PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Chris Bixler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brian Mathews (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Bixler
vs
Mathews

195 cm
18
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

170 cm
18
143 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Dangerous knees
Inexperienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Chris Bixler!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Brian Mathews!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Steve Montenegro and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mathews works over Bixler's head and body with a nice combination.
Bixler is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Mathews cracks Bixler with a good jab.
Bixler tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Mathews counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Mathews fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Bixler, pushing him back against the cage.
Mathews takes a knee right on the jaw!
Knees to the body from Bixler.
Bixler tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Mathews blocks an uppercut.
Bixler with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Bixler tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bixler scores a nice knee to the body.
Bixler lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Bixler with an attempt at a knee that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bixler misses with a hook from the clinch.
Bixler really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Bixler misses with a knee to the head.
Bixler trying to land knees to the body.
Mathews managing to block the knees to the body from Bixler.
Bixler misses with a punch on the inside.
Mathews lands with a left to the head.
Bixler with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Bixler tries to land knees in the clinch but Mathews avoids the damage to the body.
Mathews misses with a body punch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Bixler throws a knee to the head but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bixler misses with a knee strike.
Mathews takes a shot to the head.
Bixler landing knees to the head.
Bixler misses with a knee strike.
Bixler is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Mathews is defending well for now.
A short right from Bixler.
Bixler lands a knee to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bixler with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Bixler with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Mathews takes a knee right on the jaw!
Bixler tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
A knee to the head by Bixler.
Bixler misses with a knee strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mathews looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Bixler throws a knee to the head but misses.
Mathews on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Mathews works on Bixler's body with a couple of short punches.
Mathews misses with a punch to the body.
Bixler tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Bixler avoiding damage as Mathews throws knees to the body.
Bixler with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Mathews on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Bixler misses with a knee to the head.

Mathews breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A solid leg kick lands there for Mathews.

Bixler drives through and clinches with Mathews against the cage.
Bixler tries to land a knee to the head but Mathews blocks with his arms.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bixler throws a knee to the head but misses.
Bixler throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Mathews blocks it with crossed arms.
Mathews cracks Bixler with a nice body shot.
Mathews is trying to break free.
Bixler with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
A left hand lands to the body for Mathews.
Bixler tries a knee to the head but Mathews blocks it.
Bixler tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Mathews managing to block the knees to the body from Bixler.
Mathews slows down the pace here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nice body punch from Mathews.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Bixler dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Mathews misses with a few strikes there.
Bixler doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
A head kick misses from Bixler.
Mathews lands with a shot to the body.
Mathews lands a lovely overhand right.
Bixler doesn't manage to clinch there - Mathews circles away.
Mathews circles away from the clinch attempt.
Bixler takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

