PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Makao Matsumoto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gabe Christianson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Matsumoto's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Sepultura - Territory . Christianson has chosen Like a Boss as his entrance music. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Matsumoto
vs
Christianson

188 cm
25
210 lbs
14 - 5 - 0

189 cm
23
214 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

L.A. Elite Clothing Co
L.A. Elite Clothing Co

L.A. Elite Clothing Co

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Makao Matsumoto!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Gabe Christianson!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Shigeki Fujiwara and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Christianson is looking to slow Matsumoto down with leg kicks.
Christianson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Matsumoto moves away.
Christianson throws a leg kick that misses.

Matsumoto shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Christianson is trying to defend but Matsumoto finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Christianson is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Matsumoto scores with a couple of nice shots.
Matsumoto wants to pass to mount but Christianson is defending the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Matsumoto missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Matsumoto throwing shots but Christianson is blocking nicely.
Christianson wants to get back to full guard.
Matsumoto missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Christianson wants to get back to full guard.
Christianson is staying active underneath Matsumoto, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Christianson on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Christianson wants to control but Matsumoto is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Matsumoto is looking to advance position but Christianson won't allow it.
Matsumoto missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Christianson taking some punishment here, with Matsumoto in his half guard.
Matsumoto thows a huge punch but Christianson dodges it nicely.
Matsumoto sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Christianson defending well though.

Matsumoto seems to be looking for submissions.
Matsumoto sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Christianson defending well though.
Matsumoto winds up and cracks Christianson with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Matsumoto sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Christianson defending well though.
Matsumoto trying to control from half guard but Christianson is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsumoto missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Matsumoto thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Matsumoto slips a nice elbow through Christianson's hands, connecting with Christianson's forehead.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Christianson is trying to maintain the position but Matsumoto is very close to passing his half guard.
Matsumoto sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Christianson defending well though.

Matsumoto is working for a kimura but Christianson is defending it quite comfortably.
Matsumoto misses with a head shot. Christianson uses the momentum to regain guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsumoto postures up in Christianson's guard and throws a big left but Christianson blocks it.
Christianson wants to sweep here but Matsumoto controlling him for the moment.
Christianson seems keen to control Matsumoto's posture.
Matsumoto 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.
Matsumoto wants to control from the top but Christianson keeps moving.
Matsumoto is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Christianson is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Matsumoto throws a big right hand that misses.
Christianson manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Matsumoto manages to get himself to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Matsumoto has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Christianson can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Christianson controlling from the top position.
Christianson sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Matsumoto's guard.
Christianson wants to stand but Matsumoto has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Matsumoto is not content to let Christianson control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Makao Matsumoto dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Christianson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Christianson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Christianson misses with a punch to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Christianson.

Matsumoto pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Christianson tries to clinch but Matsumoto is having none of it.
Christianson misses with a body shot.
Matsumoto throws a jab but it's blocked by Christianson.
Matsumoto swings for the body but Christianson moves out of range.
Matsumoto looks to land a right hand but Christianson moved out of range.
A bone on bone clash there as Matsumoto blocks the leg kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Christianson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Christianson throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsumoto with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Christianson lands a nice shot to the body.
Gabe Christianson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Christianson scores with a jab.
Matsumoto looks to score with a jab to the body but Christianson is just out of range.
Christianson ducks under a wild hook from Matsumoto.
Matsumoto throws a chopping leg kick but Christianson manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Matsumoto swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Matsumoto shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Matsumoto passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Matsumoto looks up at the clock and then as Christianson takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Matsumoto smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Christianson tries to buck Matsumoto off but Matsumoto is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsumoto trying to control the position but Christianson is working away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Matsumoto slows the pace down.
Christianson manages to get back to half guard.
Matsumoto thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Christianson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Matsumoto.
Makao Matsumoto overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Matsumoto trying to mount his opponent but Christianson defends it.
Matsumoto thows a huge punch but Christianson dodges it nicely.
Christianson keeping control of the position.
Matsumoto is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsumoto stopping the sweep attempt from Christianson.
Matsumoto is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Matsumoto stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Christianson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Christianson wants to sweep here but Matsumoto controlling him for the moment.
Matsumoto with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Christianson wants to get back to his feet but Matsumoto is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Matsumoto in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Christianson seems keen to control Matsumoto's posture.
Matsumoto trying to control the position from guard on top but Christianson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Christianson controlling Matsumoto's posture.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Gabe Christianson wasn't active enough on the ground.
Christianson attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Matsumoto with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Christianson avoids a punch combination nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Makao Matsumoto dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A combination from Matsumoto does no damage.
Matsumoto lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Christianson lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Matsumoto tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Christianson was well out of range. Poor timing from Matsumoto.
Christianson doesn't manage to clinch there - Matsumoto circles away.
Christianson misses with a straight right.
Christianson scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Matsumoto moves forwards but Christianson connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Christianson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Matsumoto.
Christianson swings for the body but Matsumoto moves out of range.
Matsumoto fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Christianson avoids it really well and circles away.
Makao Matsumoto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Matsumoto works Christianson's body with a nice hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Horrible takedown by Matsumoto or perhaps it was just good defense by Christianson which made him look bad.
Christianson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Matsumoto was well out of range. Poor timing from Christianson.
Matsumoto just misses with a punch to the body.
Matsumoto throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Matsumoto takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Christianson defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Matsumoto.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Makao Matsumoto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Matsumoto fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Christianson manages to avoid it.
Matsumoto throws a right and a left that Christianson avoids nicely.
Matsumoto is looking to wear down Christianson with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Christianson throws out a loose jab but Matsumoto uses good head movement to avoid it.
Matsumoto swings for the body but Christianson moves out of range.
Matsumoto keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Matsumoto blocks a leg kick.
A head kick misses from Matsumoto.
Matsumoto throws a lazy right hand but Christianson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Christianson moves into the clinch.
Christianson taking a breather.
Matsumoto tries for a takedown but Christianson manages to get underhooks.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Christianson creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Matsumoto blocks a body shot from Christianson.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Matsumoto misses with a hook to the ribs.
Matsumoto is pushing Christianson up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Matsumoto fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Christianson tries a body shot but Matsumoto blocks it.
A short right from Matsumoto on the inside.
Christianson prevents the takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Christianson is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Christianson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Christianson lands a left hand.
Christianson prevents the takedown attempt.

