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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Futoshi Matsunaga (ranked 82 p4p, 4 weight class) and Pablo Noriega (ranked 81 p4p, 3 weight class). Noriega has chosen MS-13 Mara Salvatrucha as his entrance music. Pablo Noriega acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.
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| 170 cm
32
145 lbs
26 - 11 - 2 |
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181 cm
34
148 lbs
17 - 5 - 1 |
Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
26 - 11 - 2, fighting out of New York, Futoshi Matsunaga!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
17 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Pablo Noriega!
The judges for this bout are , Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matsunaga lands with a cross.
A big left from Noriega misses.
Noriega ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Noriega blocks a jab.
Matsunaga motions for Noriega to come forward. Matsunaga throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Good standup being displayed there by Noriega as he connects with a hook.
Matsunaga scores with a leg kick.
Noriega misses with a looping left.
Noriega rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Matsunaga moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Noriega connects with a body shot that sends Matsunaga's belly button to the back.
A slow jab from Matsunaga misses its intended target.
Noriega slips a jab and a cross from Matsunaga.
Matsunaga gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Noriega.
Noriega shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
A clash of legs there as Matsunaga blocks the low kick.
Matsunaga looks to throw the jab but Noriega is out of range.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Noriega scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Matsunaga fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Noriega manages to avoid it.
Matsunaga throws a series of punches but Noriega avoids them all with ease.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Matsunaga.
A decent looking cross lands there for Noriega.
Matsunaga throws a big shot that misses.
Noriega throws a hook but Matsunaga avoids it easily.
That's one minute gone in the round.
A big right from Noriega misses.
Good leg kick by Noriega there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Matsunaga throws a low kick but Noriega avoids it.
Matsunaga lands a jab.
Noriega misses with a looping right.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Nice cross by Matsunaga.
Good standup being displayed there by Noriega as he connects with a hook.
Noriega takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Matsunaga tries to clinch there but Noriega circles away.
Noriega ducks under a wild hook from Matsunaga.
Noriega looks to throw the jab but Matsunaga is out of range.
Noriega throws a body shot but no joy.
Nice straight punches there by Matsunaga. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Matsunaga.
Matsunaga has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Big Bear Fight Factory in the buildup to the fight.
Noriega moves out of range as Matsunaga throws a body kick.
Matsunaga missing with a left hand there. Noriega was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Matsunaga throws out a leg kick but Noriega moves out of range and Matsunaga only half commits.
Noriega avoids the head kick by Matsunaga.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Noriega pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Noriega shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
A nice leg kick lands there from Matsunaga.
Noriega avoids the head kick by Matsunaga.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Noriega closes this distance looking for a takedown but Matsunaga circles away.
Noriega scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Noriega scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Matsunaga takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Matsunaga misses with a leg kick.
Matsunaga avoids the body shot from Noriega.
Noriega looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Matsunaga takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Noriega walks into a straight right hand from Matsunaga.
Noriega is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Noriega lands with a thumping leg kick.
Matsunaga jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Futoshi Matsunaga is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A jab from Matsunaga finds it's way through Noriega's defenses.
Noriega loads up on a big right hand but Matsunaga slips the punch.
Matsunaga slips a straight right by Noriega.
Matsunaga pushes Noriega away with a front kick.
Noriega ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Noriega on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Noriega shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Noriega was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Matsunaga is looking to reverse the position.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Matsunaga's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Noriega stands up and beckons Matsunaga to his feet.
A looping hook to the body misses from Matsunaga. Noriega does a little dance to reset his feet.
Noriega lands a glancing blow to the side of Matsunaga's head.
Matsunaga is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Noriega displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Matsunaga throws out the jab.
Noriega avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Noriega misses with an uppercut. Matsunaga saw that one coming.
Noriega lands with a thumping leg kick.
Futoshi Matsunaga seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Noriega walks into a stiff left hand from Matsunaga.
Noriega fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Matsunaga looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Noriega throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Noriega takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Matsunaga misses with a hook.
A nice inside leg kick there by Matsunaga. That's going to slow Noriega down.
Noriega ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Matsunaga moves away.
Matsunaga misses with a looping right.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Noriega throws a quick inside leg 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!
Noriega tries a low kick but Matsunaga avoids it.
Sloppy strikes from Noriega. Those never looked like landing.
