PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tanaka Matsuda (ranked 1159 p4p, 787 weight class) and Landon McGuire (ranked 171 p4p, 116 weight class). Matsuda comes to the cage accompanied by Avenged Sevenfold - Hail to the King. McGuire has chosen Godsmack - When Legends Rise as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Matsuda
vs
McGuire

190 cm
28
200
16 - 7 - 0

186 cm
27
186
10 - 7 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Brooklyn Threads
Brooklyn Apothecary

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

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 16 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Tanaka Matsuda!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Landon McGuire!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matsuda closes this distance looking for a takedown but McGuire circles away.
It seemed like McGuire was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Matsuda uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by McGuire.
It looked like Matsuda wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by McGuire!

It looks like Tanaka Matsuda has been cut.
Matsuda throws a body shot but no joy.
Matsuda getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Matsuda misses with a body shot.
Matsuda has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Gunner's School of Combat in the buildup to the fight.
Matsuda takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
McGuire lands with a nice body punch.
McGuire throws the kick towards the body but Matsuda avoids it.
Matsuda appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
McGuire throws a head kick that half lands.
Matsuda misses with a hook.
Matsuda fakes high and swings low for a body shot but McGuire manages to avoid it.
McGuire feints a counter leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McGuire displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Matsuda.
A countering left hand to the body from McGuire misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGuire stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tanaka Matsuda. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A looping hook to the body misses from McGuire. Matsuda does a little dance to reset his feet.
Matsuda lands a jab to the head.
Matsuda lands a head shot.
Matsuda throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Matsuda misses with a wild body shot.
A punch lands to the side of McGuire 's head but he takes it in his stride.
McGuire swings for the body but Matsuda moves out of range.
Matsuda moves out of range as McGuire throws a body kick.
Matsuda tries to counter with a takedown but McGuire is quick to defend against it.
Matsuda misses with a wild body shot.
Nice cross by Matsuda.
McGuire tries a head kick but it misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsuda stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from McGuire.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Matsuda, as that shot connected.

A momentary lapse in concentration from McGuire enables Matsuda to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. McGuire manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McGuire is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

McGuire looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
McGuire utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

McGuire is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now McGuire is on top in guard.

Matsuda has his foot on McGuire's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. McGuire works his way back into a safe position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGuire sitting in guard here, content to control.

Matsuda looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
McGuire trying to control but Matsuda is working from the bottom.
McGuire is in close to Matsuda's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as McGuire accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
McGuire throwing strikes from guard but Matsuda blocks nicely.
McGuire must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
McGuire stopping the sweep attempt from Matsuda.
McGuire keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Matsuda's head.

Matsuda had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. McGuire defends it easily.

Matsuda has his foot on McGuire's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. McGuire works his way back into a safe position though.
McGuire keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Matsuda's head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Landon McGuire will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Tanaka Matsuda's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Good standup being displayed there by McGuire as he connects with a hook.

McGuire closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
McGuire misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Matsuda successfully pulls guard.
Matsuda working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from McGuire.

Matsuda throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Matsuda has his foot on McGuire's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. McGuire works his way back into a safe position though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McGuire looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
McGuire pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Matsuda is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Matsuda escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. McGuire gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Matsuda looking to control.

McGuire got a little sloppy there for a moment and Matsuda has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, McGuire has managed to get both his arms back between Matsuda's legs - danger averted.
McGuire is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
McGuire trying to control but Matsuda is working from the bottom.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Matsuda looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
McGuire trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
McGuire postures up and lands a big shot to Matsuda's brow.
Matsuda is trying to keep McGuire in close.
McGuire tries to free his leg and advance position but Matsuda is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGuire postures up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Matsuda cracks McGuire with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Matsuda moves out of range of the strikes.
McGuire misses with an uppercut.
Matsuda throws a jab when McGuire was well out of range.
McGuire closes the distance and clinches up with Matsuda, looking for a takedown. McGuire pushes Matsuda against the cage but Matsuda circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
McGuire throws a series of strikes that have Matsuda backpedaling.
Matsuda takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Matsuda checks the leg kick.

Matsuda feints and as McGuire raises his hands in defense, Matsuda changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Matsuda wants to control from the top but McGuire keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsuda scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Matsuda won't allow McGuire to sweep him here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Matsuda trying to control the position from guard on top but McGuire is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Matsuda working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Landon McGuire will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Tanaka Matsuda's cut.
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 missing with a left hand there. McGuire was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
McGuire throws a low kick but Matsuda avoids it.
A nice leg kick from McGuire, right into the meat of the thigh.
Matsuda jabs McGuire right on the nose. McGuire blinks but takes it well.

McGuire tries to sprawl but Matsuda drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Matsuda lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

McGuire looking for submissions off his back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matsuda is keen to just control but McGuire is a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Matsuda is looking for a kimura but McGuire is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Matsuda to get the leverage.

McGuire looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
McGuire wants to improve his position but Matsuda is controlling well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Matsuda trying to control the action but McGuire is working from the bottom.
Matsuda is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Matsuda wants to lay and pray for a moment but McGuire keeps working.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

McGuire looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Matsuda lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Matsuda scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

McGuire is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Matsuda pulls his head out easily.
Matsuda is trying to control. McGuire wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
McGuire is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Tanaka Matsuda overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsuda is looking to take a break and control but McGuire is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
McGuire is trying to maintain the position but Matsuda is very close to passing his half guard.
Matsuda slips a nice elbow through McGuire's hands, connecting with McGuire's forehead.
Matsuda works his way into side control.
Tanaka Matsuda has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
McGuire is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
McGuire manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsuda slips a nice elbow through McGuire's hands, connecting with McGuire's forehead.
Matsuda throwing shots but McGuire is blocking nicely.
McGuire on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Matsuda is working for a kimura but McGuire is defending it quite comfortably.
McGuire trying to hold on to Matsuda's head to control him but Matsuda postures up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Matsuda lands strikes from half guard.
McGuire has his hands clasped together around Matsuda's back. He's all about the action.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tanaka Matsuda showed his dominance in that final round.
I think McGuire 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 28:29
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Landon McGuire!
During a confident post fight interview, Landon McGuire thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.