PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Jonesey Walker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Takeo Matsukata (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Walker
vs
Matsukata

165 cm
18
135 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

179 cm
25
135 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Jonesey Walker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Takeo Matsukata!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Roger Salmon and Micheangelo Fripello.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Walker misses with a body shot.

Matsukata shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Walker manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Matsukata's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Matsukata stands and steps away. Walker gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Matsukata looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Walker wants to control but Matsukata is keeping busy.
Walker is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Matsukata's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Matsukata's back!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Matsukata rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Matsukata trying to hold on to Walker's head to control him but Walker postures up.
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.
Matsukata desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Walker prevents Matsukata from improving his position.
Matsukata is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Matsukata holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.

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

Jonesey Walker has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
A big right from Walker misses.
Walker cracks a nice hook into Matsukata's ribs.
Matsukata slips a jab and a cross from Walker.
Walker misses with a double jab.
Walker throws a right hand that Matsukata ducks under and follows up with a left that Matsukata also avoids with ease.
Jonesey Walker is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Matsukata gets a double leg takedown into Walker's guard.
Matsukata is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Matsukata missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Walker keeping full guard, as Matsukata tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsukata content to stall in guard here.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Takeo Matsukata hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Walker lands with an uppercut that bounces Matsukata off the cage and back into range.
Walker throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Walker misses with a series of wild punches.
A punch combination from Walker misses.

Matsukata drives through with a takedown into Walker's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsukata is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Walker is working an open guard so Matsukata takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Walker is breathing heavily.
Matsukata slips a jab and a cross from Walker.

Matsukata moves into the clinch.
Walker jumps guard but Matsukata turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Matsukata pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Matsukata defending well as Walker loads up on a big left hand.

Matsukata has taken the fight to the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Matsukata pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Matsukata steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Walker.

Matsukata fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Walker sprawls well initially but Matsukata persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Walker is looking to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Takeo Matsukata dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Sloppy strikes from Walker. Those never looked like landing.

Matsukata shoots in and gets a takedown into Walker's guard.

Matsukata decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Walker, up you get!

Matsukata manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Walker on his heels. He'll look to pass Walker's guard now, I'm sure.

Matsukata stands up and waves to Walker to follow him.
Walker swings for the body but Matsukata moves out of range.
A punch combination from Walker misses.
Walker misses with a jab, cross combination.

Matsukata gets in close and instigates a clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Matsukata has Walker pressed against the cage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Matsukata has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Walker clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Walker is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Matsukata biding his time, controlling Walker.
Walker has his hands over his head blocking the strikes from Matsukata.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsukata trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Walker doesn't escape.
Walker wants to get back to his feet.
Walker trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Good control from Matsukata.
Matsukata somehow managing to miss with a strike from the back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsukata biding his time, looking for the opening.
Matsukata throwing sloppy strikes.
Walker might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Matsukata controlling the position well here. Walker rolled but Matsukata kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsukata cracks Walker with a big shot to body and one to the head - really punishing Walker from the back mount here, looking to soften him up.
Matsukata has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Walker's body.
Walker is in bad spot here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Matsukata really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Walker.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Takeo Matsukata showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Walker looks to land a right hand but Matsukata moved out of range.
Walker fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Jonesey Walker is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
No joy there for Walker, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Matsukata closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Walker's guard.
Walker doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Matsukata engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Matsukata scores with a takedown into Walker's guard.

Matsukata stands up and waves to Walker to follow him.
Matsukata tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Walker was well out of range. Poor timing from Matsukata.
A combination from Walker does no damage.

Matsukata drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Matsukata trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Matsukata is stalling in the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsukata postures up.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Matsukata slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!

We're going to have a standup here because Jonesey Walker wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Walker tries to sprawl but Matsukata drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Matsukata is controlling the pace.
Walker tries to get to full guard but Matsukata has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsukata is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Walker!
Matsukata takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Walker is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Matsukata throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsukata content just to control the position here.

Matsukata stands up from mount. Strange move.
Walker will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Matsukata gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Matsukata gets control of Walker's arms and successfully pulls guard. Matsukata will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Matsukata pushes Walker off and scrambles back to his feet.

Matsukata feints and as Walker raises his hands in defense, Matsukata changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Takeo Matsukata really dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Matsukata feints and as Walker raises his hands in defense, Matsukata changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Matsukata looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Matsukata stands up from guard. Let's bang!
A combination from Walker does no damage.

Matsukata shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Walker napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Matsukata controls the position.
Takeo Matsukata has got the better of the ground game so far.

Matsukata stands up and we're back to a striking position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Matsukata manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Walker on his heels. He'll look to pass Walker's guard now, I'm sure.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

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

Walker has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Matsukata can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsukata controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Walker can't keep his opponent in guard - Matsukata advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsukata is taking a breather. Walker says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

Matsukata is working for a submission of some sort.
Matsukata throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Matsukata stands up out of the half guard.
Walker swinging wildly here.
Matsukata showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Walker.
A big right from Walker misses.
Matsukata ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

Matsukata drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Matsukata landing a few strikes.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The strikes coming from Matsukata are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Takeo Matsukata dominated that fourth round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Matsukata throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Walker was covering up waiting for the punch and Matsukata finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Matsukata advances to half guard.
Walker keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Walker is trying to get back to full guard.
Matsukata seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
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.
Matsukata sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Walker defending well though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Walker is in trouble now - Matsukata has advanced to mount!
Matsukata throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.

Walker defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Matsukata.

Matsukata stands up from mount. Strange move.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Matsukata pushes Walker up against the cage in a clinch.

Matsukata breaks from the clinch.
Walker looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Matsukata is looking to land body kicks.
Walker will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Matsukata tries to bum rush Walker with a series of wild strikes but Walker uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Matsukata moves into range and clinches up with Walker.

Matsukata breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Matsukata pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
A looping hook to the body misses from Walker. Matsukata does a little dance to reset his feet.
Walker lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Matsukata circles away quickly and effectively.
Walker rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Matsukata moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Matsukata throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Walker tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Matsukata is in Walker's guard.
Matsukata throws a big right hand that misses.
Matsukata is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Matsukata stands up and waves to Walker to follow him.

Matsukata is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Walker's half guard.
Matsukata passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Walker!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Matsukata wants to finish this one by submission but Walker is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Matsukata.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Matsukata takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Walker holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Matsukata tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.

And that's the end of the fight!
Takeo Matsukata comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Matsukata winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Paul Gruel scores the fight 45:50
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 45:50
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Takeo Matsukata!
Takeo Matsukata spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.