PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tanaka Matsuda (ranked 435 p4p, 1182 weight class) and Wilfred Ainsworth (ranked 68 p4p, 181 weight class). Matsuda's entrance music is Avenged Sevenfold - Hail to the King. A fine choice. Ainsworth has chosen Fred Neil - Everybody's Talkin' as his entrance music. Tanaka Matsuda has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Matsuda
vs
Ainsworth

190 cm
26
200
15 - 4 - 0

179 cm
24
185
11 - 4 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Brooklyn Threads
Brooklyn Apothecary

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 15 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Tanaka Matsuda!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Wilfred Ainsworth!
The judges for this bout are Ben Hemmingworth, Summer Carpenter and Topper Green.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ainsworth lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Matsuda on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Wilfred Ainsworth seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Matsuda keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ainsworth on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Matsuda stuns Ainsworth with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Nice cross by Matsuda.
Nice defenses there by Matsuda.
Ainsworth lands a jab to the nose.
Ainsworth is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Ainsworth misses with a body shot.
Matsuda attempts a counter takedown but Ainsworth avoids it well and moves away.
Matsuda checks a low kick from Ainsworth.
Matsuda fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Ainsworth looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ainsworth lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Matsuda at a distance.
Ainsworth attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Matsuda attempts a counter takedown but Ainsworth avoids it well and moves away.
Ainsworth throws a chopping leg kick but Matsuda manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Matsuda is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Matsuda throws out a powerful jab.
Ainsworth scoring well with a low kick there.
Matsuda swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Ainsworth counters with a straight right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ainsworth is looking to slow Matsuda down with leg kicks.
Matsuda uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ainsworth.
Ainsworth misses with a leg kick

and Matsuda decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Ainsworth's guard.

Ainsworth has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Matsuda off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Matsuda smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Ainsworth throws a leg kick which misses Matsuda's front leg but catches the back leg as Matsuda tries to avoid it.
Matsuda misses with an uppercut.
Matsuda is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
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!
A jab from Matsuda misses.
Ainsworth scores with a hook to the body. Matsuda takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Ainsworth scores with a leg kick.
Ainsworth slips a straight right by Matsuda.
A low kick lands for Ainsworth.
Matsuda throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Matsuda looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Ainsworth lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Ainsworth throws a leg kick

and Matsuda counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Matsuda.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsuda scoring with punches to the head and body.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ainsworth looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Matsuda tries to free his leg and advance position but Ainsworth is retaining full guard.
Ainsworth pulls Matsuda in close to prevent any damage.
Ainsworth is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Ainsworth is pulling down on Matsuda's head. It's preventing any offense from Matsuda, at least for the moment.
Matsuda trying to control the position from guard on top but Ainsworth is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsuda stopping the sweep attempt from Ainsworth.
Matsuda lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Ainsworth is trying to keep Matsuda in close.
Matsuda lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Matsuda postures up.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Matsuda's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Ainsworth is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Ainsworth has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Ainsworth looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsuda wants to control from the top but Ainsworth keeps moving.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Matsuda 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.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Ainsworth with a nice calf kick.
Matsuda misses the shot to the body.
Wilfred Ainsworth is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Matsuda throws a looping overhand right but Ainsworth ducks down to avoid it.
Matsuda misses with a body shot.
Ainsworth thumps Matsuda with a low kick.
Matsuda throws a shot from downtown. Ainsworth moves away and avoids it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Wilfred Ainsworth will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Ainsworth scores with a push kick.
Ainsworth looks to land a left hand but Matsuda moved out of range nicely.
Matsuda is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Ainsworth dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Matsuda drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
You can see the frustration on Ainsworth's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Ainsworth is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Matsuda off and has taken his back!
Ainsworth slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
Ainsworth has the hooks in. Matsuda is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Good control from Ainsworth.
Ainsworth is trying to stick to Matsuda's back but Matsuda is turning into Ainsworth. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Ainsworth's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Matsuda.
Matsuda will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Ainsworth has control of Matsuda's left arm, preventing Matsuda from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ainsworth working a defensive guard here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Matsuda wants to control from the top but Ainsworth keeps moving.
Matsuda content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Ainsworth wants to sweep but no luck.
Matsuda wants to pass the guard but Ainsworth is keeping the position.
Ainsworth is controlling Matsuda's posture.
Ainsworth is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Matsuda is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Matsuda trying to control but Ainsworth is working from the bottom.

That's two 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.
Matsuda is pushing down on Ainsworth's leg trying to pass to half guard. Ainsworth is fighting to maintain full guard but Matsuda has managed to sneak the leg through.
Ainsworth blocking the ground and pound attempt from Matsuda.
Ainsworth is looking to control Matsuda's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Ainsworth avoid being mounted?
Matsuda 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.
Matsuda prevents Ainsworth from standing back up.
Ainsworth trying to control here.
Matsuda is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Matsuda looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Ainsworth is refusing to be controlled, as Matsuda sits in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsuda working Ainsworth over with strikes.
Ainsworth trying to control from the bottom.
Matsuda scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

Matsuda seems to be working for a kimura but Ainsworth defends the submission attempt.
Ainsworth moves into full guard.

Matsuda is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Matsuda throws a strike but Ainsworth rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ainsworth trying to control but Matsuda is working from the bottom.

Matsuda looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Ainsworth passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Tanaka Matsuda overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ainsworth is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tanaka Matsuda dominated that second round.
That's time! Matsuda's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Matsuda feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Ainsworths jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Matsuda shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Ainsworth but Ainsworth pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Ainsworth is looking to slow Matsuda down with leg kicks.
Matsuda has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Ainsworth.
Ainsworth misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Matsuda.
Matsuda changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Matsuda takes a swing at Ainsworth's ribcage but misses.
Jab by Ainsworth.
A nice leg kick lands there from Ainsworth.
Wilfred Ainsworth seems to be getting the better of the standup.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matsuda tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Ainsworth explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Ainsworth fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Matsuda checks it well.

Matsuda closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Ainsworth did well to prevent Matsuda getting side control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Matsuda is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Ainsworth has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ainsworth works his way to full guard. Good work.
Matsuda advances to half guard.
Ainsworth tries to get to full guard but Matsuda has control of the leg.

Ainsworth actively working from the bottom here.
Matsuda working the head and body with strikes.
Ainsworth trying to control here.
Ainsworth preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Matsuda slows the pace down in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsuda missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Matsuda working the head and body with strikes.
Ainsworth tries to roll over but Matsuda keeps him under control.
Matsuda drops an elbow to the side of Ainsworth's head.
Ainsworth is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Matsuda jumps into side control!
Ainsworth is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Ainsworth is looking for a sweep.
Ainsworth is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Matsuda off and has taken his back!
Matsuda tries to escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsuda tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Matsuda keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Ainsworth looking to control and managing it successfully.
Matsuda really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Ainsworth controlling from the full mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsuda wants to hold on but Ainsworth pushes him away.
Matsuda is working to get back to half guard.
Ainsworth tries to control but Matsuda wriggling away.
Matsuda working to try and regain half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Wilfred Ainsworth.
I think Ainsworth 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 Ben Hemmingworth scores the fight 28:29
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 29:28
Judge Topper Green scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Wilfred Ainsworth!
Wilfred Ainsworth decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.