PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Theo Matthews (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Operation Ivy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Theo Matthews has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Matthews
vs
Ivy

225 cm
21
300 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

150 cm
27
300 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Excellent boxer
Experienced

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Theo Matthews!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Operation Ivy!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Matthews scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

Matthews thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Ivy is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Ivy manages to work his way to half guard, despite Matthews's best efforts.
Matthews winds up and cracks Ivy with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

Ivy looking for submissions off his back.

Matthews is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Ivy has managed to free his arm - good work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Matthews scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ivy has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Matthews is working away from the top position though.

Matthews is working for a submission of some sort.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Matthews lands a nice short elbow.
Matthews 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.
Ground and pound from Matthews.
Ivy trying to control from the bottom.

Matthews looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Ivy is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Matthews is nestled in close to Ivy, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Matthews is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Matthews is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ivy on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Matthews looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Ivy is trying to control but can't.
Ivy tries to roll over but Matthews keeps him under control.

Ivy looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Ivy looking for submissions off his back.
Matthews drops an elbow to the side of Ivy's head.

Ivy actively working from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ivy looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Matthews wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ivy keeps working.
Nice strikes from Matthews there.
Ivy moves into full guard.
Matthews working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Matthews is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Matthews scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Matthews lands a couple of digs.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Ivy is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Matthews scoring with some ground and pound.
Matthews sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Ivy's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ivy looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Matthews lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Matthews will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Matthews landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Matthews working over Ivy with some ground and pound. Ivy looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Matthews is looking for a kimura here.

Ivy with the active half guard here but Matthews passes nicely into side control.
Matthews lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Matthews has an Americana. Ivy didn't react quickly enough there and he's in big trouble now! He tries to squirm out but is forced to tap! Matthews is delighted and gyrates in front of the ring girls. They seem to like the attention - it'll be interesting to see if Matthews hooks up with any of them at the after show party.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Theo Matthews!
A victorious Theo Matthews thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.