PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mark Matrione (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rey Mesterio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mesterio has chosen Be A Warrior as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Matrione
vs
Mesterio

170 cm
22
190 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

175 cm
28
175 lbs
3 - 7 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Mark Matrione!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Rey Mesterio!
The judges for this bout are Micheangelo Fripello, Jeff Smith and Roger Salmon.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matrione fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Mesterio on the side of the head.
Mesterio fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Both fighters circling a little - Mesterio finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Mesterio tries for a takedown but Matrione circles away easily
and Matrione counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Matrione lands a head shot.
Matrione lands a nice shot to the body.
Mesterio slips under a jab from Matrione.
Matrione paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Mesterio fails to land the takedown.
Nice straight punches there by Matrione. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Matrione.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Matrione gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Mesterio to score an easy takedown into full guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Matrione has his foot on Mesterio's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Mesterio works his way back into a safe position though.
Matrione wants to sweep here but Mesterio controlling him for the moment.
Matrione is working hard here to advance position.
Matrione is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Matrione looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Matrione looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mesterio wants to stand but Matrione has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Matrione looking to hit a scissor sweep but Mesterio is one step ahead there.
Matrione is trying to keep Mesterio in close.
Mesterio controls from within his opponent's guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Mark Matrione wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Mesterio wants to clinch up but Matrione keeps it at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Horrible takedown by Mesterio or perhaps it was just good defense by Matrione which made him look bad.
Mark Matrione has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rey Mesterio.
Mesterio shoots in looking for a takedown. Matrione tries to sprawl out of it but Mesterio keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Matrione manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Mesterio pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Mesterio tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Mesterio throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Matrione's waist but Matrione gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Mesterio off to one side.
Mesterio looks winded!
Matrione wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mesterio throws a leg kick but Matrione moved away.
Matrione tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Mesterio was well out of range. Poor timing from Matrione.
Matrione works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Matrione throws a jab but it's blocked by Mesterio.
Matrione lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Mesterio misses with a takedown attempt - Matrione sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Matrione lands with a nice body punch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mesterio takes one to the side of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Matrione throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Mesterio on the side of the head.
Rey Mesterio seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mesterio tries a head kick but it misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Matrione dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Mesterio throws a predictable looking body shot
and Matrione counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Matrione manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Mesterio on his heels. He'll look to pass Mesterio's guard now, I'm sure.
Matrione working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Matrione landing with the ground and pound.
Matrione missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Matrione wants to control from the top but Mesterio keeps moving.
Matrione postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
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!
Matrione throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Matrione wants to control from the top but Mesterio keeps moving.
Matrione pushes down on Mesterio's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Mesterio tries to get to full guard but Matrione has control of the leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matrione drops an elbow to the side of Mesterio's head.
Matrione is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Matrione scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Mark Matrione overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Matrione working the head and body with strikes.
Matrione throwing shots but Mesterio is blocking nicely.
Matrione is keen to just control but Mesterio is a slippery customer.
Mesterio really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Matrione. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Matrione is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Matrione 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.
Mesterio is breathing heavily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Matrione wants to control but Mesterio is keeping him busy.
Matrione seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Matrione looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mesterio blocking the ground and pound attempt from Matrione.
Mesterio avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Matrione.
Matrione prevents Mesterio from improving his position.
Matrione drops an elbow to the side of Mesterio's head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Still in half guard, Matrione seems content to control.
Mesterio is trying to get back to full guard.
Matrione slips a nice elbow through Mesterio's hands, connecting with Mesterio's forehead.
Matrione working Mesterio over with strikes.
Matrione thows a huge punch but Mesterio dodges it nicely.
Matrione missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Matrione not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matrione throwing shots but Mesterio is blocking nicely.
Mesterio is not content to let Matrione control the position.
Matrione takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Matrione is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Mesterio can do to turn this around?
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Matrione working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Matrione working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Matrione not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Matrione lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Mesterio taking some punishment here, with Matrione in his half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matrione wants to take a breather but Mesterio is having none of it.
Matrione lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mesterio is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Matrione winds up and cracks Mesterio with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Mesterio tries to roll over but Matrione keeps him under control.
Matrione not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mesterio blocking the ground and pound attempt from Matrione.
Matrione scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Matrione connects with a nice short shot to Mesterio's temple.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Matrione dominated that second 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!

Matrione lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Mesterio backs up against the cage.
Mesterio fails in his attempt to clinch.
Mesterio shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Matrione counters with a straight right hand.
Matrione fails with the takedown.
Matrione punishes Mesterio's body with a nice straight punch.
Mesterio uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Matrione.
Mesterio keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Matrione.
Nice sprawl there from Matrione as Mesterio shoots in.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matrione lands a jab to Mesterio's midsection.
Mesterio takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Matrione connects with the punch.
Matrione leaves Mesterio with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Mark Matrione has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rey Mesterio.
Mesterio closes the distance but Matrione moves to the side
and Matrione counters with a straight right hand.
Matrione lands with an uppercut that bounces Mesterio off the cage and back into range.

Matrione decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Matrione lands a nice short elbow.
Matrione is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Matrione sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Mesterio defending well though.
Matrione looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Mesterio with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matrione throwing shots but Mesterio is blocking nicely.
Matrione wants to lay and pray for a moment but Mesterio keeps working.
Mesterio on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Mesterio taking some punishment here, with Matrione in his half guard.
Matrione lands with a punch from half guard.
Matrione trying to control the action but Mesterio is working from the bottom.
Matrione drops an elbow to the side of Mesterio's head.
Mesterio is looking to control Matrione's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Mesterio avoid being mounted?
Matrione landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matrione winds up and cracks Mesterio with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Matrione scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Mesterio on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Matrione lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Matrione thows a huge punch but Mesterio dodges it nicely.
Matrione wants to control but Mesterio is keeping him busy.
Mesterio wants to control but Matrione is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Mesterio taking some punishment here, with Matrione in his half guard.
Matrione throwing shots but Mesterio is blocking nicely.
Matrione scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Matrione working Mesterio over with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matrione lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Matrione lands a nice short elbow.
Matrione working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Matrione is nestled in close to Mesterio, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Matrione working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Matrione is trying to control the action in half guard but Mesterio is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Mark Matrione is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Matrione working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Matrione working the head and body with strikes.
Mesterio on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Matrione looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Matrione is trying to control the action in half guard but Mesterio is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Rey Mesterio has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

And that's the end of the fight!
Mark Matrione showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Matrione has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 30:25
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 30:25
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mark Matrione!