Bixler closes the distance and pushes Mathews back into the cage.
Bixler misses with a knee to the head.
Bixler scores a nice knee to the body.
Bixler with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Bixler on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Bixler is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Mathews can do to turn this around?
Mathews throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Bixler tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bixler taking a breather.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bixler tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Mathews avoids it.
Bixler with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Bixler misses with a hook from the clinch.
Bixler misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Mathews.
A left hand lands to the body for Mathews.
Bixler throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Mathews blocks it with crossed arms.
Bixler misses with a knee strike.
Bixler throws a knee to the head but misses.
Mathews blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Mathews on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Bixler throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Mathews blocks it with crossed arms.
Mathews is working Bixler over against the cage.
Mathews lands a body shot in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Mathews creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Bixler throws a knee to the head but misses.
Bixler with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Mathews struggles to land a body shot inside as Bixler controls his hands.
Bixler tries to land a knee to the head but Mathews blocks with his arms.
Bixler tries a knee to the head but Mathews blocks it.
Bixler throws a punch but it's blocked by Mathews.
Bixler tries a knee to the head but Mathews blocks it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bixler using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Mathews has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Mathews blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Bixler has Mathews pressed against the cage.
Mathews lands with a light punch inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mathews tries to break the clinch but Bixler is controlling the position.
Bixler tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Chris Bixler has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Bixler using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Mathews has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Bixler tries to land a knee to the head but Mathews blocks with his arms.
Mathews lands a right hand.
Bixler misses with a knee strike.
Bixler with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Mathews is trying to push Bixler away but Bixler has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Bixler misses with a knee strike.
Mathews tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Bixler's elbow.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Mathews in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Mathews wants to break the clinch but can't.
Bixler throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Mathews blocks it with crossed arms.
Bixler looking to throw knees to the head but Mathews is blocking nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bixler misses with the head strike.
Bixler misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Mathews.
Bixler with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Bixler connects with a nasty looking knee right to Mathews's face.
The referee calls for Mathews to work.
Bixler misses with a knee to the head.
Bixler tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Mathews lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Bixler tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Mathews avoids it.
Bixler looking to throw knees to the head but Mathews is blocking nicely.
Bixler lands a left hand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mathews wants to break the clinch but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Bixler dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Mathews stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Mathews fails to land with a series of punches.
Mathews slips under a jab.
Chris Bixler is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bixler moves in looking to clinch but Mathews pushes him off.
Bixler tries to clinch up but Mathews circles away and keeps his distance.
Mathews avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Mathews lands the left hand.
Bixler tries to land a leg kick but Mathews saw it coming and moves away.
Mathews scores with a sloppy right hand. Bixler should have avoided that one.
Bixler tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Mathews manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Mathews lands with an uppercut that bounces Bixler off the cage and back into range.
Bixler moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Bixler is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Mathews thuds his right hand into Bixler's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Mathews ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bixler tries to clinch but Mathews is having none of it.
Bixler tries to clinch there but Mathews circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mathews bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Bixler's head backwards.
Bixler tries to clinch but Mathews moves away
and Bixler takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Mathews dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Mathews throws out a powerful jab.
Mathews has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Bixler is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Bixler closes the distance looking to clinch
and Mathews counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Mathews fails to land with a series of punches.
Mathews lunges at Bixler with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Bixler's hand.

Bixler rushes Mathews and presses him up against the cage.
Mathews throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Bixler misses with a knee to the head.
Bixler misses with a knee strike.
Bixler working some nice short punches in the clinch.
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!
Mathews on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mathews misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Bixler lands a good knee to the midsection. Mathews won't want to take too many of those.
Mathews is trying to break the clinch but Bixler is controlling him.
Bixler takes a shot to the head.
Bixler throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Mathews blocks it with crossed arms.
Bixler missing with knees to the body.
Bixler misses with a knee to the head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bixler tries to land a knee to the head but Mathews blocks with his arms.
Bixler working aggressively here.
Bixler misses with a knee strike.

Mathews breaks the clinch.
Mathews scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

Bixler is rocked!
A jab from Mathews finds it's way through Bixler's defenses.
Oh Bixler is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mathews rushes Bixler and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Bixler tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Bixler misses with a short punch on the inside.
A right handed body shot lands from Mathews.
Mathews lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Bixler or not.
Mathews lands a body shot.
Bixler tries to land a knee to the head but Mathews blocks with his arms.
Mathews works on Bixler's body with a couple of short punches.
Bixler seems to have got his legs back now.
Bixler with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Bixler trying to land knees to the body.
Bixler landing knees to the head.
Bixler throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Mathews blocks it with crossed arms.
Bixler with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Bixler misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Mathews.
Mathews tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Bixler's elbow.
Brian Mathews has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bixler tries to stall but Mathews uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Bixler throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Mathews blocks it with crossed arms.
Mathews tries to circle away but Bixler has him pinned against the cage.
Bixler tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Bixler misses with a knee strike.
Bixler is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Mathews is keeping busy.
Mathews has Bixler pushed against the cage.
Bixler misses with a knee strike.
Mathews misses with a body punch.
Chris Bixler is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Mathews on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Brian Mathews comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Bixler 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 Jonathan Paton scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chris Bixler!