PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Matt Ryan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brandon Short (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Matt Ryan had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Ryan
vs
Short

195 cm
26
158 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

188 cm
25
156 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Great elbows
Knockout power

CEC Nutrition Q160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Matt Ryan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Brandon Short!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Wesley Smith and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Short fails in his attempt to clinch.

Short pushes Ryan up against the cage in a clinch.
Short gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Ryan managing to block the knees to the body from Short.
Short misses with an elbow over the top.
Short scores a nice knee to the body.
Ryan is looking to take this one to the mat.
Short is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Ryan is defending well for now.
Short is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Ryan is defending well for now.
Short unloads a knee to the mid-section. Ryan lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Ryan is breathing heavily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Short trying to land knees to the body.
Short lands a body shot in the clinch.
Short comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Short with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Short tries to land knees in the clinch but Ryan avoids the damage to the body.
Short with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Ryan avoiding damage as Short throws knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Short lands a damaging elbow.
Short is leaning against Ryan and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Short misses with a knee strike.
Short unloads a knee to the mid-section. Ryan lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Short tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Ryan avoids it.
Short scores a nice knee to the body.
Short throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ryan blocks it with crossed arms.
Ryan avoiding damage as Short throws knees to the body.
Short trying to land knees to the body.
Short lands an elbow inside that Ryan shrugs off.
Short with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Short trying to land knees to the body.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Short gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Short lands an elbow that stopped Ryan in his tracks for a moment.
Ryan managing to block the knees to the body from Short.
Short stops a takedown attempt from Ryan.
Ryan blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Ryan managing to block the knees to the body from Short.
Short throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ryan blocks it with crossed arms.
Short with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Short lands a damaging elbow.
Short lands a damaging elbow.
Short throws a knee to the head but misses.
Short lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Short crunches a lovely knee into Ryan's ribcage.
Ryan avoiding damage as Short throws knees to the body.
Short tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Ryan avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Short using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Ryan has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Short taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Ryan avoiding damage as Short throws knees to the body.
Ryan on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Short throws a knee to the head but misses.
Ryan blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Stalling in the clinch from Short.
Short misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ryan.
Short tries to land knees in the clinch but Ryan avoids the damage to the body.
Short tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Ryan avoids it.
Short throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ryan blocks it with crossed arms.
Short lands a body shot in the clinch.
Short throws a knee to the head but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Short tries a knee to the head but Ryan blocks it.
Short lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Ryan dodges an elbow strike from Short.
Short throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ryan blocks it with crossed arms.
Ryan tries to pull guard but Short forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matt Ryan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ryan takes an elbow to the temple.
Short lands a damaging elbow.
Short lands an elbow inside.
Short looking to throw knees to the head but Ryan is blocking nicely.
Short tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ryan avoiding damage as Short throws knees to the body.
Ryan holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Short lands an elbow that stopped Ryan in his tracks for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brandon Short dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Ryan gets a clinch.
Short stalling against the cage.
Short is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Ryan is defending well for now.
Short unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Short slowing the pace effectively.
Short stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Short tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Ryan blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Ryan tries for a takedown. No joy.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Short lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Short misses with a knee strike.
Ryan really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Short misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ryan.
Short unloads a knee to the mid-section. Ryan lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ryan takes an elbow to the temple.
Short landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Short lands an elbow just above Ryan 's eye.
Short trying to land knees to the body.
Short unloads a knee to the mid-section. Ryan lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Brandon Short seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Short misses with a knee strike.
Ryan is trying to stall.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Short looking to throw knees to the head but Ryan is blocking nicely.
Short lands a knee to the body.
Short lands an elbow inside.
Short slowing the pace effectively.
Short gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Short lands a right hand.
Short connects with a nasty looking knee right to Ryan's face.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Short scores with a knee to the head.

Ryan is rocked!
Short looking to throw knees to the head but Ryan is blocking nicely.
Oh Ryan is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Ryan blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Ryan seems to have got his legs back now.
Ryan blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Short unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Short throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ryan blocks it with crossed arms.
Short comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Short lands an elbow that stopped Ryan in his tracks for a moment.
Short lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Short misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ryan.
Short misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ryan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Short pushes Ryan back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Short lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Ryan on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Ryan on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Nice elbow from Short.
Short with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Short with a knee to the head.
Short trying to land knees to the body.
Short throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Short tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Short looking to throw knees to the head but Ryan is blocking nicely.
Short tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Ryan avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Short is trying to maintain a safe position but Ryan gets an underhook and turns Short into the cage.
Knees in the clinch landing for Short.
Short lands an elbow inside that Ryan shrugs off.
Short tries to land knees in the clinch but Ryan avoids the damage to the body.
Ryan blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Ryan has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Short avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Short tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Short lands an elbow inside that Ryan shrugs off.
Short with a knee to the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ryan avoids the elbow strike from Short, against the cage.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Short with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Ryan blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brandon Short showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Short keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Matt Ryan is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ryan keeps the fight on the outside.
Short doesn't manage to clinch there - Ryan circles away.
Short blocks a head kick by Ryan.

