PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between John Haigh (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Toshi Matoshin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Matoshin is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Mortal Kombat theme. Toshi Matoshin has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Haigh
vs
Matoshin

170 cm
26
158 lbs
18 - 11 - 0

180 cm
29
158 lbs
20 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Fury Nutrition Inc.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 11 - 0, fighting out of New York, John Haigh!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Toshi Matoshin!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Elvis Blanc and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matoshin wants to clinch up but Haigh keeps it at a distance.
Haigh connects with a single shot there.
Matoshin is looking to clinch but Haigh is avoiding it.
Matoshin fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Matoshin jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Matoshin misses with a double jab.
Haigh misses with a wild body shot.
Matoshin fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Haigh lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

It looks like Toshi Matoshin has been cut.
Matoshin avoids a punch combination nicely.
Matoshin is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Matoshin lands a nice leg kick that just misses Haigh's sensitive parts.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Haigh checks a leg kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The crowd cheers as Haigh lands an impressive looking overhand right. Matoshin doesn't seem phased though.
Matoshin walks forward, straight into a front kick from Haigh.
Matoshin tries to bum rush Haigh with a series of wild strikes but Haigh uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Haigh throws a sloppy body shot
and Matoshin connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Matoshin throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Matoshin gets in close and instigates a clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Matoshin.
Haigh struggles to land a body shot inside as Matoshin controls his hands.
Matoshin is struggling to control the position.
Haigh blocking some punches.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Haigh wants to break free but Matoshin has control.
A nice left hand lands by Haigh.
Matoshin is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Matoshin has Haigh pressed against the cage, preventing Haigh from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Matoshin escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Matoshin connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Matoshin throws a lazy uppercut
enabling Haigh to counter with a crisp jab.
Haigh looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Haigh lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Haigh tries to score a power double leg takedown but Matoshin sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Haigh somewhat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haigh misses with a body shot.
Haigh uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Matoshin.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Haigh scores with a shot to the body.
Haigh ducks under a wild hook from Matoshin.
Haigh staying out of range there.
Haigh throws a series of punches but Matoshin moves out of range.
Matoshin is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Nice uppercut lands for Haigh. That snapped Matoshin's head back.
Haigh takes a swing at Matoshin's ribcage but misses.

Matoshin moves into the clinch.
Matoshin keeps control of Haigh as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Haigh manages to break the clinch.
Matoshin staying out of range there.
Matoshin connects with an inside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haigh feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Matoshin's calf.
Haigh circles away from the clinch attempt
and Haigh counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Matoshin thinking.
Matoshin chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Matoshin scores with a sloppy right hand. Haigh should have avoided that one.
Haigh just misses with a punch to the body.
Matoshin displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Haigh lands with an uppercut that bounces Matoshin off the cage and back into range.
Matoshin scores with a jab. Haigh acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
A looping hook to the body misses from Haigh. Matoshin does a little dance to reset his feet.
Haigh fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Matoshin manages to avoid it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Haigh throws a lazy uppercut
and Matoshin counters with a stiff right hand.
Haigh throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Matoshin doesn't manage to clinch there - Haigh circles away.
Matoshin swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Matoshin loads up on a big right hand but Haigh slips the punch.
Haigh catches Matoshin with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matoshin catches Haigh with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Haigh looks to score with a jab to the body but Matoshin is just out of range.
Matoshin uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Haigh has time to react.
Haigh uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Matoshin.
Haigh needs to keep his hands up - Matoshin had a free shot at his head there.
Haigh throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Matoshin.
A swing and a miss from Haigh.
Haigh throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Haigh is looking to wear down Matoshin with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Matoshin is looking to clinch.
Haigh paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Haigh looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Matoshin doesn't manage to clinch there - Haigh circles away.
Haigh throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Haigh shoots in and gets a takedown into Matoshin's guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Matoshin working a defensive guard here.
Haigh pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Matoshin is keeping the position for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that John Haigh will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Toshi Matoshin's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Matoshin wants to clinch.
A decent looking cross lands there for Matoshin.
A looping hook to the body misses from Haigh. Matoshin does a little dance to reset his feet.
Haigh fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Matoshin checks it well.
Haigh throws a chopping leg kick but Matoshin manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Matoshin throws a looping overhand right but Haigh ducks down to avoid it.
Matoshin bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Haigh throws a push kick but Matoshin slaps the foot to one side.
Haigh misses the shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matoshin throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Haigh.
Matoshin misses with a body shot.

Matoshin rushes Haigh and presses him up against the cage.

Matoshin breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Haigh defending well as Matoshin loads up on a big left hand.
Haigh misses with a double jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from Matoshin misses.
Haigh swings away with a body shot that misses
and Matoshin counters with a nice uppercut.
John Haigh is winning the standup battle so far.
Haigh throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Haigh wants to land a leg kick but Matoshin is out of range.
Matoshin jabs at Haigh's body.
Haigh drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Haigh looks to land a left hand but Matoshin moved out of range nicely.
Haigh dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Matoshin moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Matoshin throws a jab but it's blocked by Haigh.
Matoshin moves out of range of the strikes.
Matoshin checks a low kick from Haigh.
Haigh misses with a hook. Matoshin ducked under it nicely.
Haigh throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Haigh moves away from the strike by Matoshin.
Matoshin cracks Haigh with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Haigh throws a body punch but Matoshin moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haigh displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Matoshin throws out the jab.
Haigh jabs at Matoshin's body.
A combination from Haigh does no damage.
Haigh scores with the left hand. Matoshin knows he should have avoided that one.
A big right from Matoshin misses.
Haigh throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Matoshin lands a nice shot that snaps Haigh's head back.
Haigh keeps the fight on the outside.
Matoshin thuds his right hand into Haigh's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

