PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tanaka Matsuda (ranked 11 p4p, 23 weight class) and Sonny Giovanni (ranked 1 p4p, 2 weight class). Matsuda's entrance music is Gojira - Another World. A fine choice. 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.

Matsuda
vs
Giovanni

190 cm
34
200
34 - 12 - 0

189 cm
32
188
18 - 5 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Brooklyn Apothecary
Brooklyn Threads

Conquer
Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 34 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Tanaka Matsuda!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Sonny Giovanni!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Thiago Cunha and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matsuda misses the jab.
Matsuda has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Gunner's School of Combat in the buildup to the fight.
Matsuda loads up on a big right hand but Giovanni slips the punch.
Giovanni is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Matsuda is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Giovanni.
Giovanni looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Giovanni uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Matsuda.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Giovanni! But no joy.
Giovanni uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Matsuda.
Giovanni throws out a counter right but Matsuda avoids it with no problem.
Matsuda throws a shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matsuda lunges at Giovanni with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Giovanni's hand.
Matsuda rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Giovanni counters with a low kick, right behind Matsuda 's knee.
Matsuda takes a swing at Giovanni's ribcage but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Giovanni steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Matsuda.
Matsuda clobbers Giovanni with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
A big right from Matsuda misses.
Matsuda throws an off balance right hand
and Giovanni counters with a straight right hand.
Matsuda misses the shot to the body.
Giovanni now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Matsuda rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Giovanni counters with a stiff right hand.
A cross from Matsuda lands.
Matsuda throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Giovanni sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsuda swings for the body but Giovanni moves out of range.
Giovanni let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Matsuda throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Giovanni sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Giovanni only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Matsuda misses with a hook to the body
and Giovanni counters with a nice uppercut.
Matsuda misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Giovanni.
Matsuda backing away here, and Giovanni unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Giovanni blocks a jab.
Giovanni looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Matsuda tries for a takedown but Giovanni circles away easily
and Matsuda takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Giovanni avoids the body shot from Matsuda.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsuda fails with a takedown attempt.
Matsuda shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Giovanni defends it nicely.
Giovanni swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tanaka Matsuda. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Matsuda jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Matsuda throws a hook but Giovanni blocks it.
Giovanni unleashes a big counter combination but Matsuda bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.

That's four 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.
Matsuda swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Giovanni swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Matsuda waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Giovanni.
A little jabbing left from Giovanni on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Giovanni keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Giovanni throws out a counter right but Matsuda avoids it with no problem.
Matsuda swings for the body but Giovanni moves out of range.
Matsuda throws a jab when Giovanni was well out of range.
Giovanni throws out a counter right but Matsuda avoids it with no problem.
Matsuda swings away with a body shot that misses
and Giovanni counters with a stiff right hand.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Matsuda ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Matsuda misses with a hook
and Giovanni counters with a thumping low kick.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tanaka Matsuda dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Matsuda throws out a loose jab but Giovanni uses good head movement to avoid it.
Giovanni swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Matsuda is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Giovanni can do to turn this around?
Matsuda fails with the takedown
and Giovanni counters with a head kick.
Matsuda scores with the left hand. Giovanni knows he should have avoided that one.
Giovanni displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Matsuda throws out the jab.
Tanaka Matsuda seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Giovanni defending well as Matsuda loads up on a big left hand.
Giovanni feints a counter leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matsuda throws a hook but Giovanni blocks it.
Matsuda takes a swing at Giovanni's ribcage but misses.
Giovanni steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Giovanni displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Matsuda throws out the jab.
Giovanni looks like he wants to counter punch here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsuda swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Giovanni swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Matsuda uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Giovanni has time to react.
Sonny Giovanni is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Matsuda connects with a good right hand that stumbles Giovanni. Giovanni circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Matsuda misses with a wild body shot.
Giovanni unleashes a big counter combination but Matsuda bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Matsuda works the jab nicely.
Matsuda connects with a body shot.
Matsuda throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Giovanni let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Giovanni moves out of range of the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsuda throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Giovanni counters with a nice leg kick.
Giovanni staying out of range there.
Giovanni throws out a counter right but Matsuda avoids it with no problem.
Matsuda takes a swing at Giovanni's ribcage but misses.
Giovanni looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Good exchange - Matsuda coming out on top.
Matsuda throws a hook but Giovanni avoids it easily.
Giovanni looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Giovanni steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Matsuda.
Matsuda changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Giovanni tries to avoid it but Matsuda manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Giovanni to the ground. Giovanni escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Matsuda misses with a lunging right hand
and Giovanni finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsuda throws a hook but Giovanni blocks it.
Matsuda misses with an uppercut.
Giovanni appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
The fighters circling - Matsuda throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Giovanni throws a fast counter high kick but Matsuda manages to duck under it in time.
Giovanni steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Matsuda.
A looping hook to the body misses from Matsuda. Giovanni does a little dance to reset his feet.
Matsuda fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Giovanni manages to avoid it.
Matsuda misses with a shot to the body
and Giovanni counters with a nice uppercut.
Matsuda misses with an uppercut
and Giovanni connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Giovanni ducks under a wild hook from Matsuda.
Giovanni avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Matsuda takes a swing at Giovanni's ribcage but misses.
Matsuda swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Giovanni counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Matsuda misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Giovanni.
Giovanni looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Matsuda throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Matsuda misses with a straight right.
Giovanni let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tanaka Matsuda 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.

