PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between David Menkhoff (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tommy Matyushenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). David Menkhoff has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Menkhoff
vs
Matyushenko

187 cm
21
208 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

189 cm
19
209 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, David Menkhoff!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Tommy Matyushenko!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Daniel Cesar and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Menkhoff fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Menkhoff tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Matyushenko slips a straight right by Menkhoff.
Menkhoff fails with an attempt to clinch.
A head kick misses from Menkhoff.
Matyushenko avoids the head kick by Menkhoff.

Matyushenko darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Matyushenko throwing shots but Menkhoff is blocking nicely.
Matyushenko is nestled in close to Menkhoff, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Menkhoff avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Matyushenko.

Matyushenko stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Menkhoff to get to his feet.
Menkhoff misses the shot to the body.
Matyushenko avoids a punch combination nicely.
Menkhoff will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Menkhoff throws a head kick but Matyushenko moves out of range.
Menkhoff is breathing heavily.
Matyushenko moves out of range as Menkhoff throws a body kick.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Matyushenko.

Matyushenko decides to stand back up. Matyushenko steps back and let's Menkhoff get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matyushenko tries to close the distance and clinch up but Menkhoff swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Matyushenko scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

Matyushenko feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Matyushenko connects with a couple of short punches.
Matyushenko cracks Menkhoff with a solid left hand.
Matyushenko lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Matyushenko trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Matyushenko scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Matyushenko slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Menkhoff pushes Matyushenko away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Matyushenko gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Matyushenko has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

Matyushenko shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Menkhoff's guard.
Menkhoff on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Menkhoff tries to get out of the position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Matyushenko is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Menkhoff trying to strike off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matyushenko trying to stand up but can't free himself from Menkhoff's guard.
Menkhoff avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Matyushenko working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Menkhoff's head.
Menkhoff throws a couple of heel strikes.
Menkhoff wants to stand but Matyushenko is controlling the position.
Matyushenko landing some decent shots from guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Menkhoff gets caught flat footed, as Matyushenko shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Matyushenko scoring with some ground and pound.
Matyushenko working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Menkhoff looking for a sweep. Not yet Menkhoff, not yet.
Menkhoff is working hard here to advance position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Menkhoff doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Matyushenko postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Matyushenko postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Matyushenko goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Menkhoff throws a head kick that misses.

Matyushenko drives through with a takedown into guard.

Menkhoff has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Matyushenko off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Menkhoff misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
David Menkhoff seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Matyushenko shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Matyushenko was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Matyushenko putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Matyushenko scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Menkhoff bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matyushenko is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Matyushenko slips a nice elbow through Menkhoff's hands, connecting with Menkhoff's forehead.
Matyushenko tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Matyushenko tries to pass the half guard into mount. Menkhoff knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Menkhoff is on the bottom, trying to hold on to half guard. He's throwing a few small shots here, to keep his opponent honest.
Menkhoff tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Matyushenko lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Menkhoff has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Matyushenko is working away from the top position though.
Matyushenko seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Matyushenko connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Menkhoff momentarily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tommy Matyushenko dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Matyushenko throws a series of punches but Menkhoff avoids them all with ease.

Matyushenko changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Menkhoff looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Matyushenko is working Menkhoff over with some ground and pound from side control.
Matyushenko lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Menkhoff gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Matyushenko not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Menkhoff lands a couple of sideways elbows.
Menkhoff tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Matyushenko is nestled in close to Menkhoff, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

Menkhoff has one foot on Matyushenko's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Matyushenko tries to close the distance and clinch up but Menkhoff swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Menkhoff throws a head kick that misses.
Menkhoff throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Matyushenko.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Matyushenko will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Matyushenko.

Matyushenko gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Menkhoff landing knees to the head.
Matyushenko goes for a takedown attempt but Menkhoff pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
David Menkhoff has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tommy Matyushenko.

Menkhoff clinches up with Matyushenko and pushes him back against the cage.
Matyushenko wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Menkhoff has him pressed against the cage.
Menkhoff dodges an elbow strike from Matyushenko.

Menkhoff breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A head kick misses from Menkhoff.

Matyushenko looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Menkhoff!
Menkhoff keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Matyushenko with the ground and pound from mount.
Matyushenko lands with some strikes.
Matyushenko throwing strikes but Menkhoff bucks up and reverses the position. He's now in guard on top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matyushenko with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Menkhoff is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Matyushenko lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Tommy Matyushenko has got the better of the ground game so far.

Matyushenko gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Menkhoff throws a jab but it's blocked by Matyushenko.

