PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Conor McConnell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Morton Marshall Matthews (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McConnell comes to the cage accompanied by Immortal Technique Point of no return. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Morton Marshall Matthews was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

McConnell
vs
Marshall Matthews

172 cm
22
157 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

172 cm
44
152 lbs
29 - 28 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Powerful

AnonymouS

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Conor McConnell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 29 - 28 - 1, fighting out of London, Morton Marshall Matthews!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, William Gold and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McConnell misses with a wild combination.

Marshall Matthews rushes McConnell and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
McConnell avoiding damage as Marshall Matthews throws knees to the body.
Marshall Matthews just leaning against McConnell, taking a breather.
McConnell is trying to break the clinch but Marshall Matthews is controlling him.
The referee calls for Marshall Matthews to work.

McConnell's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
McConnell circles away from the clinch attempt.
Marshall Matthews tries to clinch up but McConnell circles away and keeps his distance.
A nice leg kick lands there from Marshall Matthews.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Marshall Matthews on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
McConnell fails to land with a series of punches.
McConnell circles away from the clinch attempt.
McConnell jabs Marshall Matthews right on the nose. Marshall Matthews blinks but takes it well.

Marshall Matthews rushes McConnell and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Marshall Matthews missing with knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marshall Matthews is looking to control McConnell's arms but McConnell gets an underhook and turns him. Now Marshall Matthews has his back to the cage.

Marshall Matthews manages to break the clinch.
McConnell tries to bum rush Marshall Matthews with a series of wild strikes but Marshall Matthews uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Conor McConnell seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Marshall Matthews tries to clinch there but McConnell circles away.
McConnell appears to be looking for a big counter.
Conor McConnell is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nice sprawl there from McConnell as Marshall Matthews shoots in.

Marshall Matthews takes the fight into the clinch.
Marshall Matthews lands a knee to the body.
A short uppercut from Marshall Matthews.
McConnell can't break the clinch.
Marshall Matthews tries a body shot but McConnell blocks it.
Marshall Matthews pushes McConnell back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A right hook to the body lands for Marshall Matthews.
McConnell blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Marshall Matthews lands an elbow that stopped McConnell in his tracks for a moment.
Marshall Matthews has McConnell pressed against the cage, preventing McConnell from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Marshall Matthews tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
McConnell tries to circle away but Marshall Matthews has him pinned against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Marshall Matthews breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A big left from McConnell misses.
Marshall Matthews misses with a takedown attempt - McConnell sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
A quick step to the side and McConnell tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Good shot there by Marshall Matthews.
McConnell misses with a two punch combination.
McConnell throws a series of punches but Marshall Matthews avoids them all with ease.
Marshall Matthews's coach down at London MMA Club was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Marshall Matthews's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Marshall Matthews slips a jab and a cross from McConnell.
McConnell displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Marshall Matthews.
Conor McConnell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Morton Marshall Matthews.
Marshall Matthews gets cracked with a nice right hand there by McConnell.
Marshall Matthews fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Marshall Matthews walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
The fight stays on the outside here - Marshall Matthews looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McConnell tries to bum rush Marshall Matthews with a series of wild strikes but Marshall Matthews uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Marshall Matthews throws a counter combo.
Marshall Matthews shoots in and drives through. McConnell sprawls well.
McConnell lands an overhand right.
McConnell lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Marshall Matthews at a distance.
McConnell scores with a decent looking hook.
No joy there for McConnell, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Marshall Matthews fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with McConnell, pushing him back against the cage.

Marshall Matthews pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
McConnell slips a jab and a cross from Marshall Matthews.
McConnell throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Marshall Matthews slips under a jab from McConnell.
McConnell keeps the fight on the outside.
Marshall Matthews tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
McConnell misses with a hook to the body
and Marshall Matthews counters with a two punch combo.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Marshall Matthews takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

Marshall Matthews darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Marshall Matthews is trying to control the action in half guard but McConnell is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
McConnell is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at Tycoon Gym that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McConnell pushes Marshall Matthews off looking to stand but Marshall Matthews dives back in and keeps control.
Marshall Matthews wants to free his trapped foot but McConnell is holding on for dear life with his legs.
McConnell avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Marshall Matthews.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

Marshall Matthews is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and McConnell defends it well.
Marshall Matthews is figuring out what he wants to do next.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
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 Conor McConnell will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Marshall Matthews is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Marshall Matthews tries to clinch up.
Marshall Matthews pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces McConnell back to the cage. Marshall Matthews follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
McConnell looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Marshall Matthews is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Marshall Matthews is looking to clinch but McConnell is avoiding it.
McConnell connects with a good right hand that stumbles Marshall Matthews. Marshall Matthews circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
McConnell misses with the combination.
McConnell fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
McConnell swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Marshall Matthews tries to clinch up but McConnell circles away and keeps his distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McConnell keeps the fight on the outside.
McConnell slaps away a takedown attempt from Marshall Matthews, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Marshall Matthews looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Marshall Matthews tries to clinch up.
McConnell seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McConnell misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Marshall Matthews.
Marshall Matthews slips a jab and a cross from McConnell.
McConnell cracks Marshall Matthews with a good jab.
McConnell throws a right and a left that both miss.
McConnell misses with a looping right.
Marshall Matthews misses with a wild combination.
Marshall Matthews lands an overhand right.
Conor McConnell is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
McConnell swats away the attempt to clinch by Marshall Matthews.
Marshall Matthews ducks under a wild hook from McConnell.
Marshall Matthews moves out of range as McConnell strikes.
Marshall Matthews drops down looking to force a counter takedown but McConnell defends it well.
McConnell works Marshall Matthews's body with a nice hook.
Marshall Matthews misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Conor McConnell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Morton Marshall Matthews.
McConnell misses with a body punch
and Marshall Matthews counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marshall Matthews gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Conor McConnell is winning the standup battle so far.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McConnell uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Marshall Matthews.