Matsunaga scores with a nice right hand.
Noriega slips under a jab from Matsunaga.
A swing and a miss from Matsunaga.
Noriega ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Matsunaga showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Noriega.
Matsunaga throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Noriega ducks under a wild hook from Matsunaga.
Matsunaga misses with an uppercut. Noriega saw that one coming.
Matsunaga ducks under a wild hook from Noriega.
Matsunaga misses with a left hand
letting Noriega counter with a right hand.
Matsunaga fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Noriega manages to avoid it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Noriega steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Matsunaga.
Noriega keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Matsunaga.
Matsunaga throws a looping overhand right but Noriega ducks down to avoid it.
It seemed like Noriega was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Noriega lands with a cross.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Noriega.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close round but Pablo Noriega will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!
Matsunaga misses with a hook. Noriega ducked under it nicely.
Matsunaga clinches up against the cage.
Matsunaga breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Matsunaga fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Noriega manages to avoid it.
Noriega looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Matsunaga throws a shot from downtown. Noriega moves away and avoids it.
It seemed like Noriega was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Good exchange - Noriega coming out on top.
Noriega thows a left - swing and a miss!
An inside leg kick lands from Noriega.
Noriega throws a leg kick which misses Matsunaga's front leg but catches the back leg as Matsunaga tries to avoid it.
A jab from Matsunaga misses.
Matsunaga staying out of range there.
Matsunaga ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Matsunaga misses with an uppercut. Noriega saw that one coming.
Matsunaga tries to score with a low kick but Noriega moves his leg out of the way.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matsunaga misses with a hook.
Matsunaga misses with a hook.
A swing and a miss from Noriega.
Matsunaga appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Matsunaga moves out of range of the strikes.
Matsunaga scores with a punch to the head.
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!
Noriega throws a series of punches but Matsunaga moves out of range.
Matsunaga pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Noriega back to the cage. Matsunaga follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsunaga throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Noriega throws a series of punches but Matsunaga avoids them all with ease.
Matsunaga moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Noriega uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Matsunaga.
Sloppy strikes from Noriega. Those never looked like landing.
A slow jab from Matsunaga misses its intended target.
Matsunaga fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Noriega on the side of the head.
Noriega steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Matsunaga.
Noriega misses with a few strikes there.
Matsunaga throwing a counter right hand but Noriega manages to avoid it.
A swing and a miss from Noriega.
Matsunaga is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Matsunaga.
Matsunaga connects with a leg kick. Noriega looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Matsunaga avoids the head kick by Noriega.
Matsunaga misses with a series of wild punches.
Noriega scores with a crisp jab that stopped Matsunaga in his tracks.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Noriega attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Noriega tries a head kick but it misses.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Noriega misses with a series of wild punches.
Matsunaga cracks a nice hook into Noriega's ribs.
Noriega wants to slow Matsunaga down by chopping away at his legs.
Matsunaga throws a leg kick but Noriega moved away.
Matsunaga misses with a hook.
Noriega uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Matsunaga.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Noriega.
Noriega misses with a body shot.
Matsunaga takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Matsunaga throws a shot from downtown. Noriega moves away and avoids it.
Good standup being displayed there by Matsunaga as he connects with a hook.
The fighters circle momentarily. Matsunaga darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Noriega throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Noriega misses with a jab, cross combination.
A swing and a miss from Noriega.
Matsunaga ducks under a wild hook from Noriega.
Matsunaga steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Noriega.
Noriega ducks under a wild hook from Matsunaga.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
A punch lands to the side of Matsunaga 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Matsunaga throws a low kick but it's checked well by Noriega.
Noriega is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Matsunaga tries a low kick but Noriega avoids it.
Noriega throws a chopping leg kick but Matsunaga manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Noriega swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Noriega misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Matsunaga.
Matsunaga throwing a counter right hand but Noriega manages to avoid it.
Matsunaga takes the fight into the clinch.
Matsunaga lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Noriega tries a body shot but Matsunaga blocks it.
Matsunaga blocks an elbow strike.
A short left from Noriega.
Matsunaga avoids the elbow strike from Noriega, against the cage.
Noriega has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Matsunaga uses from the top position.
Matsunaga stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Noriega swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Matsunaga postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Noriega is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Matsunaga, into his guard.
