PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tanaka Matsuda (ranked 4 p4p, 48 weight class) and Chip Nickel (ranked 1 p4p, 7 weight class). Matsuda's entrance music is Gojira - Another World. A fine choice. Nickel has chosen TISM - Greg the Stop Sign as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Matsuda
vs
Nickel

190 cm
33
200
30 - 10 - 0

189 cm
34
186
34 - 12 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Brooklyn Apothecary
Brooklyn Threads

Conviction
Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)

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 30 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Tanaka Matsuda!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 34 - 12 - 0, fighting out of New York, Chip Nickel!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Paul Tew and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matsuda throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nickel turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Nickel throws a body shot but no joy.
Nickel is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Matsuda avoids the body shot from Nickel.
Nickel throws a body shot but no joy.
Matsuda looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

Matsuda looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Matsuda is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Nickel has managed to free his arm - good work.

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 lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nickel pushes Matsuda off looking to stand but Matsuda dives back in and keeps control.
Nickel controlling the position well.
Nickel taking some punishment here, with Matsuda in his half guard.
Nickel tries to kick Matsuda off but Matsuda keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Matsuda seems to be working for a kimura but Nickel defends the submission attempt.
Matsuda sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Nickel defending well though.

That's two 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.
Matsuda is looking to take a break and control but Nickel is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Matsuda wants to pass the guard but Nickel is defending well.
Nickel tries to get to full guard but Matsuda has control of the leg.
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 working the head and body with strikes.

Matsuda is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Nickel has managed to free his arm - good work.
Nickel is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Nickel wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsuda scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Matsuda drops an elbow to the side of Nickel's head.
Nickel is trying to stand up here but Matsuda is controlling him well.
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.

Matsuda is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Matsuda seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
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. Matsuda connects with a nice short shot to Nickel's temple.

Matsuda wants to work for an arm triangle but Nickel is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Matsuda winds up and cracks Nickel with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Matsuda wants to control but Nickel is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nickel preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.

Nickel has one foot on Matsuda's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Matsuda tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Nickel throws a series of punches but Matsuda avoids them all with ease.
Matsuda bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Matsuda tries to score a power double leg takedown but Nickel sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Matsuda somewhat.
It seemed like Nickel was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nickel misses with a hook. Matsuda ducked under it nicely.
Nickel misses with a hook. Matsuda ducked under it nicely.
Nickel throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Matsuda throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nickel swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Nickel takes a shot right to the bread basket.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tanaka Matsuda dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Matsuda throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Nickel! But no joy.
No joy there for Nickel, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
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 throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Matsuda chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Nickel can pounce on him.
Chip Nickel seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nickel slips under a jab.
Nickel now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Nickel throws a good cross that connects.
Nickel dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Matsuda misses with a body shot.
Nickel throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nickel scores with a body shot.
Nickel misses with a wild body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matsuda fails with the takedown.
Matsuda misses with an uppercut. Nickel saw that one coming.
Nickel staying out of range there.
Nickel 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.
Nickel connects with a high kick.
Nickel tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Matsuda attempts a counter takedown but Nickel avoids it well and moves away.
Nickel attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
A punch lands to the side of Matsuda 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Matsuda looks to throw the jab but Nickel is out of range.
Matsuda misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nickel.
Matsuda ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nickel moves away.
Nickel lands with a good body shot.
Nickel fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Matsuda.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Matsuda lands a decent elbow from side control.

Matsuda tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Matsuda working away.
Tanaka Matsuda overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsuda trying to control the action but Nickel is working from the bottom.
Nickel tries to buck Matsuda off but Matsuda is having none of it.
Nickel is trying to buck Matsuda off.
Matsuda is putting a hurting on Nickel here, landing some big shots from side control.
Nickel wants to get back to his feet but Matsuda drags him back down.
Nickel is trying to get back to half guard.
The strikes coming from Matsuda are missing the target in this wave of attacks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsuda lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Matsuda gets to mount! Nickel was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nickel is looking to get to half guard.
Matsuda wants to control the pace but Nickel is squirming around nicely.
Matsuda scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Matsuda lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Matsuda fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!

