PBP Commentary

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

Matthews
vs
Aybara

195 cm
29
263 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

188 cm
27
245 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Great elbows
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Max Matthews!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Perrin Aybara!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matthews tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Aybara defends well and Matthews ends up having to push Aybara into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Matthews is looking for a takedown.
Aybara is defending well against a takedown attempt.
I was talking to Matthews's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Max Matthews. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Matthews is pressed up against the cage. Aybara has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Matthews down to the mat. Matthews avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Aybara fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Matthews to the ground. Aybara is now in Matthews's guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Aybara trying to control the position from guard on top but Matthews is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Aybara 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.
Aybara stops Matthews from standing up.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Perrin Aybara wasn't active enough on the ground.
Matthews shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Aybara counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Aybara.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aybara gets underhooks to prevent Matthews's takedown attempt.

Matthews pulls Aybara into guard.
Matthews keeping moving, preventing Aybara from controlling successfully.
Aybara wanted to stand there but Matthews had control of the position.
Aybara pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Matthews is keeping the position for now.
Aybara stops Matthews from standing up.
Matthews controlling the position.
Aybara scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aybara sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Matthews's guard.
Aybara wants to stand up but Matthews is controlling the position.
Aybara seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Matthews avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Aybara.
Aybara is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Matthews is trying to escape back to his feet but Aybara uses the scramble to pass into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aybara trying to control the action but Matthews is working from the bottom.
Matthews is pushing Aybara's head away, looking to escape. Aybara manages to hold on to the position though.
Matthews is looking for a sweep.
Matthews managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Aybara.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Aybara taking a break here but Matthews is having none of it and regains half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Aybara decides to return to a standing position.
Matthews misses with a head kick.
Matthews darts in looking for a takedown but Aybara gets double underhooks and turns Matthews into the cage.
Aybara is trying to stall.
Matthews tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Aybara's elbow.
Matthews is looking to take this one to the mat.

Aybara breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Aybara decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Matthews is not content to let Aybara control the position.
Aybara passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Matthews!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Perrin Aybara dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Aybara closes this distance looking for a takedown but Matthews circles away.
Max Matthews seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Matthews fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Matthews closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Aybara quickly recovers to half guard.
Matthews content to control rather than advance.
Perrin Aybara has got the better of the ground game so far.
Aybara trying to control here.
Matthews thows a huge punch but Aybara dodges it nicely.
Aybara is trying to stand.
Matthews throwing shots but Aybara is blocking nicely.
Aybara is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aybara throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Aybara blocking the ground and pound attempt from Matthews.
Aybara makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Aybara.
Matthews wants to control from the top but Aybara keeps moving.
Aybara doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Matthews trying to control but Aybara is working from the bottom.
Aybara is pulling down on Matthews's head. It's preventing any offense from Matthews, at least for the moment.
Matthews stopping the sweep attempt from Aybara.
Matthews wants to control from the top but Aybara keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Max Matthews.
Matthews with a poor takedown
and Aybara counters with a nice low kick that buckles Matthews's knee momentarily.
Aybara shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Matthews defends it nicely.
Nice sprawl there from Aybara as Matthews shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Max Matthews. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Matthews gets tackled into the cage by Aybara. Aybara maintains the clinch.
Aybara gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Matthews.
Aybara prevents a takedown attempt there.
Aybara pushes Matthews back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Aybara gets underhooks to prevent Matthews's takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aybara prevents a takedown attempt there.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Aybara goes for a takedown attempt but Matthews pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Aybara has taken the fight to the clinch.

Aybara manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Matthews scoring with some ground and pound.
Aybara managing to control the position.
Aybara's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Aybara avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Matthews working some strikes from top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aybara has Matthews pulled in close to control his posture.
Matthews wants to control from the top but Aybara keeps moving.
Matthews looking to sit in guard and control but Aybara gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Aybara controlling from the top position.
Matthews is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Aybara is controlling him.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Aybara wants to control from the top but Matthews keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Perrin Aybara will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Aybara drives through and clinches with Matthews against the cage.
Matthews tries for a takedown. No joy.
Aybara slows down the pace here.

Matthews lands a takedown into guard.
Aybara striking off his back, scoring a few points.
Matthews trying to control but Aybara is working from the bottom.
Matthews with a flurry of punches that miss.

Matthews avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Aybara manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Matthews manages to get himself to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matthews wants to stand up but Aybara is controlling him.

Aybara gets to his feet - Matthews follows without any prompting.

Aybara has Matthews up against the cage in a clinch.
Aybara tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Matthews drops down looking for an ankle pick but Aybara pulls his leg out and moves away.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Aybara.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Aybara.
Max Matthews has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Perrin Aybara.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Matthews tries to keep at a distance but Aybara has taken the fight into the clinch.
Matthews is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Aybara looking for a takedown.

