PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ray Nathan (ranked 1571 p4p, 196 weight class) and Razza Matazz (ranked 2038 p4p, 234 weight class). Matazz has chosen Tool - Eulogy as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Nathan
vs
Matazz

175 cm
29
189 lbs
14 - 9 - 0

188 cm
28
192 lbs
11 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

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 14 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ray Nathan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Razza Matazz!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Gwen Towbar and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Nathan clinches with his opponent.
Nathan misses with a short punch on the inside.
Nathan working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Matazz creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Nathan's defenses.

It looks like Ray Nathan has been cut.
Matazz tries to break free but Nathan pushes him back against the cage.
Nathan lands with a light punch inside.
Nathan tries a body shot but Matazz blocks it.

Matazz breaks from the clinch.
Matazz circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nathan wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Matazz lands a jab to Nathan's midsection.
Matazz throws an off balance right hand
and Nathan counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Matazz thinking.
Matazz pivots, looking for a leg kick but Nathan is out of range and Matazz settles back down.
Nathan throws a nice head kick!
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!
Matazz has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Nathan.
A looping hook to the body misses from Matazz. Nathan does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nathan is looking to counter punch.
Nathan scores with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matazz lunges at Nathan with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Nathan's hand.

Matazz clinches.
Matazz slowing the pace effectively.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Nathan.
Matazz looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Matazz is trying to break the clinch but Nathan has him pressed against the cage.
Matazz using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Nathan has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Matazz misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Nathan.
Nathan tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Matazz is trying to maintain a safe position but Nathan gets an underhook and turns Matazz into the cage.
Nathan is trying to maintain a safe position but Matazz gets an underhook and turns Nathan into the cage.
Come on Nathan - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Nathan swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Matazz's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nathan avoids the head kick by Matazz.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matazz misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nathan lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Nathan throws a body punch but Matazz moves out of range.
Matazz looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Nathan lands with a thumping leg kick.
Nathan misses the shot to the body.
Matazz tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nathan fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Matazz throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Matazz tries a head kick but it misses.
Nathan takes a kick to the side of the head.
Matazz throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Matazz takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Matazz takes a shot right to the bread basket.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nathan has managed to clinch.
Matazz blocks a body shot from Nathan.
Nathan scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Nathan lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Matazz blocks a body shot from Nathan.
Nathan has a couple of punches blocked by Matazz.
Nathan can't find room to land a body shot as Matazz controls the action.
Nathan blocks an elbow strike.
Nathan manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Nathan tries to work over Matazz's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Matazz blocks a body shot from Nathan.
Nathan gets through Matazz's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Matazz tries to break the clinch but Nathan is controlling the position.
Matazz slowing the pace effectively.
Nathan goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nathan turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
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!
Matazz is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nathan looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Matazz with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Matazz tries to kick Nathan off but Nathan keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Matazz is looking to control Nathan's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Matazz avoid being mounted?
Matazz is refusing to be controlled, as Nathan sits in half guard.

Nathan is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Matazz has managed to free his arm - good work.
Nathan is trying to control the action in half guard but Matazz is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Matazz is controlling Nathan's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Matazz trying to hold on to Nathan's head to control him but Nathan postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ray Nathan dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ray Nathan's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Nathan dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Matazz tries to bum rush Nathan with a series of wild strikes but Nathan uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Matazz throws a sloppy head kick and Nathan moves out of range easily.
Matazz lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

Matazz pushes Nathan up against the cage in a clinch.
Nathan lands an uppercut.
Matazz looking to throw knees to the head but Nathan is blocking nicely.
Matazz lands an elbow just above Nathan 's eye.
Matazz trying to stall but Nathan improves his position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matazz looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Nathan has a couple of punches blocked by Matazz.

Matazz breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Nathan clinches up against the cage.
Nathan lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matazz is trying to break free.

Matazz breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nathan is looking to wear down Matazz with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Matazz moves to clinch but Nathan breaks away
and Nathan counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Nathan closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Ray Nathan has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Matazz throws a knee to the head but misses.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Matazz slowing the pace effectively.
Nathan throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Matazzs head.
Nathan tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Matazz's elbow.
Nathan slows down the pace here.
Matazz prevents a body shot from Nathan.

