PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight kickboxing rules bout between Ernesto Mathieu (ranked 2543 p4p, 21905 weight class) and Zacharias Kassicus (ranked 346 p4p, 642 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Mathieu
vs
Kassicus

200 cm
26
255
3 - 1 - 0

190 cm
32
240
13 - 13 - 0

World class boxer
Granite chin

World class MT
Good gas tank

Conviction

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ernesto Mathieu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Zacharias Kassicus!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Daniel Franklin and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mathieu avoids the body shot from Kassicus.
Kassicus ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mathieu moves away.
Kassicus throws a body shot but no joy.
Mathieu thinks about countering with a head kick.
Zacharias Kassicus seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kassicus misses with a right hand
and Mathieu counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Mathieu misses with a two punch combination.
We've been told by Mathieu's head coaches at Convicted Top Team that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Mathieu looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Mathieu throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
letting Kassicus counter with a right hand.
Some wild striking there from Kassicus.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kassicus misses with a straight left.
Kassicus keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Kassicus takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Kassicus pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Mathieu back to the ropes. Kassicus follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mathieu tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Kassicus paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kassicus throws a counter combo.
Kassicus throws a right hand that misses
and Mathieu counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

It looks like Zacharias Kassicus has been cut.
Kassicus throws the left hand but Mathieu avoids the punch easily.
Kassicus lands a nice looking body shot.
Mathieu lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Mathieu slips a jab and a cross from Kassicus.
Kassicus throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mathieu sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Mathieu was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Kassicus stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Kassicus throws a jab when Mathieu was well out of range.
Kassicus throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mathieu sees it coming and avoids it easily.
It looked like Mathieu wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Kassicus jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Mathieu throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Kassicus misses with a hook. Mathieu ducked under it nicely.
A little feinted left hand from Mathieu on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jab from Kassicus.
Kassicus lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kassicus throws a body shot but no joy.
Kassicus misses with an uppercut
and Mathieu counters with a straight right hand.
Decent striking displayed by Kassicus there.
Kassicus connects with a right hand. Mathieu shakes it off.
Kassicus lands the left hand.
Kassicus throws a right hand that misses
and Mathieu counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kassicus swings widly with a right hand
and Mathieu counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Mathieu takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Kassicus is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Mathieu had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into mush.
Kassicus stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Mathieu.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mathieu throws a hook but Kassicus blocks it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Zacharias Kassicus dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Zacharias Kassicus's cut.
That's time! Mathieu's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Mathieu closes the distance and catches Kassicus with a lead hook that drops him to the canvas! Kassicus is clearly dazed and struggling here! 3,4,5,6,7 and Kassicus is up to his feet but the referee has called it off! Kassicus is still far too wobbly and he's not going to allow the fight to continue! Mathieu takes it!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:05 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punch). Ernesto Mathieu!
Ernesto Mathieu was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.