Matyushenko scores a takedown into full mount!
Menkhoff flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Matyushenko unloading with bombs!
Menkhoff gets back to half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Menkhoff tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Matyushenko working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Menkhoff's thigh. Menkhoff counters though and makes it back to full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Matyushenko accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matyushenko scoring with some ground and pound.
Matyushenko with a flurry of punches that miss.
Matyushenko stops Menkhoff from standing up.
Matyushenko postures up.
Matyushenko postures up and lands a big shot to Menkhoff's brow.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Matyushenko fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Menkhoff misses with a few strikes there.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Matyushenko.
Matyushenko closes this distance looking for a takedown but Menkhoff circles away.
Matyushenko moves out of range of the body kick.

Matyushenko drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Menkhoff manages to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matyushenko drops an elbow to the side of Menkhoff's head.
Menkhoff keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Matyushenko looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Matyushenko lands a nice short elbow.
Matyushenko really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Menkhoff. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Menkhoff on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Matyushenko throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Menkhoff is trying to stand.
Ground and pound from Matyushenko.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Menkhoff gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Matyushenko trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Menkhoff wants to stand and escape but Matyushenko is having none of it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Matyushenko lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Menkhoff has momentary wrist control but Matyushenko slips an elbow through the middle.
Menkhoff wants to stand and escape but Matyushenko is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tommy Matyushenko showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Matyushenko avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Matyushenko rushes Menkhoff and presses him up against the cage.

Menkhoff pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Menkhoff tries a head kick but it misses.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Matyushenko!
A head kick misses from Menkhoff.

Matyushenko rushes Menkhoff and presses him up against the cage.
Matyushenko wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Menkhoff has him pressed against the cage.
Matyushenko throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Menkhoffs head.
Matyushenko goes for a takedown in the clinch but Menkhoff prevents it.
Matyushenko fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Matyushenko avoids the elbow strike from Menkhoff, against the cage.
Matyushenko is trying to break the clinch but Menkhoff has him pressed against the cage.
Matyushenko is trying to break the clinch but Menkhoff has him pressed against the cage.
Menkhoff lands a damaging elbow.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Menkhoff prevents the takedown attempt.
David Menkhoff has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tommy Matyushenko.
Matyushenko drops down looking for an ankle pick but Menkhoff pulls his leg out and moves away.

Menkhoff clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matyushenko has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Menkhoff avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Menkhoff breaks the clinch.
Menkhoff throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Matyushenko counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Menkhoff manages to break the clinch.
Menkhoff looks to throw the jab but Matyushenko is out of range.

Matyushenko gets the takedown into side control.
Menkhoff takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.

Menkhoff throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Menkhoff stuffs the takedown attempt from Matyushenko. Matyushenko gets slowly back to his feet.
Menkhoff fails in his attempt to clinch.
Menkhoff throws a head kick that misses.

Matyushenko shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Menkhoff punching from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Matyushenko connects with a nice short shot to Menkhoff's temple.
It looks like Matyushenko is going to stand back up.
Nice strikes from Matyushenko there.
Matyushenko trying to pass the guard but Menkhoff defending well.
Matyushenko takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Matyushenko prevents Menkhoff from standing back up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Matyushenko slips a jab and a cross from Menkhoff.

Matyushenko feints and as Menkhoff raises his hands in defense, Matyushenko changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Matyushenko pushes down on Menkhoff's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matyushenko is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Menkhoff pushes Matyushenko off looking to stand but Matyushenko dives back in and keeps control.
Matyushenko 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.
Matyushenko drops an elbow to the side of Menkhoff's head.
Menkhoff is trying to stand back up but Matyushenko is controlling him
Matyushenko lands with a punch from half guard.
Matyushenko throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Menkhoff lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Menkhoff is looking to clinch but Matyushenko is avoiding it.
Matyushenko lands a nice looking body kick.
Matyushenko shoots in and drives through. Menkhoff sprawls well.
Menkhoff throws an overhand right that lands on Matyushenko's shoulder, as Matyushenko tries to avoid the shot.

That's four 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.

Matyushenko scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Matyushenko thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Menkhoff's head.

Menkhoff looking for submissions off his back.
Menkhoff lands one or two decent shots to the body here. Although from his own half guard, he's not going to be causing too much damage.
Matyushenko blocks the strikes from Menkhoff.
Matyushenko lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
David Menkhoff has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The fighters are battling for position here. Menkhoff manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Matyushenko working some strikes from top position.
Menkhoff trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

Menkhoff escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Matyushenko gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Tommy Matyushenko is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Menkhoff working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Matyushenko doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Matyushenko manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tommy Matyushenko comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Matyushenko winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Emerson Jorge scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tommy Matyushenko!