PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tanaka Matsuda (ranked 24 p4p, 38 weight class) and Chip Nickel (ranked 2 p4p, 5 weight class). Matsuda comes into the arena with Gojira - Another World blaring out of the sound system. Nickel is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: TISM - Greg the Stop Sign. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Matsuda
vs
Nickel

190 cm
30
200
23 - 9 - 0

189 cm
32
186
28 - 10 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Brooklyn Threads
Brooklyn Apothecary

Conviction
SynCity Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Tanaka Matsuda!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 10 - 0, fighting out of New York, Chip Nickel!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Shirou Masuda and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nickel getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Nickel throws a shot from downtown. Matsuda moves away and avoids it.
Nickel throws a jab when Matsuda was well out of range.
Matsuda was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Nickel takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Matsuda misses with a hook
and Nickel makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
No luck for Matsuda with that takedown attempt.
Nickel takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Nickel waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Matsuda.
Matsuda looks to score with a jab to the body but Nickel is just out of range.
Nickel throws a shot from downtown. Matsuda moves away and avoids it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matsuda's corner calls for a 1-2. Matsuda obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Nickel lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Nickel attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Matsuda keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Nickel.
Nickel throws a lazy uppercut

and Matsuda decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Nickel's guard.

Nickel manages to escape and get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chip Nickel is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Matsuda on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Nickel. Nickel obviously looking to wear him down.

Matsuda drives through with a takedown into Nickel's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Matsuda working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Nickel's head.
Matsuda showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Nickel is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Nickel is on top in guard.

Matsuda looking for a sweep. Not yet Matsuda, not yet.
Nickel trying to stand up but can't free himself from Matsuda's guard.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nickel would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Nickel wants to control from the top but Matsuda keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nickel wants to stand but Matsuda is controlling his posture from full guard.
Matsuda wants to sweep but no luck.
Matsuda is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Matsuda can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Nickel controls the pace.

Nickel avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Nickel stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nickel scores with a spinning back kick!
Matsuda looks to land a right hand but Nickel moved out of range.
Nickel swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Nickel connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Matsuda's hands.
Nickel loads up on a big right hand but Matsuda slips the punch.
Matsuda appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Matsuda has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Nickel finds it's way round the side to connect with Matsuda's head.
Matsuda lands with a good body shot.
Nickel lands with a shot to the body.
Matsuda fails with the takedown
and Nickel counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Matsuda tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nickel was well out of range. Poor timing from Matsuda.
Matsuda goes for a double leg but Nickel avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Nickel continues to drive forward.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tanaka Matsuda. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nickel working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Nickel swings wildly with an uppercut but Matsuda uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nickel misses with a body punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsuda prevents a body shot from Nickel.

Matsuda's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
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!
Matsuda fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Matsuda throws the left hand but Nickel avoids the punch easily.
Nickel pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Matsuda attempts a counter takedown but Nickel avoids it well and moves away.
Nickel misses the shot to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Matsuda misses the target.
Nickel keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nickel throws a leg kick
and Matsuda cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A jab from Nickel finds it's way through Matsuda's defenses.

Matsuda shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Nickel's guard.
Nickel is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Matsuda is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Chip Nickel dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Matsuda changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Nickel lands a head shot.
Nickel lands the left hand.
Matsuda throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Matsuda takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Matsuda drops his hands momentarily and Nickel takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Matsuda is looking to wear down Nickel with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Nickel throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nickel throws a big shot that misses.
Matsuda checks the leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nickel throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Matsuda ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Matsuda half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Nickel has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nickel misses with a hook to the body
and Matsuda counters with a straight right hand.
Nickel throws a jab when Matsuda was well out of range.
Matsuda is looking to counter punch.
A jab lands there for Nickel.
Matsuda looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
That kick from Nickel tenderised Matsuda's leg. Matsuda is trying to keep his angry face on.
Nickel with a body punch. A glancing blow.

