PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Tomoyasu Matsunaga (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexander Hodgins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Matsunaga
vs
Hodgins

165 cm
25
163 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

172 cm
19
163 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Tomoyasu Matsunaga!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Alexander Hodgins!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Steve Smith and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hodgins scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Hodgins is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Hodgins not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Hodgins is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Matsunaga defends it well.
Matsunaga is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Hodgins's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Hodgins's back!
You can see the frustration on Hodgins's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Matsunaga tries to get the hooks in deep but Hodgins pushed the leg off.
Hodgins is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Matsunaga off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.

Matsunaga is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Matsunaga is looking for the choke from the back position but Hodgins is controlling his hands well.
Hodgins tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Matsunaga tries to control but Hodgins wriggling away.
Hodgins regains half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hodgins is looking for a sweep. Matsunaga is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Matsunaga is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Hodgins is just riding it out for now. Matsunaga eventually gives up the hold.
Matsunaga uses his free foot to push down on Hodgins's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Hodgins.
Hodgins wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.

Matsunaga is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Hodgins rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Hodgins wants to control but Matsunaga is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hodgins is trying to get back to full guard.
Matsunaga trying to control from half guard but Hodgins is working away.
Hodgins is looking for a sweep. Matsunaga is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Matsunaga could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Hodgins is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Matsunaga pulls his head out easily.
Hodgins is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Matsunaga's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Matsunaga's back!
This has been an exciting period of action!

Hodgins is looking for the choke from the back position but Matsunaga is controlling his hands well.
Hodgins is hanging on to Matsunaga's back as he tries to escape.
Matsunaga tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!

Hodgins goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Matsunaga is on top in guard.
Matsunaga trying to control the position from guard on top but Hodgins 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hodgins preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Matsunaga postures up in Hodgins's guard and throws a big left but Hodgins blocks it.
Hodgins has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Matsunaga has passed into side control.

Matsunaga tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Matsunaga has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Hodgins is looking for a sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hodgins is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Matsunaga off and has taken his back!

Hodgins working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hodgins looking for the choke from the back.
Hodgins doesn't have the hooks in and Matsunaga manages to turn into his guard.
Hodgins trying to control the position.

Hodgins had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Matsunaga defends it easily.
Matsunaga content to stall in guard here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Hodgins is looking for a triangle but Matsunaga pushes his legs off easily.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Matsunaga passes into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Tomoyasu Matsunaga will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Matsunaga works over Hodgins's head and body with a nice combination.
Horrible takedown by Hodgins or perhaps it was just good defense by Matsunaga which made him look bad.
Matsunaga lands with an uppercut that bounces Hodgins off the cage and back into range.
Some wild striking there from Matsunaga.
Matsunaga throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hodgins shoots in looking for a takedown. Matsunaga tries to sprawl out of it but Hodgins keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Matsunaga manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Hodgins with a lazy takedown attempt
letting Matsunaga counter with a right hand.
Tomoyasu Matsunaga has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexander Hodgins.
Hodgins shoots for a takedown but Matsunaga saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Tomoyasu Matsunaga is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hodgins has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Matsunaga.
Hodgins fails with a takedown attempt.
Matsunaga scores with a body shot.
Hodgins is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsunaga lands a two punch combo.
Tomoyasu Matsunaga is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Matsunaga fails to land with a series of punches.
Matsunaga misses with a two punch combination.
Hodgins slips a jab and a cross from Matsunaga.
Matsunaga swinging wildly here.
Matsunaga misses with a wild combination.
A shot to the liver by Matsunaga. Beautiful body shot.
Matsunaga cracks Hodgins with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hodgins is defended easily by Matsunaga.
Matsunaga misses with a two punch combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsunaga throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Matsunaga misses with the combination.
Matsunaga tries to bum rush Hodgins with a series of wild strikes but Hodgins uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Hodgins throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Matsunaga tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Hodgins is in Matsunaga's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hodgins postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Hodgins passes Matsunaga's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Hodgins is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Matsunaga is just riding it out for now. Hodgins eventually gives up the hold.
Matsunaga taking some punishment here, with Hodgins in his half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Matsunaga looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Hodgins passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Matsunaga!
Matsunaga keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Matsunaga sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Hodgins wants to free his trapped foot but Matsunaga is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Hodgins is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hodgins wants to work for an arm triangle but Matsunaga is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Matsunaga gets back to full guard.
Matsunaga looking for a sweep. Not yet Matsunaga, not yet.
Hodgins wants to control from the top but Matsunaga keeps moving.
Matsunaga is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Matsunaga escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hodgins gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tomoyasu Matsunaga dominated that second 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.

Hodgins throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Matsunaga tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Hodgins is in Matsunaga's guard.

Hodgins content to sit in guard, stalling... Great. Oh but he could get punished here because Matsunaga has locked up a guillotine! Matsunaga's face is contorted as he sqeezes tight on the submission attempt - will he finish? Hodgins is holding on here and Matsunaga must be using up a lot of energy. Hodgins has gone limp! He's out! He's out cold! Matsunaga gets to his feet, tossing aside his stricken foe. Arms raised, he milks the applause from the crowd. Great submission!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:32 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Tomoyasu Matsunaga!
Tomoyasu Matsunaga retains his lightweight title!
Tomoyasu Matsunaga gave a mention to Snap Crackle Pop Fight Gear in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).