PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Halo Olah (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Slatko Matic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Olah
vs
Matic

199 cm
20
285 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

196 cm
26
235 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
World class MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Halo Olah!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Slatko Matic!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Richard Clark and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matic lands with a nice body punch.
Olah looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

Olah drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Olah cracks Matic with an elbow. That is naaassty.

It looks like Slatko Matic has been cut.
Olah working the ground and pound.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Olah cracks Matic with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Olah in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Matic is trying to get back to half guard.
Olah scores with punches from side control.
Matic tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Matic takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Matic dodges the ground and pound from Olah.
Matic is looking for a sweep.

Olah swings around for an armbar but Matic sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Olah's guard.
Olah pulls Matic in close to prevent any damage.
Matic wants to stand but Olah is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matic is in close to Olah's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Olah seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Matic wants to control from the top but Olah keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Slatko Matic wasn't active enough on the ground.
Matic throws a hook to the side of Olah's head but Olah sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

Olah throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Matic tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Olah is in Matic's guard.
Matic is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Olah stays in close to Matic's body and controls the position.
Olah stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Matic swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Matic keeping moving, preventing Olah from controlling successfully.
Olah in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Olah is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Halo Olah.
Olah tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.

Olah fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Matic to the ground. Olah is now in Matic's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matic is trying to keep Olah in close.
Olah stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Matic swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Olah advances to half guard.
Olah missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Matic punching from the bottom.
Olah landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Olah content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Olah missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Matic missing with punches from the bottom.
Olah is taking a breather. Matic 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.
Olah has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matic wants to get back to full guard.
Olah lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Matic wants to improve his position but Olah is controlling well.
Matic keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Olah slows the pace down in half guard.
Olah working Matic over with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Halo Olah dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Slatko Matic's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Matic ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Matic darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Matic scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Olah doesn't seem bothered though.
A big left from Matic misses.
Slatko Matic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Matic swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Olah.
Matic avoids the body shot from Olah.
Olah takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Matic throws a jab when Olah was well out of range.
Matic dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Matic lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Matic scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Olah doesn't seem bothered though.
Olah avoids the body shot from Matic.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Matic throws a hook but Olah blocks it.
Matic feints a jab promting Olah to slip. Matic then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Olah slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Matic blocks the body kick.
Matic fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Olah manages to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matic buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Olah fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Matic checks it well.
Olah connects with an inside leg kick.
Slatko Matic is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Olah takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Donk. Olah catches Matic right on the button with a cross.
Matic scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Matic throws a hook to the side of Olah's head but Olah sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Matic is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Olah rather than just go for the knockout.
A looping hook to the body misses from Matic. Olah does a little dance to reset his feet.
Matic lands with a thumping leg kick.
Olah takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Matic lands a nice hook to Olah's body. Olah takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nice straight punches there by Matic. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Matic.
Olah throws a leg kick but Matic checks it.
Matic with a nice cross.
Olah on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Matic swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Slatko Matic seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Olah slips under a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matic throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Olah bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Olah tries to work over Matic's front leg with a kick but Matic checks it.
The crowd cheers as Olah lands an impressive looking overhand right. Matic doesn't seem phased though.
Matic looks to throw the jab but Olah is out of range.
Olah throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Matic counters with a nice uppercut.
Matic fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Olah looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Olah moves out of range as Matic strikes.
Olah changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Matic waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Olah.
Matic throws a jab but it's blocked by Olah.
Matic misses the shot to the body.
Olah throws a right and a left that both miss.
Olah fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Matic manages to avoid it.
Olah takes a swing at Matic's ribcage but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matic throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Matic scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Matic throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Matic uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Olah.
Matic tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Olah was well out of range. Poor timing from Matic.
Olah darts in looking for a takedown but Matic gets double underhooks and turns Olah into the cage.
Olah tries a body shot but Matic blocks it.
Matic is trying to break free.
Olah lands a right hand.
Matic is trying to pull guard but Olah has him pressed against the cage.
Matic is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Olah is defending well.
Olah has a couple of punches blocked by Matic.
Matic jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Olah walks away with a smile on his face. Matic gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Halo Olah has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Slatko Matic.
The fighters circling - Olah throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matic throws a series of strikes that have Olah backpedaling.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Olah shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Olah is in close to Matic's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Matic wants to stand up but Olah is controlling him.
Olah is pushing down on Matic's leg trying to pass to half guard. Matic is fighting to maintain full guard but Olah has managed to sneak the leg through.
Matic is looking to improve his position.
Olah working Matic over with strikes.
Matic is breathing heavily.
Olah performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Matic is looking to escape.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Still in half guard, Olah seems content to control.
Olah working Matic over with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Slatko Matic showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Slatko Matic's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Olah misses with a hook
and Matic counters with a nice body shot.
Olah throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Matic connects with a crisp jab.
Olah cracks Matic with an open hand slap.
Matic swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Olah swinging wildly here.
Olah takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Matic misses with a two punch combination.
Olah throws a right and a left that both miss.
Matic misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Olah counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
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!
Olah trying to control the position from guard on top but Matic is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Matic looking to control.
Olah stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Matic swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Matic trying to keep a closed guard but Olah is proving a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Olah slips nicely into half guard.

