PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Rico Cole (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Morton Marshall Matthews (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Morton Marshall Matthews is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Cole
vs
Marshall Matthews

182 cm
19
155 lbs
1 - 2 - 1

172 cm
44
152 lbs
30 - 29 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Big heart

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Powerful

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 1 - 2 - 1, fighting out of London, Rico Cole!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 30 - 29 - 1, fighting out of London, Morton Marshall Matthews!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Sam Margolis and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cole misses with a body shot.
Good exchange - Cole coming out on top.
Marshall Matthews lands with an uppercut that bounces Cole off the cage and back into range.
Cole uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Marshall Matthews.
Marshall Matthews shoots for a double leg takedown but Cole sprawls well. He's pushed Marshall Matthews's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A solid body kick from Cole.
A jab from Cole finds it's way through Marshall Matthews's defenses.
Marshall Matthews lands with a kick to the temple. Cole shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Cole keeps the fight on the outside.
Marshall Matthews walks into a left hand.
Cole misses with a straight left.
Rico Cole seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cole misses with a leg kick.
Cole avoids a kick to the body.
Cole is looking for a counter combo.
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!
Marshall Matthews fails with the takedown.
Cole throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marshall Matthews tries to clinch but Cole moves out of range.
Cole half committed to a counter leg kick.
Marshall Matthews blocks a low kick nicely.
Marshall Matthews tries to clinch up but Cole circles away and keeps his distance.
Cole takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Nice sprawl there from Cole as Marshall Matthews shoots in.
Rico Cole has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Morton Marshall Matthews.
Cole throws a good cross that connects.
Cole tries to bum rush Marshall Matthews with a series of wild strikes but Marshall Matthews uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Marshall Matthews with the counter takedown but Cole avoids it easily.
Cole swings for the body but Marshall Matthews moves out of range.
Cole pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Marshall Matthews shapes to counter with a head kick.
Crunch! Marshall Matthews slams his shin into Cole's torso.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Marshall Matthews.
A swing and a miss from Cole.
Marshall Matthews shapes to counter with a head kick.
A slapping leg kick lands for Cole.
Cole throws a looping overhand right but Marshall Matthews ducks down to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No joy there for Cole, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Cole cracks a nice hook into Marshall Matthews's ribs.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Marshall Matthews has closed the distance and engaged Cole in a clinch.
Cole trying to control the position but instead, Marshall Matthews has worked for underhooks and has pushed Cole into the cage.
Cole misses with the head strike.

Cole breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Cole scores with a jab to the body.

Marshall Matthews fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Cole, pushing him back against the cage.
Marshall Matthews goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Marshall Matthews breaks the clinch.
Cole is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Marshall Matthews scores with a punch to the head.
Cole scores with a spinning back kick!
Cole tests Marshall Matthews's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Cole throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Marshall Matthews looks like he wants to counter punch here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cole smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

Marshall Matthews shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Cole has one foot on Marshall Matthews's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

Cole tries to sprawl but Marshall Matthews drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Marshall Matthews tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Cole.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cole is controlling Marshall Matthews's trapped leg to prevent Marshall Matthews from advancing to side control.
Cole knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Marshall Matthews on the ground.
Cole is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Marshall Matthews has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at London MMA Club. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cole wants to control but Marshall Matthews is keeping busy.
Cole is trying is best to control the position here.

Marshall Matthews is working for a kimura but Cole is defending it quite comfortably.
Marshall Matthews wants to free his trapped foot but Cole is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Cole blocking the ground and pound attempt from Marshall Matthews.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rico Cole dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Cole misses with a low kick.
Marshall Matthews has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Cole finds it's way round the side to connect with Marshall Matthews's head.
Marshall Matthews misses with a takedown attempt - Cole sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Morton Marshall Matthews is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Marshall Matthews wants to clinch.
Cole is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Marshall Matthews can do to turn this around?
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Marshall Matthews thows a body kick. Cole tries to catch it but that hurt him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cole tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A leg kick checked by Marshall Matthews.

Marshall Matthews moves into the clinch successfully.
Cole misses with a punch to the body.
A bit of stalling here from Marshall Matthews.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cole wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Cole has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Marshall Matthews throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Cole blocks it with crossed arms.
Marshall Matthews trying to land knees to the body.
Cole wants to get back to striking at distance but Marshall Matthews won't allow it.

Cole breaks the clinch.
Marshall Matthews misses with a head kick.
Marshall Matthews throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Cole stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

Marshall Matthews moves into the clinch.
Cole effectively controlling the action here.

