PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Matthews (ranked 7038 p4p, 0 weight class) and Uri Romanov (ranked 4914 p4p, 0 weight class). Uri Romanov will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Matthews
vs
Romanov

199 cm
21
251 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

193 cm
25
222 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Alexander Matthews!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Uri Romanov!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Luis Engracia and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Romanov throws a head kick but Matthews moves out of range.
Matthews misses with a looping right.
Matthews takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Matthews fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Romanov takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Romanov's coach down at Cozad MMA Rio was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Romanov's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Matthews misses with a double jab.
Romanov darts in trying to clinch
and Matthews counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Romanov wants to clinch up but Matthews keeps it at a distance.
Romanov tries to clinch but Matthews is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Romanov drops his hands momentarily and Matthews takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Matthews missing with a left hand there. Romanov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Matthews drives through with a takedown into Romanov's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Matthews knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Romanov on the ground.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Matthews throws a strike but Romanov rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Matthews on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Matthews tries to get out of the position.
Romanov wants to control from the top but Matthews keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Romanov is looking to stand up but Matthews won't let him.
Matthews utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Matthews tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Matthews is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Romanov stopping the sweep attempt from Matthews.

Matthews pushes Romanov off and scrambles back to his feet.
The fighters circling - Matthews throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Romanov steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Matthews.
Romanov tries to clinch up but Matthews circles away and keeps his distance.
Horrible takedown attempt by Romanov or perhaps it was just good defense by Matthews, which made it look bad.
Matthews feinted with a counter takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Matthews. Those never looked like landing.
Matthews connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

Romanov is rocked!
Romanov drops his hands for a split second and Matthews immediately capitalizes on the opportunity by smashing a powerful hook into Romanov face, sending his mouthguard sailing through the air, much to the delight of the crowd. Matthews follows up with a right hand that knocks Romanov into next week. He's out cold and this fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:18 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Alexander Matthews!