PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gino Matic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jordan Jones (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jordan Jones will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Matic
vs
Jones

165 cm
29
210 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

189 cm
21
215 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 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 Los Angeles, Gino Matic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jordan Jones!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fight stays on the outside here - Matic looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Jones wants to clinch up but Matic keeps it at a distance.
Matic shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Jones as he avoids it easily.
Nice sprawl there from Jones as Matic shoots in.
Matic misses with a takedown
and Jones cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gino Matic. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jones digs a good body shot into Matic's ribs.
Jones cracks a nice hook into Matic's ribs.
Jones throws a right and a left that Matic avoids nicely.
Donk. Jones catches Matic right on the button with a cross.
Jones is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Jones rushes Matic and presses him up against the cage.

Matic manages to pull guard.
Jones wants to control from the top but Matic keeps moving.
Jones throws a big right hand that misses.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matic wants to sweep but no luck.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jones trying to control the position from guard on top but Matic is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Jordan Jones wasn't active enough on the ground.
Jones tests Matic's chin there with a solid looking shot.

Jones rushes Matic and presses him up against the cage.
Matic has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Jones holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Matic wants to take the fight to the mat but Jones manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jones drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Matic jumps guard but Jones turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
A frustrated look appears on Jones's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Jones is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Matic jumps guard but Jones turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Matic creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Jones's defenses.

It looks like Jordan Jones has been cut.
Stalling in the clinch from Jones.

Matic has clasped his hands together around Jones's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matic remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Jones regains half guard there - taking advantage of Matic's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
Matic seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Jones does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Jones is trying to maintain the position but Matic is very close to passing his half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jones wants to get back to his feet.
Jones won't allow Matic to pass to mount.
Jones has hold of Matic's hands but Matic slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Jones is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Matic scores with a couple of nice shots.
Jones is looking to control Matic's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Jones avoid being mounted?
Matic thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Matic sitting and controlling from the half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jordan Jones will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Jordan Jones's cut.
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.

Matic will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Donk. Jones catches Matic right on the button with a cross.
Jones swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Matic counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Matic tries to free his leg and advance position but Jones is retaining full guard.
Jones not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Matic wants to stand but Jones is controlling his posture from full guard.
Matic throws a big elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones keeping moving, preventing Matic from controlling successfully.

Jones uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Jones lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Matic backs up against the cage.

Matic decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Matic missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Matic seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Jones is trying to get back to full guard.
Matic controlling the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matic trying to control the action but Jones is working from the bottom.

We're going to have a standup here because Gino Matic wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Matic fails with a takedown attempt.
Nice shot lands for Jones.

Matic moves into the clinch successfully.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Jones escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Jones moves in looking to clinch but Matic pushes him off.
Matic closes this distance looking for a takedown but Jones circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gino Matic. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice combination there by Jones.
Jones fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Matic fails with an attempt to clinch.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Matic - that will leave a mark!
Matic stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Jones.
Jones scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Jordan Jones is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Matic misses with a jab, cross combination.
Jones fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Jones tries to bum rush Matic with a series of wild strikes but Matic uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Nice shot lands for Jones.
Matic is looking to score with low kicks.

Jones closes the distance and clinches.
Jones tries to break the clinch but Matic is controlling the position.
Matic goes for a takedown in the clinch but Jones prevents it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Jones breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
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!
Jones is looking to clinch.
Jones rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Matic moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Jones throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Matic tries to close the distance and clinch up but Jones swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Jones is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Matic will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Matic gets a takedown into half guard.
Gino Matic overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Jones is pressing down on Matic's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Gino Matic will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Jordan Jones's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Jones breaks the clinch.

Jones has Matic up against the cage in a clinch.
Jones throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Matic is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Jones is keeping busy.
Matic is looking to take this one to the mat.
Matic fails to pull guard.
Jones leaning against his opponent.
Jones is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matic wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Jones tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Jones is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Matic is keeping busy.
Matic has had enough of the clinch but Jones keeps him there for the moment.
Matic is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gino Matic. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Matic fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Matic fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Jones looking for a takedown.
Matic blocking some punches.

