PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Sam Campobello (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matsuda Taro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Campobello
vs
Taro

168 cm
24
150 lbs
9 - 9 - 0

164 cm
24
145 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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 9 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Sam Campobello!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Matsuda Taro!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, Joseph Jones and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Taro misses with a low kick.
Campobello checks the leg kick.
Campobello tries to counter by clinching up but Taro breaks away and moves out of range.
Taro jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Good shot there by Taro.
Taro lands with a nice body punch.
A combination from Taro does no damage.
Campobello tries to clinch up.
Taro feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Campobellos jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Taro avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Campobello tries to clinch there but Taro circles away.

Taro instigates a clinch.
Taro doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taro lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Campobello lands with a short shot to the head.
Taro lands a hook that snaps the head of Campobello backwards.
Campobello scores with a shot to the side of Taro's head.
Taro lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Taro swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Campobello is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Still in the clinch, Taro scores with a nice short uppercut.
Campobello tries a body shot but Taro blocks it.
Campobello takes a shot to the head.
Taro lands a shoulder strike.
Campobello wants to stall.
A body shot lands from Campobello.
Taro avoiding damage as Campobello throws knees to the body.
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!
Campobello lands a right hand that snaps the head of Taro backwards.
Campobello using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Taro has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Taro scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Taro goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taro prevents a body shot from Campobello.
Campobello is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Taro is defending well for now.
Taro misses with a short punch on the inside.
Campobello taking a breather.
Taro lands a nice shot to the body.
Taro misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Taro misses with the head strike.
Campobello is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Campobello scores with a knee to the head.
Campobello throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Taros head.
Campobello has Taro pressed against the cage.
Taro lands with a short shot to the head.
Taro blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Campobello misses with a short punch on the inside.
Campobello swings wildly with an uppercut but Taro uses good head movement to avoid it.
Campobello lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Taro has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Campobello seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Taro can turn it around.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Campobello looking to slow down the pace here.
Campobello seems a little flustered. He's come in with the intention of controlling the clinch but Taro is preventing him from doing so, at least for the moment.
Taro lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Taro goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Taro misses with a punch to the body.
Campobello swings wildly with an uppercut but Taro uses good head movement to avoid it.
Campobello prevents a body shot from Taro.
Stalling in the clinch from Taro.
Taro lands with a right to the head.
Campobello tries a knee to the head but Taro blocks it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Taro.
Campobello missing with knees to the body.
A nice left hand lands by Taro.
Campobello is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Taro is keeping busy.
Campobello controlling the action here for a moment.
Still in the clinch, Taro scores with a nice short uppercut.
Taro cracks Campobello with a nice body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Campobello fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Campobello goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Taro struggles to land a body shot inside as Campobello controls his hands.
Taro lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Taro pushes Campobello back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Campobello tries to stall but Taro uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Taro throws a punch but it's blocked by Campobello.
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!
Taro has a couple of punches blocked by Campobello.
Taro lands with a right to the head.
Campobello misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Taro.
A head punch on the inside from Taro fails to land.
Campobello definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Taro swings wildly with an uppercut but Campobello uses good head movement to avoid it.
Taro lands a body shot in the clinch.
A short uppercut from Campobello.
Taro works on Campobello's body with a couple of short punches.
Campobello tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Taro lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Taro lands a body punch in the clinch.
Campobello lands with a right to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matsuda Taro dominated that 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.

Taro digs a good hook to Campobello's body.
Taro lands a body shot.
A swing and a miss from Taro.
Horrible takedown attempt by Campobello or perhaps it was just good defense by Taro, which made it look bad.
The crowd cheers as Taro lands an impressive looking overhand right. Campobello doesn't seem phased though.
Campobello tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Taro manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Campobello moves out of range of the strikes.
Matsuda Taro seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Taro throws a series of punches but Campobello moves out of range.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Campobello fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Taro blocks an uppercut.
Campobello prevents a body shot from Taro.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Taro just leaning against Campobello, taking a breather.
Campobello is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Campobello throws a punch but it's blocked by Taro.
Taro lands an uppercut.
Campobello lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Taro can't find room to land a body shot as Campobello controls the action.
Matsuda Taro seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A left hand lands to the body for Taro.
Taro has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Taro misses with a hook from the clinch.
Taro misses with a body punch.
Campobello throws an elbow but it misses.
Taro lands with a light punch inside.
Taro lands with a left to the head.
Campobello manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Taro scores with a nice hook to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taro misses with the head strike.
Campobello's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Taro lands with a right to the head.
Campobello tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Campobello misses with the head strike.
Taro tries to work over Campobello's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Taro pushes Campobello back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Taro.
Taro can't find room to land a body shot as Campobello controls the action.
Taro avoiding damage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Taro.
Campobello blocks an uppercut.
Campobello misses with a hook from the clinch.
Campobello scores with a shot to the side of Taro's head.
Campobello makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Campobello working aggressively here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Campobello stalling.
Campobello lands with a left to the head.
Taro lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Campobello or not.
A nice right hand lands inside from Taro.
Nice body punch from Taro - that landed with a thud.
Campobello misses with the head strike.
Campobello takes a shot to the head.

