PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ryuu Matsumoto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bob Le Bricoleur (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Le Bricoleur is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Bob Le Bricoleur. Ryuu Matsumoto has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Matsumoto
vs
Le Bricoleur

175 cm
25
159 lbs
14 - 1 - 0

187 cm
21
153 lbs
4 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Tokyo Defiance

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ryuu Matsumoto!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Bob Le Bricoleur!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Hirohito Nitta and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Matsumoto shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Matsumoto showed some decent athleticism there.

Matsumoto is looking for a kimura here.
Le Bricoleur really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Matsumoto. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Le Bricoleur trying to control from the bottom.
Le Bricoleur regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Matsumoto.
Matsumoto loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Le Bricoleur working a defensive guard here.
Le Bricoleur throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Matsumoto pushing down on Le Bricoleur's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Matsumoto uses his free foot to push down on Le Bricoleur's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Le Bricoleur.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsumoto takes Le Bricoleur's back. Could be looking for a rear naked choke here - either way, Le Bricoleur is in trouble.

Matsumoto is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Le Bricoleur staying busy and making it hard for Matsumoto to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Le Bricoleur wants to control his opponent's hands but Matsumoto gets his hands free.
Matsumoto has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Le Bricoleur might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Matsumoto kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Le Bricoleur rolls, trying to escape but Matsumoto keeps control of the position.
Matsumoto trying to control momentarily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Matsumoto lands a shot to the head.
Le Bricoleur is trapped and Matsumoto is scoring with shots to the head and body.
Le Bricoleur can't escape the position.
Le Bricoleur trying to control but not successfully.
Le Bricoleur looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.

Matsumoto looking for the RNC.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Matsumoto working for a choke but Le Bricoleur is defending well.
Matsumoto is breathing heavily.

Matsumoto is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Le Bricoleur knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Le Bricoleur for a finish.
Matsumoto missing with strikes.
Le Bricoleur is trying to stand back up.
Le Bricoleur tries to escape but Matsumoto has the hooks in and won't let him break free.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsumoto connects with a series of strikes and the referee is calling for Le Bricoleur to escape the position.
Matsumoto has his opponent trapped and is landing shots. Not a good position for Le Bricoleur.
Le Bricoleur tries to break free.

Matsumoto is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Le Bricoleur defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Matsumoto not allowing Le Bricoleur to control his hands.
Matsumoto lands with a big left hand that may well have hurt his opponent. Can Le Bricoleur hold on?!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Le Bricoleur manages to scramble and ends up in full guard, under a barage of strikes . Great composure from Le Bricoleur.
Le Bricoleur tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Matsumoto throws a big right hand that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryuu Matsumoto dominated that 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.

Matsumoto drives through with a takedown into guard.
Matsumoto wants to pass the guard but Le Bricoleur is keeping the position.
Le Bricoleur is trying to control the position but Matsumoto postures up.
Le Bricoleur is looking to stand up but Matsumoto isn't so interested in that idea.
Le Bricoleur working a defensive guard here.
Le Bricoleur preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Matsumoto wants to pass the guard but Le Bricoleur is keeping the position.
Matsumoto is working hard here to advance position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Le Bricoleur lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Matsumoto circles away quickly and effectively.
Le Bricoleur looks to score with a jab to the body but Matsumoto is just out of range.
Horrible takedown by Matsumoto or perhaps it was just good defense by Le Bricoleur which made him look bad.
Matsumoto shoots in and drives through. Le Bricoleur sprawls well.
Matsumoto tries to clinch up but Le Bricoleur circles away and keeps his distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Le Bricoleur misses with a body shot.
Le Bricoleur stuffs the takedown attempt from Matsumoto. Matsumoto gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ryuu Matsumoto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Matsumoto closes this distance looking for a takedown but Le Bricoleur circles away.
Matsumoto shoots in looking for a takedown. Le Bricoleur tries to sprawl out of it but Matsumoto keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Le Bricoleur manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Matsumoto tries for a takedown but Le Bricoleur sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsumoto moves in looking to clinch but Le Bricoleur pushes him off.
The fighters circling - Matsumoto throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Matsumoto takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Matsumoto throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Le Bricoleur throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Matsumoto stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Le Bricoleur throws a nice looking combination but Matsumoto bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Le Bricoleur misses with a low kick.
No luck for Matsumoto with that takedown attempt.
Le Bricoleur throws a jab but it's blocked by Matsumoto.

Matsumoto feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Matsumoto drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Matsumoto jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Le Bricoleur looking to hit a scissor sweep but Matsumoto is one step ahead there.
Matsumoto pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Le Bricoleur is keeping the position for now.
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 Ryuu Matsumoto 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.

