PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Morton Marshall Matthews (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sloat Gresham (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gresham is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Three Days Grace - Animal I Have Become. Sloat Gresham acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Marshall Matthews
vs
Gresham

172 cm
24
142 lbs
14 - 9 - 0

173 cm
27
145 lbs
14 - 12 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Powerful

Bloodsport Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 9 - 0, fighting out of London, Morton Marshall Matthews!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 12 - 1, fighting out of London, Sloat Gresham!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, James Glass and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Marshall Matthews pushes Gresham up against the cage in a clinch.
Gresham throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Gresham tries to score a body lock takedown but Marshall Matthews shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Marshall Matthews misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Gresham.
Marshall Matthews will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Gresham up against the cage.
Marshall Matthews is trying to break the clinch but Gresham is controlling him.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

Marshall Matthews's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Gresham moves into range and clinches up with Marshall Matthews.
Marshall Matthews looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Gresham has had enough of the clinch but Marshall Matthews keeps him there for the moment.
Gresham wants to break the clinch but can't.
Gresham misses with a punch to the body.
Marshall Matthews wants to get back to striking at distance but Gresham won't allow it.

Gresham breaks the clinch.
Marshall Matthews misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Marshall Matthews gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Gresham misses with a body punch.
Gresham taking a breather.
Gresham throws a punch but it's blocked by Marshall Matthews.
Marshall Matthews is trying to break the clinch but Gresham has him pressed against the cage.
Come on Marshall Matthews - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Marshall Matthews connects with a knee to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knees to the body from Gresham.

Gresham pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Marshall Matthews gets tackled into the cage by Gresham. Gresham maintains the clinch.

Gresham tightens his grip and picks Marshall Matthews up, before dumping him to the ground. Marshall Matthews manages to land in guard.

Gresham drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Marshall Matthews manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Gresham has Marshall Matthews in his guard.
Marshall Matthews pushes down on Gresham's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Gresham wants to control but Marshall Matthews is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Marshall Matthews is trying to control. Gresham wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Marshall Matthews prevents Gresham from improving his position.
Gresham won't allow Marshall Matthews to pass to mount.
Marshall Matthews is nestled in close to Gresham, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Marshall Matthews is controlling the pace.
Gresham gets full guard.
Marshall Matthews has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Gresham escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Marshall Matthews gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Marshall Matthews trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

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

Gresham looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Gresham is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Marshall Matthews defends well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marshall Matthews wants to control from the top but Gresham keeps moving.
Gresham wants to stand up but Marshall Matthews is controlling him.
Gresham being controlled here, momentarily.

Marshall Matthews got a little sloppy there for a moment and Gresham has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Marshall Matthews has managed to get both his arms back between Gresham's legs - danger averted.
Gresham keeping moving, preventing Marshall Matthews from controlling successfully.

Gresham working for submissions but it's allowed Marshall Matthews to get to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Marshall Matthews stands up from half guard.
Marshall Matthews throws a nice looking combination but Gresham bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Marshall Matthews fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gresham manages to avoid it.

Marshall Matthews drives through and clinches with Gresham against the cage.
Marshall Matthews lands a nice uppercut.
Marshall Matthews gets underhooks to prevent Gresham's takedown attempt.

Marshall Matthews manages to break the clinch.

Gresham closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Gresham drags the fight down to the ground.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Gresham working for a triangle but Marshall Matthews defends it easily.

Gresham looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Sloat Gresham will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Marshall Matthews lands a knee to the head.
Gresham is leaning against Marshall Matthews and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Marshall Matthews lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Gresham.
Marshall Matthews tries a knee to the head but Gresham blocks it.
Marshall Matthews is trying to push Gresham away but Gresham has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Marshall Matthews wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Marshall Matthews throws an elbow but it misses.
Marshall Matthews lands a body shot in the clinch.
Gresham has had enough of the clinch but Marshall Matthews keeps him there for the moment.
Gresham misses with a body punch.
Gresham keeps control of Marshall Matthews as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Gresham unloads a knee to the mid-section.
A frustrated look appears on Marshall Matthews's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Marshall Matthews trying to stall but Gresham improves his position.
Gresham keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Marshall Matthews's efforts to push away.
Gresham wants to break the clinch but can't.

Gresham escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Marshall Matthews lands with an uppercut that bounces Gresham off the cage and back into rage.
Morton Marshall Matthews is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Jab from Gresham.
Gresham lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Marshall Matthews circles away quickly and effectively.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Marshall Matthews moves into range and clinches up with Gresham.
Marshall Matthews with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Marshall Matthews misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Gresham pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Gresham lands with a good body shot.

Marshall Matthews forces Gresham back against the cage and clinches.
Morton Marshall Matthews has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Gresham tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Marshall Matthews just stands there and leans against the cage.

Gresham gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Marshall Matthews tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Gresham tries to stand but Marshall Matthews is controlling from the bottom.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Marshall Matthews holds on and takes a little breather.
Gresham wanted to stand there but Marshall Matthews had control of the position.
Marshall Matthews looking for a sweep. Not yet Marshall Matthews, not yet.
Marshall Matthews has his hands on Gresham's head, controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Morton Marshall Matthews.

Marshall Matthews moves into range and clinches up with Gresham.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Gresham as Marshall Matthews tries to tie him up.
Marshall Matthews tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Gresham avoids it.
Marshall Matthews tries to circle away but Gresham has him pinned against the cage.
Gresham tries to land knees in the clinch but Marshall Matthews avoids the damage to the body.