Campobello is rocked!
Taro holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Oh Campobello is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Taro struggles to land a body shot inside as Campobello controls his hands.
Taro lands a body shot.
Campobello seems to have got his legs back now.
Campobello taking a breather.
A nice right hand lands inside from Taro.
Taro lands an uppercut.
Taro pushes Campobello back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Taro lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Campobello tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Taro throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Campobellos head.
Campobello fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taro throws a head punch that misses.
A head punch on the inside from Taro fails to land.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Taro.
Taro can't find room to land a body shot as Campobello controls the action.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Campobello.
Campobello blocking some punches.
Campobello misses with a knee to the head.
Taro tries a body shot but Campobello blocks it.
Taro makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Taro misses with a body punch.
Campobello blocks a body shot from Taro.
Taro presses Campobello against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Campobello tries to land a knee to the head but Taro blocks with his arms.
Campobello blocking some punches.
Taro goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A hook to the body from Taro.
Taro holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Campobello tries to land a knee to the head but Taro blocks with his arms.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matsuda Taro showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Taro takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Taro throws out a leg kick but Campobello moves out of range and Taro only half commits.
Campobello tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Taro manages to circle out of the way.
Matsuda Taro seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Taro fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Some wild striking there from Taro.

Campobello gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Taro lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Campobello backwards.
Taro scores with a nice hook to the head.
Taro misses with a body punch.
Taro lands an uppercut.
Taro takes an elbow to the forehead.
Taro working aggressively here.
Taro misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Campobello tries to land a knee to the head but Taro blocks with his arms.
Taro lands with a short shot to the head.
Taro tries to throw a body punch but Campobello avoids it by throwing Taro back against the cage.
Taro doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Taro lands a shot to the body.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Campobello.
Taro blocks an uppercut.
Campobello blocking some punches.
Campobello misses with a short punch on the inside.
Taro misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Taro lands a hook that snaps the head of Campobello backwards.
Campobello takes a shot to the head.
Campobello trying to stall but Taro improves his position.
Campobello makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Taro lands with a short shot to the head.
Taro tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Taro misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taro blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Campobello displaying some good clinch control by pressing Taro up against the cage.
Taro tries a body shot but Campobello blocks it.
Taro blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Taro lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Campobello throws a punch but it's blocked by Taro.
Taro can't find room to land a body shot as Campobello controls the action.
Taro displaying some good clinch control by pressing Campobello up against the cage.
Campobello misses with a punch on the inside.
Campobello is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Taro is defending well for now.
Campobello swings wildly with an uppercut but Taro uses good head movement to avoid it.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Taro.
Campobello throws a head punch that misses.
Taro misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taro pushes Campobello back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Taro lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A nice left hand lands by Campobello.
Taro has a couple of punches blocked by Campobello.
Taro lands with a right to the head.
Taro tries a body shot but Campobello blocks it.
Taro tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Campobello's elbow.
Taro throws a head punch that misses.
Taro takes a knee to the side of the body.
Taro lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Matsuda Taro is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Campobello tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Campobello misses with a knee to the head.
Taro throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Campobellos head.
Taro lands a body shot in the clinch.
Campobello stalling.
Nice body punch from Taro - that landed with a thud.
Taro misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Taro tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Campobello misses with a knee strike.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Campobello throws a punch but it's blocked by Taro.
Campobello can't find room to land a body shot as Taro controls the action.
Taro blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Campobello blocking some punches.
Campobello misses with some punches.
Campobello blocking some punches.
Campobello slowing the pace effectively.
Campobello tries a knee to the head but Taro blocks it.
Taro lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Sam Campobello has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Taro lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Campobello tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matsuda Taro comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Taro 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 Lou da Vinci scores the fight 27:30
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matsuda Taro!
A less than humble Matsuda Taro misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.