PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Leyte Gulf (ranked 100 p4p, 231 weight class) and Tanaka Matsuda (ranked 13 p4p, 35 weight class). Gulf's entrance music is For Heavy Metal we will die!. A fine choice. Matsuda is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Gojira - Another World. Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Tanaka Matsuda enters the cage!

Gulf
vs
Matsuda

188 cm
35
185
21 - 9 - 0

190 cm
30
200
20 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Heavy Metal Drugs
HELLBENT

Brooklyn Apothecary
Brooklyn Threads

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 21 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Leyte Gulf!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Tanaka Matsuda!
The judges for this bout are Percy O'Donnell, Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matsuda tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gulf was well out of range. Poor timing from Matsuda.
Matsuda fails with a takedown attempt.
Gulf ducks right into an uppercut from Matsuda.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matsuda waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Gulf.
Gulf swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Gulf uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Matsuda.
A quick step to the side and Gulf tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Matsuda misses with a hook. Gulf ducked under it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsuda tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gulf was well out of range. Poor timing from Matsuda.
Gulf leaves Matsuda with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Gulf closes the distance but Matsuda moves to the side

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

Gulf looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Matsuda passes into side control.
Matsuda trying to control the position but Gulf is working away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Matsuda might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Gulf haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Gulf is trying to work for a sweep but Matsuda has mounted him!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gulf working to try and regain half guard.
Matsuda with good strikes from the mount here!
Matsuda landing shots from mount.
Gulf tries to reverse the position but Matsuda maintains control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gulf is working hard here to advance position.
Matsuda raining down shots from the mount!
Matsuda has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Gulf is trying to escape the mount.
Matsuda can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Gulf is looking to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsuda connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gulf is looking to get to half guard.
Gulf sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Matsuda lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Matsuda looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Gulf trying to control from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Matsuda is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Gulf defends it well.
Gulf slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Gulf has his foot on Matsuda's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Matsuda works his way back into a safe position though.
Matsuda won't allow Gulf to sweep him here.
Gulf keeping moving, preventing Matsuda from controlling successfully.
Gulf wants to sweep but no luck.
Gulf is trying to keep Matsuda in close.

Gulf has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Matsuda can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Matsuda postures up and lands a big shot to Gulf's brow.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Matsuda shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Gulf is trying to defend but Matsuda finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Matsuda is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Gulf wants to improve his position but Matsuda is controlling well.
Matsuda is thwarting Gulf's attempts to control the position.
Gulf is looking to improve his position.
Gulf won't allow Matsuda to pass to mount.
Gulf has hold of Matsuda's hands but Matsuda slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Matsuda is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Gulf is just riding it out for now. Matsuda eventually gives up the hold.
Gulf is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Matsuda scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsuda is looking to take a break and control but Gulf is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Matsuda is pressing down on Gulf's thigh, looking to free his foot. Gulf is holding on for now.
Gulf is trying to maintain the position but Matsuda is very close to passing his half guard.
Gulf keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Gulf taking some punishment here, with Matsuda in his half guard.
Gulf is looking to improve his position.
Matsuda wants to free his trapped foot but Gulf is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Matsuda is looking for a kimura here.
Matsuda has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Matsuda is looking to advance position but Gulf won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Matsuda is working for a submission of some sort.
Gulf tries to get to full guard but Matsuda has control of the leg.
Gulf trying to hold on to Matsuda's head to control him but Matsuda postures up.
Gulf moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Gulf looking for a sweep. Not yet Gulf, not yet.
Gulf can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Matsuda controls the pace.
Gulf 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gulf keeping moving, preventing Matsuda from controlling successfully.
Matsuda postures up in Gulf's guard and throws a big left but Gulf blocks it.
Matsuda makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Gulf has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Matsuda has passed into side control.

Matsuda thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Gulf taking punishment in the form of punches.
Gulf is trying to improve his position.
Matsuda wants to lay and pray for a moment but Gulf keeps working.
Gulf is trying to improve his position.
Matsuda looks up at the clock and then as Gulf takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Matsuda smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsuda working the body and head with strikes.
Matsuda advances to mount.
Matsuda punishing his opponent with strikes.
Matsuda breaks from Gulf's wrist control and lands an elbow.

Matsuda working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gulf is wriggling around trying to escape.
Gulf bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Gulf throwing strikes from guard but Matsuda blocks nicely.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Matsuda is looking for a triangle but Gulf pushes his legs off easily.
Gulf has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Gulf is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tanaka Matsuda showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Matsuda throws a shot from downtown. Gulf moves away and avoids it.
Leyte Gulf has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A nice leg kick lands there from Gulf.
Matsuda missing with a left hand there. Gulf was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Gulf looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Matsuda lands a head shot.
Matsuda lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Gulf scores with a sloppy right hand. Matsuda should have avoided that one.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matsuda misses with a straight left.
Matsuda bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Gulf catches Matsuda with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gulf misses with a hook
letting Matsuda counter with a right hand.
Gulf misses with a double jab.
Matsuda throws a jab when Gulf was well out of range.
Gulf waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Matsuda.
Gulf uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Matsuda.
Nice defenses there by Gulf.
Gulf scores with a hook.

It looks like Tanaka Matsuda has been cut.
A swing and a miss from Matsuda.
Gulf throws out a leg kick but Matsuda moves out of range and Gulf only half commits.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gulf displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Matsuda throws out the jab.
Matsuda scores with a hook.
Matsuda moves out of range of the strikes.
A jab lands there for Matsuda.
A looping hook to the body misses from Matsuda. Gulf does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gulf is looking to counter punch.
Matsuda lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Gulf at a distance.
Gulf slips under a jab from Matsuda.
Leyte Gulf is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Matsuda works Gulf's body with a nice hook.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Matsuda, as that shot connected.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsuda lands with an uppercut that bounces Gulf off the cage and back into range.
Gulf blocks a jab.
Matsuda punishes Gulf's body with a nice straight punch.
Gulf ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Matsuda throws a shot to the body.
Gulf scores with a crisp jab that stopped Matsuda in his tracks.
Matsuda tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Gulf defends well and Matsuda ends up having to push Gulf into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Matsuda ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsuda takes a swing at Gulf's ribcage but misses.
Matsuda slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Matsuda throws the left hand but Gulf avoids the punch easily.
Matsuda ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gulf moves away.
Gulf swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Gulf misses with a hook. Matsuda ducked under it nicely.
Gulf uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Matsuda.
Tanaka Matsuda is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Matsuda swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Matsuda takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A shot to the body from Matsuda misses
and Gulf counters with a two punch combo.
No luck for Matsuda with that takedown attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tanaka Matsuda comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Matsuda has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tanaka Matsuda!
A very excited looking Tanaka Matsuda made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.