Matsunaga tries to land a sweep but no joy.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsunaga pulls Noriega in close to his closed guard and prevents Noriega from doing any damage or advancing position.
Noriega has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Far-Q Fight Club. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Noriega prevents Matsunaga from getting back to his feet.
Noriega trying to control but Matsunaga is working from the bottom.
Matsunaga can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Noriega controls the pace.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Matsunaga wants to get back to his feet but Noriega is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close second round but Pablo Noriega will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
Noriega tries to land a front kick but Matsunaga steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Matsunaga throws a leg kick which misses Noriega's front leg but catches the back leg as Noriega tries to avoid it.
Matsunaga lands a lovely overhand right.
Matsunaga scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Noriega blocks a jab.
Matsunaga catches Noriega with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Matsunaga throws a leg kick but Noriega sees it coming and moves out of range.
A swing and a miss from Matsunaga.
Matsunaga tries a low kick but Noriega avoids it.
Noriega lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Matsunaga moves out of range as Noriega throws a body kick.
Noriega dodges the punch combination from Matsunaga.
Noriega connects with a leg kick. Matsunaga looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matsunaga throws a leg kick but Noriega sees it coming and moves out of range.
Matsunaga keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Noriega ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Noriega misses the shot to the body.
Noriega slips under a jab from Matsunaga.
Noriega takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsunaga misses with a straight left.
Noriega misses with a few strikes there.
Matsunaga tests Noriega's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Noriega throws a jab but it's blocked by Matsunaga.
Noriega ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Noriega lands a nice leg kick that just misses Matsunaga's sensitive parts.
Matsunaga misses with a looping left.
Matsunaga takes a swing at Noriega's ribcage but misses.
Noriega lands with a shot to the body.
Noriega throws a hook but Matsunaga avoids it easily.
Matsunaga connects with a leg kick. Noriega looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Noriega slips under a jab from Matsunaga.
Noriega slips under a jab from Matsunaga.
Noriega throws a head kick that misses.
Good exchange - Noriega coming out on top.
Matsunaga is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Noriega.
Noriega checks a leg kick.
Noriega blocks the body kick.
Noriega throws out a leg kick but Matsunaga moves out of range and Noriega only half commits.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsunaga fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Noriega is out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Matsunaga wants to slow Noriega down by chopping away at his legs.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Noriega! But no joy.
Noriega throws a jab but it's blocked by Matsunaga.
Matsunaga motions for Noriega to come forward. Matsunaga throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Matsunaga throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Matsunaga missing with a left hand there. Noriega was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A big right from Matsunaga misses.
Matsunaga misses with a looping left.
Noriega throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Matsunaga on the side of the head.
Matsunaga tries to clinch up but Noriega circles away and keeps his distance.
Noriega finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Matsunaga pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Noriega stuns Matsunaga with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Matsunaga moves out of range as Noriega strikes.
Futoshi Matsunaga is winning the standup battle so far.
Noriega throws a looping overhand right but Matsunaga ducks down to avoid it.
Matsunaga steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Noriega.
Matsunaga misses with a hook. Noriega ducked under it nicely.
Noriega cracks Matsunaga with a good jab.
Noriega throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsunaga throws out a powerful jab.
Noriega takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Noriega pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Matsunaga back to the cage. Noriega follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Noriega goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Noriega checks a low kick from Matsunaga.
Noriega scoring well with a low kick there.
Matsunaga will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Matsunaga misses with a straight left.
And Noriega responds with a good body kick, but Matsunaga manages to step out the way in time.
Matsunaga misses with an uppercut
and Noriega counters with an outside leg kick.
Matsunaga blocks a jab.
Matsunaga keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Matsunaga was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Crunch! Matsunaga slams his shin into Noriega's torso.
A big right from Matsunaga misses.
A swing and a miss from Matsunaga.
Matsunaga wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Noriega throws a body punch but Matsunaga moves out of range.
Matsunaga lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Matsunaga waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Noriega.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A bone on bone clash there as Matsunaga blocks the leg kick.
Matsunaga thows a left - swing and a miss!
Matsunaga scores with a leg kick.
A slow jab from Matsunaga misses its intended target.
A little jabbing left from Noriega on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Matsunaga throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Noriega sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Noriega has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Noriega checks a leg kick nicely.
Matsunaga blocks a low kick nicely.
Matsunaga throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Matsunaga lands a nice looking body shot.
