PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mickey Backman (ranked 1319 p4p, 1681 weight class) and Johnny Matthews (ranked 177 p4p, 227 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Backman
vs
Matthews

181 cm
27
177
5 - 1 - 0

180 cm
21
180
6 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Solid Muay Thai
Good gas tank

Barry Bonds Performance Enhancers $120 3 160Q
Brooklyn Threads

Nutritional Shaved Ice
Brooklyn Threads

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Mickey Backman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Johnny Matthews!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, Alyssa Summers and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A low kick lands for Backman.
Matthews scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

Backman drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Backman trying to control the position but Matthews is working away.
Matthews is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Backman off and has taken his back!
Backman tries to escape the position.

Matthews is looking for the choke from the back position but Backman is controlling his hands well.
My spies in LET Gym inform me that Matthews has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Matthews is trying to stick to Backman's back but Backman is turning into Matthews. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Matthews's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Backman.
Backman sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Matthews's guard.
Backman is keen to just control but Matthews is a slippery customer.
Matthews is looking for a sweep. Backman is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Backman is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Matthews doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Backman.
Backman wants to pass the guard but Matthews is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Backman seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Matthews does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Backman is looking to advance position but Matthews won't allow it.
Backman is trying to control. Matthews wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Backman moves nicely into side control.
Matthews is looking to regain half guard here but Backman keeps moving and retains side control.
Backman passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Matthews!
Matthews is trying to escape the mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Matthews keeps trying to improve his position.
Backman controlling the position easily from mount.
Backman tries to control but Matthews wriggling away.
Matthews can't escape the position.
Backman lands a nice shot to the head.
Backman lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Matthews is looking to get to half guard.
Matthews bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matthews postures up and lands a big shot to Backman's brow.

Backman throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Matthews with a flurry of punches that miss.

Matthews drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Backman manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Matthews has Backman in his guard.

Matthews is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Backman is aware though and is defending well.

Matthews looking for a guillotine here but Backman defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Backman pushing down on Matthews's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Matthews is trying to get back to full guard.
Backman trying to mount his opponent but Matthews defends it.
Matthews gets full guard.
Backman looking to pass the guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Matthews escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Backman gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Backman stands and throws Matthews's legs to the side, diving into side control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mickey Backman dominated that round.
That's time! Backman's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Matthews tries for a takedown but Backman sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Johnny Matthews seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Backman throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Matthews feints the counter takedown.
Matthews shoots for a takedown but Backman saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Backman feinted with a counter takedown.
Matthews takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Matthews blocks a leg kick.
Matthews misses with a takedown attempt - Backman sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Mickey Backman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Johnny Matthews.
Crunch! Backman slams his shin into Matthews's torso.
Matthews goes for a double leg but Backman avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Backman continues to drive forward.
Matthews tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Backman swivels and escapes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matthews fails with the takedown.
Matthews is breathing heavily.
Backman avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Backman looks to land a body kick but Matthews moved away.
A shot to the liver by Matthews. Beautiful body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matthews shoots for a double leg takedown but Backman sprawls well. He's pushed Matthews's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Backman takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
A nice leg kick from Backman, right into the meat of the thigh.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Matthews.
Matthews shoots in for a takedown but Backman shows good takedown defense.
That kick from Backman tenderised Matthews's leg. Matthews is trying to keep his angry face on.
Backman tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Matthews shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Backman defends it nicely.
Backman throws a body kick that misses.

Backman gets a takedown into half guard.
Matthews wants to improve his position but Backman is controlling well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Backman trying to control from half guard but Matthews is working away.
Backman has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Backman punishing his opponent with strikes.

Matthews is rocked!
Backman unloads with some vicious shots from mount and Matthews wants out - he looks towards the referee who steps in to save him! Backman celebrates on the cage and the crowd goes wild!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:52 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Mickey Backman!
Mickey Backman took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, Barry Bonds Performance Enhancers $120 3 160Q for their support in the buildup to the fight.