Olah is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Matic is trying to get back to full guard.
Olah perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Matic is refusing to be controlled, as Olah sits in half guard.
Olah working the head and body with strikes.
Halo Olah overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matic tries to roll over but Olah keeps him under control.
Olah working over Matic with some ground and pound. Matic looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Olah controlling the action here.
Nice strikes from Olah there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Matic missing with punches from the bottom.
Matic is pressing down on Olah's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Matic working a defensive guard here.
Olah slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Olah forces his way into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matic looks like he's trying to stand up.
Olah trying to control the action but Matic is working from the bottom.
Olah slows the pace down in half guard.
Matic is trying to get back to full guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Halo Olah just wasn't active enough.
Olah dodges the punch combination from Matic.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matic thows a left - swing and a miss!
Olah throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Matic sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Matic lands a nice hook to Olah's body. Olah takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Olah looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
A telegraphed right hand from Matic misses the target.
Matic jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Olah pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Matic jabs Olah to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Olah fails with the takedown.
Matic fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Olah manages to avoid it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Olah keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Matic displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Olah throws out the jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Halo Olah clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Slatko Matic's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Matic fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Olah on the side of the head.
Matic loads up on a big right hand but Olah slips the punch.
Matic tries to close the distance and clinch but Olah swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Matic throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Olah sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Olah throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Jab from Matic.
Olah swinging wildly here.
Olah on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Matic is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Olah.
A combination from Matic does no damage.
Matic pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Olah back to the cage. Matic follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Matic blocks a leg kick.
Olah swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Olah misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Matic.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Matic misses with a hook. Olah ducked under it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matic swings for the body but Olah moves out of range.
Olah does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
The fighters circle momentarily. Matic darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Olah looks to score with a jab to the body but Matic is just out of range.
Olah misses with a wild body shot.
Matic staying out of range there.
Olah lands with a nice combination. Matic backs away looking to recover.
Matic lands with an uppercut that bounces Olah off the cage and back into range.
Matic thows a body shot but no joy.
Matic sizes up Olah with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Matic wants to clinch.
A nice inside leg kick there by Olah. That's going to slow Matic down.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Matic throws a hook but Olah blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matic keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Olah is defended easily by Matic.
Matic jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Matic misses with an uppercut. Olah saw that one coming.
Matic doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Olah circles away from the clinch attempt.
Matic lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Matic lands a nice shot to the body.
Olah connects with a solid leg kick.
Olah swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Jab by Matic.

Olah looking to score a takedown here. Matic is defending well but Olah drives through and ends up in Matic's guard.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Matic wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Olah working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Matic's head.
Olah is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Matic trying to control the position.
Olah slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Olah wants to lay and pray for a moment but Matic keeps working.
Matic defending against the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matic is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Olah's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Matic manages to get to full guard.
Olah controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Olah is pushing down on Matic's leg trying to pass to half guard. Matic is fighting to maintain full guard but Olah has managed to sneak the leg through.
Olah seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Olah looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Olah sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Matic defending well though.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Olah throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Matic is looking for a sweep. Olah is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Olah working over Matic with some ground and pound. Matic looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Halo Olah had his way with Slatko Matic in that round.
The cut man is working on Slatko Matic's cut.
That's time! Olah's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Olah just misses with a punch to the body.
Olah shoots in for a takedown but Matic shows good takedown defense.
Some bone on bone action there as Matic checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Matic misses with a wild body shot.
Olah shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Matic as he jumps to the side.
Matic dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Matic ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Matic swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Matic throws a shot to the body.
Matic scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Matic just misses with a punch to the body.
Olah connects with a body shot that sends Matic's belly button to the back.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Olah throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Olah fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Matic on the side of the head.
Olah throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Olah slips a jab from Matic.
Matic tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Olah was well out of range. Poor timing from Matic.
Matic checks a leg kick.
Olah throws a big shot that misses.
Olah looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Olah takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Matic scores with a nice right hand.
Matic scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Matic throws a leg kick which misses Olah's front leg but catches the back leg as Olah tries to avoid it.
The fighters circling - Matic throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Matic misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Olah.
Matic uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Olah.
Matic connects with a jab.
Matic tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Olah changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Matic looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Matic is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Olah wants to control but Matic is keeping him busy.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Matic takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Matic is looking to reverse the position.
Olah has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Olah can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Matic is looking to escape.
Matic wants to control but Olah is having none of it.
Olah controlling from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee warns Matic that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Olah cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Matic tries to lock up and control but Olah gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Matic taking shots to the head.
Olah working Matic over with strikes here.
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!
Olah lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Olah lands a couple of good shots and Matic has given up his back, trying to escape the position!

Matic is rocked!

That has opened up Slatko Matic's cut even more.
Olah scoring with big shots to the body. Matic is looking for a way out. A despairing look towards the ref and the official steps in to stop the fight. Matic was obviously done but didn't want to tap out.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 5, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Halo Olah!
Halo Olah retains his heavyweight title!
Halo Olah decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.