PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between dark matter (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Kasper (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

matter
vs
Kasper

185 cm
20
205 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

188 cm
24
212 lbs
3 - 3 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Knockout power

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, dark matter!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 1, fighting out of New York, John Kasper!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Alyssa Summers and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
matter stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and matter wants it to stay on the feet.
Kasper misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Kasper is looking to clinch.
matter has his takedown stuffed
and Kasper counters with a good low kick that matter was not able to check.
Kasper tries to clinch but matter moves out of range.
Horrible takedown by matter or perhaps it was just good defense by Kasper which made him look bad.
Kasper gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and matter counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

matter is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Kasper pushes matter off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
matter gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Kasper counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Kasper.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for dark matter. That's going to take a lot out of him.

matter working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kasper doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kasper manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's one minute gone in the round.

matter has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kasper can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

matter has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kasper can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Kasper wanted to stand there but matter had control of the position.
matter keeping moving, preventing Kasper from controlling successfully.

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.
Kasper thows a big elbow that misses.
matter keeping moving, preventing Kasper from controlling successfully.

matter looking for a guillotine here but Kasper defends easily.
Kasper would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Kasper is looking to clinch but matter is avoiding it.
Kasper shoots in for a takedown but matter shows good takedown defense.
matter gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Kasper counters with a shoot takedown. matter fights it but they end up in guard.

matter is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
matter is breathing heavily.

Kasper avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Kasper really doesn't want to stay on the ground with matter. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kasper trying to control the position from guard on top but matter is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Kasper stands up and waves to matter to follow him.

Kasper drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Kasper dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

matter shoots and misses

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

matter escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kasper gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Kasper's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Kasper is looking to stand up but matter won't let him.

Kasper avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Kasper is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

matter looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kasper wants to control from the top but matter keeps moving.

matter is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Kasper defends well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Kasper gets to his feet. matter looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

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.
Kasper tries to clinch but fails miserably

and matter counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Kasper!
Kasper is desperately trying to improve his position but matter has a good base and remains in mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

matter goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Kasper is on top in guard.
matter tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kasper trying to control the position from guard on top but matter is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

matter had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Kasper defends it easily.
Kasper must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kasper wants to get up but he can't break matter's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Kasper is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Kasper preventing the sweep.

Kasper got a little sloppy there for a moment and matter has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kasper has managed to get both his arms back between matter's legs - danger averted.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

matter gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Kasper to score an easy takedown into full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

matter is working an open guard so Kasper takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
matter gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Kasper decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in matter's guard.

Kasper decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Kasper moves into the clinch successfully.

Kasper breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
matter tries for a takedown but Kasper circles away easily

and Kasper counters by clinching up.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for dark matter. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kasper has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
matter prevents Kasper from breaking the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Kasper showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Kasper feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to matter's calf.
matter with a lazy takedown attempt
letting Kasper counter with a right hand.
Kasper tries to clinch but matter is having none of it.

Kasper scores a takedown into full mount!
Kasper wants to control the pace but matter is squirming around nicely.
Kasper controlling from the full mount.
matter is in all sorts of trouble here.
Kasper trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
matter can't escape the position.
matter is working hard here to advance position.
matter is squirming around, avoiding Kasper's attempts to control the action.
John Kasper has got the better of the ground game so far.
matter bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
matter controls from within his opponent's guard.
Kasper is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst matter is controlling him.
matter wants to control from the top but Kasper keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

matter postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Kasper is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of matter, into his guard.
Kasper wants to stand but matter has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's four 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.

matter looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Kasper controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
John Kasper is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kasper trying to control but matter is working from the bottom.
Kasper controls from within his opponent's guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by John Kasper.
matter shoots and misses

and Kasper counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Kasper trying to control but matter is working from the bottom.
dark matter has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kasper wants to get up but he can't break matter's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Kasper comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Kasper has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Joseph Jones scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Kasper!