PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Keisuke Matsuzaka (ranked 135 p4p, 158 weight class) and Konrad Wagner (ranked 13 p4p, 19 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Matsuzaka
vs
Wagner

179 cm
34
181
33 - 13 - 1

181 cm
32
174
28 - 9 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Heavy handed

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Conviction

Conviction
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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 33 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Keisuke Matsuzaka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Konrad Wagner!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Donald Grub and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wagner keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Matsuzaka.
Matsuzaka looks to land a left hand but Wagner moved out of range nicely.
Matsuzaka with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Wagner looks to throw the jab but Matsuzaka is out of range.
Matsuzaka tries to counter by clinching up but Wagner breaks away and moves out of range.
Matsuzaka staying out of range there.
Matsuzaka on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Wagner fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Matsuzaka tried to score with a low kick but Wagner checks it.
A telegraphed right hand from Matsuzaka misses the target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matsuzaka swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A jab from Wagner misses.
Matsuzaka misses with a body shot.
The fighters circling - Matsuzaka throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsuzaka misses with a lunging right hand
and Wagner counters with a straight right hand.
Keisuke Matsuzaka seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Matsuzaka gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Wagner doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Wagner blocks a punch to the side of the head.
I was talking to Matsuzaka's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Wagner lands a shoulder strike.
Matsuzaka pushes Wagner back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Matsuzaka creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Wagner's defenses.
Wagner takes a shot to the head.
Matsuzaka goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Matsuzaka lands a body shot.
Wagner working aggressively here.
Wagner tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Matsuzaka avoids it.
Wagner prevents a body shot from Matsuzaka.
Matsuzaka blocking some punches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Wagner.
A short body shot lands from Matsuzaka as the two fighters clinch.
Wagner misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Matsuzaka blocks a body shot from Wagner.
Matsuzaka holding his opponent close, against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Wagner tries to work over Matsuzaka's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Matsuzaka tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Wagner's elbow.
Matsuzaka pushes Wagner back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Wagner blocks an elbow strike.
A short left from Matsuzaka.
Matsuzaka misses with an elbow strike.
Matsuzaka scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Matsuzaka lands a hook to the side of the head.
Wagner misses with a hook from the clinch.
Wagner tries a body shot but Matsuzaka blocks it.
Matsuzaka swings wildly with an uppercut but Wagner uses good head movement to avoid it.
Matsuzaka is trying to stall.
Matsuzaka can't find room to land a body shot as Wagner controls the action.
Wagner fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Matsuzaka blocks a body shot from Wagner.
Matsuzaka tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Wagner misses with a body punch.
Matsuzaka lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wagner misses with a punch to the body.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Wagner.
Wagner misses with a punch on the inside.
Wagner softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A short right from Matsuzaka on the inside.
Matsuzaka tries to throw a body punch but Wagner avoids it by throwing Matsuzaka back against the cage.
Wagner throws a head punch that misses.
Matsuzaka doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Wagner misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Matsuzaka lands an uppercut.
With the fighters up against the cage, Matsuzaka throws an elbow but misses.
Matsuzaka is leaning against Wagner and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Wagner blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Matsuzaka tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Wagner's elbow.
Matsuzaka struggles to land a body shot inside as Wagner controls his hands.
Wagner lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Matsuzaka lands a left hand that snaps the head of Wagner backwards.
A short left from Matsuzaka.
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!
Matsuzaka lands a left hand.
Wagner fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Wagner working aggressively here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good body shot from Matsuzaka.
Matsuzaka misses with some punches.
Wagner doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Matsuzaka gets through Wagner's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A hook to the body from Wagner.
Matsuzaka throws an elbow but it misses.
Matsuzaka creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Wagner's defenses.
Wagner misses with a short punch on the inside.
Wagner's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Wagner misses with a short punch on the inside.
A shot in the inside from Wagner.
Wagner tries to throw a body punch but Matsuzaka avoids it by throwing Wagner back against the cage.
Wagner lands an uppercut.
Matsuzaka tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Wagner's elbow.
Matsuzaka lands a nice elbow.
Wagner softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Matsuzaka misses with a hook to the ribs.
Wagner blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Wagner misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Wagner tries to work over Matsuzaka's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Keisuke Matsuzaka dominated 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.

Wagner takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Matsuzaka is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Wagner can do to turn this around?
Matsuzaka throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Wagner ducks under a wild hook from Matsuzaka.
Wagner flicks out a counter leg kick but Matsuzaka steps away.
Wagner looks to score with a jab to the body but Matsuzaka is just out of range.
Wagner swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nice uppercut lands for Wagner. That snapped Matsuzaka's head back.
Nice uppercut lands for Matsuzaka. That snapped Wagner's head back.
A big right from Matsuzaka misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wagner misses with a body shot.
Wagner takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Matsuzaka tries to clinch but Wagner moves out of range.
Wagner thinks about the counter body kick.
Matsuzaka misses with a wild body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Matsuzaka moves into the clinch.
Wagner is trying to break the clinch but Matsuzaka has him pressed against the cage.
Wagner misses with a short punch on the inside.
Wagner goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Wagner lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Matsuzaka lands a body shot in the clinch.
Wagner throws a punch but it's blocked by Matsuzaka.
Wagner misses with some punches.
Wagner tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Matsuzaka's elbow.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Wagner.
Matsuzaka working aggressively here.
Wagner lands an elbow that stopped Matsuzaka in his tracks for a moment.
Matsuzaka tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Wagner takes an elbow to the temple.

