PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Pablo Matos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cod Mckenzie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pablo Matos has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Matos
vs
Mckenzie

184 cm
18
186 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

189 cm
23
187 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Good in bed

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Pablo Matos!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Cod Mckenzie!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Alexandre Firmino and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Matos closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Mckenzie did well to prevent Matos getting side control.
Mckenzie trying to control but Matos postures up.

Matos is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Mckenzie doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Matos.

Matos is working for a submission of some sort.

Mckenzie pushes Matos off and gets back to his feet.

Matos closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
You can see the frustration on Mckenzie's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Mckenzie is trying to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mckenzie is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Matos's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Mckenzie has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Matos is working away from the top position though.
Mckenzie might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Matos kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Matos is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Matos 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.
Matos looking to pass the guard.

Matos thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Matos thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Matos is breathing heavily.

Matos drops back looking for a leg! Mckenzie is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Mckenzie manages to kick Matos off! Matos jumps back into Mckenzie's guard.
Mckenzie not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Matos 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.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Matos stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Mckenzie swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Matos 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.
Matos wants to pass the guard but Mckenzie is keeping the position.

Matos 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mckenzie trying to control the position.
Matos pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mckenzie is keeping the position for now.

Matos drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Matos jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Mckenzie looking to control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Matos looking to pass the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pablo Matos dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

A momentary lapse in concentration from Mckenzie enables Matos to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Mckenzie manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Mckenzie keeping full guard, as Matos tries to pass.
Mckenzie is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Matos postures up.
Mckenzie is looking to stand up but Matos isn't so interested in that idea.
Mckenzie is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Cod Mckenzie was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Matos shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Mckenzie napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Mckenzie is breathing heavily.

Matos is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Mckenzie knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Matos tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Mckenzie can't do much from the bottom here.

Matos looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Matos tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mckenzie is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Matos's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
The fighters are battling for position here. Mckenzie manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Matos drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Matos jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Matos postures up.

Matos drops back looking for a leg! Mckenzie is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Mckenzie manages to kick Matos off! Matos jumps back into Mckenzie's guard.
Matos postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matos stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Mckenzie swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Mckenzie controls Matos momentarily but Matos frees himself.
Mckenzie keeping full guard, as Matos tries to pass.
Mckenzie is trying to keep Matos in close.
Matos has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Cod Mckenzie has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Matos drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Mckenzie's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Matos looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Mckenzie is trying to improve his position.

Matos is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Mckenzie knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Matos thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pablo Matos dominated that second round.
That's time! Matos's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Matos fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Mckenzie to the ground. Matos is now in Mckenzie's guard.
Matos looking to pass the guard.
Mckenzie is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Mckenzie is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Matos thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Mckenzie is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cod Mckenzie has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Matos closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Mckenzie to the mat! Mckenzie manages to get full guard.
Matos wants to pass the guard but Mckenzie is keeping the position.
Mckenzie wants to stand and escape but Matos is having none of it.
Mckenzie controls Matos momentarily but Matos frees himself.

Matos drops back looking for a leg! Mckenzie is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Mckenzie manages to kick Matos off! Matos jumps back into Mckenzie's guard.
Matos stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Mckenzie swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Matos thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Matos trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Matos drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Matos jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Matos thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Matos drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Matos jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Pablo Matos overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Matos drops back looking for a leg! Mckenzie is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Mckenzie manages to kick Matos off! Matos jumps back into Mckenzie's guard.
Mckenzie is trying to control the position but Matos postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matos wants to pass the guard but Mckenzie is keeping the position.
Mckenzie is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Matos looking to pass the guard.
Mckenzie controls Matos momentarily but Matos frees himself.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Cod Mckenzie wasn't active enough on the ground.

Matos shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Matos drops back looking for a leg! Mckenzie is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Mckenzie manages to kick Matos off! Matos jumps back into Mckenzie's guard.

Matos thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Mckenzie trying to keep a closed guard but Matos is proving a slippery customer.
Matos stops Mckenzie from standing up.

Matos thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Cod Mckenzie has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Pablo Matos is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Matos wants to pass the guard but Mckenzie is keeping the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pablo Matos showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Matos has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 30:27
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pablo Matos!