Christianson manages to break the clinch.
Matsumoto pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Christianson back to the cage. Matsumoto follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Christianson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Christianson ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Christianson uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Matsumoto.
Matsumoto throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Christianson lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Christianson takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsumoto tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Christianson was well out of range. Poor timing from Matsumoto.
A leg kick checked by Matsumoto.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Christianson cracks the inside of Matsumoto's front leg.
Gabe Christianson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Matsumoto keeps the fight on the outside.
Matsumoto takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Christianson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Christianson lands a nice leg kick that just misses Matsumoto's sensitive parts.
A leg kick checked by Matsumoto.
Christianson scores with a jab to the head.
Christianson takes one to the chin there.
Matsumoto fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Christianson manages to avoid it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Christianson is looking to clinch but Matsumoto is avoiding it.
Matsumoto staying out of range there.
Christianson looks to land a right hand but Matsumoto moved out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gabe Christianson really dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Christianson misses with a hook.
Christianson tries to clinch there but Matsumoto circles away.
Matsumoto throws a hook but Christianson avoids it easily.
Christianson misses with a hook
and Matsumoto counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Christianson thinking.
Christianson throws a low kick but Matsumoto moves out of range easily.
Matsumoto is trying hard to land a takedown here. Christianson sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Matsumoto slips under a jab.
Matsumoto throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Jab by Matsumoto.
Christianson takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Christianson misses the shot to the body.
Christianson throws a leg kick which misses Matsumoto's front leg but catches the back leg as Matsumoto tries to avoid it.
Christianson doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Christianson throws a head kick but Matsumoto moves out of range.
Matsumoto ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Christianson moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Christianson misses the shot to the body.
The fighters circle momentarily. Christianson darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Christianson connects with a leg kick. Matsumoto looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
An inside leg kick from Christianson misses.
Christianson throws a series of strikes that have Matsumoto backpedaling.
Christianson bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Christianson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Matsumoto.
Matsumoto checks a low kick from Christianson.
Matsumoto throws a head kick that misses
and Christianson counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Matsumoto misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Christianson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Christianson ducks under a wild hook from Matsumoto.
Christianson misses with a hook.
Christianson scoring well with a low kick there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Matsumoto throws a jab but it's blocked by Christianson.
Matsumoto avoids the body shot from Christianson.
Matsumoto looks to score with a jab to the body but Christianson is just out of range.
Christianson will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Christianson misses with a hook. Matsumoto ducked under it nicely.
Christianson throws a push kick but Matsumoto slaps the foot to one side.
A solid body kick from Christianson.
Christianson is looking to clinch.
Matsumoto shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Christianson but Christianson pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Matsumoto misses the body punch
and Christianson counters with a nice uppercut.

Matsumoto is rocked!

It looks like Makao Matsumoto has been cut.
Christianson scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Matsumoto doesn't seem bothered though.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Christianson scores with a jab to the jaw.
Oh Matsumoto is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Matsumoto misses with a body shot.
Matsumoto slips under a jab.
Christianson stuns Matsumoto with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Christianson cracks Matsumoto with a big right hand that sees him stumbling back against the cage! Matsumoto falls to his knees and Christianson doesn't need a second invitatation - he rushes in and fires off several unanswered shots that force the referee to stop the fight! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:05 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Gabe Christianson!
Gabe Christianson is the new light heavyweight champion!
Gabe Christianson really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that L.A. Elite Clothing Co logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.