Haigh is rocked!
Haigh lands a jab-cross combination.
Oh Haigh is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Haigh slips under a jab from Matoshin.
A big right from Matoshin misses.
Haigh blocks a head kick by Matoshin.
Matoshin misses with a hook.
Matoshin throws a right hand that misses
letting Haigh counter with a right hand.
Matoshin misses with a hook
and Matoshin takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Haigh seems to have got his legs back now.
Haigh throws a hook to the side of Matoshin's head but Matoshin sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Haigh slips a jab and a cross from Matoshin.
Haigh's jab looks to have found its range, popping Matoshin under the eye.
Nice defenses there by Haigh.
Haigh takes a swing at Matoshin's ribcage but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matoshin wants to clinch up but Haigh keeps it at a distance.

Matoshin closes the distance and pushes Haigh back into the cage.
A right hand to the body from Haigh.
A nice right hand lands inside from Matoshin.
Haigh has a couple of punches blocked by Matoshin.
Haigh misses with the head strike.

Matoshin breaks from the clinch.
Matoshin throws a hook to the side of Haigh's head but Haigh sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Haigh scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Matoshin misses with a double jab.
Haigh swings for the body but Matoshin moves out of range.
Haigh staying out of range there.
Matoshin takes one to the chin there.
Haigh scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Matoshin doesn't seem bothered though.
Haigh fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Matoshin manages to avoid it.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Haigh is defended easily by Matoshin.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Haigh displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Matoshin throws out the jab.
A big left from Matoshin misses.
A nice inside leg kick there by Haigh. That's going to slow Matoshin down.
Matoshin throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Haigh sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Matoshin stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Haigh fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Haigh lands a right hook to the body.
Haigh throws a head kick that half lands.
A shot to the liver by Haigh. Beautiful body shot.
Matoshin keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Matoshin takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Haigh throws a jab when Matoshin was well out of range.
Matoshin avoids the body shot from Haigh.
Matoshin tries to clinch but Haigh is having none of it.
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 John Haigh will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Toshi Matoshin's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Haigh is looking to chop away at Matoshin's legs.
A slow jab from Matoshin misses its intended target.
Matoshin avoids the body shot from Haigh.
Haigh drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Haigh throws a series of punches but Matoshin avoids them all with ease.
Matoshin misses with a hook.
A swing and a miss from Haigh.
Matoshin tries to clinch but Haigh is having none of it.
Matoshin walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Matoshin slips a straight right by Haigh.
Matoshin moves into range and connects with a jab.
Nice defenses there by Haigh.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matoshin blocks a head kick by Haigh.
Haigh misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Matoshin.
Matoshin wants to clinch.
Matoshin fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Haigh manages to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haigh takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Matoshin missing with a left hand there. Haigh was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Haigh tries to land a leg kick but Matoshin saw it coming and moves away.
Matoshin throws an overhand right that lands on Haigh's shoulder, as Haigh tries to avoid the shot.
Matoshin throws a jab when Haigh was well out of range.
Matoshin lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Matoshin ducks under a wild hook from Haigh.
Matoshin takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Matoshin throws a shot from downtown. Haigh moves away and avoids it.
Matoshin takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Matoshin tries to clinch there but Haigh circles away.
Matoshin tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Haigh looks to throw the jab but Matoshin is out of range.
Matoshin uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Haigh.
Haigh looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Haigh swings for the body but Matoshin moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haigh throws a one two combo.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Matoshin pushes Haigh up against the cage in a clinch.
Haigh struggles to land a body shot inside as Matoshin controls his hands.
Haigh lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Matoshin.
Haigh is working for takedown but Matoshin is calmly controlling the position for now.
A short uppercut from Haigh.
Haigh misses with a short punch on the inside.
Matoshin lands a right hand.
Haigh blocks an uppercut.
Haigh letting Matoshin take a breather here.
Haigh is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Toshi Matoshin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Haigh lands with a short shot to the head.
Matoshin takes a shot to the head.
Haigh digs a right hand into Matoshin's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Matoshin's gas tank.
Toshi Matoshin seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matoshin swings wildly with an uppercut but Haigh uses good head movement to avoid it.
Matoshin makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Haigh letting Matoshin take a breather here.
Matoshin swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Haigh misses with the head strike.
Haigh wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Matoshin has him pressed against the cage.
Matoshin tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Haigh's elbow.

Haigh breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Matoshin throws an off balance right hand
and Haigh counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Haigh takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Matoshin pivots, looking for a leg kick but Haigh is out of range and Matoshin settles back down.

Matoshin moves into the clinch successfully.
Matoshin lands a right hand.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Haigh's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Matoshin lands a nice leg kick that just misses Haigh's sensitive parts.
Haigh thumps Matoshin with a low kick.
Matoshin fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
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!
A swing and a miss from Matoshin.
Haigh connects with a looping right hand.
Haigh punishes Matoshin's body with a nice straight punch.

Matoshin fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Haigh, pushing him back against the cage.
Matoshin lands a hook to the side of the head.
Matoshin working aggressively here.
Stalling in the clinch from Matoshin.
Haigh wants to get back to striking at distance but Matoshin won't allow it.
Matoshin prevents a body shot from Haigh.
A head punch on the inside from Matoshin fails to land.
Haigh scores with a hook to the body.
Matoshin takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Haigh stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.

Haigh pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Toshi Matoshin.
I think Haigh has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Yves DeLean scores the fight 30:28
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 29:28
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Haigh!
John Haigh took to the mic after the fight and begged the organizational hierarchy for a shot at the title.