PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Islam Makhachev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Caliman Matos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Makhachev comes to the cage accompanied by HEY MAMA - David Guetta ft Nicki Minaj & Afrojack. Islam Makhachev has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Makhachev
vs
Matos

180 cm
22
190 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

188 cm
22
189 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Good gas tank

Mohito Fightwear

Bullet Proof System
KAISER Nutrition - Q160/$250

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Islam Makhachev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Caliman Matos!
The judges for this bout are Jeff Smith, Roger Salmon and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matos moves out of range of the strikes.
Matos fails with a takedown attempt.
Makhachev misses with an uppercut. Matos saw that one coming.
Makhachev throws a right and a left that both miss.

Matos drives through with a takedown into guard.
Matos lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Matos trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Matos is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Makhachev seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Makhachev wants to stand up but Matos is controlling him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matos tries to free his leg and advance position but Makhachev is retaining full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makhachev is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Makhachev scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Matos walks into a stiff left hand from Makhachev.

Matos darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Makhachev wants to get back to his feet.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Matos working his ground and pound in the gym. So far it seems to be working well.
Makhachev keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Matos is working for a kimura but Makhachev is defending it quite comfortably.

Makhachev makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Islam Makhachev is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two 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!
Matos fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Makhachev avoids it really well and circles away.
Makhachev fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Makhachev tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Matos fails with a takedown attempt.
Islam Makhachev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Caliman Matos.
Matos looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Makhachev is fending him off so far but Matos persists. Nope, Makhachev circles away and we're back to standing.
Matos fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Makhachev lands a jab to the head.
Matos shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Makhachev defends it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Makhachev misses the target.

Makhachev throws a big overhand right that connects, sending Matos tumbling to the canvas!

Matos is rocked!
Makhachev wants to stand but Matos is controlling his posture from full guard.
Matos is still in real trouble! Can Makhachev finish him?
Matos wants to sweep here but Makhachev controlling him for the moment.
Matos seems to have recovered his senses.

Matos looking for a guillotine here but Makhachev defends easily.
Makhachev is looking to stand up but Matos won't let him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matos working a defensive guard here.

Matos has an active guard here but Makhachev has managed to pass into half guard.
Makhachev seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.

Matos looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Matos has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Makhachev is working away from the top position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Islam Makhachev dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Matos displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Makhachev throws out the jab.
Matos is looking for the big counter here.
Matos shoots in looking for a takedown. Makhachev tries to sprawl out of it but Matos keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Makhachev manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Matos.

Matos drives through with a takedown into Makhachev's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Matos trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Matos passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Matos scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Makhachev to see if he's OK.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matos grinds an elbow into Makhachev's temple.
Matos tries to advance to mount but can't.
Makhachev is trying to buck Matos off.
Makhachev is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Matos can do to turn this around?

That's one minute gone in the round.

Matos goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Makhachev has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Matos but great work by Makhachev.

Makhachev stands up and beckons Matos to his feet.
Makhachev waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Matos.

Matos drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Matos tries to move into full mount but can't pass Makhachev's legs.

Matos wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Makhachev, who protects the arm well.
Makhachev is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Matos asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Caliman Matos has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Matos is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Makhachev has escaped the position, nice work there.
Matos tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Makhachev wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Matos advances to full mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matos unloading with bombs!
Matos working Makhachev over with strikes here.
Makhachev trying desperately to get to his feet.

Matos looking to secure an arm triangle but Makhachev defends it well.
Makhachev is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Matos is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Makhachev can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Matos is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Makhachev can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

Matos working for a submission but Makhachev is keeping him at bay.

Matos moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Makhachev has worked his arm free - good work by Makhachev!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Makhachev wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Matos postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Matos scoring with punches and elbows.
Makhachev wants to get back to his feet.
Matos has knee on belly momentarily but Makhachev bucks him off and regains half guard.

Makhachev kicks off Matos and gets to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Caliman Matos showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Matos looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Matos fails with a takedown attempt.
Islam Makhachev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Makhachev uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Makhachev ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

Makhachev lands a big shot that drops Matos! Can he finish him?
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Matos is working an open guard so Makhachev takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Makhachev lands an uppercut, right on the button! Matos tumbles backwards into the cage, staring vacantly into space! He's got no idea where he is, who he is or what day it is... Poor guy.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:47 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Islam Makhachev!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Islam Makhachev waved his t-shirt featuring Mohito Fightwear's logo in front of the cameras.