PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Matthew Altschuler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nick Morris (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Altschuler comes to the cage accompanied by Extreme Ways - Moby. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Altschuler
vs
Morris

190 cm
18
270 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

210 cm
21
275 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Bushido Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Matthew Altschuler!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Nick Morris!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Gregory Folan and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Morris, as that shot connected.

Morris moves into the clinch.
Altschuler tries to stall but Morris uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

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

Altschuler is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Morris has escaped the position, nice work there.
Altschuler tries to advance position but instead Morris slips a leg back in to half guard.
Morris wants to get back to his feet.
Altschuler sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Morris defending well though.
Morris trying to control from the bottom.
Morris keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Morris makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!

Morris has Altschuler up against the cage in a clinch.
Morris tries to land a knee to the head but Altschuler blocks with his arms.
Knees in the clinch landing for Morris.

Altschuler pulls guard effortlessly.

Altschuler had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Morris is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Altschuler Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Morris's back instead.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Altschuler connects with a big shot to the side of Morris's head.

Altschuler working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Altschuler gets his hands free as Morris looks to control.
Morris wants to get back to his feet.
Altschuler has the hooks in. Morris is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Altschuler trying to control.
Morris breaks Altschuler's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.

Altschuler is working an open guard so Morris takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Altschuler looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Morris avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Altschuler is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Morris working a defensive guard here.
Morris thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

Altschuler drops back looking for a leg! Morris is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Morris manages to kick Altschuler off! Altschuler jumps back into Morris's guard.
Morris is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Morris prevents Altschuler from improving his position.
Morris is tying to control. Altschuler wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Altschuler is trying to control but Morris manages to pass to mount!
Morris wants to control the pace but Altschuler is squirming around nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Altschuler is looking to get to half guard.
Morris looking to finish Altschuler with some ground and pound. This is bad for Altschuler!
Morris punishing his opponent with strikes.

Morris is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Morris throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Altschuler.
Altschuler tries to clinch but Morris is having none of it.
Altschuler closes this distance looking for a takedown but Morris circles away.
Altschuler shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Morris as he jumps to the side.

Morris gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Morris prevents a takedown attempt there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matthew Altschuler. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Altschuler changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Morris fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Nice sprawl there from Morris as Altschuler shoots in.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Morris throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Nick Morris is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Altschuler.
Altschuler tries to move to mount but Morris blocks the move with his legs.

Altschuler decides to stand back up.
Morris misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Nice sprawl there from Morris as Altschuler shoots in.
No luck for Altschuler with that takedown attempt.

Altschuler shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Morris's guard.
Altschuler might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Altschuler wants to control from the top but Morris keeps moving.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Morris manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Morris swats away the attempt to clinch by Altschuler.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Nick Morris will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Altschuler shoots in but Morris avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Altschuler changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Morris tries to avoid it but Altschuler manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Morris to the ground. Morris escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Morris lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Morris lands a jab to the head.
Altschuler misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matthew Altschuler. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Morris stuffs the takedown attempt from Altschuler. Altschuler gets slowly back to his feet.
Altschuler shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Morris pinned against the cage. Morris gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Morris doesn't manage to clinch there - Altschuler circles away.

Morris has closed the distance and engaged Altschuler in a clinch.
Morris gets underhooks to prevent Altschuler's takedown attempt.
Morris lands a knee to the head.

Morris has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Altschuler regains guard immediately.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Altschuler working a defensive guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Altschuler wants to sweep but no luck.

Altschuler is looking for a triangle but Morris pushes his legs off easily.

Morris stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Altschuler changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Morris tries to avoid it but Altschuler manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Morris to the ground. Morris escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Morris rushes Altschuler and presses him up against the cage.
Morris leaning against his opponent.
Morris landing knees to the head.

Morris has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Altschuler regains guard immediately.
Morris is stalling in the full guard.

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

Morris gets to his feet. Altschuler looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Altschuler closes this distance looking for a takedown but Morris circles away.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Altschuler.

Altschuler gets the takedown into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

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

Altschuler tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Altschuler tries to move to mount but Morris blocks the move with his legs.
Altschuler trying to control the action but Morris is working from the bottom.
Altschuler creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Morris sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Altschuler working the ground and pound but Morris is defending the strikes.

Altschuler wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Morris, who protects the arm well.
Altschuler wants to control but Morris is keeping him busy.
Morris is looking for a sweep.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Altschuler shoots in for a takedown but Morris shows good takedown defense.
Altschuler fails to land the takedown.
Altschuler fails to land the takedown.
Nice takedown defense from Morris. No joy for Altschuler on that attempt.

Morris clinches up against the cage.
Morris tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Altschuler fails to pull guard.
Morris prevents the takedown attempt.
Morris using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Altschuler has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Morris with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Morris with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Altschuler is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Morris using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

Altschuler drags the fight down to the ground.
Morris showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Morris gets to his feet. Altschuler looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Morris scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Altschuler takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Altschuler shoots in and drives through. Morris sprawls well.
Nick Morris seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Morris fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Altschuler takes a jab right on the kisser.
Morris fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Altschuler shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Morris scores with a nice strike.

Altschuler feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Morris showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Altschuler shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Matthew Altschuler overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Morris is looking to improve his position but Altschuler isn't that keen on the idea.
Altschuler wants to control the pace but Morris is squirming around nicely.
Altschuler punching from mount but Morris doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Altschuler misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Morris wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Morris stops Altschuler from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.
Morris is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Morris wants to control but Altschuler is having none of it.
Altschuler can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Morris is looking to escape.
Morris is trying to stand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Altschuler lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.

Altschuler swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Morris is now in Altschuler's guard. A big mistake from Altschuler there, giving up the dominant position!
Altschuler looking to hit a scissor sweep but Morris is one step ahead there.
Morris wants to stand but Altschuler has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Morris takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Morris advances to half guard.
Still in half guard, Morris seems content to control.
Altschuler wants to improve his position but Morris is controlling well.
Altschuler has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Morris is working away from the top position though.
Morris trying to control from half guard but Altschuler is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Altschuler actively working from the bottom here.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Altschuler is trying to control but can't.
Altschuler is looking for a sweep. Morris is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Altschuler looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Morris lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Altschuler shoots in looking for a takedown. Morris tries to sprawl out of it but Altschuler keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Morris manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Altschuler closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Altschuler lands in his opponent's guard.
Morris working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Altschuler.
Morris can't keep his opponent in guard - Altschuler advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Altschuler tries to pass to full mount but Morris defends it.

Altschuler is working for a kimura but Morris is defending it quite comfortably.
Morris moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Altschuler stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Morris swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Altschuler postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Altschuler pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Morris is keeping the position for now.
Altschuler trying to control the position from guard on top but Morris is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Altschuler loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Morris tries to close the distance and clinch up but Altschuler swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Altschuler misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Matthew Altschuler has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Horrible takedown by Altschuler or perhaps it was just good defense by Morris which made him look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matthew Altschuler. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Morris rushes Altschuler and presses him up against the cage.

Morris decides to pull guard.
Morris is looking to stand up but Altschuler isn't so interested in that idea.
Altschuler has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Morris trying to keep a closed guard but Altschuler is proving a slippery customer.
Morris is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Altschuler is controlling him.

Altschuler gets to his feet. Morris looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Morris misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
No luck for Altschuler with that takedown attempt.

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 Matthew Altschuler.
I think Morris 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 28:29
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nick Morris!