PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Matt Mattews (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mario Ferrari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mario Ferrari has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Mattews
vs
Ferrari

192 cm
25
290 lbs
11 - 4 - 0

198 cm
31
225 lbs
15 - 13 - 1

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Matt Mattews!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Mario Ferrari!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Stewart Dunkirk and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ferrari throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
The fighters circle momentarily. Ferrari darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

It looks like Matt Mattews has been cut.
A punch combination from Ferrari misses.

Ferrari moves into range and clinches up with Mattews.
Ferrari working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Ferrari looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Ferrari misses with a knee strike.
Ferrari tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Ferrari with a knee to the head.
Mattews drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Ferrari gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Mattews stalling.
Ferrari working aggressively here.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ferrari tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Mattews avoids it.
Ferrari throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Mattews blocks it with crossed arms.
Ferrari is looking to control Mattews's arms but Mattews gets an underhook and turns him. Now Ferrari has his back to the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ferrari breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ferrari lands a head kick. Mattews smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Mattews lands a nice shot to the body.
Ferrari pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Ferrari throws a head kick that misses.

Ferrari takes the fight into the clinch.
Ferrari is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Mattews is struggling to control the position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ferrari misses with a knee to the head.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Ferrari swings wildly with an uppercut but Mattews uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ferrari tries to break free but Mattews pushes him back against the cage.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Mattews takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Ferrari looking to throw knees to the head but Mattews is blocking nicely.

Mattews lands a takedown into guard.
Ferrari utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Mattews wants to control from the top but Ferrari keeps moving.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Mattews accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Ferrari keeping moving, preventing Mattews from controlling successfully.
Ferrari wants to stand and escape but Mattews is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mattews looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Matt Mattews wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Mattews looks to land a left hand but Ferrari moved out of range nicely.
Mattews takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

Ferrari drives through and clinches with Mattews against the cage.
Ferrari tries a knee to the head but Mattews blocks it.
Ferrari gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Mattews.
Mattews's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Mattews fails to pull the fight into his guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matt Mattews. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mattews avoiding damage as Ferrari throws knees to the body.
Mattews is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Ferrari lands a body shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ferrari fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ferrari goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Mattews misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ferrari.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Mattews as Ferrari tries to tie him up.
Mattews looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Mattews lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mattews avoiding damage as Ferrari throws knees to the body.
Ferrari wants to stall.
Ferrari misses with some punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mario Ferrari dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Matt Mattews's cut.
That's time! Mattews's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Ferrari lands a big head kick that sends Mattews tumbling to the mat! Ferrari takes a step backwards and waves Mattews back to his feet - he wants the finish!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mattews tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Ferrari manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Mattews shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ferrari as he avoids it easily.

Ferrari closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Ferrari tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Mario Ferrari seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Ferrari fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ferrari dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Mattews changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Ferrari fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Ferrari moves into the clinch.
Ferrari has a couple of punches blocked by Mattews.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mattews drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Ferrari gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matt Mattews. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mattews fails to pull guard.
Mattews tries to pull guard but Ferrari forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Ferrari tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Mattews takes a knee right on the jaw!

Matt Mattews's cut is getting worse.
Ferrari lands a shot to the body.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Ferrari. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Ferrari tries a knee to the head but Mattews blocks it.
Ferrari lands with a left to the head.

Mattews pulls Ferrari into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ferrari wants to stand but Mattews is controlling his posture from full guard.
Mattews 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.
Mattews wants to sweep but no luck.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Ferrari wanted to stand there but Mattews had control of the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Mario Ferrari.
Ferrari throws a push kick but Mattews slaps the foot to one side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Ferrari.

Mattews darts in and clinches Ferrari up against the cage.
Ferrari looking to throw knees to the head but Mattews is blocking nicely.
A right hook to the body lands for Ferrari.
Mattews effectively controlling the action here.
Ferrari crunches a lovely knee into Mattews's ribcage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ferrari lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Mattews.
Ferrari managing to block the knees to the body from Mattews.
Ferrari lands with a left to the head.
Ferrari using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Mattews has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Ferrari tries a body shot but Mattews blocks it.
Ferrari throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Mattews blocks it with crossed arms.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mattews is trying to break the clinch but Ferrari has him pressed against the cage.
Ferrari trying to stall but Mattews improves his position.
Ferrari using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Mattews has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Mattews lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Mattews is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Ferrari!
Ferrari manages to regain half guard whilst avoiding the strikes.
Ferrari scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Mattews manages to mount him!
You get the feeling that Ferrari really doesn't like being in this position too much.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mattews looking to control but Ferrari is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Mattews controlling the position easily from mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mario Ferrari showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Matt Mattews's cut.
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!

Mattews tries to clinch up but Ferrari circles away and keeps his distance.
Ferrari throws a head kick but Mattews moves out of range.
Ferrari tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ferrari takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Mattews looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ferrari is fending him off so far but Mattews persists. Nope, Ferrari circles away and we're back to standing.
A head kick misses from Ferrari.
Horrible takedown by Mattews or perhaps it was just good defense by Ferrari which made him look bad.
Nice jab there from Ferrari.

Mattews closes the distance and clinches.
Ferrari working aggressively here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Ferrari.
Mattews managing to block the knees to the body from Ferrari.
Ferrari is trying to break the clinch but Mattews has him pressed against the cage.
Ferrari prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matt Mattews. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Ferrari pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Mattews avoids the head kick by Ferrari.

Ferrari closes the distance and clinches.
Ferrari lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Mattews has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Ferrari avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Ferrari tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Ferrari looking to throw knees to the head but Mattews is blocking nicely.
Ferrari gets through Mattews's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Ferrari breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Ferrari clinches.
Mattews tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Ferrari just stands there and leans against the cage.
A short right from Ferrari.
Ferrari tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Ferrari.
The referee is keeping an eye on Ferrari - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Ferrari is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Ferrari with a knee to the head.
Mattews has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Ferrari avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Ferrari is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Mattews is defending well for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mattews avoiding damage as Ferrari throws knees to the body.
Ferrari pushes Mattews back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Ferrari lands a knee to the head.
Ferrari stalling in the clinch.
Ferrari landing knees to the head.
Ferrari is trying to break the clinch but Mattews has him pressed against the cage.
Mattews looking for a takedown.
Ferrari lands with a light punch inside.
Ferrari with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Ferrari looking to throw knees to the head but Mattews is blocking nicely.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Mattews.
Ferrari crunches a lovely knee into Mattews's ribcage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Ferrari manages to break the clinch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Ferrari misses with a knee strike.
Matt Mattews has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mario Ferrari is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Mattews blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Ferrari digs a right hand into Mattews's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Mattews's gas tank.
Ferrari lands a left hand.
Ferrari with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Mattews is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Ferrari gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ferrari tries to land a knee to the head but Mattews blocks with his arms.
Mattews looking for a takedown.
Ferrari trying to stall but Mattews improves his position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mario Ferrari comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Ferrari 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 27:30
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mario Ferrari!
An out of breath Mario Ferrari thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.