PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Hugh Matthews (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tommy Goldman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Goldman has chosen Muse - Uprising as his entrance music. Hugh Matthews has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Matthews
vs
Goldman

179 cm
24
184 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

193 cm
23
185 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Hugh Matthews!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tommy Goldman!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Alec Ball and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Goldman tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Matthews closes the distance and clinches.

Matthews breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Goldman tries to clinch but Matthews moves out of range.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Matthews is defended easily by Goldman.
Matthews circles away from the clinch attempt

and Matthews counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Matthews.
Goldman scores with a shoulder strike.
Goldman lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Matthews.
Matthews wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Goldman misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Matthews.
Matthews managing to block the knees to the body from Goldman.
Goldman stops a takedown attempt from Matthews.
A hook to the body from Goldman.

Matthews manages to break the clinch.

Matthews drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Goldman keeping moving, preventing Matthews from controlling successfully.
Matthews works over Goldman with some ground and pound from guard.
Matthews thows a big elbow that misses.
Goldman wants to stand and escape but Matthews is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matthews throwing strikes but missing.
Matthews working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Matthews trying to control but Goldman is working from the bottom.
Matthews working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Matthews throwing strikes but missing.
Goldman preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Goldman lands a nice shot to the body.
Goldman closes the distance but Matthews moves to the side

and Matthews moves into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
A short right from Goldman.
Goldman makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Goldman seems frustrated at his inability to get double underhooks.
Goldman pushes Matthews back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Goldman lands with a left to the head.
Matthews is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Matthews's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Matthews wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Goldman has him pressed against the cage.
Goldman lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Goldman is leaning against Matthews and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Matthews managing to block the knees to the body from Goldman.
Matthews misses with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Matthews.
Goldman holding his opponent close, against the cage.

Matthews breaks the clinch.
Goldman connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Goldman looks to clinch
and Matthews connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Matthews throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Matthews avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Goldman tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Matthews was well out of range. Poor timing from Goldman.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Matthews shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Matthews was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Goldman bucks Matthews off and manages to get back to his feet!
Hugh Matthews seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Goldman looks gassed!
Goldman tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Matthews swinging wildly here.
Some wild striking there from Matthews.
Goldman is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Goldman gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Matthews manages to break the clinch.
Matthews throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Matthews throws a hook to the side of Goldman's head but Goldman sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Goldman throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Matthews stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Goldman tries to clinch up

and Matthews counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Matthews.
Matthews might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Goldman is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Goldman avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Matthews postures up in Goldman's guard and throws a big left but Goldman blocks it.
Matthews postures up in Goldman's guard and throws a big left but Goldman blocks it.
Matthews with a flurry of punches that miss.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Matthews scoring with punches to the head and body.
Matthews loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Matthews with a flurry of punches that miss.
Matthews is looking to work some ground and pound but Goldman has wrist control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Goldman ducks under a wild hook from Matthews.
Goldman tries to clinch up.

Matthews drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Matthews lands a couple of digs.
Matthews missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Goldman is looking to stand up but Matthews isn't so interested in that idea.
Matthews loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Matthews throws and elbow that misses. Goldman uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Matthews's guard. Nice move by Goldman!
Matthews is looking to stand back up but Goldman counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Matthews.
Matthews is looking to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matthews slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Matthews is trying to control the position but Goldman postures up.
Matthews is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Goldman gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Goldman wants to clinch up but Matthews keeps it at a distance.

Matthews has Goldman up against the cage in a clinch.
Goldman gets underhooks to prevent Matthews's takedown attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

Matthews breaks the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Goldman instigates a clinch.
Goldman avoiding damage.
Matthews wants a takedown but no success here.
Goldman lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Goldman lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Goldman tries to land knees in the clinch but Matthews avoids the damage to the body.
Goldman throws a knee to the head but misses.
Goldman throws a punch but it's blocked by Matthews.
Goldman lands with a left to the head.
Goldman lands a body punch.
Matthews is working for takedown but Goldman is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hugh Matthews. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Goldman is leaning against Matthews and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Matthews goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Goldman is leaning against Matthews and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Goldman creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Matthews's defenses.
Goldman will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Matthews up against the cage.
A right hook to the body lands for Goldman.
Matthews looking to stall.
Goldman putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Matthews in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
A short right from Goldman on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matthews is trying to break the clinch but Goldman is controlling him.
Matthews is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Matthews can't break the clinch.
Matthews is trying to break the clinch but Goldman is controlling him.
Matthews takes a shot to the head.

