PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rex Mathew (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Murthel Groenhart (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rex Mathew has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Mathew
vs
Groenhart

175 cm
21
160 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

195 cm
24
155 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Solid chin

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rex Mathew!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Murthel Groenhart!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Johanna Lukiainen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mathew has a takedown stuffed.
Mathew throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Groenhart's waist but Groenhart gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Mathew off to one side.
Mathew misses with a body kick.
Groenhart is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Mathew darts in looking for a takedown but Groenhart gets double underhooks and turns Mathew into the cage.
Groenhart drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Mathew defends it well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rex Mathew. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mathew blocks a head kick by Groenhart.
Mathew is looking to counter the offense by Groenhart and move into the clinch.
Groenhart shoots for a takedown but Mathew saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Groenhart moves into the clinch successfully.
Mathew looking to stall.
Groenhart fails to pull the fight into his guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Groenhart misses with an elbow over the top.
Groenhart is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Groenhart can't get the takedown.

Groenhart pulls Mathew into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mathew stops Groenhart from standing up.
Mathew controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Groenhart wants to stand up but Mathew is controlling him.
Groenhart looking for a sweep. Not yet Groenhart, not yet.

Groenhart scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Groenhart dives in for a single leg takedown but Mathew sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
As Groenhart tries to get set, Mathew tries to push him back and clinch up but Groenhart manages to avoid the attempt.
No luck for Mathew with that takedown attempt.
Mathew shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Groenhart defends it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Groenhart looks for a takedown but Mathew sprawls well.
Mathew is looking for a counter combo.
Mathew misses with a takedown
and Groenhart counters with a stiff right hand.
Groenhart looks to land a combination but Mathew avoids it well.
As Groenhart looks to move away, Mathew throws a big counter combo but Groenhart just gets out of the way.
Groenhart shoots for a double leg takedown but Mathew sprawls well. He's pushed Groenhart's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Groenhart has Mathew up against the cage in a clinch.
Groenhart is stalling here.
Groenhart tries to throw a body punch but Mathew avoids it by throwing Groenhart back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Groenhart blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Mathew prevents a takedown attempt there.
Groenhart is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Mathew gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Groenhart has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Mathew uses from the top position.
Groenhart looks winded!
Mathew not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Mathew slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Mathew wants to lay and pray for a moment but Groenhart keeps working.

Mathew is trying to get an arm triangle but Groenhart is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mathew decides to stand back up.
Mathew fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Groenhart avoids it really well and circles away.
Mathew misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Mathew throws a body shot but no joy.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mathew tries to score a power double leg takedown but Groenhart sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Mathew somewhat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Murthel Groenhart 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.

Mathew looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Groenhart is fending him off so far but Mathew persists. Nope, Groenhart circles away and we're back to standing.
Mathew displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Groenhart.
Groenhart defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Mathew.
Mathew is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Mathew defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Groenhart.
No luck for Mathew with that takedown attempt.
Groenhart now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rex Mathew. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Groenhart scores with a head kick.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Groenhart is defended easily by Mathew.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mathew fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Groenhart avoids it really well and circles away.
Groenhart shoots in and drives through. Mathew sprawls well.
Groenhart fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Mathew tries for a takedown but Groenhart sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Mathew throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Groenhart lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Mathew tries to clinch but Groenhart is having none of it.
Mathew misses with a body kick.
Mathew shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Groenhart defends it nicely.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Groenhart lands a right hook to the body.
Mathew tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Groenhart defends well and Mathew ends up having to push Groenhart into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Murthel Groenhart seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Groenhart rushes Mathew and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Stalling in the clinch from Groenhart.
Mathew tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Groenhart just stands there and leans against the cage.
Groenhart letting Mathew take a breather here.
Mathew gets underhooks to prevent Groenhart's takedown attempt.
Groenhart lands with a short head shot on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mathew is pressed up against the cage. Groenhart has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Mathew down to the mat. Mathew avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Groenhart moves out of range as Mathew throws a body kick.
Rex Mathew is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mathew is looking to clinch.
Groenhart blocks a leg kick.
Groenhart stuffs the takedown attempt from Mathew. Mathew gets slowly back to his feet.
Groenhart throws a counter combo.
Groenhart shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Mathew as he jumps to the side.
Mathew motions for Groenhart to come forward. Mathew throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.

Mathew moves into the clinch.
Groenhart drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mathew wants to take the fight to the mat but Groenhart manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Groenhart drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Mathew gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Mathew is trying to drag Groenhart to the mat but Groenhart just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Stalling in the clinch from Groenhart.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Groenhart has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Mathew is trying to keep an underhook but Groenhart manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Groenhart prevents Mathew from improving his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Murthel Groenhart showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

No luck with that takedown attempt from Mathew.
Groenhart has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Groenhart stuffs the takedown attempt from Mathew. Mathew gets slowly back to his feet.
A punch combination from Groenhart misses.
Groenhart throws a nice outside leg kick.
Groenhart tries a head kick but it misses.
Mathew attempts a counter takedown but Groenhart avoids it well and moves away.
Groenhart stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rex Mathew. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mathew throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Groenhart's waist but Groenhart gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Mathew off to one side.
Groenhart lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Groenhart shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Mathew as he avoids it easily.
Groenhart scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Mathew is defended easily by Groenhart.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mathew connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Groenhart momentarily.
Groenhart shoots in for a takedown but Mathew shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Mathew.
Groenhart throws a counter combo.
Groenhart shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Mathew sprawls well. Mathew wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Groenhart gets slowly back to his feet.
Groenhart is trying hard to land a takedown here. Mathew sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Groenhart shoots in looking for a takedown but Mathew manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Groenhart's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Mathew tries to clinch but Groenhart moves out of range.

Mathew has managed to clinch.
Mathew stalling in the clinch but Groenhart improves position.
Groenhart goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Groenhart misses with the head strike.
Mathew is trying to force a seperation but Groenhart has the dominant position.
Mathew is trying to pull guard but Groenhart turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Groenhart breaks from the clinch.
A low kick from Mathew is predictable there

and Groenhart counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Groenhart missing with knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mathew is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Mathew is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Groenhart breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Mathew fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Mathew shoots for a takedown but Groenhart saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Groenhart leaves Mathew with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Groenhart closes this distance looking for a takedown but Mathew circles away.
As Groenhart looks to move away, Mathew throws a big counter combo but Groenhart just gets out of the way.
Mathew throws the kick towards the body but Groenhart avoids it.
Groenhart tries to counter with a clinch but Mathew shakes him off and moves away.
Groenhart darts in looking for a takedown but Mathew gets double underhooks and turns Groenhart into the cage.
Mathew appears to be looking for a big counter.
Mathew tries a head kick but it misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Groenhart dives in for a single leg takedown but Mathew sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Mathew tries to circle away but Groenhart has him pinned against the cage.
Stalling in the clinch from Mathew.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Groenhart tries to pull guard but Mathew holds him up against the cage and eventually Groenhart drops back down to his feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Groenhart avoiding damage as Mathew throws knees to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Murthel Groenhart.
Well Groenhart 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight for Murthel Groenhart!
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight for Murthel Groenhart!
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight for Murthel Groenhart!

Murthel Groenhart wins by unanimous decision!