PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Giovani Castro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Clay Matthews (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Castro
vs
Matthews

170 cm
27
151 lbs
17 - 10 - 0

167 cm
27
161 lbs
15 - 13 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

GREEN!160
SP Ultimate Nutrition

SP Ultimate Nutrition

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 17 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Giovani Castro!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Clay Matthews!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Robert Twigg and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Matthews feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Matthews throwing strikes but missing.
Matthews throws a big elbow that misses.
Castro keeping moving, preventing Matthews from controlling successfully.
Matthews won't allow Castro to sweep him here.
Matthews is stalling in the full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Castro looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Matthews puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Castro keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Matthews has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matthews throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Castro desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Castro trying to control here.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Matthews not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Castro wants to get back to his feet.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Matthews has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Matthews throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Castro sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Castro tests Matthews's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Castro moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Castro looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Castro throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Matthews sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
A telegraphed right hand from Castro misses the target.
Matthews misses with a wild body shot.
Castro appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Matthews scores with a body shot.
Matthews is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Castro.
Matthews tries for a takedown but Castro sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Giovani Castro is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Castro throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Matthews on the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Castro throws out a powerful jab.
Matthews misses with a wild combination.
Castro throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Matthews counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Matthews is trying to drag Castro to the mat but Castro just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Matthews can't find room to land a body shot as Castro controls the action.
Castro blocking some punches.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Castro throws a head punch that misses.
Castro working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A short right from Matthews on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matthews misses with a hook from the clinch.
Castro lands a hook to the side of the head.
Castro swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Castro trying to stall but Matthews improves his position.

Matthews has clasped his hands together around Castro's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Matthews laying and praying for a moment but Castro takes advantage and regains half guard.
Matthews wants to take a breather but Castro is having none of it.
Matthews thows a huge punch but Castro dodges it nicely.
Castro is trying to maintain the position but Matthews is very close to passing his half guard.
Matthews looks to land a strike but Castro avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Clay Matthews 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.

Matthews fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
It looked like Castro was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Nice uppercut lands for Castro. That snapped Matthews's head back.
Castro throws a sloppy head kick and Matthews moves out of range easily.
Castro dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Castro throws a big shot that misses.
Castro moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromMatthews.
Matthews pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
The crowd cheers as Matthews lands an impressive looking overhand right. Castro doesn't seem phased though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matthews attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Castro circles away from the clinch attempt.
Matthews misses with a series of wild punches.
Castro throws a poor cross that misses
and Matthews counters with a right hand to the body.
Matthews misses with a head kick.
Castro throws a jab but it's blocked by Matthews.
Matthews unleashes a big counter combination but Castro bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Matthews misses with a right hand
and Castro counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Castro misses with a straight right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Castro throws a front kick aimed at Matthews's knee but Matthews avoids it well.
It seemed like Matthews was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Giovani Castro is winning the standup battle so far.
Castro takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Matthews lands a jab to Castro's midsection.
Castro scores with a jab to the jaw.
Castro lands a nice hook to Matthews's body. Matthews takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Castro throws a shot from downtown. Matthews moves away and avoids it.

Castro gets caught flat footed, as Matthews shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Matthews is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Clay Matthews has got the better of the ground game so far.
Matthews throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matthews with a flurry of punches that miss.
Matthews trying to control the position from guard on top but Castro is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Matthews is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Matthews missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Matthews postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A big right from Castro misses.
A jab from Castro misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Castro moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

Matthews is rocked!
Matthews tries to clinch up but Castro circles away and keeps his distance.
Matthews is still on wobbly legs! Can Castro finish him?
Castro is looking for an opening here. He's unloaded a big left hand that catches Matthews flush on the jaw and sends him tumbling to the canvas! Matthews is out cold! Castro holds back from landing any unnecessary shots to his unconscious opponent, as the referee reacts slowly to the situation. A brutal knockout and then some excellent sportsmanship - this guy is my new favorite fighter!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:17 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Giovani Castro!
After winning the bout, Giovani Castro thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.