PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Chrysanthos Xanthopoulos (ranked 1204 p4p, 1458 weight class) and Michal Materlak (ranked 161 p4p, 192 weight class). Materlak is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Marzenia. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Xanthopoulos
vs
Materlak

183 cm
25
180
9 - 6 - 0

175 cm
25
172
9 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Champion Apparel

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing
Conquer

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 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Chrysanthos Xanthopoulos!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Michal Materlak!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Gregory Folan and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Xanthopoulos takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Xanthopoulos thows a left - swing and a miss!
Xanthopoulos swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Xanthopoulos shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Materlak, as that shot connected.
Xanthopoulos takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Materlak jabs Xanthopoulos right on the nose. Xanthopoulos blinks but takes it well.
Materlak avoids a punch combination nicely.
Xanthopoulos will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Xanthopoulos throws a right and a left that Materlak avoids nicely.
Materlak lunges at Xanthopoulos with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Xanthopoulos's hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Materlak gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Xanthopoulos.

It looks like Michal Materlak has been cut.
Xanthopoulos takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
We've been informed that Materlak has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.

Materlak has Xanthopoulos up against the cage in a clinch.
Xanthopoulos wants a takedown.
Nice body punch from Materlak.
Materlak scores with a shot to the side of Xanthopoulos's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Xanthopoulos is trying to force a seperation but Materlak has the dominant position.
Xanthopoulos is trying to break the clinch but Materlak has him pressed against the cage.
Materlak misses with a short punch on the inside.

Xanthopoulos breaks the clinch.
Materlak rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Xanthopoulos counters with a takedown into side control.
Materlak is trying to improve his position.
Materlak regains half guard.
Xanthopoulos not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Xanthopoulos thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
We've been hearing good reports from Xanthopoulos's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Materlak is pressing down on Xanthopoulos's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Xanthopoulos trying to control but Materlak is working from the bottom.
Xanthopoulos scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xanthopoulos with a flurry of punches that miss.
Xanthopoulos stands and throws Materlak's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Xanthopoulos tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Materlak wants to control but Xanthopoulos postures up.
Xanthopoulos scores with a couple of short elbows.
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!
Xanthopoulos working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Materlak regains half guard, as Xanthopoulos was trying to land strikes.
Materlak avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Xanthopoulos.
Materlak tries to roll over but Xanthopoulos keeps him under control.
Xanthopoulos not doing much here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Materlak is holding on to half guard well.
Xanthopoulos looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Xanthopoulos is trying to control the action in half guard but Materlak is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Xanthopoulos controlling the action here.
Materlak is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Xanthopoulos is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's four 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.
Materlak works his way to full guard. Good work.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Materlak is on top in guard.

Materlak trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Xanthopoulos pulls Materlak in close to his closed guard and prevents Materlak from doing any damage or advancing position.
Materlak won't allow Xanthopoulos to sweep him here.
Xanthopoulos seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Xanthopoulos wants to control the position but Materlak says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Xanthopoulos wants to improve his position but Materlak is controlling well.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Michal Materlak will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Michal Materlak's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Xanthopoulos dives in for a single leg takedown but Materlak sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
A body shot lands from Materlak.
Materlak gets underhooks to prevent Xanthopoulos's takedown attempt.
Materlak misses with the head strike.
Materlak softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

It looks like Chrysanthos Xanthopoulos has been cut.

Materlak pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Materlak scores with a jab to the jaw.
Xanthopoulos fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chrysanthos Xanthopoulos. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Materlak turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Materlak connects with a solid leg kick.
Xanthopoulos takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Xanthopoulos pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Xanthopoulos shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Materlak defends it nicely.
Materlak scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Materlak with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Xanthopoulos bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Materlak's head.
Materlak tries to clinch but Xanthopoulos moves out of range.
Materlak lands a slapping body shot.
Xanthopoulos misses with a lunging right hand
and Materlak counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Xanthopoulos chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Materlak can pounce on him.
Materlak has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A jab lands there for Materlak.
Xanthopoulos rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
enabling Materlak to counter with a crisp jab.
Xanthopoulos with a poor takedown
enabling Materlak to counter with a crisp jab.
Xanthopoulos darts in looking for a takedown but Materlak gets double underhooks and turns Xanthopoulos into the cage.
Materlak blocks an uppercut.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Xanthopoulos.
Materlak lands a left hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Materlak lands with a light punch inside.
Xanthopoulos is looking to break free of the clinch but Materlak has double underhooks.
Xanthopoulos has had enough of the clinch but Materlak keeps him there for the moment.
Xanthopoulos drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xanthopoulos swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Materlak lands a body punch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Materlak.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Materlak makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Materlak scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Materlak.