Gresham's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Marshall Matthews moves into range and clinches up with Gresham.

Gresham breaks the clinch.

Gresham closes the distance and clinches.

Marshall Matthews's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Gresham moves into the clinch successfully.

Marshall Matthews breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Marshall Matthews moves into the clinch.
Gresham on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Gresham tries a knee to the head but Marshall Matthews blocks it.

Gresham drags the fight down to the ground.

Gresham looking for a guillotine here but Marshall Matthews defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gresham tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Marshall Matthews controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Sloat Gresham has got the better of the ground game so far.
Marshall Matthews wants to control from the top but Gresham keeps moving.

Marshall Matthews gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Marshall Matthews has taken the fight to the clinch.
Marshall Matthews blocks an elbow strike from Gresham.
Marshall Matthews stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Marshall Matthews is trying to stall.

Marshall Matthews's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gresham clinches with his opponent.
Marshall Matthews taking a breather.

Gresham jumps guard.
Gresham wants to sweep here but Marshall Matthews controlling him for the moment.

Gresham working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Marshall Matthews has passed into half guard!
Marshall Matthews is thwarting Gresham's attempts to control the position.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Marshall Matthews wants to pass the guard but Gresham is defending well.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Marshall Matthews slows the pace down in half guard.

Marshall Matthews is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Morton Marshall Matthews dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Marshall Matthews moves into range and clinches up with Gresham.
Marshall Matthews blocks an elbow strike from Gresham.
Gresham is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Marshall Matthews is defending well for now.

Marshall Matthews escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Gresham tries to keep at a distance but Marshall Matthews has taken the fight into the clinch.
Gresham fails to pull guard.
Marshall Matthews has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Marshall Matthews's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Gresham bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

Marshall Matthews has managed to clinch.

Gresham pulls Marshall Matthews into guard.
Gresham utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Marshall Matthews trying to control the position from guard on top but Gresham is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Gresham is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Marshall Matthews decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Marshall Matthews fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Gresham, pushing him back against the cage.
Gresham scores with a hook to the body.
Marshall Matthews tries to circle away but Gresham has him pinned against the cage.
Gresham misses with a hook from the clinch.
Marshall Matthews misses with a knee strike.
Gresham is trying to break the clinch but Marshall Matthews has him pressed against the cage.

Marshall Matthews manages to break the clinch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Gresham lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Marshall Matthews or not.

Marshall Matthews pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Gresham closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Marshall Matthews's guard.
Gresham trying to control but Marshall Matthews is working from the bottom.

Marshall Matthews is working an open guard so Gresham takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Gresham rushes Marshall Matthews and presses him up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gresham pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Gresham gets a clinch.
Marshall Matthews tries to break the clinch but Gresham is controlling the position.
Gresham landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Gresham fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Gresham takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Marshall Matthews scores with a shot to the side of Gresham's head.
Marshall Matthews tries to stall but Gresham uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Gresham jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Marshall Matthews walks away with a smile on his face. Gresham gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Morton Marshall Matthews has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sloat Gresham.
Marshall Matthews lands with a shot to the body.
Gresham fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Gresham misses with a wild combination.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Marshall Matthews landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Gresham on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Gresham tries to throw a body punch but Marshall Matthews avoids it by throwing Gresham back against the cage.
Gresham landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gresham tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Marshall Matthews pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Gresham shoots in for a takedown but Marshall Matthews shows good takedown defense.

Marshall Matthews has closed the distance and engaged Gresham in a clinch.
Gresham tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Marshall Matthews escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A punch combination from Marshall Matthews misses.

Marshall Matthews clinches with his opponent.
Marshall Matthews wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Marshall Matthews breaks the clinch.
Morton Marshall Matthews is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Gresham gets tackled into the cage by Marshall Matthews. Marshall Matthews maintains the clinch.

Marshall Matthews breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Marshall Matthews blocks a head kick by Gresham.

Marshall Matthews closes the distance and clinches.
Marshall Matthews can't break the clinch.
Marshall Matthews pressing his opponent against the cage.
Gresham lands a nice knee to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marshall Matthews stalks Gresham and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Gresham's face. Gresham staggers backwards, shaken.
Marshall Matthews misses with a few strikes there.

Marshall Matthews has closed the distance and engaged Gresham in a clinch.
Marshall Matthews stalling in the clinch but Gresham improves position.
Marshall Matthews gets underhooks to prevent Gresham's takedown attempt.

Gresham's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Marshall Matthews rushes Gresham and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Marshall Matthews is trying to force a seperation but Gresham has the dominant position.
Marshall Matthews tries to work over Gresham's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Marshall Matthews breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Gresham scores with a hook to the body.
A frustrated look appears on Gresham's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Gresham tries to circle away but Marshall Matthews has him pinned against the cage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Marshall Matthews tries to land knees in the clinch but Gresham avoids the damage to the body.
Gresham tries to pull guard but Marshall Matthews holds him up against the cage and eventually Gresham drops back down to his feet.
Marshall Matthews scores a nice knee to the body.

Gresham breaks from the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Morton Marshall Matthews showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Marshall 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 James Ackerman scores the fight for Sloat Gresham!
Judge James Glass scores the fight for Morton Marshall Matthews!
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight for Morton Marshall Matthews!

Morton Marshall Matthews wins by split decision!