PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alex Harper (ranked 3447 p4p, 4678 weight class) and Thaddeus Matthews (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Alex Harper has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Harper
vs
Matthews

191 cm
26
260
3 - 3 - 0

185 cm
19
257
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Hates pizza

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

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 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Alex Harper!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Thaddeus Matthews!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, William Gold and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Harper closes the distance and pushes Matthews back into the cage.
Harper can't break the clinch.

Matthews decides to pull guard.
Harper trying to control the position from guard on top but Matthews is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Harper stopping the sweep attempt from Matthews.
Matthews keeps trying to improve his position.
Harper works over Matthews with some ground and pound from guard.
Matthews manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Harper manages to get himself to full guard.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matthews wants to pass the guard but Harper is keeping the position.
Matthews passes Harper's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harper is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Matthews scores with a couple of nice shots.
Harper knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Matthews on the ground.
Matthews performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Harper tries to roll over but Matthews keeps him under control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Harper kicks off Matthews and gets to his feet.
Harper fails with the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matthews circles away from the clinch attempt.
Despite the aggression on Matthews's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Harper shoots in but no luck this time.
Harper tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Matthews swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alex Harper. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Matthews misses with a jab, cross combination.

Matthews clinches.
Matthews throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

Harper drags the fight down to the ground.
Matthews trying to stand up but can't free himself from Harper's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Harper looking to control.
Matthews showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Harper wants to stand but Matthews is controlling the position.
Harper on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Harper tries to get out of the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matthews controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Harper has his foot on Matthews's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Matthews works his way back into a safe position though.
Matthews slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Matthews trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Matthews throws an overhand right that lands on Harper's shoulder, as Harper tries to avoid the shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
No luck for Harper with that takedown attempt.

Matthews has Harper up against the cage in a clinch.
Harper wants a takedown.
Matthews fails to pull guard.
Matthews should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

Matthews manages to break the clinch.
Harper throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Matthews misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Matthews shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Harper but Harper pushes him off and we're back to square one.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Thaddeus Matthews dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Harper manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Matthews on his heels. He'll look to pass Matthews's guard now, I'm sure.
Alex Harper overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Harper got a little sloppy there for a moment and Matthews has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Harper has managed to get both his arms back between Matthews's legs - danger averted.
Matthews not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Matthews working for a triangle but Harper defends it easily.

Matthews has his feet on Harper's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Harper is looking to clinch.
Alex Harper is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Harper swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Harper decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Harper wants to control but Matthews is keeping him busy.
Matthews on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Matthews wants to improve his position but Harper is controlling well.
Harper wants to control but Matthews is keeping him busy.
Matthews moves into full guard.
Harper trying to control the position from guard on top but Matthews is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Harper seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matthews wants to stand and escape but Harper is having none of it.
Harper trying to control but Matthews is working from the bottom.
Harper working some strikes from top position.
Matthews wants to sweep but no luck.
Harper lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

It looks like Thaddeus Matthews has been cut.
Harper tries to free his leg and advance position but Matthews is retaining full guard.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Matthews has eaten all the pies!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matthews seems keen to control Harper's posture.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Matthews avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Matthews with the counter takedown but Harper avoids it easily.

Matthews clinches up with Harper and pushes him back against the cage.
Harper tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Matthews smiles and moves away.
Harper scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Matthews shoots in for a takedown but Harper shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Matthews is breathing heavily.
Harper throws a sloppy head kick and Matthews moves out of range easily.
Harper scores with a crisp jab that stopped Matthews in his tracks.

That has opened up Thaddeus Matthews's cut even more.
Matthews fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Harper closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Matthews struggling a bit here.
Harper controlling the position from side mount.

Harper tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Harper has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Matthews is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Harper is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Harper dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Thaddeus Matthews's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Harper is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Matthews's half guard.
Harper wants to take a breather but Matthews is having none of it.
Harper lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Harper content to control rather than advance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matthews tries to kick Harper off but Harper keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Matthews has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Harper is working away from the top position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Harper stands up from half guard.
Harper avoids the head kick by Matthews.
Harper seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.

Harper throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Matthews tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Harper is in Matthews's guard.
Matthews trying to control the position.
Matthews looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Harper has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Harper looking to pass the guard.
Harper trying to control the position from guard on top but Matthews is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matthews lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Matthews accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Matthews wants to stand but Harper has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Matthews engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Matthews trying to control the position from guard on top but Harper is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harper is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Harper decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Matthews takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Matthews is staying active underneath Harper, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Matthews is controlling Harper's trapped leg to prevent Harper from advancing to side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harper trying to control the pace.
Matthews trying to control from the bottom.
Harper thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Matthews tries to roll over but Harper keeps him under control.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Matthews is staying active underneath Harper, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Harper shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Matthews pinned against the cage. Matthews gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alex Harper showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Harper 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 Phil Schofield scores the fight 29:28
Judge William Gold scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alex Harper!