Matsunaga throws a push kick but Noriega slaps the foot to one side.
Matsunaga misses with a hook.
Noriega displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Matsunaga lands a jab to the head.
Noriega jabs Matsunaga to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Noriega throws a leg kick which misses Matsunaga's front leg but catches the back leg as Matsunaga tries to avoid it.
Matsunaga sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Matsunaga connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Matsunaga misses with a body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but Futoshi Matsunaga did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.
Noriega tries to bum rush Matsunaga with a series of wild strikes but Matsunaga uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Matsunaga is looking to score with low kicks.
Noriega wants to land a leg kick but Matsunaga is out of range.
Noriega showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Matsunaga.
Matsunaga throws a series of punches but Noriega avoids them all with ease.
Noriega keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Matsunaga.
Matsunaga throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
An inside leg kick lands from Matsunaga.
Noriega misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Matsunaga.
Matsunaga is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Noriega.
Matsunaga misses with a hook. Noriega ducked under it nicely.
Noriega blocks the body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Noriega is looking to score with low kicks.
A slow jab from Matsunaga misses its intended target.
Noriega cracks Matsunaga with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Matsunaga lands a jab.
Matsunaga slips under a jab.
Noriega misses with a straight left.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Noriega dodges the punch combination from Matsunaga.
Matsunaga misses with a jab, cross combination.
Matsunaga misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Matsunaga misses with a body kick.
Matsunaga keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Noriega checks a low kick from Matsunaga.
Matsunaga throws a jab but it's blocked by Noriega.
Matsunaga throws a sloppy head kick and Noriega moves out of range easily.
Matsunaga throws a looping overhand right but Noriega ducks down to avoid it.
Matsunaga takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Noriega uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Matsunaga.
Matsunaga attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Noriega is looking to slow Matsunaga down with leg kicks.
A low kick from Matsunaga misses
and Noriega counters with a stiff right hand.
Matsunaga is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Noriega.
Noriega with a jab.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Noriega.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Matsunaga lands a glancing blow to the side of Noriega's head.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Noriega keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Matsunaga.
Matsunaga looks to land a right hand but Noriega moved out of range.
Noriega swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
A punch combination from Noriega misses.
Matsunaga was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Noriega lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Matsunaga has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Matsunaga and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Noriega misses with a double jab.
Noriega sizes up Matsunaga with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Noriega scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Matsunaga throws a looping overhand right but Noriega ducks down to avoid it.
Noriega keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Matsunaga backing away here, and Noriega unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Noriega throws a chopping leg kick but Matsunaga manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Noriega takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Matsunaga thows a left - swing and a miss!
Noriega uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Matsunaga.
Noriega bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Noriega connects with a solid leg kick.
Noriega ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Matsunaga throws a hook to the side of Noriega's head but Noriega sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Matsunaga waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Noriega.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Noriega moves away from the strike by Matsunaga.
A slow jab from Noriega misses its intended target.
Noriega scores with a punch to the head.
Matsunaga avoids the body shot from Noriega.
Nice defenses there by Noriega.
Noriega moves out of range of the body kick from Matsunaga.
Noriega moves out of range of the strikes.
Matsunaga throws a right hand that misses
and Noriega counters with a series of strikes. Matsunaga will be more careful next time no doubt.
Matsunaga pivots, looking for a leg kick but Noriega is out of range and Matsunaga settles back down.
Noriega fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Noriega throws a body shot but no joy.
Matsunaga sizes up Noriega with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Noriega misses with a low kick.
Matsunaga throws the left hand but Noriega avoids the punch easily.
Matsunaga keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Noriega uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Matsunaga.
Noriega takes one on the chin but seems OK.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Matsunaga looks to throw the jab but Noriega is out of range.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsunaga missing with a left hand there. Noriega was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Noriega throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Noriega swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Noriega waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Matsunaga.
A looping hook to the body misses from Matsunaga. Noriega does a little dance to reset his feet.
Matsunaga takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Noriega pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Matsunaga back to the cage. Noriega follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Matsunaga keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Noriega stalks Matsunaga and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Matsunaga's face. Matsunaga staggers backwards, shaken.
Matsunaga attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Noriega steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Matsunaga.
Noriega looks like he wants to counter punch here.
A looping hook to the body misses from Matsunaga. Noriega does a little dance to reset his feet.