Aybara breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Max Matthews is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Matthews shoots in for a double leg but Aybara sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Aybara clinches with his opponent.

Aybara lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Aybara wants to take a breather but Matthews is having none of it.
Matthews wants to get back to his feet.
Aybara content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aybara prevents Matthews from improving his position.
Aybara wants to take a breather but Matthews is having none of it.

Perrin Aybara has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Matthews stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Matthews wants it to stay on the feet.
Matthews goes for a double leg but Aybara avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Aybara continues to drive forward.

Aybara has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Matthews is trying to keep an underhook but Aybara manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Matthews is not content to let Aybara control the position.
Matthews keeping hold of Aybara's head, controlling as best he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matthews won't allow Aybara to pass to mount.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Aybara trying to mount his opponent but Matthews defends it.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Perrin Aybara wasn't active enough on the ground.
Matthews shoots in for a takedown but Aybara shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Aybara shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Matthews is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Perrin Aybara really dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Matthews closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Aybara being controlled against the cage.
Aybara is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Matthews is keeping busy.
Matthews tries to score a body lock takedown but Aybara shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Aybara tries to pull guard but Matthews holds him up against the cage and eventually Aybara drops back down to his feet.
Matthews has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Aybara is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Aybara escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Matthews tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Matthews tries to clinch there but Aybara circles away.

Aybara fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Matthews, pushing him back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Aybara's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Matthews tries a head kick but it misses.
Aybara wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Aybara shoots in for a double leg but Matthews sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Matthews tries to score a power double leg takedown but Aybara sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Matthews somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Max Matthews. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Aybara fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Matthews avoids it really well and circles away.
Aybara throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Matthews closes the distance and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matthews fails to pull guard.
Matthews drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Aybara gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Matthews tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Aybara just stands there and leans against the cage.
Aybara goes for a takedown in the clinch but Matthews prevents it.
Matthews goes for a takedown in the clinch but Aybara prevents it.
Aybara is defending well against a takedown attempt.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Matthews is trying to drag Aybara to the mat but Aybara just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Matthews is working for takedown but Aybara is calmly controlling the position for now.

Aybara's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matthews fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Some wild striking there from Aybara.
Matthews shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Aybara defends it nicely.

Aybara has Matthews up against the cage in a clinch.
Matthews has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Aybara after a bit of a struggle.

Aybara manages to break the clinch.
Aybara throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Matthews's waist but Matthews gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Aybara off to one side.
Matthews looks for a takedown but Aybara sprawls well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aybara misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Matthews shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Aybara but Aybara pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Aybara circles away from the clinch attempt.
Aybara changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Matthews tries to avoid it but Aybara manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Matthews to the ground. Matthews escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Aybara fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Perrin Aybara seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Aybara fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Matthews, pushing him back against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Aybara pulls guard effortlessly.
Matthews working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Aybara controls Matthews momentarily but Matthews frees himself.
Matthews trying to control the position from guard on top but Aybara is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Perrin Aybara will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Aybara keeps the fight on the outside.
Danga de danga de dang - Matthews scores with a four punch combination!

Aybara moves into the clinch.
Matthews can't get the takedown.
Aybara goes for a takedown attempt but Matthews pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Matthews looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Aybara is fending him off so far but Matthews persists. Nope, Aybara circles away and we're back to standing.
Aybara will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Aybara slaps away a takedown attempt from Matthews, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Max Matthews. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Matthews throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matthews looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Aybara closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Aybara lands in his opponent's guard.
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.

Aybara stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Aybara closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Aybara lands in his opponent's guard.
Matthews wants to stand up but Aybara is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aybara not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Perrin Aybara.
Matthews has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Aybara.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A left and a right from Aybara both land. Nice combination.
A head kick misses from Aybara.
A jab lands there for Aybara.
Matthews tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Aybara has closed the distance and engaged Matthews in a clinch.

Aybara tightens his grip and picks Matthews up, before dumping him to the ground. Matthews manages to land in guard.
Matthews is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Aybara is controlling him.
Matthews is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Max Matthews has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Matthews can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Aybara controls the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Matthews controls Aybara momentarily but Aybara frees himself.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Max Matthews.

Aybara has taken the fight to the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Aybara ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Aybara no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Matthews throwing strikes from guard but Aybara blocks nicely.
Matthews loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Matthews throws a big right hand that misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Aybara avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Matthews working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Perrin Aybara is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Matthews distracts Aybara with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Matthews is looking to work some ground and pound but Aybara has wrist control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Perrin Aybara comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Aybara has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight for Perrin Aybara!
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight for Perrin Aybara!
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight for Perrin Aybara!

Perrin Aybara wins by unanimous decision!