Matsuda has hold of Nickel's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Nickel manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nickel taking shots to the head.
Matsuda lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nickel tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Matsuda raining down hammerfists from mount.
Nickel tries to reverse the position but Matsuda maintains control.
Matsuda is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Nickel can do to turn this around?
Matsuda looking to control but Nickel is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Nickel can't escape the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tanaka Matsuda dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Matsuda tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Nickel swivels and escapes.
Nickel walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Matsuda takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Nickel fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Matsuda is out of range.
Nickel misses with a hook. Matsuda ducked under it nicely.
A big left from Nickel misses.
Nickel throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Matsuda keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A big right from Nickel misses.
Nice takedown defense from Nickel. No joy for Matsuda on that attempt.
Nickel tries to score with a low kick but Matsuda moves his leg out of the way.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nickel with a nice calf kick.
Matsuda throws a body punch but Nickel moves out of range.
Nickel is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Matsuda with a body shot.
A big left from Matsuda misses.
Nickel throws a fast counter high kick but Matsuda manages to duck under it in time.
Matsuda cracks Nickel with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Nickel swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nickel swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Nickel with a hook.
Nickel thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nickel pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Chip Nickel is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nickel swings for the body but Matsuda moves out of range.
Nice takedown defense from Nickel. No joy for Matsuda on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tanaka Matsuda. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Matsuda swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Matsuda stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Nickel.
Matsuda loads up on a big right hand but Nickel slips the punch.
Nickel misses with a straight right.
Nickel throws a jab but it's blocked by Matsuda.
A nice leg kick lands there from Nickel.
Nickel misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Matsuda.
Matsuda attempts a counter takedown but Nickel avoids it well and moves away.
Nickel pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
A solid leg kick lands there for Nickel.
Matsuda keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsuda on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Nickel. Nickel obviously looking to wear him down.
A swing and a miss from Nickel.
Nickel throws a nice looking combination but Matsuda bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Matsuda waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Nickel.
A jab from Matsuda misses.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nickel lands a jab to the nose.
Matsuda misses with an uppercut. Nickel saw that one coming.
Matsuda throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Matsuda slips a straight right by Nickel.
Matsuda shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Nickel pinned against the cage. Nickel gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Matsuda shoots for a double leg takedown but Nickel sprawls well. He's pushed Matsuda's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Matsuda misses with a left hand
and Nickel counters with a straight right hand.
Nickel bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Matsuda's head backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsuda's jab looks to have found its range, popping Nickel under the eye.
Nickel throws a body punch but Matsuda moves out of range.
Matsuda half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Nickel wants to slow Matsuda down by chopping away at his legs.
It looked like Matsuda wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Nickel just misses with a punch to the body.
Matsuda ducks under a wild hook from Nickel.
Nickel misses with a straight right.
Nickel tries to close the distance and clinch but Matsuda swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nice cross by Nickel.
Jab from Matsuda.
Nickel lands a leg kick that knocks Matsuda off balance momentarily.
Matsuda misses with a straight left.
Nickel tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nickel jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nickel uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Matsuda.
Nickel appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Nickel slaps away a takedown attempt from Matsuda, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsuda takes a swing at Nickel's ribcage but misses.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Matsuda is defended easily by Nickel.
Nickel throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Nickel cracks a nice hook into Matsuda's ribs.
Nickel lands with a good body shot.
Matsuda is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nickel tries to clinch but Matsuda moves away

