PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Frank Gillum (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Damon Matthews (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Matthews has chosen The Game - Hate it or Love it as his entrance music. Frank Gillum has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Gillum
vs
Matthews

186 cm
25
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

181 cm
18
177 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Frank Gillum!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Damon Matthews!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Peter Branson and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gillum throws a nice inside leg kick.
Gillum tries to close the distance and clinch but Matthews swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Gillum shoots in and bounces Matthews off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Matthews looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gillum is one step ahead there.
Gillum works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Gillum is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Gillum seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Matthews for as long as he can get away with.
Gillum tries to pass the half guard into mount. Matthews knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Gillum performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Matthews tries to roll over but Gillum keeps him under control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Frank Gillum.
Matthews will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Frank Gillum seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Matthews connects with a right hand. Gillum shakes it off.

Matthews gets tackled into the cage by Gillum. Gillum maintains the clinch.
Matthews is trying to break the clinch but Gillum has him pressed against the cage.
Gillum is trying to drag Matthews to the mat but Matthews just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Gillum has Matthews pressed against the cage, preventing Matthews from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Gillum controlling the action here for a moment.
Gillum missing with knees to the body.
Gillum is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matthews blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Matthews looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Matthews blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Matthews wants to break free but Gillum has control.
Matthews using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Gillum has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Matthews wants to get back to striking at distance but Gillum won't allow it.
Matthews's coach down at Cozad The Island was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Matthews's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.

Gillum gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Matthews regains guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Matthews is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Matthews not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Gillum not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Gillum throws out a loose jab but Matthews uses good head movement to avoid it.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Gillum looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Frank Gillum. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Matthews fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Matthews throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Gillum avoids the body shot from Matthews.
Matthews throws a right hand that Gillum ducks under and follows up with a left that Gillum also avoids with ease.
Matthews uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

Matthews tries to keep at a distance but Gillum has taken the fight into the clinch.
Matthews on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Gillum taking a breather.
Gillum tries to break free but Matthews pushes him back against the cage.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Matthews trying to control the position but instead, Gillum has worked for underhooks and has pushed Matthews into the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Matthews manages to break the clinch.
Matthews scoring well with a low kick there.
Matthews throws a half hearted mid kick.
Matthews misses with a series of wild punches.
Matthews misses with a jab, cross combination.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Matthews misses with a body shot.
Gillum swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Gillum closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Matthews did well to prevent Gillum getting side control.
Matthews is trying to maintain the position but Gillum is very close to passing his half guard.
Matthews wants to improve his position but Gillum is controlling well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gillum performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Matthews pushes Gillum off looking to stand but Gillum dives back in and keeps control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frank Gillum dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Sloppy strikes from Matthews. Those never looked like landing.
Matthews throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Matthews lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Gillum backs up against the cage.
Matthews lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Gillum backs up against the cage.
Matthews misses with a low kick.
Matthews looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Some wild striking there from Matthews.
Gillum checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

Gillum closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Gillum keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Matthews is trying to stand back up but Gillum is controlling him
Gillum looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Matthews wants to get back to his feet.
Gillum throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Gillum content to control rather than advance.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Frank Gillum.
Gillum is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Matthews swats away the attempt to clinch by Gillum.

Gillum closes the distance and clinches.

Gillum manages to break the clinch.
Gillum slips under a jab.

Matthews gets caught flat footed, as Gillum shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Matthews wants to get back to his feet but Gillum is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Frank Gillum overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Matthews working a defensive guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gillum pushes down on Matthews's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Gillum is controlling the pace.
Matthews wants to improve his position but Gillum is controlling well.
Matthews trying to control 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!
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Gillum controlling the pace.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Matthews keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gillum fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Gillum tries to close the distance and clinch up but Matthews swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A punch combination from Matthews misses.
Matthews lands with a hook. Gillum tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Matthews works over Gillum's head and body with a nice combination.
Matthews throws a head kick that misses.

Gillum drives through and clinches with Matthews against the cage.
Gillum prevents Matthews from breaking the clinch.
Matthews tries to break free but Gillum pushes him back against the cage.
Matthews wants to break the clinch but can't.
Gillum is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Matthews is defending well.

Gillum's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Matthews lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Matthews.
Matthews throws a series of punches but Gillum moves out of range.
Gillum showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Matthews.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Matthews misses with a jab, cross combination.
Gillum connects with a solid leg kick.
Matthews lunges at Gillum with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Gillum's hand.
Damon Matthews is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gillum dodges the punch combination from Matthews.
Gillum doesn't manage to clinch there - Matthews circles away.
Matthews tries to bum rush Gillum with a series of wild strikes but Gillum uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Matthews connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

Gillum instigates a clinch.
Gillum putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Matthews in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Matthews is breathing heavily.
Gillum has Matthews pushed against the cage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gillum misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Matthews.
Gillum working Matthews over with knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Frank Gillum will probably get the nod.
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!

Matthews will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Gillum takes a swing at Matthews's ribcage but misses.
Matthews lands a jab-cross combination.

Gillum throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Matthews was covering up waiting for the punch and Gillum finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Gillum is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Gillum pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Matthews is keeping the position for now.
Matthews avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Gillum 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.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

We're going to have a standup here because Frank Gillum wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Matthews avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Gillum takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gillum connects with a body shot.
Gillum tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Matthews paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Matthews lands a head kick. Gillum smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Matthews tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gillum was well out of range. Poor timing from Matthews.

Gillum moves into the clinch successfully.
Gillum keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Matthews's efforts to push away.
Gillum trying to land knees to the body.
Gillum has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Matthews after a bit of a struggle.

Gillum pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Gillum walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Gillum tries to clinch up but Matthews circles away and keeps his distance.
Gillum looks to score with a jab to the body but Matthews is just out of range.

Gillum gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Gillum is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Matthews is defending well for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Matthews escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Matthews tries to bum rush Gillum with a series of wild strikes but Gillum uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Matthews throws a right hand that Gillum ducks under and follows up with a left that Gillum also avoids with ease.
Gillum tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Matthews manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Matthews swats away the attempt to clinch by Gillum.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Matthews lands a jab-cross combination.
Matthews misses with a wild combination.

Gillum shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Matthews napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Matthews struggling a bit here.
Matthews is looking to reverse the position.
Matthews being controlled for a moment.
Matthews is trying to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gillum taking a breather here.
Gillum working away.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Gillum wants to clinch up but Matthews keeps it at a distance.
Matthews throws a series of punches but Gillum moves out of range.
Matthews lands a slapping body shot.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Matthews!
Frank Gillum is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matthews looks to land a combination but Gillum avoids it well.

Gillum dives in and scores a takedown into Matthews's guard.
Gillum controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Matthews wants to stand up but Gillum is controlling him.
Matthews takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Gillum 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.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

We're going to have a standup here because Frank Gillum wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Matthews swinging wildly here.
Matthews tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Matthews tests Gillum's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Damon Matthews has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Gillum has taken the fight to the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Frank Gillum showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Gillum, 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 Sandra Marshall scores the fight 30:27
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Frank Gillum!
Our winner, Frank Gillum, 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.