PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Josh Howell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mario Matiss (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Josh Howell has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Howell
vs
Matiss

210 cm
37
223 lbs
20 - 8 - 0

186 cm
47
210 lbs
26 - 20 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Josh Howell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 20 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mario Matiss!
The judges for this bout are Ron Honeybunn, Steve Erwin and Ben Hemmingworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Howell misses the jab.
Howell throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Matiss sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Howell really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Matiss misses with a body kick.
Matiss walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Matiss dips to his left and cracks Howell with an uppercut!
Matiss throws a low kick but Howell moves out of range easily.
Howell moves out of range as Matiss strikes.
Howell avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Matiss defending well as Howell loads up on a big left hand.
Matiss avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Matiss is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Howell with a body shot.
Howell looks to score with a jab to the body but Matiss is just out of range.
Matiss buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Matiss fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Howell checks it well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Howell looks to throw the jab but Matiss is out of range.
Matiss looks to land a left hand but Howell moved out of range nicely.

Matiss has closed the distance and engaged Howell in a clinch.
Howell blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Matiss controlling the action here for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Matiss creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Matiss tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Howell avoids it.
Howell drops down looking for an ankle pick but Matiss pulls his leg out and moves away.
A jab from Howell misses.

Matiss gets a clinch.
Matiss with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Matiss misses with a punch on the inside.
Matiss misses with some punches.
Matiss swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Matiss misses with a hook to the ribs.
Matiss working aggressively here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Howell lands a shoulder strike.
Howell fails to pull guard.
Howell is working for takedown but Matiss is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Josh Howell. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Howell's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A short right hand to the side of the head by Matiss.
Matiss is struggling to control the position.
Matiss tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Howell blocking some punches.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Matiss misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Howell.
Howell takes a shot to the head.
Matiss trying to land knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Matiss creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A shot in the inside from Matiss.
A head punch on the inside from Matiss fails to land.
Howell blocks an uppercut.
Matiss working Howell over with knees to the body.
Matiss misses with a knee strike.
Howell has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Matiss avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Matiss misses with some punches.
Howell's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Howell has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Matiss is trying to keep an underhook but Howell manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Matiss tries to roll over but Howell keeps him under control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Matiss keeping hold of Howell's head, controlling as best he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Howell is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Matiss works his way to full guard. Good work.
Matiss is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Howell has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Matiss is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mario Matiss dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Matiss swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
An attempted straight right counter from Howell misses the target.
Howell blocks a head kick by Matiss.
Howell looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Matiss scores with a kick to the midsection.
Howell loads up on a big right hand but Matiss slips the punch.
Howell throws a jab when Matiss was well out of range.
Matiss only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Howell checks a leg kick.
Matiss jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Both fighters circling a little - Matiss finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Matiss looks for the body kick but Howell saw that one coming.
Matiss works the jab nicely.
Howell throws a big shot that misses.
Matiss pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Howell is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Howell, as that shot connected.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Matiss motions for Howell to come forward. Matiss throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A little feinted left hand from Howell on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Matiss lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Howell has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Howell and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Matiss has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A nice leg kick lands there from Matiss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matiss wants to land a leg kick but Howell is out of range.
Howell throws a hook but Matiss avoids it easily.
Matiss wants to counter the offense by Howell and move into the clinch position.
Matiss cracks Howell with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Howell lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Matiss tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Howell was well out of range. Poor timing from Matiss.
Howell avoids the head kick by Matiss.
Matiss connects with an inside leg kick.
Mario Matiss seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Matiss walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Howell checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Howell throws a big shot that misses.
A head kick by Matiss misses
and Matiss takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Matiss throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
A big right from Howell misses.
Howell misses with a looping right.
Howell thows a left - swing and a miss!