Matsuda drives through with a takedown into Nickel's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Matsuda scoring with some ground and pound.
Matsuda scoring with punches to the head and body.
Matsuda with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Matsuda throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Matsuda won't allow Nickel to sweep him here.
Matsuda wants to control from the top but Nickel keeps moving.
Nickel wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

Nickel pushes Matsuda off and scrambles back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsuda throws a body punch but Nickel moves out of range.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nickel lands a leg kick that knocks Matsuda off balance momentarily.
Chip Nickel seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nickel misses the body punch
and Matsuda counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Chip Nickel seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nickel misses the jab.
Nice jab there from Matsuda.
Matsuda misses with a jab to the body
and Nickel counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Matsuda tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nickel was well out of range. Poor timing from Matsuda.
Nickel swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
A jab from Nickel does it's job there.
Matsuda slips a jab from Nickel.
Nickel moves out of range as Matsuda strikes.
Matsuda ducks under a wild hook from Nickel.
Matsuda sizes up Nickel with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Matsuda uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Nickel.
Nickel has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Matsuda finds it's way round the side to connect with Nickel's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nickel throws out a loose jab but Matsuda uses good head movement to avoid it.
A big left from Nickel misses.
Nickel ducks under a wild hook from Matsuda.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Nickel, as that shot connected.
Matsuda ducks under a wild hook from Nickel.
Nickel turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Matsuda throws a hook but Nickel avoids it easily.
Matsuda misses with a looping right.
Nickel gets cracked there but stands up to it.

Matsuda fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Nickel to the ground. Matsuda is now in Nickel's guard.
Nickel is looking to stand back up but Matsuda counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Nickel.

Matsuda working Nickel over with strikes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nickel looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nickel wants to control but Matsuda is keeping busy.
Matsuda drops an elbow to the side of Nickel's head.
Nickel trying to control but Matsuda postures up.
Matsuda lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Matsuda is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Nickel doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Matsuda.
Nickel is looking for a sweep. Matsuda is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Chip Nickel will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Matsuda decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Matsuda is looking for a kimura but Nickel is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Matsuda to get the leverage.
Matsuda trying to pass the guard but Nickel defending well.
Nice strikes from Matsuda there.
Nickel is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Matsuda is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Nickel is just riding it out for now. Matsuda eventually gives up the hold.
Matsuda throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matsuda drops an elbow to the side of Nickel's head.
Tanaka Matsuda overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsuda wants to pass the guard but Nickel is defending well.
Nickel is trying to control but can't.
Matsuda working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

Matsuda wants to work for an arm triangle but Nickel is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Matsuda passes to side control.
Matsuda throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Matsuda in side control, throwing shots but Nickel defends.
Who's going to make the next move?
Matsuda working the body and head with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nickel is trying to control Matsuda's posture but Matsuda avoids it.
Matsuda tries to advance to mount but Nickel denies him.
Nickel is looking to regain half guard here but Matsuda keeps moving and retains side control.
Matsuda wants to control but Nickel is keeping him busy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Matsuda tries for a kimura but Nickel is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsuda working away.
Nickel taking punishment in the form of punches.
Matsuda staying calm.
Nickel is trying to control Matsuda's posture but Matsuda avoids it.
Nickel is looking for a sweep.
Nickel prevents Matsuda from moving into mount.
Nickel takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Matsuda wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Nickel, who protects the arm well.
Matsuda cracks Nickel with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Matsuda connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Nickel some visible discomfort.

Matsuda wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Nickel, who protects the arm well.

Matsuda is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Nickel knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Check out the look on Matsuda's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tanaka Matsuda clearly takes that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Nickel doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Nickel scores with a body shot.
Matsuda fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Nickel bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Nickel steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Matsuda.
A lazy body kick from Nickel

and Matsuda decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Nickel's guard.
Nickel utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Matsuda lands a couple of digs.
Matsuda postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matsuda postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Nickel really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Matsuda. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Nickel wants to sweep here but Matsuda controlling him for the moment.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Matsuda accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsuda keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Nickel's head.
Nickel wants to get back to his feet but Matsuda is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Nickel can do anything to dispel that myth.
Matsuda postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Matsuda works over Nickel with some ground and pound from guard.
Nickel has momentary wrist control but Matsuda slips an elbow through the middle.
Matsuda pushing down on Nickel's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Matsuda throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Nickel has hold of Matsuda's hands but Matsuda slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Nickel wants to improve his position but Matsuda is controlling well.
Nickel is trying to stand back up but Matsuda is controlling him

