.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Matthews 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. This is the final round!

Tovington scores with the left hand. Matthews knows he should have avoided that one.
Matthews shoots in for a takedown but Tovington shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Tovington.
Matthews tries to clinch up.
Tovington stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Tovington wants it to stay on the feet.
Matthews fails in his attempt to clinch.
Matthews takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Matthews moves into range and connects with a jab.
Matthews wants to clinch but Tovington slips to the side
letting Tovington counter with a right hand.
Matthews takes a swing at Tovington's ribcage but misses.

Matthews closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tovington is doing well to control the position and prevent Matthews from advancing to side control.
The fighters are battling for position here. Tovington manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Tovington keeping full guard, as Matthews tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Matthews drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Tovington manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Matthews has Tovington in his guard.

Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Tovington controlling from the top position.
Tovington distracts Matthews with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Matthews had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Tovington defends it easily.
Tovington trying to control but Matthews is working from the bottom.
Johnny Matthews overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Tovington with a nice head shot there.
Tovington is stalling in the full guard.
Tovington stands up over Matthews, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Tovington with a nice head shot there.
Tovington distracts Matthews with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Tovington is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Tovington arches his back and unloads with a massive left and a right! Matthews's eyes roll back into his head, he's out cold! The ref dives in to stop the fight - wow, they were hard shots!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:55 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Tolby Tovington!