PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Shawn Newman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mathew Briar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Newman
vs
Briar

196 cm
22
270 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

195 cm
19
270 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good gas tank

Pure Strength, 142+ for 40$

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Shawn Newman!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mathew Briar!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Robert Douchet and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Briar throws a body punch but Newman moves out of range.
Briar lands a nice shot to the body.
Briar connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Newman's hands.
Briar should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Briar throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Newman slips a jab and a cross from Briar.
Mathew Briar seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Some wild striking there from Newman.
Briar is looking to score with low kicks.
Briar looks to land a left hand but Newman moved out of range nicely.

Newman bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Briar sneaks back into half guard.
Newman is stalling here. Briar is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Newman seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Briar has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Briar wants to control but Newman is keeping him busy.

Briar is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Newman is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Briar tries for a kimura but Newman is defending well.

Briar is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Newman has escaped the position, nice work there.
Newman is looking for a sweep.

Briar tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Briar has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

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.

Briar tries for a kimura but Newman is defending well.
Newman wants to control but Briar postures up.

Briar goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Newman rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Briar's guard! Nice work there by Newman!
Newman postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Newman stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Briar swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Briar can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Newman controls the pace.
Newman trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Newman throwing strikes from guard but Briar blocks nicely.
Newman looking to pass the guard.
Newman is working hard here to advance position.

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.
Briar pulls Newman in to control the position.
Briar working a defensive guard here.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Briar lands with a hook. Newman tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Briar falls off balance throwing a combination

and Newman decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Briar's guard.
Briar keeping full guard, as Newman tries to pass.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Newman trying to control the position from guard on top but Briar is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mathew Briar dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Briar lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

It looks like Shawn Newman has been cut.
Briar misses with a looping right.
Newman misses with the combination.

Briar darts in and clinches Newman up against the cage.
Newman goes for a takedown in the clinch but Briar prevents it.
Newman avoids a wild elbow strike from Briar.
Newman tries to pull guard but Briar holds him up against the cage and eventually Newman drops back down to his feet.
Newman avoiding damage as Briar throws knees to the body.
Briar missing with knees to the body.
Newman managing to block the knees to the body from Briar.
Newman managing to block the knees to the body from Briar.
Briar comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

Newman drags the fight down to the ground.
Briar is looking to advance position but Newman has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Newman wants to control the pace but Briar is squirming around nicely.
Briar avoids a series of strikes thrown by Newman.
Briar gets back to half guard.
Newman is trying to control the action in half guard but Briar is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Briar wants to control but Newman is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Briar moves into full guard.
Newman is stalling in the full guard.
Newman seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Briar for as long as he can get away with.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Newman trying to control the position from guard on top but Briar is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Newman has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Briar is pulling down on Newman's head. It's preventing any offense from Newman, at least for the moment.
Briar looking to hit a scissor sweep but Newman is one step ahead there.
Newman in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Newmanis looking to pass into half guard but Briar pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Briar is in guard.

Briar drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Briar jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Briar is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Newman keeping full guard, as Briar tries to pass.
Newman on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Newman tries to get out of the position.
Newman wants to sweep here but Briar controlling him for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Newman controls Briar momentarily but Briar frees himself.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Briar tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Newman connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Briar closes the distance but Newman moves to the side

and Newman counters with a single leg into guard. Briar didn't expect that.
Newman missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Briar looking for a sweep. Not yet Briar, not yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Newman trying to control but Briar is working from the bottom.
Newman is looking to work some ground and pound but Briar has wrist control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mathew Briar showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Shawn Newman's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Newman ducks under a wild hook from Briar.
Briar scores with a hook to the body. Newman takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Briar shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Newman pinned against the cage. Newman gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Briar feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Newman's calf.
Newman ducks under a wild hook from Briar.
Briar swings away with a body shot that misses

and Newman decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Briar's guard.
Newman looking to pass the guard.
Briar keeping moving, preventing Newman from controlling successfully.
Newman looking to sit in guard and control but Briar gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Newman keeping full guard, as Briar tries to pass.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Briar is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Newman can't keep his opponent in guard - Briar advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Newman is defending against the submission attempts here by Briar.
Newman is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Newman wants to control but Briar is keeping busy.
Briar trying to pass the guard but Newman defending well.