Short has managed to clinch.
Ryan avoiding damage as Short throws knees to the body.
Short lands an elbow inside that Ryan shrugs off.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Short landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Short lands an elbow inside.
Short misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ryan.
Short tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Ryan avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Short is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Ryan is defending well for now.
Ryan managing to block the knees to the body from Short.
Ryan is looking to break free of the clinch but Short has double underhooks.
A body shot lands from Short.
Short landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Short comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Ryan letting Short take a breather here.
Ryan blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Short tries to land knees in the clinch but Ryan avoids the damage to the body.
Short lands an elbow just above Ryan 's eye.
Short using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Ryan has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Short missing with knees to the body.
Short has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nice elbow from Short.
Ryan drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Short lands an elbow that stopped Ryan in his tracks for a moment.
Short looking to throw knees to the head but Ryan is blocking nicely.
Short trying to land knees to the body.
Ryan is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Short pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matt Ryan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Short creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Ryan's defenses.
Short tries to land knees in the clinch but Ryan avoids the damage to the body.
Short is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Ryan is defending well for now.
Short lands an elbow just above Ryan 's eye.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A right hook to the body lands for Short.
Ryan avoiding damage as Short throws knees to the body.
Short scores with a knee to the head.
Ryan takes an elbow to the forehead.
Short lands a damaging elbow.
Short lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Ryan blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Short comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Short lands an elbow inside that Ryan shrugs off.
Short lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Ryan managing to block the knees to the body from Short.
Short gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Short with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Short gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Ryan.
Knees to the body from Short.
Short lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Short lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Short creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Ryan's defenses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Short is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Ryan is defending well for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ryan fails to pull guard.
Short tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Short gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brandon Short really 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.

Ryan takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Ryan fails with a takedown attempt.

Short clinches.
Short tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Ryan avoids it.
Ryan managing to block the knees to the body from Short.
A knee to the head by Short.
Short looking to throw knees to the head but Ryan is blocking nicely.
Short landing knees to the head.
Short is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Short comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A knee to the head by Short.
Short looking to throw knees to the head but Ryan is blocking nicely.
Short pressing his opponent against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Short.
Ryan avoiding damage as Short throws knees to the body.
Short misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ryan.
Short gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Short tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Ryan avoids it.
Ryan blocks a body shot from Short.
Short tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Ryan avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Short is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Ryan is defending well for now.
Short with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Short tries to land knees in the clinch but Ryan avoids the damage to the body.
Ryan blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Ryan managing to block the knees to the body from Short.
Ryan blocks the elbow strike.
Short throws an elbow that misses.
Ryan blocks an elbow strike from Short.
Short misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ryan.
Short misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ryan.

Ryan manages to break the clinch.
Short throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Short tries to keep at a distance but Ryan has taken the fight into the clinch.
Short missing with knees to the body.
Short is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Ryan is defending well for now.
Short misses with a knee to the head.
Short with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Short misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ryan.
Short throws an elbow but it misses.
Ryan on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Short tries to land a knee to the head but Ryan blocks with his arms.
With the fighters up against the cage, Short throws an elbow but misses.
Short is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Ryan is defending well for now.
Ryan is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Short lands an elbow inside that Ryan shrugs off.
Ryan blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Short trying to land knees to the body.
Short gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Short gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Ryan.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matt Ryan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Short tries to land knees in the clinch but Ryan avoids the damage to the body.
Short looking to throw knees to the head but Ryan is blocking nicely.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ryan blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Ryan drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ryan tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Short avoids it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brandon Short dominated that fourth round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Short has closed the distance and engaged Ryan in a clinch.
Short tries a knee to the head but Ryan blocks it.
Short is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Ryan is defending well for now.
Ryan managing to block the knees to the body from Short.
Short lands a damaging elbow.
Ryan avoiding damage as Short throws knees to the body.
Short throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ryan blocks it with crossed arms.
Short tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Ryan avoids it.
Ryan dodges an elbow strike from Short.
Ryan blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Short is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Short throws an elbow but it misses.
Short lands an elbow inside.
Ryan avoids a wild elbow strike from Short.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ryan takes an elbow to the forehead.
Short lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Short taking a breather.
Short with a knee to the head.
Knees to the body from Short.
Ryan tries to pull guard but Short forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Ryan goes for a takedown in the clinch but Short prevents it.
Short landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Ryan takes an elbow to the temple.
Short using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Ryan has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Short tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Ryan avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Short using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Ryan has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Short obliges.
Short with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Short throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ryan blocks it with crossed arms.
Ryan avoiding damage as Short throws knees to the body.
Short missing with knees to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Short misses with a knee strike.
Ryan goes for a takedown attempt but Short pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matt Ryan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Short looks to clinch

and Ryan counters with a nice double leg into side control. Short won't be happy with that.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Ryan swings around for an armbar but Short sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Ryan's guard.

Ryan throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Short escapes and throws Ryan's legs to the side, diving into side control!

Short has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Short clinches with his opponent.
Ryan blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Short.
Short lands a nice uppercut.
Nice elbow from Short.
Short creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Ryan's defenses.
Ryan takes an elbow to the temple.
Short tries a knee to the head but Ryan blocks it.
Matt Ryan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Short tries to land knees in the clinch but Ryan avoids the damage to the body.
Short lands an elbow inside.
Ryan tries to pull guard but Short won't allow it.
Brandon Short is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Short misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ryan.
Short lands an elbow inside.
Short gets through Ryan's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Short throws a knee to the head but misses.
Ryan tries to land a knee to the head but Short blocks with his arms.
Nice elbow from Short.
Short lands an elbow that stopped Ryan in his tracks for a moment.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Short lands an elbow inside that Ryan shrugs off.
Ryan avoiding damage as Short throws knees to the body.
Ryan tries to land a knee to the head but Short blocks with his arms.
Short unloads a knee to the mid-section.

And that's the end of the fight!
Brandon Short comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Short 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 44:50
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 43:50
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 43:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Brandon Short!
Brandon Short very nearly forgot to thank CEC Nutrition Q160 amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.