PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bernard Sunday (ranked 4230 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt Xtra (ranked 4744 p4p, 0 weight class). Matt Xtra will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Sunday
vs
Xtra

187 cm
22
270 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

198 cm
20
220 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Bernard Sunday !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Matt Xtra!
The judges for this bout are Alyssa Summers, Joseph Jones and Dean Styles.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Xtra leaves Sunday with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Sunday will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Xtra throws a counter combo.

Xtra forces Sunday back against the cage and clinches.
Xtra wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Xtra is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Sunday prevents a takedown attempt there.

Xtra jumps guard and drags Sunday to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sunday postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Xtra had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Sunday defends it easily.
Sunday throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sunday throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Sunday wants to pass the guard but Xtra is keeping the position.
Xtra tries to strike from the bottom.

Xtra working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Sunday doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Sunday manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Xtra is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Sunday presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Sunday is trying to pull guard but Xtra turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Xtra jumps into guard, dragging Sunday to the mat.
Sunday connects with a couple of short punches.
Sunday might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Xtra is pulling down on Sunday 's head. It's preventing any offense from Sunday , at least for the moment.
Xtra throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xtra avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Sunday stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Xtra swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Sunday is pushing down on Xtra's leg trying to pass to half guard. Xtra is fighting to maintain full guard but Sunday has managed to sneak the leg through.
Sunday is breathing heavily.
Xtra works his way to full guard. Good work.
Xtra pulls Sunday in close to prevent any damage.
Sunday loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Sunday stopping the sweep attempt from Xtra.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Sunday 's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Xtra utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Sunday trying to control the position from guard on top but Xtra is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sunday has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Xtra is proving hard to escape from.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Xtra escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Sunday gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Sunday working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Sunday trying to control the position from guard on top but Xtra is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sunday throws a big elbow that misses.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sunday accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Xtra avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Xtra trying to control the position here.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Sunday misses with a body shot.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Sunday .
Sunday tries to clinch up
and Xtra counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sunday throws a head kick that Xtra semi-blocks.
Xtra will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Sunday drops down looking for a counter takedown but Xtra sprawls and moves away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Xtra is defended easily by Sunday .
Sunday throws a right hand that Xtra ducks under and follows up with a left that Xtra also avoids with ease.
A head kick misses from Xtra.
Xtra shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Sunday pinned against the cage. Sunday gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Bernard Sunday has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matt Xtra.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Xtra shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Bernard Sunday will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Sunday throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Xtra.
Sunday throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Nice sprawl there from Sunday as Xtra shoots in.
Sunday looks to land a combination but Xtra avoids it well.
Sunday throws a body shot but no joy.
We've been told by Sunday 's head coaches at Cozad MMA New York that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Xtra tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Sunday swivels and escapes.
Xtra avoids the head kick by Sunday .

Xtra takes the fight into the clinch.
Sunday is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sunday prevents a takedown attempt there.
Bernard Sunday has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matt Xtra.

Xtra pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Xtra darts in and clinches Sunday up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sunday prevents the takedown attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Xtra tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Sunday avoids it.
Xtra is leaning against Sunday and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Xtra stops a takedown attempt from Sunday .
Xtra lands a nice uppercut.
Xtra working hard to break the clinch.
Xtra prevents Sunday from breaking the clinch.
Xtra dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Xtra just leaning against Sunday , taking a breather.
Xtra is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Xtra jumps guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Xtra working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sunday .

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xtra scoring with punches to the head and body.
Xtra advances to half guard.
Well, if Xtra is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Xtra is continuing to stall.
Xtra not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Sunday has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Sunday tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Xtra has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Xtra lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Sunday hang on?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xtra controlling from the full mount.
Sunday tries to hold on but Xtra pushes him away.
Sunday is looking to get to half guard.

Xtra working for a submission but Sunday is keeping him at bay.
Sunday is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Xtra takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Sunday tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Xtra stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
Horrible takedown attempt by Xtra or perhaps it was just good defense by Sunday , which made it look bad.
Sunday dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Xtra. That did some damage!
Xtra looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Sunday throws a half hearted mid kick.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Xtra fails with the takedown.
Xtra has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A solid leg kick lands there for Sunday .
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Xtra showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Sunday 's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Xtra moves out of range as Sunday throws a body kick.
Sunday tries to clinch but Xtra is having none of it.
Sunday tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Xtra is able to avoid easily.
Sunday throws the kick towards the body but Xtra avoids it.
Xtra misses with a leg kick.
Xtra tries to bum rush Sunday with a series of wild strikes but Sunday uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Sunday .
Sunday shoots in for a takedown but Xtra shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Xtra moves into the clinch.
Sunday changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Xtra fights it off and pushes away nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Xtra clinches with his opponent.
Xtra tries a knee to the head but Sunday blocks it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Xtra turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Xtra manages to end up in side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Xtra decides to stand up, so the ref orders Sunday to his feet.
Xtra misses with a series of wild punches.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Xtra. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.

Xtra moves into the clinch.
Xtra keeps control of Sunday as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Xtra throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

Xtra manages to break the clinch.
Xtra blocks the body kick.

Xtra closes the distance and clinches.
Sunday keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Xtra's efforts to push away.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Xtra.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Xtra manages to pull guard.
Sunday trying to control the position from guard on top but Xtra is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Xtra has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Sunday connects with a couple of short punches.
Sunday throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Xtra keeping full guard, as Sunday tries to pass.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Xtra is on top in guard.

Xtra won't allow Sunday to sweep him here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sunday is looking to stand up but Xtra isn't so interested in that idea.

Xtra stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Xtra changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Sunday tries to avoid it but Xtra manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Sunday to the ground. Sunday escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Sunday misses with a body punch
and Xtra counters with a nice uppercut.
Xtra goes for a double leg but Sunday avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Sunday continues to drive forward.

Sunday shoots in and bounces Xtra off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Sunday in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sunday trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Sunday postures up in Xtra's guard and throws a big left but Xtra blocks it.
Sunday throwing strikes from guard but Xtra blocks nicely.
Sunday working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Xtra is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Xtra thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Matt Xtra has got the better of the ground game so far.

Xtra decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
A clash of legs there as Xtra blocks the low kick.

Xtra has taken the fight to the clinch.
Xtra keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Sunday 's efforts to push away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matt Xtra comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Xtra has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Alyssa Summers scores the fight 28:29
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 28:29
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matt Xtra!