It looks like Konrad Wagner has been cut.
Wagner swings wildly with an uppercut but Matsuzaka uses good head movement to avoid it.
A nice right hand lands inside from Wagner.
A head punch on the inside from Wagner fails to land.
Wagner misses with the head strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsuzaka tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Wagner blocks the elbow strike.
Matsuzaka has a couple of punches blocked by Wagner.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Matsuzaka doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Matsuzaka lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Wagner.
A short right from Wagner.
Keisuke Matsuzaka has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Wagner blocking some punches.
Wagner fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Matsuzaka creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Still in the clinch, Matsuzaka scores with a nice short uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Wagner fails to land.
Matsuzaka lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Wagner backwards.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Matsuzaka.
Matsuzaka blocks a body shot from Wagner.
Matsuzaka scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Wagner goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Wagner is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Matsuzaka blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Matsuzaka tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Matsuzaka lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Matsuzaka misses with a body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsuzaka softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Matsuzaka tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Wagner fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Matsuzaka scores with a shoulder strike.
Wagner cracks Matsuzaka with a nice body shot.
Wagner tries a body shot but Matsuzaka blocks it.
Matsuzaka tries a body shot but Wagner blocks it.
Wagner blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Wagner misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Matsuzaka's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A quick uppercut on the inside from Matsuzaka.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Wagner in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Wagner.
Matsuzaka misses with a hook to the ribs.
Wagner prevents a body shot from Matsuzaka.
Matsuzaka is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
A short right from Wagner on the inside.
Matsuzaka scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Matsuzaka lands an elbow just above Wagner 's eye.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Matsuzaka lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Wagner wants to stall.
Wagner misses with the head strike.
Wagner swings wildly with an uppercut but Matsuzaka uses good head movement to avoid it.
Matsuzaka lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Matsuzaka tries a body shot but Wagner blocks it.
Matsuzaka blocks a body shot from Wagner.
Matsuzaka lands with a left to the head.
Matsuzaka blocks a body shot from Wagner.
Matsuzaka tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Wagner's elbow.
Wagner lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Matsuzaka backwards.
Wagner working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Wagner has a couple of punches blocked by Matsuzaka.
Matsuzaka tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Wagner's elbow.
Matsuzaka lands a shoulder strike.
Wagner misses with a punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Wagner.
Wagner misses with a punch to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Keisuke Matsuzaka dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Konrad Wagner's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Wagner tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Matsuzaka was well out of range. Poor timing from Wagner.
Wagner just misses with a punch to the body.
Wagner misses with a body punch
and Matsuzaka counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
A slow jab from Wagner misses its intended target.
Wagner misses with a body shot.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Matsuzaka.
Nice body punch from Wagner.
Matsuzaka lands the left hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matsuzaka uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Wagner.
A slow jab from Matsuzaka misses its intended target.
And Wagner responds with a good body kick, but Matsuzaka manages to step out the way in time.
Wagner takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
A shot to the body from Wagner misses
and Matsuzaka counters with a straight right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wagner moves out of range as Matsuzaka strikes.
Wagner looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Matsuzaka lands a head shot.
Matsuzaka misses with a looping left.
Matsuzaka misses the body punch
and Wagner counters with an inside leg kick.
Wagner walks into a stiff left hand from Matsuzaka.
Wagner getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Wagner throws a shot from downtown. Matsuzaka moves away and avoids it.
A little feinted left hand from Matsuzaka on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Matsuzaka throws a shot from downtown. Wagner moves away and avoids it.
Wagner takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Matsuzaka pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Wagner throws a low kick but Matsuzaka avoids it.
Konrad Wagner has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wagner scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Wagner chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Matsuzaka can pounce on him.
Wagner blocks a jab.
Matsuzaka looks to land a left hand but Wagner moved out of range nicely.
Wagner moves out of range as Matsuzaka throws a body kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Matsuzaka fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Wagner is out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from Matsuzaka misses the target.
Matsuzaka avoids a kick to the body.
Matsuzaka tries to counter by clinching up but Wagner breaks away and moves out of range.
Wagner lands a body shot.
Wagner tries to score with a low kick but Matsuzaka moves his leg out of the way.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsuzaka misses with a straight left.
Wagner keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Wagner now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Matsuzaka throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A big left from Wagner misses.
Matsuzaka throws a lazy right hand but Wagner sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Wagner misses with an uppercut. Matsuzaka saw that one coming.
Matsuzaka scores with a crisp jab that stopped Wagner in his tracks.
Keisuke Matsuzaka is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Wagner swings for the body but Matsuzaka moves out of range.
A big left from Matsuzaka misses.
Matsuzaka dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Wagner. That did some damage!
Matsuzaka swings widly with a right hand
and Wagner counters with a nice kick to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice straight punches there by Wagner. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Wagner.
Wagner misses with a hook. Matsuzaka ducked under it nicely.
Wagner misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Matsuzaka.
Wagner misses with a hook
and Matsuzaka counters with a stiff right hand.
Wagner pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Matsuzaka tries to clinch there but Wagner circles away.
Matsuzaka misses with a wild body shot.
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!
Matsuzaka tries to close the distance and clinch up but Wagner swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Wagner keeps the fight on the outside.
Wagner swings widly with a right hand
and Matsuzaka counters with a nice body shot.
Matsuzaka misses the shot to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Keisuke Matsuzaka showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Matsuzaka has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Phil Schofield scores the fight 30:27
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 30:27
Judge William Gold scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Keisuke Matsuzaka!
Keisuke Matsuzaka tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.