Xanthopoulos's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Materlak connects with a leg kick.
Xanthopoulos moves forwards but Materlak connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Materlak connects with a good right hand that stumbles Xanthopoulos. Xanthopoulos circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Xanthopoulos misses with a body shot
and Materlak counters with a straight right hand.
Materlak digs a good hook to Xanthopoulos's body.
Michal Materlak seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Xanthopoulos ducks under a wild hook from Materlak.
As Materlak looks to move away, Xanthopoulos throws a big counter combo but Materlak just gets out of the way.
Xanthopoulos gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Materlak.
Materlak lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Xanthopoulos swings widly with a right hand
and Materlak counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Michal Materlak is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Materlak wants to clinch up but Xanthopoulos keeps it at a distance.
Xanthopoulos is looking to counter punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Materlak jabs at Xanthopoulos's body.
Nice defenses there by Materlak.
Materlak cracks Xanthopoulos with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Materlak lands with a nice body punch.
Sloppy strikes from Xanthopoulos. Those never looked like landing.
Materlak ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
A low kick lands for Materlak.
Materlak cracks Xanthopoulos with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Materlak chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Xanthopoulos throws a right hand that misses

and Materlak counters by clinching up.
Xanthopoulos blocks a body shot from Materlak.
Materlak lands with a short head shot on the inside.
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!
Materlak prevents the takedown attempt.
Materlak scores with a shoulder strike.
Xanthopoulos has Materlak pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Materlak manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Xanthopoulos takes a shot to the head.
Xanthopoulos is trying to push Materlak away but Materlak has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Xanthopoulos drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Michal Materlak seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Materlak throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Xanthopouloss head.
Materlak goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Materlak decides to pull guard.
Xanthopoulos won't allow Materlak to sweep him here.
Xanthopoulos postures up.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Materlak is on top in guard.

Materlak stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Xanthopoulos swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Xanthopoulos wants to sweep here but Materlak controlling him for the moment.
Materlak must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Materlak looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Michal Materlak showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Materlak staying out of range there.
Materlak let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Materlak tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Michal Materlak seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Xanthopoulos misses with a straight right.

Xanthopoulos drives through with a takedown into Materlak's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Xanthopoulos is standing up over Materlak. Materlak looks to escape but Xanthopoulos dives into side control.

Xanthopoulos throws a strike aimed at the side of Materlak's head but Materlak avoids it well.
Materlak is looking to regain half guard here but Xanthopoulos keeps moving and retains side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Materlak keeps trying to improve his position.
Xanthopoulos wants to lay and pray for a moment but Materlak keeps working.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Xanthopoulos creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Materlak tries to control but Xanthopoulos manages to take his back.
Will Xanthopoulos go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Materlak trying to control the hands but Xanthopoulos won't let him.
Watch the back of the head! Comes the shout from the referee towards Xanthopoulos.
Materlak is in bad spot here.
Xanthopoulos lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
Can Materlak hold on?! Xanthopoulos is landing more strikes to his hapless foe.
Michal Materlak is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Materlak just looking to survive in the bad position.
Xanthopoulos missing with punches from the back.
Xanthopoulos is trying to stick to Materlak's back but Materlak is turning into Xanthopoulos. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Xanthopoulos's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Materlak.
Xanthopoulos controls Materlak momentarily but Materlak frees himself.
Chrysanthos Xanthopoulos overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Xanthopoulos is pulling down on Materlak's head to control his posture.
Xanthopoulos wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xanthopoulos trying to control the position.
Materlak slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Xanthopoulos tries to buck Materlak off but Materlak is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Xanthopoulos struggling a bit here.
Materlak controlling the position.
Materlak working away.
Materlak is looking to take a break and control but Xanthopoulos is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Xanthopoulos wants to control but Materlak postures up.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chrysanthos Xanthopoulos showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Materlak 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 Steve Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 27:29
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michal Materlak!
Michal Materlak thanked the fans post fight for their support.