Marshall Matthews escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Marshall Matthews throws a leg kick which misses Cole's front leg but catches the back leg as Cole tries to avoid it.
Marshall Matthews moves out of range of the body kick.
Cole throws an overhand right that lands on Marshall Matthews's shoulder, as Marshall Matthews tries to avoid the shot.

Marshall Matthews moves into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cole misses with a body punch.
Cole stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Marshall Matthews lands a knee to the head.
Cole lands a nice shot to the body.
Marshall Matthews misses with a knee to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Cole escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Cole throws an overhand right that lands on Marshall Matthews's shoulder, as Marshall Matthews tries to avoid the shot.
Cole connects with a jab.
Good leg kick by Marshall Matthews there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

Marshall Matthews closes the distance and clinches.
Cole tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Marshall Matthews avoids it.
Cole can't break the clinch.
Cole tries to break free but Marshall Matthews pushes him back against the cage.
Marshall Matthews lands an elbow just above Cole 's eye.

Marshall Matthews pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Marshall Matthews lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cole circles away from the clinch attempt.
Cole loads up on a big right hand but Marshall Matthews slips the punch.
A jab from Cole misses.
Marshall Matthews shoots in looking for a takedown. Cole tries to sprawl out of it but Marshall Matthews keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Cole manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Marshall Matthews feints and as Cole raises his hands in defense, Marshall Matthews changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Cole not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Marshall Matthews wanted to stand there but Cole had control of the position.
Cole has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marshall Matthews trying to control the position from guard on top but Cole is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Marshall Matthews is fighting to break Cole's control of his arms but Cole is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Cole has a closed guard, preventing Marshall Matthews from standing up.
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.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Cole has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Marshall Matthews has passed into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Morton Marshall Matthews showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Marshall Matthews blocks the body kick.
Marshall Matthews lands with a thumping leg kick.

Marshall Matthews instigates a clinch.
Cole wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Marshall Matthews has him pressed against the cage.
Cole tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Marshall Matthews's elbow.
Good body shot from Marshall Matthews.
Marshall Matthews prevents a body shot from Cole.
Marshall Matthews with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Cole breaks from the clinch.
Cole lands a nice hook to Marshall Matthews's body. Marshall Matthews takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Cole moves out of range as Marshall Matthews throws a body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Marshall Matthews goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

Marshall Matthews has managed to clinch.
Cole is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Cole wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cole pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Marshall Matthews is looking to clinch but Cole is avoiding it.
Cole was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Marshall Matthews fails with a takedown attempt.
Rico Cole is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Marshall Matthews tries to clinch up.
Marshall Matthews's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Marshall Matthews duly obliges.

Marshall Matthews throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Cole was covering up waiting for the punch and Marshall Matthews finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Marshall Matthews trying to control but Cole is working from the bottom.
Morton Marshall Matthews has got the better of the ground game so far.
Marshall Matthews won't allow Cole to sweep him here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cole is working hard here to advance position.
Marshall Matthews loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Cole looking to control.
Marshall Matthews controlling from the top position.
Cole is controlling Marshall Matthews's posture.
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.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cole tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Marshall Matthews was well out of range. Poor timing from Cole.
Cole avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Marshall Matthews connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Cole misses with a body kick.
Marshall Matthews wants to clinch.
Cole rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Marshall Matthews counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Marshall Matthews throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Marshall Matthews clinches with his opponent.
Cole has a couple of punches blocked by Marshall Matthews.
Cole tries to throw a body punch but Marshall Matthews avoids it by throwing Cole back against the cage.
A short right from Marshall Matthews.
Marshall Matthews prevents a body shot from Cole.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Marshall Matthews's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Marshall Matthews misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Cole looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Marshall Matthews takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Marshall Matthews misses with a two punch combination.

Marshall Matthews darts in and clinches Cole up against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nice body punch from Marshall Matthews - that landed with a thud.
Nice elbow from Marshall Matthews.
Cole tries a body shot but Marshall Matthews blocks it.
Marshall Matthews trying to land knees to the body.
Cole stalling.
Cole can't break the clinch.
Cole misses with a punch to the body.
Marshall Matthews misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Cole breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Cole throws the kick towards the body but Marshall Matthews avoids it.
Marshall Matthews is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Morton Marshall Matthews comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Marshall Matthews has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 William Gold scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Morton Marshall Matthews!
Our winner, Morton Marshall Matthews, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.