PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tanaka Matsuda (ranked 4 p4p, 127 weight class) and Nick Barkley (ranked 1 p4p, 16 weight class). Matsuda comes to the cage accompanied by Gojira - Another World. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Matsuda
vs
Barkley

190 cm
33
200
31 - 10 - 0

185 cm
31
186
21 - 11 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Brooklyn Threads
Brooklyn Apothecary

Conquer
Bondi MMA 🏝️

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 31 - 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 21 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nick Barkley!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, William Gold and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matsuda throws a shot to the body.
Matsuda throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Barkley throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.

Barkley gets caught napping as Matsuda dives in and scores a takedown. Barkley manages to retain guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Barkley preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Matsuda accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Matsuda working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Barkley keeping moving, preventing Matsuda from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barkley preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Barkley avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
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 throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barkley keeping full guard, as Matsuda tries to pass.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Barkley can do anything to dispel that myth.
Matsuda being controlled here momentarily.
Barkley keeping moving, preventing Matsuda from controlling successfully.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Matsuda loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Matsuda shoots for a takedown but Barkley saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Barkley throws a body punch but Matsuda moves out of range.
Matsuda moves out of range of the strikes.
Matsuda needs to keep his hands up - Barkley had a free shot at his head there.

It looks like Tanaka Matsuda has been cut.
Matsuda misses with a takedown attempt
and Barkley counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Matsuda throws a lazy uppercut
and Barkley counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Barkley scores with a head kick.
Matsuda throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
It seemed like Barkley was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Matsuda slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Barkley moves away from the strike by Matsuda.
Tanaka Matsuda seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barkley takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Matsuda misses with an uppercut
and Barkley counters with a nice low kick that buckles Matsuda's knee momentarily.
Matsuda misses with a hook. Barkley ducked under it nicely.
A big left from Barkley misses.
Matsuda takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Matsuda fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Matsuda looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Barkley is fending him off so far but Matsuda persists. Nope, Barkley circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tanaka Matsuda. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Matsuda throws a lazy uppercut
and Barkley counters with a thumping low kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsuda jabs Barkley to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Barkley takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Barkley avoids the body shot from Matsuda.
A decent looking cross lands there for Matsuda.
Matsuda misses with a lunging right hand
and Barkley counters with a nice leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Barkley misses with the body kick
and Matsuda makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Matsuda lands with a good body shot.
Matsuda punishes Barkley's body with a nice straight punch.
Matsuda throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Tanaka Matsuda will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Tanaka Matsuda's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Nice defenses there by Matsuda.
Matsuda half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Matsuda looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Barkley is fending him off so far but Matsuda persists. Nope, Barkley circles away and we're back to standing.
Matsuda takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Barkley misses with the body kick

and Matsuda counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Matsuda seems to be looking for submissions.
Barkley tries to roll over but Matsuda keeps him under control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matsuda missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Matsuda thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsuda is pressing down on Barkley's thigh, looking to free his foot. Barkley is holding on for now.
Matsuda throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Barkley is controlling Matsuda's trapped leg to prevent Matsuda from advancing to side control.

Matsuda is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Barkley is staying active underneath Matsuda, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Barkley has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Matsuda is working away from the top position though.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Matsuda sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Barkley 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.

Barkley is defending against the submission attempts here by Matsuda.
Matsuda throws a strike but Barkley avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Matsuda trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Matsuda postures up in Barkley's guard and throws a big left but Barkley blocks it.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Matsuda fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Barkley manages to avoid it.
Matsuda dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barkley takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Barkley keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Barkley keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Barkley flicks out a counter leg kick but Matsuda steps away.
Nick Barkley seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Matsuda scores with a jab to the head.
Barkley throws a lazy head kick

and Matsuda counters with a takedown into side control.
Matsuda is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Barkley can do to turn this around?
Matsuda throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Matsuda tries to move to mount but Barkley blocks the move with his legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsuda working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Barkley tries to improve position but can't.
Barkley regains half guard, as Matsuda was trying to land strikes.
Barkley avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Matsuda.
Matsuda is keen to just control but Barkley is a slippery customer.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Matsuda is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Barkley sees it coming and defends easily.

Matsuda is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Barkley is just riding it out for now. Matsuda eventually gives up the hold.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tanaka Matsuda dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Tanaka Matsuda's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Barkley connects with a good right hand that stumbles Matsuda. Matsuda circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Matsuda's jab looks to have found its range, popping Barkley under the eye.
Matsuda is looking to wear down Barkley with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matsuda throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Barkley throws a jab when Matsuda was well out of range.
Matsuda darts in looking for a takedown but Barkley gets double underhooks and turns Matsuda into the cage.
Matsuda's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsuda drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Barkley gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Barkley lands a nice uppercut.
Barkley lands with a right to the head.
Matsuda is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tanaka Matsuda. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Barkley tries to work over Matsuda's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Barkley missing with knees to the body.
Good body shot from Matsuda.
Barkley is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Matsuda tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Barkley landing knees to the body.
A left hand lands to the body for Barkley.
A short right from Barkley.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Barkley.
Barkley lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A short body shot lands from Barkley as the two fighters clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Barkley is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Barkley digs a right hand into Matsuda's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Matsuda's gas tank.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barkley lands with a light punch inside.
Barkley lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Barkley scores with a shot to the side of Matsuda's head.
Barkley tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Matsuda avoids it.
Barkley lands with a light punch inside.
Barkley gets through Matsuda's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Barkley scores with a nice hook to the head.
Matsuda jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Barkley walks away with a smile on his face. Matsuda gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Matsuda sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Barkley throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Barkley wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Barkley misses with a body kick.
Matsuda shoots in looking for a takedown but Barkley manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Matsuda's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Barkley is trying to counter with his kicks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsuda rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Barkley counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Barkley lands with a straight right. Matsuda didn't see that one coming.
Barkley walks forward and throws a big overhand right! Matsuda drops to the floor like a sack of potatoes! Barkley swarms on him with more punches until the referee wrestles him away from Matsuda's unconscious body! Wow, that was brutal!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:24 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Nick Barkley!
Nick Barkley is the new middleweight champion!
Nick Barkley seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.