Matthews breaks from the clinch.
Decent striking displayed by Goldman there.
Matthews fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Goldman avoids it really well and circles away.

Goldman clinches up against the cage.
Matthews is trying to break free.
A short uppercut from Goldman.
Nice body punch from Goldman.
Goldman throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Matthewss head.
Goldman is leaning against Matthews and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Goldman stalling against the cage.
Goldman continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.
Matthews is working for takedown but Goldman is calmly controlling the position for now.
Goldman lands with a left to the head.
Goldman softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
The referee is keeping an eye on Goldman - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Goldman lands an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Goldman creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Matthews's defenses.
Goldman crunches a lovely knee into Matthews's ribcage.
A left hand lands to the body for Goldman.
Matthews has Goldman pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Goldman manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Goldman softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Goldman lands a nice elbow.
Goldman lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Goldman lands a shoulder strike.
A short right from Goldman on the inside.
Goldman lands a nice elbow.

Matthews breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Goldman has closed the distance and engaged Matthews in a clinch.
Goldman stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Goldman lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
With the fighters up against the cage, Goldman throws an elbow but misses.
Goldman tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Matthews avoids it.

Matthews breaks the clinch.
Matthews fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Goldman manages to avoid it.
Goldman connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
A telegraphed right hand from Matthews misses the target.
Goldman defending well as Matthews loads up on a big left hand.
Goldman lands a head shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tommy Goldman showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Goldman gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Matthews breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Matthews is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Goldman's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Goldman ducks under a wild hook from Matthews.
Goldman fails in his attempt to clinch.
Goldman tries to close the distance and clinch up but Matthews swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Matthews.
Goldman tries to clinch but Matthews moves away
and Matthews counters with a stiff right hand.
Matthews looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Goldman fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Matthews, pushing him back against the cage.
Goldman lands with a short head shot on the inside.

Matthews breaks the clinch.
Goldman darts in trying to clinch
and Matthews counters with a nice uppercut.

Goldman instigates a clinch.
Matthews wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hugh Matthews. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Goldman looking to slow down the pace here.
Matthews wants to get back to striking at distance but Goldman won't allow it.
Matthews is trying to break free.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Goldman slows down the pace here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Goldman with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Goldman throws a head punch that misses.
Matthews has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Goldman avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Goldman is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Matthews is defending well for now.
A short body shot lands from Goldman as the two fighters clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Goldman.
Matthews can't break the clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Goldman works on Matthews's body with a couple of short punches.
Goldman is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Matthews is keeping busy.
Goldman works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Goldman tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Goldman trying to stall but Matthews improves his position.
Goldman lands a nice shot to the body.
Matthews on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Goldman looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Goldman tries to throw a body punch but Matthews avoids it by throwing Goldman back against the cage.
Goldman blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Tommy Goldman seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Matthews has Goldman pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Goldman manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Matthews tries to break free but Goldman pushes him back against the cage.
A right hook to the body lands for Goldman.
Goldman is trying to maintain a safe position but Matthews gets an underhook and turns Goldman into the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Matthews pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Matthews stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Goldman.
Goldman tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Matthews counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Goldman thinking.
Goldman doesn't manage to clinch there - Matthews circles away.
Danga de danga de dang - Matthews scores with a four punch combination!
Matthews throws a right and a left that both miss.

Goldman has closed the distance and engaged Matthews in a clinch.

Matthews's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Goldman misses with a kick to the body.
Goldman fails with an attempt to clinch.
Matthews blocks a leg kick.

Matthews shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Goldman napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Hugh Matthews overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Matthews wants to control for a moment but Goldman uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Goldman keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Goldman wants to get back to his feet.
Matthews missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Matthews is nestled in close to Goldman, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Matthews trying to mount his opponent but Goldman defends it.
Matthews landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Matthews takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Goldman keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

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.
Matthews lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Matthews seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Matthews throwing shots but Goldman is blocking nicely.
Matthews wants to take a breather but Goldman is having none of it.
Goldman is trying to stand up here but Matthews is controlling him well.
Matthews thows a huge punch but Goldman dodges it nicely.
Goldman is staying active underneath Matthews, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Matthews lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Matthews working over Goldman with some ground and pound. Goldman looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Hugh Matthews.
I think Matthews 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 29:28
Judge William Peck scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hugh Matthews!