PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Xavier Couture (ranked 2509 p4p, 862 weight class) and Jin Matsushima (ranked 170 p4p, 70 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Couture
vs
Matsushima

172 cm
27
135
4 - 6 - 0

168 cm
27
138
5 - 3 - 1

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cardio machine

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 4 - 6 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Xavier Couture!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 1, fighting out of The Island, Jin Matsushima!
The judges for this bout are Winston Alpacca, Peter Branson and Bart Greer.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Couture fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Matsushima, pushing him back against the cage.
Matsushima can't find room to land a body shot as Couture controls the action.
Couture wants to take the fight to the mat but Matsushima manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Matsushima swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Couture is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Matsushima can't fight it off and eventually Couture manages to take the fight to the floor. Matsushima looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Couture pushes down on Matsushima's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Couture wants to control but Matsushima is keeping him busy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matsushima avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Couture.
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.
Couture is keen to just control but Matsushima is a slippery customer.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Couture wants to pass the guard but Matsushima is defending well.
Couture sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Matsushima defending well though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Couture is keen to just control but Matsushima is a slippery customer.
Matsushima blocking the ground and pound attempt from Couture.
Couture 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.
Couture trying to control from half guard but Matsushima is working away.
Couture wants to pass the guard but Matsushima is defending well.
Couture wants to take a breather but Matsushima is having none of it.
Couture is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Matsushima reverses the position - he's now on top in Couture's guard.
Matsushima wants to stand but Couture is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsushima is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Couture working a defensive guard here.
Matsushima preventing the sweep.
Couture not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Couture is pulling down on Matsushima's head. It's preventing any offense from Matsushima, at least for the moment.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Matsushima wants to clinch.
Couture looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.

Couture rushes Matsushima and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Matsushima looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Couture has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Matsushima avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Couture stalls.
Couture leaning his opponent against the cage.
Couture drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Xavier Couture. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Couture throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Matsushimas head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsushima stops a takedown attempt from Couture.
Matsushima misses with the head strike.
Matsushima struggles to land a body shot inside as Couture controls his hands.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Matsushima fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Matsushima lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Couture tries to work over Matsushima's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Couture looking for a takedown.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Matsushima.
Couture is looking to take this one to the mat.
Couture goes for a takedown attempt but Matsushima pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Couture moves into the clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Matsushima tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Couture wants a takedown but no success here.
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 Xavier Couture will probably get the nod.
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.

Couture takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

Couture moves into the clinch.
Matsushima working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Couture taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

Couture has picked Matsushima up - he's going for a ride! Couture dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

Matsushima manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Xavier Couture seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Couture has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Matsushima finds it's way round the side to connect with Couture's head.
Couture ducks under a wild hook from Matsushima.
Couture gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Nice cross by Matsushima.
Matsushima displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Couture.
Couture drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Couture gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Couture is keen to just control but Matsushima is a slippery customer.
Matsushima really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Couture. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsushima keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Matsushima avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Couture.
Matsushima avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Couture.
Xavier Couture overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Couture is keen to just control but Matsushima is a slippery customer.
Couture throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Couture trying to control the action but Matsushima is working from the bottom.
Couture thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Matsushima's head.
Couture throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Matsushima is staying active underneath Couture, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's two 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.
Couture tries to pass to full mount but Matsushima defends it.
Couture wants to take a breather but Matsushima is having none of it.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Couture takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

Couture pushes Matsushima up against the cage in a clinch.
Matsushima throws a punch but it's blocked by Couture.
Couture is trying to drag Matsushima to the mat but Matsushima just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Matsushima misses with a punch to the body.
Couture has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Matsushima after a bit of a struggle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Xavier Couture. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Couture goes for a takedown attempt but Matsushima pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Matsushima lands a nice hook to Couture's body. Couture takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

Couture has Matsushima up against the cage in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsushima misses with a punch on the inside.
Couture has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Matsushima after a bit of a struggle.
Matsushima stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Couture goes for a takedown attempt but Matsushima pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Couture has Matsushima up against the cage in a clinch.
Couture looking to stall.
Matsushima prevents the takedown attempt.
Couture drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Matsushima gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Couture is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Couture wants to take the fight to the mat but Matsushima manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Couture.
Couture wants a takedown.
Matsushima misses with a body punch.
Couture 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.
Still in the clinch, Matsushima scores with a nice short uppercut.
Couture wants a takedown.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Matsushima misses with a short punch on the inside.
Couture drops down looking for an ankle pick but Matsushima pulls his leg out and moves away.