Noriega loads up on a big right hand but Matsunaga slips the punch.
Noriega keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Matsunaga lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Noriega circles away quickly and effectively.
Matsunaga blocks a jab.
Noriega lands a glancing blow to the side of Matsunaga's head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nice shot lands for Matsunaga.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close fourth round but Pablo Noriega will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!
Noriega with a nice cross.
Matsunaga throws a hook to the side of Noriega's head but Noriega sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Noriega defending well as Matsunaga loads up on a big left hand.
A big right from Matsunaga misses.
Noriega scores with a nice head shot.
Matsunaga pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Matsunaga lands a jab.
Noriega moves out of range as Matsunaga strikes.
Noriega uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Matsunaga.
Noriega cracks the inside of Matsunaga's front leg.
Noriega thuds a left hand into Matsunaga's body.
Matsunaga lands a jab.
Matsunaga is looking to chop away at Noriega's legs.
Matsunaga throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Noriega sees it coming and avoids it easily.
No luck for Noriega with that takedown attempt.
Matsunaga feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Noriega staying out of range there.
Matsunaga misses the jab.
Matsunaga loads up on a big right hand but Noriega slips the punch.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsunaga misses the shot to the body.
Noriega feints and then cracks Matsunaga's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Matsunaga down.
Noriega shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Matsunaga as he jumps to the side.
Matsunaga throws out a powerful jab.
Noriega keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A chopping leg kick lands by Noriega.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Matsunaga.
Matsunaga looks to land a right hand but Noriega moved out of range.
Noriega misses with a low kick.
Noriega moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Matsunaga stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Noriega.
Matsunaga is looking to chop away at Noriega's legs.
Matsunaga throws a jab but it's blocked by Noriega.
Noriega checks a leg kick.
Noriega drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Matsunaga defends it well.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Noriega throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Matsunaga misses with a hook. Noriega ducked under it nicely.
Matsunaga misses with a body shot.
Noriega misses with an uppercut. Matsunaga saw that one coming.
Matsunaga half committed to a counter leg kick.
Matsunaga throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Matsunaga throws a hook to the side of Noriega's head but Noriega sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Noriega was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
No joy there for Noriega, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Noriega connects with an inside leg kick.
Noriega pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Matsunaga buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Noriega.
Futoshi Matsunaga has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pablo Noriega.
Matsunaga throws a nice inside leg kick.
Matsunaga keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Noriega tests Matsunaga's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Noriega throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Matsunaga uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Noriega.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Noriega throws a sloppy head kick and Matsunaga moves out of range easily.
Matsunaga is looking to counter punch.
Noriega shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Matsunaga misses with an attempted mid kick.
Noriega misses with a body shot.
Good standup being displayed there by Noriega as he connects with a hook.
Matsunaga misses with a straight right.
Matsunaga throws a jab when Noriega was well out of range.
Matsunaga is looking to slow Noriega down with leg kicks.
Matsunaga throws a jab when Noriega was well out of range.
Matsunaga darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Matsunaga misses with a body shot.
Matsunaga slips a jab from Noriega.
Matsunaga checks the leg kick nicely there.
Matsunaga connects with a leg kick. Noriega looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Matsunaga throws a body shot but no joy.
Matsunaga misses with a straight right.
Noriega throws a quick inside leg kick.
Matsunaga misses with an uppercut. Noriega saw that one coming.
Futoshi Matsunaga has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsunaga thows a left - swing and a miss!
Noriega fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Matsunaga has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Matsunaga scores with a jab to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Noriega lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Matsunaga throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Noriega lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Matsunaga fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Noriega has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Matsunaga throws a right hand that misses
letting Noriega counter with a right hand.
Matsunaga changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Noriega misses the jab.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Noriega.
Matsunaga throws a jab but it's blocked by Noriega.
A swing and a miss from Matsunaga.
Matsunaga scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Matsunaga misses with a hook. Noriega ducked under it nicely.
Noriega looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Matsunaga misses with a hook. Noriega ducked under it nicely.
Noriega feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Matsunaga's calf.
Noriega blocks a jab.
And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Futoshi Matsunaga.
I think Noriega 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 50:46
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 47:48
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 47:49
In favor of your winner, by split decision... Pablo Noriega!
A very excited looking Pablo Noriega made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
84% |
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