Jones escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matic with a lazy takedown attempt
and Jones counters with a nice uppercut.
Jones stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Jones wants it to stay on the feet.
Matic will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Jones lands with an overhand left.
A nice combination there by Jones.
A lazy left from Jones finds it's target.
Jones works over Matic's head and body with a nice combination.
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!
Matic shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Jones as he avoids it easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Matic fails with an attempt to clinch.
Matic shoots in looking for a takedown but Jones manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Matic's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Jones misses with a few strikes there.
Matic tries for a takedown but Jones sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Jones swinging wildly here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones misses with the combination.
Matic with a poor takedown
and Jones counters with a nice uppercut.
Matic circles away from the clinch attempt.
Jones has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Jones feints a jab promting Matic to slip. Jones then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Matic slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Jordan Jones seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jones scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Jordan Jones seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Matic changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Jones tries to avoid it but Matic manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Jones to the ground. Jones escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Jones tries to bum rush Matic with a series of wild strikes but Matic uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Jones throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Matic throws a series of punches but Jones moves out of range.
Jones moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Matic tries to clinch but Jones is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Matic rushes Jones and presses him up against the cage.
Jones has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Matic avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Matic tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Jones smiles and moves away.

Jones instigates a clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Matic as Jones tries to tie him up.

Matic pulls guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Matic tries to strike from the bottom.
Jones pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Matic is keeping the position for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jordan Jones really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jordan Jones's cut.
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.

Horrible takedown by Matic or perhaps it was just good defense by Jones which made him look bad.
Matic tries for a takedown but Jones circles away easily
and Jones counters with a stiff right hand.
A combination from Jones does no damage.
Gino Matic is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Matic shoots in for a takedown but Jones shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gino Matic. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Matic showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Jones.
Jones lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Jones.
Matic shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Jones works over Matic's head and body with a nice combination.
Matic wants to clinch.

Jones gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones trying to land knees to the body.
Jones wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
A right hook to the body lands for Jones.
Jones goes for a takedown in the clinch but Matic prevents it.
Matic goes for a takedown attempt but Jones pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Jones doesn't manage to clinch there - Matic circles away.
Jones looks to land a combination but Matic avoids it well.
Jones fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matic swats away the attempt to clinch by Jones.

Matic clinches with his opponent.

Jones's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Matic misses with a takedown attempt - Jones sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Jones moves into the clinch.
Matic using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Jones has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Jones wants a takedown.
Jones tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Matic fails to pull the fight into his guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones blocks an uppercut.
Matic tries for a takedown but Jones manages to get underhooks.
Matic wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Matic has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Jones is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Jones is working Matic over against the cage.
Jones gets underhooks to prevent Matic's takedown attempt.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Jones obliges.

Jones manages to break the clinch.
Jones thumps Matic with a low kick.
Jones circles away from the clinch attempt.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Matic.
Jones tries to clinch up but Matic circles away and keeps his distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matic throws a lazy uppercut
and Jones counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Matic tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Jones manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Matic looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Sloppy strikes from Jones. Those never looked like landing.
Matic avoids a punch combination nicely.

Jones takes the fight into the clinch.

Matic decides to pull guard.
Matic keeping moving, preventing Jones from controlling successfully.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Matic controls Jones momentarily but Jones frees himself.
Matic looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jordan Jones dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Jordan Jones's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Jones throws a series of punches but Matic moves out of range.
Matic misses with the combination.

Jones rushes Matic and presses him up against the cage.
Matic is looking to control Jones's arms but Jones gets an underhook and turns him. Now Matic has his back to the cage.
Jones tries to score a body lock takedown but Matic shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Matic is trying to drag Jones to the mat but Jones just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Jones prevents the takedown attempt.
Jones lands an elbow inside that Matic shrugs off.
Matic blocks a body shot from Jones.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matic is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Jones to keep the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gino Matic. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Matic is looking to break free of the clinch but Jones has double underhooks.
Matic tries to break free but Jones pushes him back against the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Jones.
Jones is trying to stall.
Matic is trying to push Jones away but Jones has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Jones escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Jones misses with a double jab.
Jones fails with an attempt to clinch.
Matic swats away the attempt to clinch by Jones.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Jones looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A combination from Jones does no damage.
Matic takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Jones doesn't manage to clinch there - Matic circles away.
Jones lands with a nice combination. Matic backs away looking to recover.
Jones throws a shot to the body.
Jones tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Matic manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Jones fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Matic has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Matic avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Jones bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Matic throws a series of punches but Jones avoids them all with ease.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Jones paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Matic shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Jones takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Matic shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Jones scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Jones misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Jones slaps away a takedown attempt from Matic, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Some wild striking there from Jones.
Jones slaps away a takedown attempt from Matic, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Jones clinches with his opponent.
Matic tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Jones is stalling here.
Matic is looking to take this one to the mat.
Matic jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Jones walks away with a smile on his face. Matic gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Jones throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Matic shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Jones sprawls well. Jones wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Matic gets slowly back to his feet.
Jones throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jordan Jones comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Jones has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight for Jordan Jones!
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight for Jordan Jones!
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight for Jordan Jones!

Jordan Jones wins by unanimous decision!