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nickel is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Matsuda scores with a couple of nice shots.
Nickel is looking to improve his position.
Matsuda has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Nickel controlling the position for now.
Matsuda is looking to advance position but Nickel won't allow it.
Matsuda working Nickel over with strikes.
Nickel is trying to control but can't.
Nickel tries to roll over but Matsuda keeps him under control.
Matsuda working over Nickel with some ground and pound. Nickel looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsuda lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Nickel tries to kick Matsuda off but Matsuda keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Matsuda passes to side control.
Nickel is trying to improve his position.
Nickel is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Matsuda asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Matsuda is putting a hurting on Nickel here, landing some big shots from side control.
Nickel is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Matsuda is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Nickel knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nickel is looking to reverse the position.
Matsuda works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Nickel can't do much from the bottom here.
Nickel is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Matsuda off and has taken his back!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Matsuda staying busy and making it hard for Nickel to control.
Matsuda rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Nickel tries to stand but can't do so whilst Matsuda controls his leg.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tanaka Matsuda had his way with Chip Nickel in that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Matsuda misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nickel.
Nickel ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Matsuda moves away.
Matsuda checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Matsuda avoids the body shot from Nickel.
Nickel throws a leg kick but Matsuda checks it.
Nickel dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Nickel takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Matsuda takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Nice body punch from Matsuda.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nickel steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Matsuda.
Nickel throws a body shot but no joy.
Matsuda changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Nickel tries to avoid it but Matsuda manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Nickel to the ground. Nickel escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Matsuda walks into a straight right hand from Nickel.
Matsuda throws a lazy right hand but Nickel sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsuda misses with a takedown attempt - Nickel sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Nickel throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Nickel scores with a body shot.
Matsuda dives in and grabs Nickel's left leg, looking for a takedown. Nickel pushes down on Matsuda's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tanaka Matsuda. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nickel lands with a good body shot.
Nickel connects with a leg kick.
Matsuda on the wrong end of a nice hook.
A leg kick checked by Matsuda.
Nickel moves into range and connects with a jab.
Nickel lands with an overhand left.
Matsuda lands a really nice looking cross but Nickel seems unphased.
Matsuda misses with a jab to the body
and Nickel counters with an inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsuda slips a jab from Nickel.
Matsuda doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Nickel counters with a straight right hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Matsuda takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Matsuda takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Matsuda shoots in and drives through. Nickel sprawls well.
Matsuda throws a right hand that misses
and Nickel counters with a stiff right hand.
Matsuda takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Nickel misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Matsuda.
Matsuda was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Matsuda misses with a hook.
Matsuda throws a poor cross that misses
and Nickel counters with a leg kick.
Nickel scores with a body shot.
Nickel scores with a hook to the body. Matsuda takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsuda misses the shot to the body.
Matsuda throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Nickel sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Matsuda staying out of range there.
Matsuda scores with a body shot.
Matsuda looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Matsuda blocks a jab.
Nickel misses with a low kick as Matsuda jumps back.
Matsuda feinted with a counter takedown.
Nickel connects with a crisp jab.
Nickel slips under a jab.
Matsuda has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Matsuda there as he acknowledges the shot.
Nickel comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Nickel throws a nice outside leg kick.
Matsuda is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Nickel misses with an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nickel misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Matsuda.
Nickel thuds a left hand into Matsuda's body.
Nickel lands a leg kick that knocks Matsuda off balance momentarily.
Matsuda connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Matsuda has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Matsuda there as he acknowledges the shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Matsuda's corner calls for a 1-2. Matsuda obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Nickel defending well as Matsuda loads up on a big left hand.
Nickel throws an ugly left hook that misses
enabling Matsuda to counter with a crisp jab.
Nickel throws an off balance right hand
letting Matsuda counter with a right hand.
Nickel takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Nickel motions for Matsuda to come forward. Nickel throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Matsuda is defended easily by Nickel.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chip Nickel comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Nickel 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 47:48
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 47:48
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chip Nickel!
Chip Nickel is the new middleweight champion!
Chip Nickel thanked the fans post fight for their support.