Matsumoto fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Le Bricoleur sprawls well initially but Matsumoto persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Le Bricoleur is trying to get back to full guard.
Matsumoto takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Matsumoto tries to pass to full mount but Le Bricoleur defends it.
Matsumoto landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Matsumoto is pressing down on Le Bricoleur's thigh, looking to free his foot. Le Bricoleur is holding on for now.
Matsumoto missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Le Bricoleur is controlling Matsumoto's position as best he can from this difficult position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Le Bricoleur regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Matsumoto.
Le Bricoleur is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Matsumoto throwing strikes but missing.
Le Bricoleur trying to control the position.
Matsumoto throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Le Bricoleur works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Matsumoto throws a big right hand that misses.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A punch combination from Le Bricoleur misses.
Matsumoto throws a hook to the side of Le Bricoleur's head but Le Bricoleur sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Matsumoto dives in and grabs Le Bricoleur's left leg, looking for a takedown. Le Bricoleur pushes down on Matsumoto's head and hops out.
Matsumoto lands with a straight right. Le Bricoleur didn't see that one coming.
Bob Le Bricoleur is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Matsumoto shoots in for a takedown but Le Bricoleur shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Matsumoto takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Le Bricoleur misses with the combination.
The fighters circle momentarily. Le Bricoleur darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsumoto misses with a takedown attempt - Le Bricoleur sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ryuu Matsumoto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Matsumoto misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Matsumoto looks to land a left hand but Le Bricoleur moved out of range nicely.
Le Bricoleur throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Matsumoto shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Le Bricoleur sprawls well. Le Bricoleur wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Matsumoto gets slowly back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Matsumoto looks to throw the jab but Le Bricoleur is out of range.
Matsumoto shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Le Bricoleur as he jumps to the side.
Matsumoto fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Matsumoto.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Bob Le Bricoleur just about did enough to take it.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Le Bricoleur moves out of range of the strikes.
Matsumoto uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Le Bricoleur.
Le Bricoleur throws a body punch but Matsumoto moves out of range.
Matsumoto tries to clinch but Le Bricoleur is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matsumoto tries to clinch there but Le Bricoleur circles away.
Ryuu Matsumoto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Le Bricoleur looks to score with a jab to the body but Matsumoto is just out of range.
Matsumoto with a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Le Bricoleur misses with a double jab.
A looping hook to the body misses from Le Bricoleur. Matsumoto does a little dance to reset his feet.
A combination from Le Bricoleur does no damage.
Le Bricoleur just misses with a punch to the body.
Matsumoto misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Matsumoto shoots in for a takedown but Le Bricoleur shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Matsumoto takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Le Bricoleur displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Matsumoto.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ryuu Matsumoto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Le Bricoleur punishes Matsumoto's body with a nice straight punch.
Le Bricoleur is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Matsumoto rather than just go for the knockout.
Matsumoto shoots in but Le Bricoleur avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Matsumoto drives through with a takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsumoto postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Matsumoto sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Le Bricoleur's guard.
Le Bricoleur won't allow Matsumoto to pass to mount.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Le Bricoleur wants to get back to his feet.

Matsumoto wants to work for an arm triangle but Le Bricoleur is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Le Bricoleur has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Matsumoto is working away from the top position though.
Matsumoto not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Le Bricoleur wants to control but Matsumoto is keeping busy.

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

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Le Bricoleur thows a body shot but no joy.
Matsumoto tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Le Bricoleur swivels and escapes.
Le Bricoleur cracks a nice hook into Matsumoto's ribs.
Matsumoto keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Matsumoto checks a leg kick nicely.
Le Bricoleur on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Ryuu Matsumoto will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Matsumoto is looking to clinch.
Le Bricoleur stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Le Bricoleur wants it to stay on the feet.
Le Bricoleur swinging wildly here.
Matsumoto is looking to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Le Bricoleur moves into range and connects with a jab.
Le Bricoleur swinging wildly here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsumoto wants to clinch.
Le Bricoleur stuffs the takedown attempt from Matsumoto. Matsumoto gets slowly back to his feet.
Matsumoto thows a left - swing and a miss!

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.
Le Bricoleur stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Le Bricoleur wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ryuu Matsumoto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A slow jab from Le Bricoleur misses its intended target.
Le Bricoleur stuffs the takedown attempt from Matsumoto. Matsumoto gets slowly back to his feet.
Le Bricoleur just misses with a punch to the body.
Matsumoto on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Le Bricoleur scores with a jab to the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsumoto slips a jab and a cross from Le Bricoleur.
Bob Le Bricoleur has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nice sprawl there from Le Bricoleur as Matsumoto shoots in.
Le Bricoleur displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Matsumoto.
Le Bricoleur fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Matsumoto looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Ryuu Matsumoto is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Some wild striking there from Le Bricoleur.
Le Bricoleur wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

That's four 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.
Le Bricoleur misses with a wild body shot.
Matsumoto takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Le Bricoleur throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Matsumoto on the side of the head.
Le Bricoleur defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Matsumoto.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Matsumoto tries to close the distance and clinch but Le Bricoleur swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Le Bricoleur throws a right and a left that Matsumoto avoids nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bob Le Bricoleur comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Matsumoto 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 Ren Mimura scores the fight 48:46
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 48:46
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 48:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ryuu Matsumoto!
Ryuu Matsumoto retains his featherweight title!