PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rob Matrix (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zoe Zhang (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Matrix comes to the cage accompanied by The Matrix- Clubbed to Death. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Matrix
vs
Zhang

178 cm
24
220 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

190 cm
24
210 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Likes comics

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Rob Matrix!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Zoe Zhang!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Donatello Bradman and Bruno Hogan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Matrix fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Zhang sprawls well initially but Matrix persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Matrix with the ground and pound but Zhang uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Matrix stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Zhang swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Matrix in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Matrix stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Zhang swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Matrix throws an elbow that misses. Zhang uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Matrix's guard. Nice move by Zhang!
Matrix wants to stand and escape but Zhang is having none of it.
Matrix keeping moving, preventing Zhang from controlling successfully.
Zhang stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Matrix swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Matrix on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Matrix tries to get out of the position.
Matrix keeping moving, preventing Zhang from controlling successfully.
Zhang pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Matrix is keeping the position for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Matrix is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Matrix has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Zhang off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Zhang misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A combination from Zhang does no damage.

Matrix shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Zhang manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Zhang keeping full guard, as Matrix tries to pass.

Zhang looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Matrix throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Zhang works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Matrix throws a strike but Zhang rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Zhang wants to control from the top but Matrix keeps moving.
Matrix looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Matrix wants to stand but Zhang is controlling the position.
Zhang trying to control the position from guard on top but Matrix is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Matrix is on top in guard.
Zhang is trying to control the position but Matrix postures up.
Matrix with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Matrix might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Matrix postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Matrix advances position into side control!
Zhang stops Matrix from passing to mount.
Matrix grinds an elbow into Zhang's temple.

Matrix wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Zhang, who protects the arm well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhang can't do much from the bottom here.
Matrix throwing shots but missing, from side control.

Matrix goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Zhang rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Matrix's guard! Nice work there by Zhang!
Matrix keeping moving, preventing Zhang from controlling successfully.
Matrix utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Matrix wants to get back to his feet but Zhang is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Matrix is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zhang preventing the sweep.
Matrix keeping moving, preventing Zhang from controlling successfully.
Zhang trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Matrix is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

Matrix has Zhang pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Matrix pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Zhang tumbling to the mat - Matrix dives into Zhang's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zhang will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Matrix is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zhang can't keep his opponent in guard - Matrix advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Matrix sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Zhang defending well though.
Zhang wants to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rob Matrix dominated that round.
That's time! Matrix's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Matrix.

Matrix thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Zhang is trying to get back to half guard.
You can see the frustration on Zhang's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Zhang takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.

Matrix thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
You can see the frustration on Zhang's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Matrix tries to move to mount but Zhang blocks the move with his legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matrix working the head and body with strikes.
You can see the frustration on Zhang's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Zhang prevents Matrix from improving position.
Matrix sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Zhang is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Zhang can't do much from the bottom here.

Matrix is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Zhang knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Zhang manages to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zhang landing small, sideways elbows.
Zhang keeping hold of Matrix's head, controlling as best he can.
Matrix is pressing down on Zhang's thigh, looking to free his foot. Zhang is holding on for now.
Matrix slips a nice elbow through Zhang's hands, connecting with Zhang's forehead.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Matrix is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Zhang doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Matrix.
Matrix with the ground and pound but Zhang uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Zhang is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhang is taking a breather. Matrix 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.
Matrix looks like he's trying to stand up.
Zhang wants to take a breather but Matrix is having none of it.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Zhang wants to free his trapped foot but Matrix is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Zhang with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Zhang seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Matrix does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Zhang controlling the action here.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Zoe Zhang was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Zhang throws a sloppy head kick and Matrix moves out of range easily.

Matrix shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Matrix is nestled in close to Zhang, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Rob Matrix overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Matrix seems to be looking for submissions.
Matrix not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Zhang kicks Matrix off and gets back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Matrix throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Zhang was covering up waiting for the punch and Matrix finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Matrix tries to free his leg and advance position but Zhang is retaining full guard.
Matrix throwing strikes from guard but Zhang blocks nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Matrix scoring with some ground and pound.
Matrix is looking to pass into half guard but Zhang pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Zhang is in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rob Matrix dominated that second 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. This is the final round!

Zhang forces Matrix back against the cage and clinches.

Zhang breaks the clinch.

Zhang clinches with his opponent.
Zhang with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Zhang throws an elbow but it's blocked.

Matrix tightens his grip and picks Zhang up, before dumping him to the ground. Zhang manages to land in guard.
Zhang throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Matrix throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Zhang looking for a guillotine here but Matrix defends easily.
Zhang working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Matrix.
Matrix working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Matrix chips away with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matrix advances to half guard.
Zhang takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Matrix is looking for a kimura but Zhang is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Matrix to get the leverage.
Zhang has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Matrix is working away from the top position though.

Matrix is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Zhang looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Matrix is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Matrix trying to mount his opponent but Zhang defends it.
Matrix stops Zhang from getting back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Matrix is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Matrix is working for a kimura but Zhang is defending it quite comfortably.
Matrix is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Zhang reverses the position - he's now on top in Matrix's guard.
Zhang controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Matrix tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhang seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Zhang trying to control but Matrix is working from the bottom.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Matrix looking to hit a scissor sweep but Zhang is one step ahead there.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Zoe Zhang wasn't active enough on the ground.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Come on Zhang - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matrix in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Matrix throws a big elbow that misses.
Zhang trying to control the position.
Matrix postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Matrix is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Matrix slips nicely into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zhang trying to control here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zhang is trying to stand.
Zoe Zhang has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Matrix is trying to work for a kimura but Zhang is defending well.
Matrix missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rob Matrix showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Matrix, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Winston Howard scores the fight for Rob Matrix!
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight for Rob Matrix!
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight for Rob Matrix!

Rob Matrix wins by unanimous decision!
Our winner, Rob Matrix, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.