Matiss gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Howell changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Matiss fights it off and pushes away nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matiss connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Howell momentarily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Howell takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Howell blocks a head kick by Matiss.
Matiss wants to clinch up but Howell keeps it at a distance.
Matiss slips a straight right by Howell.
Matiss lands a glancing blow to the side of Howell's head.
Howell avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Howell with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Matiss to score with a decent uppercut.
Howell ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
A swing and a miss from Howell.
Howell lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Matiss is looking to slow Howell down with leg kicks.
An inside leg kick from Matiss misses.
Matiss lands a nice leg kick that just misses Howell's sensitive parts.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Howell fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Matiss closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Matiss uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Howell.
It seemed like Matiss was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Matiss misses with a kick to the body
and Howell counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Matiss jabs at Howell's body.
Matiss ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Howell moves away.
Matiss takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Matiss throws a leg kick but Howell sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Matiss buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
A head kick misses from Matiss.
Howell keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Howell swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Matiss lands with a thumping leg kick.
A big left from Howell misses.
Matiss throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Howell ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Matiss throws a nice inside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matiss swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A left lands for Howell.
Matiss misses with a hook. Howell ducked under it nicely.
Howell looks to score with a jab to the body but Matiss is just out of range.
Matiss looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
A nice leg kick lands there from Matiss.
Matiss goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Howell checks a low kick from Matiss.
Matiss throws a low kick but it's checked well by Howell.
Howell digs a good body shot into Matiss's ribs.
Matiss misses with a kick to the body.
Matiss fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Howell manages to avoid it.
A slow jab from Howell misses its intended target.
Matiss is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Howell with a body shot.
Matiss throws a good cross that connects.
Matiss bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Matiss slips a jab from Howell.
Howell connects with a jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mario Matiss showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Howell on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Howell connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Howell blocks a leg kick.
Howell uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Matiss.
Howell takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
An attempted straight right counter from Howell misses the target.
Howell throws an overhand right that lands on Matiss's shoulder, as Matiss tries to avoid the shot.
Matiss throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Howell.
Matiss slips under a jab.
Matiss takes one to the side of the head.
Matiss slips under a jab from Howell.
Matiss displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Howell throws out the jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Howell misses with a right hand
and Matiss counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Matiss moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Matiss rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Howell moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Matiss walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Howell checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Matiss uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Howell.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Howell.
Matiss tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Howell manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Matiss tried to score with a low kick but Howell checks it.
Matiss throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Matiss misses with a low kick as Howell jumps back.
A slow jab from Howell misses its intended target.
Howell misses the shot to the body.
That kick from Matiss tenderised Howell's leg. Howell is trying to keep his angry face on.
Matiss looks to land a combination but Howell avoids it well.
Howell slips a straight right by Matiss.
It looked like Howell wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Matiss missing with a left hand there. Howell was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Howell moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Matiss misses with a body kick.
Matiss works the jab nicely.
Matiss gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Howell.
Matiss throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matiss buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Matiss lands with a kick to the temple. Howell shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Matiss throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Matiss uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Howell.
Howell misses with a straight right.
Matiss is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Howell lands with a straight right. Matiss didn't see that one coming.
A nice leg kick lands there from Matiss.
Matiss slips under a jab from Howell.
Matiss fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Howell.
Matiss looks to land a left hand but Howell moved out of range nicely.
Howell scores with a shot to the body.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Howell checks a leg kick.
It looked like Howell wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Matiss misses with a leg kick
and Howell counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Howell feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Matisss jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Matiss misses with a low kick.
Howell changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matiss tries to clinch up.
Howell throws out a loose jab but Matiss uses good head movement to avoid it.
Howell is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Matiss swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Howell misses the shot to the body.
Matiss throws a hook to the side of Howell's head but Howell sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Matiss misses the shot to the body.
Matiss tries to land a front kick but Howell steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Matiss throws a lazy body kick
and Howell connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Matiss throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Howell scores with a jab. Matiss acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Howell on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Matiss throws out a leg kick but Howell moves out of range and Matiss only half commits.
An attempted straight right counter from Howell misses the target.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Matiss.
Matiss fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Howell has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Matiss will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Howell throwing a counter right hand but Matiss manages to avoid it.
Matiss takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matiss attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Howell connects with a body shot.
Howell throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Matiss ducks under a wild hook from Howell.
Howell takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Mario Matiss is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Howell misses with a wild body shot.
Matiss counters with a body kick.
Howell scores with a decent looking hook.
Howell connects with a nice looking jab.
Matiss scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Matiss throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
A left lands for Howell.
Matiss pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A chopping leg kick lands by Matiss.
Matiss misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Josh Howell has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Howell with a body punch. A glancing blow.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mario Matiss.
I've got Matiss winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Ron Honeybunn scores the fight 28:30
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ben Hemmingworth scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mario Matiss!
After winning the bout, Mario Matiss thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.
Josh Howell spoke after the fight, saying 'My opposition fought like a 10-year-old girl tonight. I'm not sure if I got knocked out or lost a terrible decision. My head hurts. '.