Matsuda fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Matsuda misses with a body punch
and Giovanni counters with a nice uppercut.
Matsuda misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Giovanni counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Matsuda misses with a right hand
and Giovanni counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Giovanni uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Matsuda.
Matsuda throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matsuda misses with a takedown attempt
and Giovanni counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Matsuda misses with a body shot
and Giovanni connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Giovanni staying out of range there.
Giovanni looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Matsuda. Giovanni does a little dance to reset his feet.
Giovanni keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Matsuda.
A little jabbing left from Giovanni on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Giovanni takes one to the chin there.
Matsuda with a hook.
Matsuda throws a body shot but no joy.
Giovanni now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Matsuda connects with a body shot.
Nice uppercut lands for Matsuda. That snapped Giovanni's head back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot by Matsuda.
Matsuda lands a glancing blow to the side of Giovanni's head.
Giovanni uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Matsuda.
Giovanni looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Matsuda swings widly with a right hand
and Giovanni counters with a stiff right hand.
Matsuda swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Giovanni! But no joy.
Matsuda throws a poor cross that misses
and Giovanni counters with a solid body kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Matsuda cracks Giovanni with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Giovanni uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Matsuda.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsuda tries to score a power double leg takedown but Giovanni sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Matsuda somewhat.
Giovanni has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Matsuda throws a body shot but no joy.
A countering left hand to the body from Giovanni misses.
Matsuda misses the jab.
Matsuda misses with a body shot.
Matsuda moves into range and connects with a jab.
Matsuda misses with a hook
and Giovanni counters with a straight right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsuda throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Giovanni on the side of the head.
Matsuda swings away with a body shot that misses
and Giovanni counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Giovanni ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Giovanni! But no joy.
Matsuda misses with a wild body shot.
Matsuda gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Matsuda takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tanaka Matsuda. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Matsuda throws a poor cross that misses
and Giovanni counters with a stiff right hand.
Matsuda misses with a body shot.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Tanaka Matsuda did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
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.

Matsuda misses with a hook. Giovanni ducked under it nicely.
Giovanni takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
A slow jab from Matsuda misses its intended target.
A little jabbing left from Giovanni on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Matsuda misses with an uppercut
and Giovanni counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Matsuda misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Giovanni counters with a series of strikes. Matsuda will be more careful next time no doubt.
Matsuda misses with a straight right.
Tanaka Matsuda is winning the standup battle so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A looping hook to the body misses from Matsuda. Giovanni does a little dance to reset his feet.
Matsuda throws a body punch but Giovanni moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsuda misses with a hook
letting Giovanni counter with a right hand.
Nice defenses there by Giovanni.
Matsuda throws a body punch but Giovanni moves out of range.
Giovanni doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.