and Matsuda counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Matsuda lands strikes from half guard.
Matsuda throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Nickel is trying to get back to full guard.
Matsuda lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Chip Nickel really dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Nickel pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nickel throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Matsuda misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nickel.
Nickel missing with a left hand there. Matsuda was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A swing and a miss from Nickel.
Nickel fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Matsuda checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Matsuda rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Nickel counters with a stiff right hand.
A big right from Matsuda misses.
Matsuda tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Nickel defends well and Matsuda ends up having to push Nickel into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Nickel prevents the takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matsuda prevents a body shot from Nickel.
Matsuda tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tanaka Matsuda. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nickel gets through Matsuda's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Nickel misses with the head strike.
Nickel is pressed up against the cage. Matsuda has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Nickel down to the mat. Nickel avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Nickel looks to land a body kick but Matsuda moved away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A left lands for Matsuda.
Nickel throws a hook but Matsuda avoids it easily.
Matsuda was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Nickel misses with a hook. Matsuda ducked under it nicely.
Nickel connects with a leg kick.
Matsuda staying out of range there.
Matsuda half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Nickel misses with a hook.
Nickel lands a lovely overhand right.
Jab, jab by Matsuda - just one landing.
A jab from Nickel finds it's way through Matsuda's defenses.
Jab from Nickel.
Nickel tries to clinch but Matsuda moves out of range.
A decent looking cross lands there for Nickel.
Matsuda steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Nickel.
Matsuda changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Matsuda takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Matsuda slips under a jab from Nickel.
Nickel throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Matsuda is looking to counter with a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nickel scores with a nice strike.
Nickel digs a good body shot into Matsuda's ribs.
Chip Nickel seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Matsuda jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nickel looks to throw the jab but Matsuda is out of range.
Nickel fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Matsuda misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Nickel looks like he wants to counter punch here.

Matsuda looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Nickel!
Matsuda lands some shots froms side control.
Nickel is trying to get back to half guard.
Nickel is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Matsuda is controlling him well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsuda sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Nickel is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Matsuda in side control, throwing shots but Nickel defends.
Nickel dodges the ground and pound from Matsuda.
Matsuda wants to control but Nickel is keeping him busy.
Matsuda scores with a couple of short elbows.
Matsuda lands a decent elbow from side control.
Nickel is looking for a sweep.

Matsuda is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Nickel knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Nickel tries to buck Matsuda off but Matsuda is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsuda lands some shots froms side control.
Matsuda lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Nickel down.
Nickel prevents Matsuda from moving into mount.
Check out the look on Matsuda's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Matsuda wants to lay and pray for a moment but Nickel keeps working.
The ground and pound from Matsuda seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Matsuda working the ground and pound.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Chip Nickel dominated that fourth round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Matsuda moves away from the strike by Nickel.
Nickel walks into a left hand.
Matsuda throws a body punch but Nickel moves out of range.
Nickel is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Matsuda with a body shot.
Matsuda takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Nickel with a nice calf kick.
A punch lands to the side of Matsuda 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Nickel misses with a body shot.
Nickel will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Matsuda attempts a counter takedown but Nickel avoids it well and moves away.
Nickel scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Nickel misses with a leg kick

and Matsuda counters with a takedown into side control.

Nickel throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
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 looks to land a right hand but Nickel moved out of range.
Nickel throws out a leg kick but Matsuda moves out of range and Nickel only half commits.
Matsuda appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Matsuda staying out of range there.
Matsuda checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nickel scores with a jab to the head.
Matsuda gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Nickel.
Nickel connects with a solid leg kick.
Nickel throws a chopping leg kick but Matsuda manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Matsuda looks to land a right hand but Nickel moved out of range.
Matsuda waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Nickel.
Nickel looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Nickel throws a body kick, spinning off balance

and Matsuda counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Matsuda prevents Nickel from improving his position.
Matsuda takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Matsuda is working for a kimura but Nickel is defending it quite comfortably.
Matsuda throwing shots but Nickel is blocking nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsuda moves into full mount! Nickel won't be happy about that!
This has been an exciting period of action!

Matsuda looking for a guillotine from mount but Nickel is having none of it.
Matsuda scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Matsuda working the ground and pound effectively.
Matsuda pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Matsuda landing shots from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nickel tries to reverse the position but Matsuda maintains control.
Matsuda lands a big elbow.

Matsuda with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Nickel wants to control but Matsuda is having none of it.
Nickel is trying desperately to improve position.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Matsuda cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsuda controlling the pace for now.
Nickel is looking to improve his position but Matsuda isn't that keen on the idea.
Nickel is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Matsuda pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Matsuda has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Nickel's face.
Matsuda is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Nickel can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Nickel is trying desperately to improve position.
Matsuda fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!

And that's the end of the fight!
Tanaka Matsuda showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Matsuda has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Chris Edwards scores the fight 48:47
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 48:47
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tanaka Matsuda!
Tanaka Matsuda retains his middleweight title!
A victorious Tanaka Matsuda thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.