PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Michal Materla (ranked 25186 p4p, 3232 weight class) and Mark Atherton (ranked 0 p4p, 362 weight class). Mark Atherton has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Michal Materla's chin.

Materla
vs
Atherton

212 cm
19
212
3 - 11 - 0

183 cm
25
204
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Prefers standup

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Michal Materla!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mark Atherton!
The judges for this bout are Ron Honeybunn, Winston Howard and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Materla closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Materla breaks the clinch.
Materla avoids the body shot from Atherton.
Atherton defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Materla.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Atherton! But no joy.
Materla closes this distance looking for a takedown but Atherton circles away.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Atherton! But no joy.
Materla shoots for a takedown but Atherton saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michal Materla. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Atherton ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Materla moves away.
Atherton misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Materla.
Atherton takes a swing at Materla's ribcage but misses.
Atherton throws a hook but Materla avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Atherton misses the shot to the body.
Materla shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Atherton pinned against the cage. Atherton gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
It seemed like Atherton was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Materla ducks under a wild hook from Atherton.
Materla throws a big counter combination but Atherton scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.

Atherton gets tackled into the cage by Materla. Materla maintains the clinch.
Atherton tries to break the clinch but Materla is controlling the position.
Atherton is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Materla is keeping busy.
Atherton is trying to break free.
Atherton wants to break free but Materla has control.
Atherton leaning against his opponent.
Atherton wants to break the clinch but can't.
Materla tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Materla is stalling here.
Materla is trying to force a seperation but Atherton has the dominant position.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Atherton avoids a wild elbow strike from Materla.
Materla keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Atherton's efforts to push away.
Materla really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Materla tries to break free but Atherton pushes him back against the cage.
Materla is looking to take this one to the mat.
Materla has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Atherton wants to break the clinch but can't.
Materla tries for a takedown. No joy.
Materla will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Atherton up against the cage.
We've been informed that Atherton has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Atherton wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Atherton tries to break free but Materla pushes him back against the cage.

Materla gets control of Atherton's arms and successfully pulls guard. Materla will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Atherton is looking to stand up but Materla won't let him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Materla working a defensive guard but Atherton passes into half guard.
Materla is breathing heavily.
Atherton is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Materla shoots in but Atherton avoids the takedown attempt easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Atherton dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Atherton is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Materla.
Atherton waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Materla.
Materla dives in for a single leg takedown but Atherton sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Atherton is trying to break free.
Materla is trying to pull guard but Atherton has him pressed against the cage.
Atherton wants to get back to striking at distance but Materla won't allow it.
Materla doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Atherton stops a takedown attempt from Materla.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michal Materla. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Materla wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Atherton has him pressed against the cage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Atherton as Materla tries to tie him up.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Materla is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Atherton pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Materla tries to pull guard but Atherton holds him up against the cage and eventually Materla drops back down to his feet.
Atherton is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Atherton prevents a takedown attempt there.
The referee is keeping an eye on Atherton - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Atherton wants to break the clinch but can't.
A frustrated look appears on Atherton's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Atherton trying to control the position but instead, Materla has worked for underhooks and has pushed Atherton into the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Atherton's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Materla can't break the clinch.
Atherton is trying to force a seperation but Materla has the dominant position.
Materla goes for a takedown attempt but Atherton pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Atherton misses with a looping right.
Atherton is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Atherton misses with a looping left.
As Atherton looks to move away, Materla throws a big counter combo but Atherton just gets out of the way.
Atherton has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Materla moves out of range of the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Materla dives in for a single leg takedown but Atherton sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Atherton wants to get back to striking at distance but Materla won't allow it.
Atherton is trying to break the clinch but Materla has him pressed against the cage.
Atherton is looking to break free of the clinch but Materla has double underhooks.
Atherton wants to get back to striking at distance but Materla won't allow it.
Materla jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Atherton walks away with a smile on his face. Materla gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Atherton is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Materla.
Atherton misses with a body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Atherton. Materla does a little dance to reset his feet.
Atherton misses with a looping right.

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.
Materla closes this distance looking for a takedown but Atherton circles away.
Atherton misses with a looping right.
Materla blocks a jab.
Atherton throws a lazy right hand but Materla sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Atherton. Materla does a little dance to reset his feet.
A swing and a miss from Atherton.
Materla tries to counter with a takedown but Atherton is quick to defend against it.
Atherton throws a body shot but no joy.
Atherton leaves Materla with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Atherton throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Atherton misses with a straight right.
Atherton tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Materla was well out of range. Poor timing from Atherton.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Atherton showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Materla shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Atherton takes a swing at Materla's ribcage but misses.
It looked like Materla was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Materla just misses with a punch to the body.
Atherton pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Atherton just misses with a punch to the body.
Atherton throws a hook to the side of Materla's head but Materla sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Materla keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Atherton.
Atherton takes a swing at Materla's ribcage but misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Materla slips a straight right by Atherton.
Materla has a takedown stuffed.
Atherton thows a left - swing and a miss!
Mark Atherton seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Atherton throws a big shot that misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Materla fails in his attempt to clinch.
It seemed like Atherton was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Atherton misses with a right hand

and Materla counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Materla drops down looking for an ankle pick but Atherton pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michal Materla. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Atherton throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Materla shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Atherton throws a jab when Materla was well out of range.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Atherton in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Atherton misses with a wild body shot.
Atherton throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Michal Materla is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A big left from Atherton misses.
Materla will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A big right from Atherton misses.
Mark Atherton is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Materla bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A looping hook to the body misses from Atherton. Materla does a little dance to reset his feet.
Atherton misses with a wild body shot.
Atherton throws a body punch but Materla moves out of range.
Atherton throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Materla sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Atherton takes a swing at Materla's ribcage but misses.
Atherton throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Materla displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Atherton throws out the jab.
Atherton misses with a wild body shot.
As Atherton looks to move away, Materla throws a big counter combo but Atherton just gets out of the way.
Atherton throws an overhand right that lands on Materla's shoulder, as Materla tries to avoid the shot.
Atherton throws a jab when Materla was well out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Materla throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A big right from Atherton misses.
Atherton throws a body shot but no joy.
Materla appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Mark Atherton is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Atherton swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Atherton misses the shot to the body.
Atherton loads up on a big right hand but Materla slips the punch.
Materla lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Atherton is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Materla.
Atherton keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Atherton misses with a body shot.
The fighters circling - Atherton throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Atherton misses with a looping left.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Materla tries to clinch but Atherton is having none of it.
Materla tries to clinch up but Atherton circles away and keeps his distance.
Materla keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Atherton.
Materla misses with a head kick.
Materla slips a straight right by Atherton.
Atherton looks to score with a jab to the body but Materla is just out of range.
Atherton throws a hook but Materla avoids it easily.
Atherton looks to score with a jab to the body but Materla is just out of range.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Atherton throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Materla sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Materla seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Nice defenses there by Materla.
Michal Materla has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Atherton misses the jab.
Materla attempts a counter takedown but Atherton avoids it well and moves away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mark Atherton comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Atherton winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Ron Honeybunn scores the fight 26:30
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 26:30
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mark Atherton!
Mark Atherton seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.