PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Grant Fairtex (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Josh Matic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Grant Fairtex has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Fairtex
vs
Matic

190 cm
32
135 lbs
3 - 19 - 0

179 cm
34
141 lbs
13 - 14 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Grant Fairtex!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Josh Matic!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Don Winkell and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matic swinging wildly here.

Matic clinches.
Matic stalls.
Fairtex really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Josh Matic.
Fairtex showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Matic.
Fairtex checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Matic has managed to clinch.
Fairtex changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Matic fights it off and pushes away nicely.
A head kick misses from Matic.
Matic throws a combination that misses
and Fairtex counters with a big head kick but Matic shrugs it off.
Matic swinging wildly here.
Matic goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

Matic moves into the clinch.
Fairtex fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Matic stalling in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Josh Matic.
Matic tries to land a front kick but Fairtex steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Matic walks into a straight right hand from Fairtex.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Matic misses with a straight left.
A head kick by Matic misses

and Fairtex moves into the clinch.
Come on Matic - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on Matic's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
Matic receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Josh Matic.

Matic forces Fairtex back against the cage and clinches.
Fairtex goes for a takedown attempt but Matic pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Grant Fairtex. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Matic ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Fairtex moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matic fails in his attempt to clinch.
Matic swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Josh Matic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Matic throws a leg kick
and Fairtex counters with a nice leg kick.
Matic rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Fairtex counters with a thumping low kick.
Fairtex on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Matic. Matic obviously looking to wear him down.
Matic misses with a few strikes there.
Fairtex displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Matic throws out the jab.
A head kick by Matic misses
and Fairtex finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Matic tries to close the distance and clinch up but Fairtex swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Matic falls off balance throwing a combination
and Fairtex counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Matic motions for Fairtex to come forward. Matic throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fairtex tries to clinch there but Matic circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Matic tries a head kick but it misses.
Fairtex avoids the body shot from Matic.
A head kick by Matic misses
and Fairtex counters with a nice body shot.
Fairtex fails with an attempt to clinch.
Matic lands a nice looking body kick.

Matic takes the fight into the clinch.
Matic is trying to maintain a safe position but Fairtex gets an underhook and turns Matic into the cage.
Matic stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Fairtex is trying to pull guard but Matic turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Matic is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Josh Matic.
Matic misses with a left hand
and Fairtex counters with a nice leg kick.
Matic throws a series of punches but Fairtex avoids them all with ease.
Matic swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Fairtex counters with a big head kick but Matic shrugs it off.
A combination from Matic does no damage.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Matic in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Matic fails with an attempt to clinch.
Matic throws a head kick that misses
and Fairtex counters with a solid body kick.
Matic is breathing heavily.
Fairtex throws a right hand that Matic ducks under and follows up with a left that Matic also avoids with ease.
Josh Matic seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Matic scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Matic misses with a right hand
and Fairtex counters with a nice body shot.

Matic clinches up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matic pressing his opponent against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Josh Matic.
Matic takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head kick by Matic misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Fairtex scores with a one two! Matic had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

Matic clinches.
Fairtex being controlled against the cage.
Fairtex can't get the takedown.
Fairtex is trying to pull guard but Matic turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Grant Fairtex. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A bit of stalling here from Matic.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Josh Matic.
Matic throws a series of punches but Fairtex moves out of range.

Matic has Fairtex up against the cage in a clinch.
Matic stalls.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Matic showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Matic moves into the clinch.
Fairtex trying to stall but Matic improves his position.
Fairtex being controlled against the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Josh Matic.
Matic is looking to clinch but Fairtex is avoiding it.
Fairtex looks to land a combination but Matic avoids it well.
Matic tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Matic wants to clinch up but Fairtex keeps it at a distance.
Matic misses with a double jab
and Fairtex counters with a thumping low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matic uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Fairtex has time to react.
Matic throws a head kick that misses
and Fairtex counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Matic tests Fairtex's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Matic misses with a combination
and Fairtex makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Matic takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Matic misses with the combination.
Matic swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Fairtex counters with a big head kick but Matic shrugs it off.
Matic throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Fairtex counters with a nice body shot.
Matic throws a sloppy body shot
and Fairtex counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Matic falls off balance throwing a combination
and Fairtex counters with a slapping leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Matic gets a clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A battle for position here, against the cage.
The referee calls for Matic to work.
Matic is looking to control Fairtex's arms but Fairtex gets an underhook and turns him. Now Matic has his back to the cage.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Fairtex is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Matic's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

Fairtex is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Matic can't fight it off and eventually Fairtex manages to take the fight to the floor. Matic looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Fairtex drops back, looking for a kneebar! Matic looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Matic looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Matic!
Matic advances nicely into full mount.
Fairtex wants to hold on but Matic pushes him away.

Matic goes for an armbar but Fairtex turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Fairtex.
Fairtex trying to control the position from guard on top but Matic is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Matic wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matic keeping moving, preventing Fairtex from controlling successfully.

Matic is looking for a triangle but Fairtex pushes his legs off easily.
Matic throwing rabbit punches from the bottom - showing the judges that he's keeping busy.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fairtex throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Matic has Fairtex pulled in close to control his posture.

Matic looking for a guillotine here but Fairtex defends easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fairtex is looking to work some ground and pound but Matic has wrist control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Josh Matic comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Matic has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Josh Matic!