Briar is working for a kimura but Newman is defending it quite comfortably.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Briar seems to be looking for submissions.

Briar wants to work for an arm triangle but Newman is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Briar darts in trying to clinch
letting Newman counter with a right hand.
A telegraphed right hand from Newman misses the target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Good shot there by Briar.
Newman swinging wildly here.
Newman tries to clinch up.
Briar with a lazy takedown attempt

and Newman holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Briar tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Newman avoids it.
Briar using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Newman has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Briar is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Newman is defending well for now.
Newman goes for a takedown attempt but Briar pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Briar throws a hook but Newman avoids it easily.
Briar fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Newman manages to avoid it.
Briar ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Newman moves away.
Newman ducks under a wild hook from Briar.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mathew Briar really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Shawn Newman's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Newman closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Briar did well to prevent Newman getting side control.
Newman with the ground and pound but Briar uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Briar keeping moving, preventing Newman from controlling successfully.

Briar kicks Newman off and gets to his feet.
Briar tries to clinch but Newman moves away

and Newman decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Briar's guard.
Newman wants to control from the top but Briar keeps moving.
Newman looking to sit in guard and control but Briar gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Briar trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Newman manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Briar keeping moving, preventing Newman from controlling successfully.
Newman throwing strikes but missing.
Briar lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Newman!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Briar is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Newman to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Newman shrugs it off.
Newman tries to get back to half guard but can't.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

Briar is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Newman shoots for a double leg takedown but Briar sprawls well. He's pushed Newman's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Newman circles away from the clinch attempt

and Newman counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Newman throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Briar pushes Newman off looking to stand but Newman dives back in and keeps control.
Newman thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Briar to regain full guard.
Briar managing to control the position.
Newman in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Newman trying to control but Briar is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Newman won't allow Briar to get back to his feet.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Briar tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Newman swivels and escapes.
Newman gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Briar.
Briar scoring well with a low kick there.
Briar lands a jab-cross combination.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Newman takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Newman uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Briar.
Briar fails to land with a series of punches.
Newman walks into a left hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Mathew Briar will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Shawn Newman's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Briar scores with a jab. Newman acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Shawn Newman is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Briar lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

Newman fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Briar sprawls well initially but Newman persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Briar is looking to escape.
Newman is controlling the pace.
Briar is trying to stand.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Briar trying to control here.
Shawn Newman overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Briar has one foot on Newman's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters circle momentarily. Briar darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Newman moves forwards but Briar connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Briar lands a really nice looking cross but Newman seems unphased.
Briar misses with an uppercut.
Briar walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Newman checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Briar lands a right hook to the body.
Newman throws a series of punches but Briar avoids them all with ease.
Briar falls off balance throwing a combination
and Newman counters with a stiff right hand.
Briar misses with a straight right.
Briar fails with the takedown

and Newman counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Newman wants to control from the top but Briar keeps moving.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Briar holds on and takes a little breather.
Briar keeping moving, preventing Newman from controlling successfully.
Newman trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Newman stopping the sweep attempt from Briar.
Briar wants to stand but Newman is controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Briar kicks Newman off and gets to his feet.
Briar misses with a double jab

and Newman counters with a takedown into side control.
Newman is looking to take a break and control but Briar is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Briar is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Newman off and has taken his back!
Shawn Newman has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Briar is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Newman is defending well though. Briar let's go of the attempt for now.
Briar wants to control the position but Newman frees himself and scrambles - Briar manages to regain control in side control.
Newman is looking for a sweep.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Briar misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mathew Briar comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Briar 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 45:50
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 45:50
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mathew Briar!
Mathew Briar is the new heavyweight champion!