Matsuda looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Giovanni has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Matsuda is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Giovanni lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Giovanni lands a right hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Giovanni makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Giovanni pushes Matsuda back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Matsuda drops down looking for an ankle pick but Giovanni pulls his leg out and moves away.
Giovanni keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Giovanni throws out a counter right but Matsuda avoids it with no problem.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsuda pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Matsuda misses with a hook. Giovanni ducked under it nicely.
Matsuda misses with a takedown attempt - Giovanni sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Matsuda takes a swing at Giovanni's ribcage but misses.
Matsuda throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Giovanni counters with a nice uppercut.

Matsuda shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Giovanni's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Giovanni keeping moving, preventing Matsuda from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Matsuda in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Matsuda wants to control from the top but Giovanni keeps moving.
Matsuda is fighting to break Giovanni's control of his arms but Giovanni is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Matsuda wants to control from the top but Giovanni keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Matsuda throws an off balance right hand
and Giovanni counters with a leg kick.
Giovanni uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Matsuda.
Giovanni swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Matsuda throws a jab when Giovanni was well out of range.
Giovanni throws out a counter right but Matsuda avoids it with no problem.
Matsuda swings away with a body shot that misses
letting Giovanni counter with a right hand.
Matsuda goes for a double leg but Giovanni avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Giovanni continues to drive forward.
A little jabbing left from Giovanni on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tanaka Matsuda. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Matsuda goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Giovanni pushes Matsuda back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Giovanni lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Matsuda is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Giovanni to keep the fight standing.
Matsuda is trying to pull guard but Giovanni turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Sonny Giovanni dominated that fourth round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Matsuda shoots and misses
and Giovanni connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Sonny Giovanni has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Matsuda misses with a jab to the body
and Giovanni counters with a right hand to the body.
Matsuda throws a poor cross that misses
and Giovanni counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Matsuda dips to his left and cracks Giovanni with an uppercut!
Matsuda throws out a loose jab but Giovanni uses good head movement to avoid it.
Matsuda dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matsuda throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nice defenses there by Giovanni.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsuda throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A nice side step and Giovanni releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Matsuda misses with a right hand
and Giovanni makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Giovanni steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Matsuda.
Giovanni throws out a counter right but Matsuda avoids it with no problem.
Matsuda throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Matsuda misses with a right hand
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
and Giovanni connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Matsuda misses with a straight right.
Giovanni looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Matsuda swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Matsuda takes a swing at Giovanni's ribcage but misses.
Giovanni looks like he wants to counter punch here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsuda swings away with a body shot that misses
enabling Giovanni to counter with a crisp jab.
Matsuda just misses with a punch to the body.
Matsuda takes a swing at Giovanni's ribcage but misses.
Matsuda just misses with a punch to the body.
Giovanni displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Matsuda throws out the jab.
Matsuda shoots in for a double leg but Giovanni sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Matsuda throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Giovanni sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Giovanni only half commits to the counter leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Giovanni keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Giovanni keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Matsuda misses with a straight right.
Giovanni swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Matsuda tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Giovanni was well out of range. Poor timing from Matsuda.
Giovanni looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Matsuda jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Giovanni unleashes a big counter combination but Matsuda bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Giovanni moves out of range as Matsuda strikes.
Giovanni uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Matsuda.
Giovanni now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Giovanni displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Matsuda throws out the jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Giovanni gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Matsuda.
Matsuda swings widly with a right hand
and Giovanni connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

It looks like Tanaka Matsuda has been cut.
Matsuda looks to score with a jab to the body but Giovanni is just out of range.
Giovanni slips a straight right by Matsuda.
Giovanni doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Matsuda dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Tanaka Matsuda is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Giovanni takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Matsuda looks to land a right hand but Giovanni moved out of range.
And Giovanni responds with a good body kick, but Matsuda manages to step out the way in time.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tanaka Matsuda showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Matsuda has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 49:46
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 49:46
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tanaka Matsuda!
Tanaka Matsuda retains his middleweight title!
A relieved looking Tanaka Matsuda thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.