PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Major Hicks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jake Mathews (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Hicks
vs
Mathews

179 cm
18
193 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
18
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Major Hicks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jake Mathews!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Dmitry Maklakov and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fight stays on the outside here - Hicks looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hicks displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Mathews.

Mathews closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Hicks's guard.
Hicks knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Mathews on the ground.
Mathews pushing down on Hicks's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Mathews wants to free his trapped foot but Hicks is holding on for dear life with his legs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mathews is nestled in close to Hicks, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Mathews wants to stand up but Hicks has a hold of him and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hicks is staying active underneath Mathews, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Mathews tries to stand and escape but Hicks is controlling the position.
Hicks wants to get back to full guard.
Hicks is trying to maintain the position but Mathews is very close to passing his half guard.

Mathews is working for a submission of some sort.
Mathews trying to control from Hicks's half guard. Hicks has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Mathews wants to stand but Hicks has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Hicks avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Mathews has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Hicks is proving hard to escape from.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Horrible takedown attempt by Mathews or perhaps it was just good defense by Hicks, which made it look bad.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mathews has closed the distance and engaged Hicks in a clinch.

Mathews manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Hicks trying to control but Mathews is working from the bottom.
Hicks showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Mathews is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Mathews has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hicks postures up.

Hicks drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Mathews dives on top into guard.

Hicks keeping moving, preventing Mathews from controlling successfully.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Mathews working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jake Mathews dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Mathews misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hicks.
Mathews looks for a takedown but Hicks sprawls well.
Mathews fails to land the takedown.
Hicks shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Mathews tries to counter with a clinch but Hicks shakes him off and moves away.

Mathews closes the distance and clinches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mathews tries to pull guard but Hicks holds him up against the cage and eventually Mathews drops back down to his feet.
Major Hicks has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jake Mathews.
Mathews tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hicks is trying to drag Mathews to the mat but Mathews just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Hicks is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Mathews is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hicks drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Mathews gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Mathews tries to land knees in the clinch but Hicks avoids the damage to the body.

Hicks pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Mathews.

Mathews gets a clinch.
Hicks drops down looking for an ankle pick but Mathews pulls his leg out and moves away.

Mathews gets caught flat footed, as Hicks shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mathews tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Mathews has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Mathews lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Mathews won't allow Hicks to sweep him here.
Jake Mathews has got the better of the ground game so far.
Mathews trying to control the position from guard on top but Hicks is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Mathews scoring with punches to the head and body.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mathews wanted to stand there but Hicks had control of the position.
Mathews stands and throws Hicks's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Mathews passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Hicks!
Mathews prevents Hicks from getting the reversal.
Mathews trying to control but Hicks is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mathews looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Mathews tries to control but Hicks wriggling away.
Hicks is trying to reverse the position but instead Mathews has taken his back - oops!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Mathews trying to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jake Mathews 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!

Mathews shoots in but Hicks avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Hicks tries to keep at a distance but Mathews has taken the fight into the clinch.

Mathews successfully pulls guard.
Mathews is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Mathews thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mathews not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Mathews is keen to just control but Hicks is a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mathews is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Mathews not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Mathews is keen to just control but Hicks is a slippery customer.
Mathews not doing much here.
Mathews wants to get back to his feet.
Mathews sitting and controlling from the half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Hicks is not content to let Mathews control the position.
Hicks wants to get back to full guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Mathews is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mathews trying to control the action but Hicks is working from the bottom.
Mathews tries to stand but his arm is trapped.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Mathews takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Mathews misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hicks.
Mathews shoots in and drives through. Hicks sprawls well.
No luck for Mathews with that takedown attempt.
Hicks fires out a quick counter leg kick but Mathews just manages to avoid it.
Major Hicks has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jake Mathews.

Mathews has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hicks is looking to take this one to the mat.
Mathews stalling in the clinch but Hicks improves position.
Hicks drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Mathews gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Hicks is trying to drag Mathews to the mat but Mathews just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Hicks avoiding damage as Mathews throws knees to the body.
Mathews fails to pull guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Mathews tries to pull guard but Hicks holds him up against the cage and eventually Mathews drops back down to his feet.
Mathews is trying to drag Hicks to the mat but Hicks just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Major Hicks has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jake Mathews is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Mathews's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

And that's the end of the fight!
Jake Mathews comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Mathews 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 Illya Tyunina scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jake Mathews!