Marshall Matthews rushes McConnell and presses him up against the cage.
McConnell can't break the clinch.

McConnell breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Marshall Matthews is looking to clinch but McConnell is avoiding it.

Marshall Matthews pushes McConnell up against the cage in a clinch.
McConnell can't break the clinch.

McConnell manages to break the clinch.
McConnell works Marshall Matthews's body with a nice hook.
McConnell slips a jab and a cross from Marshall Matthews.
Nice uppercut lands for McConnell. That snapped Marshall Matthews's head back.
McConnell is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Marshall Matthews can do to turn this around?

Marshall Matthews takes the fight into the clinch.
McConnell avoids the elbow strike from Marshall Matthews, against the cage.
McConnell avoids a wild elbow strike from Marshall Matthews.

Marshall Matthews breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marshall Matthews fails with an attempt to clinch.
Marshall Matthews throws a leg kick but McConnell sees it coming and moves out of range.
McConnell rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Marshall Matthews moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
McConnell connects with a body shot that sends Marshall Matthews's belly button to the back.
McConnell throws a right and a left that Marshall Matthews avoids nicely.
Marshall Matthews takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
McConnell lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by McConnell.
McConnell connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Marshall Matthews's hands.
Marshall Matthews dodges the punch combination from McConnell.
Marshall Matthews is looking for the big counter here.
McConnell stuffs the takedown attempt from Marshall Matthews. Marshall Matthews gets slowly back to his feet.
Marshall Matthews tries to score a power double leg takedown but McConnell sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Marshall Matthews somewhat.
Marshall Matthews takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

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!
McConnell wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Marshall Matthews fails with an attempt to clinch.
McConnell fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Marshall Matthews manages to avoid it.

Marshall Matthews clinches up against the cage.
Marshall Matthews has McConnell pressed against the cage, preventing McConnell from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Marshall Matthews manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

McConnell breaks the clinch.
Marshall Matthews moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Marshall Matthews is looking to clinch but McConnell is avoiding it.
Sloppy strikes from McConnell. Those never looked like landing.
McConnell looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Marshall Matthews shapes to counter with a head kick.
McConnell throws a series of punches but Marshall Matthews avoids them all with ease.

Marshall Matthews clinches up against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Conor McConnell dominated that second round.
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. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Marshall Matthews fakes high and swings low for a body shot but McConnell manages to avoid it.
McConnell avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Marshall Matthews pushes McConnell up against the cage in a clinch.
Marshall Matthews is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. McConnell is defending well for now.

McConnell manages to break the clinch.
Marshall Matthews on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
McConnell throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Marshall Matthews counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Marshall Matthews seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Marshall Matthews tries to free his leg and advance position but McConnell is retaining full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McConnell is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Marshall Matthews trying to control the position from guard on top but McConnell is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Marshall Matthews gets to his feet - McConnell follows without any prompting.

Marshall Matthews shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Marshall Matthews advances position into side control!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Marshall Matthews happy to just control the position for now.
Marshall Matthews trying to control the action but McConnell is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marshall Matthews taking a breather here.

Marshall Matthews decides to stand up, so the ref orders McConnell to his feet.
McConnell looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Marshall Matthews tries to close the distance and clinch but McConnell swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Marshall Matthews lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Marshall Matthews.
Marshall Matthews uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by McConnell.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marshall Matthews tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Marshall Matthews shoots in for a takedown but McConnell shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Marshall Matthews closes the distance and pushes McConnell back into the cage.
Marshall Matthews keeps control of McConnell as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Marshall Matthews tries a body shot but McConnell blocks it.
Marshall Matthews tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and McConnell avoids it.

Marshall Matthews breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
McConnell throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
McConnell fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Marshall Matthews shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says McConnell as he avoids it easily.
As Marshall Matthews tries to get set, McConnell tries to push him back and clinch up but Marshall Matthews manages to avoid the attempt.
Marshall Matthews takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
McConnell lands a slapping body shot.
McConnell misses the shot to the body.
McConnell bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
McConnell lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McConnell moves out of range of the body kick.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by McConnell!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Marshall Matthews fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. McConnell sprawls well initially but Marshall Matthews persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Marshall Matthews stalling.
McConnell wants to get back to his feet.
Morton Marshall Matthews has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Marshall Matthews content to control rather than advance.
McConnell looks like he's trying to stand up.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Morton Marshall Matthews.
I think McConnell 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 Phil Schofield scores the fight 29:29
Judge William Gold scores the fight 29:28
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Conor McConnell!
A victorious Conor McConnell thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.