PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Vincent Duboulay (ranked 1262 p4p, 1571 weight class) and Jin Matsushima (ranked 99 p4p, 125 weight class). Duboulay kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is World On Fire. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Duboulay
vs
Matsushima

162 cm
26
135
7 - 5 - 0

168 cm
26
138
3 - 2 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Insanely flexible

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Vincent Duboulay!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 1, fighting out of The Island, Jin Matsushima!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Santiago Holmes and Winston Alpacca.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Duboulay shoots in for a takedown but Matsushima shows good takedown defense.
Duboulay drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Duboulay shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
As Duboulay backs off Matsushima throws a huge counter combo but Duboulay manages to avoid it all.
Matsushima moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Matsushima's coach down at Cozad The Island was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Matsushima's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Duboulay tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Matsushima swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vincent Duboulay. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Matsushima's corner calls for a 1-2. Matsushima obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Nice takedown defense from Matsushima. No joy for Duboulay on that attempt.
Duboulay shoots in but Matsushima avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Matsushima gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Duboulay to score an easy takedown into full guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Duboulay is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Matsushima can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Duboulay advances to half guard.
Matsushima avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Duboulay.
Duboulay trying to control the action but Matsushima is working from the bottom.
Duboulay thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Matsushima's head.
Matsushima is trying to stand.
Duboulay stalling.
Duboulay is keen to just control but Matsushima is a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Matsushima looks like he's trying to stand up.
Duboulay thows a huge punch but Matsushima dodges it nicely.
Duboulay with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Duboulay shoots for a double leg takedown but Matsushima sprawls well. He's pushed Duboulay's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Duboulay throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Matsushima's waist but Matsushima gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Duboulay off to one side.
Matsushima connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Duboulay momentarily.
Duboulay throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Matsushima's waist but Matsushima gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Duboulay off to one side.
Jab, jab by Matsushima - just one landing.
Matsushima lands a lovely overhand right.
Duboulay tries for a takedown but Matsushima circles away easily
and Matsushima connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Duboulay looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Duboulay fails with the takedown.
Duboulay sets himself, and Matsushima steps forward looking for the clinch! Duboulay avoids it this time.
Matsushima tries to clinch there but Duboulay circles away.
Duboulay feinted with a counter takedown.
Duboulay shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Matsushima as he jumps to the side.
Matsushima throws out a counter right but Duboulay avoids it with no problem.
Matsushima tries to clinch up but Duboulay circles away and keeps his distance.
Matsushima jabs Duboulay right on the nose. Duboulay blinks but takes it well.
Duboulay misses with a takedown
enabling Matsushima to counter with a crisp jab.
Matsushima keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Duboulay fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Matsushima avoids it really well and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Duboulay fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Duboulay shoots in and drives through. Matsushima sprawls well.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Matsushima! But no joy.
Matsushima dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Duboulay shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Matsushima as he jumps to the side.
A left lands for Matsushima.
Duboulay has been working on his balance at Cozad The Island, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Matsushima.
Matsushima swinging wildly here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Matsushima scores with a nice head shot.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jin Matsushima dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

The fighters circle momentarily. Matsushima darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Duboulay fails with a takedown attempt.
Matsushima keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Vincent Duboulay is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Duboulay misses with a takedown
and Matsushima counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Duboulay shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Matsushima sprawls well. Matsushima wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Duboulay gets slowly back to his feet.
Matsushima swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vincent Duboulay. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A lazy left from Matsushima finds it's target.
Matsushima might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Duboulay takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Matsushima scores with a hook.

Duboulay is rocked!
Good shot there by Matsushima.
Oh Duboulay is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Duboulay shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Matsushima but Matsushima pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Duboulay dives in for a single leg takedown but Matsushima sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Matsushima is working Duboulay over against the cage.
Duboulay has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Matsushima is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Duboulay seems to have got his legs back now.
Matsushima doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Matsushima lands a hook to the side of the head.
Matsushima is leaning against Duboulay and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Matsushima has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Duboulay fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Matsushima has a couple of punches blocked by Duboulay.
A left hand lands to the body for Matsushima.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsushima misses with a punch on the inside.
Duboulay goes for a takedown attempt but Matsushima pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Duboulay gets a takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Duboulay is trying to control. Matsushima wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Duboulay is trying to work for a kimura but Matsushima is defending well.
Duboulay throwing shots but Matsushima is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Duboulay seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Duboulay throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Duboulay seems to be looking for submissions.
Duboulay stalling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Duboulay stands up from half guard.
Matsushima comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Duboulay throws a right hand that misses
and Duboulay takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Matsushima misses with a wild body shot.
Duboulay feinted with a counter takedown.
Matsushima fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Duboulay looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Matsushima lands a right hook to the body.
Duboulay fails to land the takedown.
Matsushima scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Nice straight punches there by Matsushima. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Matsushima.
Duboulay takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jin Matsushima showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Matsushima works the jab nicely.
Matsushima scores with a hook.
Matsushima connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Duboulay's hands.
Matsushima stuffs the takedown.
Duboulay shoots in for a double leg but Matsushima sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Matsushima lands a right hook to the body.
Matsushima lands a body shot.
Matsushima lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

Matsushima clinches up with Duboulay and pushes him back against the cage.
Matsushima pushes Duboulay back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Matsushima tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Duboulay's elbow.
Matsushima throws a head punch that misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Matsushima.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Matsushima gets underhooks to prevent Duboulay's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vincent Duboulay. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsushima lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Duboulay looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

Duboulay manages to pull guard.

Duboulay looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Matsushima wanted to stand there but Duboulay had control of the position.
Duboulay tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Duboulay is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Matsushima gets to his feet. Duboulay looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsushima changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Duboulay dives in for a single leg takedown but Matsushima sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Matsushima misses with a punch on the inside.
Matsushima lands a body shot.
Duboulay is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Matsushima lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Matsushima makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Duboulay's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A shot in the inside from Matsushima.
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!
Matsushima lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Duboulay backwards.
A short left from Matsushima.
Duboulay changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Matsushima fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Jin Matsushima is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Matsushima darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsushima lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Duboulay at a distance.
Duboulay fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Matsushima scores with a nice head shot.
Matsushima stuns Duboulay with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Matsushima scores with a body shot.
Duboulay shoots for a double leg takedown but Matsushima sprawls well. He's pushed Duboulay's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Duboulay has a takedown stuffed.

Matsushima moves into the clinch.
Duboulay drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsushima lands a shoulder strike.
Jin Matsushima is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
A head punch on the inside from Matsushima fails to land.
Matsushima working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Duboulay tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Duboulay tries for a takedown. No joy.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Duboulay tries to pull guard but Matsushima won't allow it.
A short left from Matsushima.
Vincent Duboulay has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jin Matsushima seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Matsushima makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jin Matsushima comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Matsushima 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 26:30
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 26:30
Judge Winston Alpacca scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jin Matsushima!