Couture clinches with his opponent.
Couture is working for takedown but Matsushima is calmly controlling the position for now.
A nice right hand lands inside from Couture.
Matsushima is pressed up against the cage. Couture has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Matsushima down to the mat. Matsushima avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Couture clinches with his opponent.
A body shot lands from Matsushima.
This has been an exciting period of action!
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Couture.
Couture blocks a punch to the side of the head.
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.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Matsushima scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Xavier Couture has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Couture closes the distance and clinches.
Matsushima swings wildly with an uppercut but Couture uses good head movement to avoid it.
Matsushima working aggressively here.
Matsushima tries to throw a body punch but Couture avoids it by throwing Matsushima back against the cage.
Couture 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.
Matsushima misses with a body punch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Matsushima.
Couture wants a takedown.
Couture is looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Xavier Couture. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Matsushima prevents a takedown attempt there.
Jin Matsushima seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Couture blocks an uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matsushima digs a right hand underneath Couture's ribcage. Couture let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Matsushima lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Couture backwards.
Matsushima working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Matsushima lands with a short shot to the head.
Matsushima scores with a shot to the side of Couture's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsushima scores with a nice hook to the head.
Matsushima working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

Couture is rocked!
Couture blocks an uppercut.
Oh Couture is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Couture blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Couture seems to have got his legs back now.
Matsushima prevents the takedown attempt.
Matsushima tries a body shot but Couture blocks it.
Couture has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Matsushima after a bit of a struggle.
Couture drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Couture drops down looking for an ankle pick but Matsushima pulls his leg out and moves away.
Jin Matsushima is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Couture tries to keep at a distance but Matsushima has taken the fight into the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Matsushima.
Matsushima softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Matsushima has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Matsushima goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Couture has hold of one of Matsushima's legs. Matsushima is fighting the takedown attempt but Couture gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Couture stops Matsushima from standing up.
Couture postures up in Matsushima's guard and throws a big left but Matsushima blocks it.
Matsushima is looking to stand up but Couture isn't so interested in that idea.
Couture throws a big right hand that misses.
Matsushima wants to stand up but Couture is controlling him.
Couture content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Couture accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Couture wants to control from the top but Matsushima keeps moving.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

Couture rushes Matsushima and presses him up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Couture tries for a takedown but Matsushima manages to get underhooks.
Couture tries to work over Matsushima's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Couture scores with a shot to the side of Matsushima's head.
Still in the clinch, Matsushima scores with a nice short uppercut.
Couture is looking for a takedown.
Couture tries for a takedown. No joy.
Matsushima lands a right hand that snaps the head of Couture backwards.
Couture is trying to drag Matsushima to the mat but Matsushima just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Matsushima lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Nice body punch from Matsushima - that landed with a thud.
Matsushima is pressed up against the cage. Couture has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Matsushima down to the mat. Matsushima avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Matsushima fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Couture looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Matsushima throws out a powerful jab.
Matsushima keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

Couture darts in and clinches Matsushima up against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Matsushima prevents the takedown attempt.
Couture's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Couture looking for a takedown.
A left hand lands to the body for Matsushima.
Couture takes a shot to the head.

Couture turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Jin Matsushima is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Matsushima is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Couture is controlling him well.
Couture looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Matsushima is avoiding damage well.
Couture creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Matsushima sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Matsushima is pushing Couture's head away, looking to escape. Couture manages to hold on to the position though.

Matsushima throws Couture to one side and escapes!
A big left from Couture misses.

Matsushima has taken the fight to the clinch.
Couture drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Matsushima gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Matsushima lands a shoulder strike.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jin Matsushima comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Matsushima has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Winston Alpacca scores the fight for Jin Matsushima!
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight for Jin Matsushima!
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight for Jin Matsushima!

Jin Matsushima wins by unanimous decision!