Matazz breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matazz lands a slapping body shot.

Nathan gets a clinch.
Nathan lands a body punch.
Matazz's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Matazz manages to break the clinch.
Nathan tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Matazz was well out of range. Poor timing from Nathan.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Matazz throws a sloppy head kick
and Nathan counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Nathan jabs at Matazz's body.
Nathan jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.

Matazz is rocked!

Nathan has Matazz up against the cage in a clinch.
Matazz is still on wobbly legs! Can Nathan finish him?
Matazz tries a knee to the head but Nathan blocks it.
Nathan misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A bit of stalling here from Nathan.
Nathan lands a body shot in the clinch.
Matazz seems to have recovered his senses.
Nathan works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Matazz is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nathan working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Nathan.
Nathan trying to control the position but instead, Matazz has worked for underhooks and has pushed Nathan into the cage.
Nathan digs a right hand into Matazz's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Matazz's gas tank.

Nathan is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Matazz can't fight it off and eventually Nathan manages to take the fight to the floor. Matazz looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Matazz has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Nathan off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Matazz avoids the body shot from Nathan.
Nathan misses with a wild body shot.
Matazz lands with a kick to the ribs.
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!
Matazz tries a head kick but it misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nathan tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Matazz tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Matazz tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Razza Matazz seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nathan chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Matazz lands with a slapping head kick.
Razza Matazz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nathan is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Matazz throws a leg kick which misses Nathan's front leg but catches the back leg as Nathan tries to avoid it.
Matazz looks to land a combination but Nathan avoids it well.
Nathan swings for the body but Matazz moves out of range.
Nathan throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Matazz is looking for the big counter here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Ray Nathan will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Ray Nathan's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Nathan tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Matazz paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Nathan swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Matazz misses with an uppercut.
A quick step to the side and Nathan tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nathan misses with a wild body shot.

Nathan has Matazz up against the cage in a clinch.
Nathan blocks an elbow strike from Matazz.
Nathan can't find room to land a body shot as Matazz controls the action.
Matazz manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Nathan misses with a punch on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Matazz manages to break the clinch.
Matazz throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Nathan looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Matazz throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Matazz has closed the distance and engaged Nathan in a clinch.
Nathan struggles to land a body shot inside as Matazz controls his hands.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

Matazz's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nathan moves out of range as Matazz strikes.
Nice shot lands for Matazz.
Razza Matazz is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Matazz takes a shot to the body in his stride.

Nathan darts in and clinches Matazz up against the cage.
Matazz prevents a takedown attempt there.
Nathan blocks an elbow strike from Matazz.
Matazz has Nathan pushed against the cage.
Matazz is trying to push Nathan away but Nathan has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Nathan takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

Matazz breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Matazz throws a combination that misses
and Matazz takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Razza Matazz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Matazz pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A head kick misses from Matazz.
Good leg kick by Nathan there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Matazz throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Nathan.
Ray Nathan is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Nathan takes a swing at Matazz's ribcage but misses.
Nathan avoids a punch combination nicely.
Good exchange - Matazz coming out on top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matazz pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Matazz throws a sloppy head kick and Nathan moves out of range easily.
Matazz takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Matazz misses the shot to the body.
Matazz misses with a series of wild punches.
Matazz sizes up Nathan with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

Nathan closes the distance and pushes Matazz back into the cage.
Nathan's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Matazz misses with some punches.
Matazz can't find room to land a body shot as Nathan controls the action.
Matazz creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nathan takes an elbow to the forehead.
Nathan on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Nathan keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Matazz's efforts to push away.
Matazz tries to circle away but Nathan has him pinned against the cage.
Matazz throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Nathan blocks it with crossed arms.
Nathan softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Nathan fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A right hand to the body from Nathan.
Nathan blocking some punches.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Matazz creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Razza Matazz comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Nathan has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ray Nathan!
Ray Nathan seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.