PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Roko Matijevic (ranked 1293 p4p, 559 weight class) and John Piercer (ranked 136 p4p, 65 weight class). Roko Matijevic could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to John Piercer's chin.

Matijevic
vs
Piercer

175 cm
33
155
17 - 13 - 0

177 cm
32
166
12 - 13 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
KO power

Good wrestler
World class MT
Powerful

KOMBAT KLOTHING
Conviction

NARCOS
Shadow Realm Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Roko Matijevic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, John Piercer!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Timothy Bukovac and Percy O'Donnell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Piercer avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Matijevic ducks right into an uppercut from Piercer.
Piercer misses with a looping right.
Matijevic swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Matijevic misses with a low kick as Piercer jumps back.
We've been told by Matijevic's head coaches at Elite Combat Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Matijevic will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Piercer tries a head kick but it misses.
A low kick lands for Piercer.
Good leg kick by Matijevic.
Piercer misses with a straight right.
Matijevic looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Piercer throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Matijevic counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Piercer lands a glancing blow to the side of Matijevic's head.
A big left from Matijevic misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matijevic blocks the body kick.
Matijevic throws a poor cross that misses
and Piercer counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Piercer ducks under a wild hook from Matijevic.
Piercer takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

It looks like John Piercer has been cut.
Piercer defending well as Matijevic loads up on a big left hand.
Piercer throws a hook but Matijevic avoids it easily.
Matijevic displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Piercer throws out the jab.
Matijevic appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Piercer has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Matijevic throws a big shot that misses.
Matijevic wants to land a leg kick but Piercer is out of range.
Piercer slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Matijevic misses with an uppercut
and Piercer counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Matijevic ducks under a wild hook from Piercer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A nice inside leg kick there by Piercer. That's going to slow Matijevic down.
Piercer connects with a crisp jab.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Piercer throws a lazy right hand but Matijevic sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Matijevic scores with a head kick. Piercer tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Piercer throws the left hand but Matijevic avoids the punch easily.
Matijevic displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Piercer throws out the jab.
Matijevic tries to land a front kick but Piercer steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Piercer swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Matijevic fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Piercer checks it well.
A little jabbing left from Piercer on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Piercer throws an overhand right that lands on Matijevic's shoulder, as Matijevic tries to avoid the shot.
Matijevic misses with a hook.
Piercer feints a counter leg kick.
A slow jab from Matijevic misses its intended target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Piercer throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Piercer lands a nice shot that snaps Matijevic's head back.
Piercer with a nice cross.
A solid body kick from Matijevic.
Matijevic punishes Piercer's body with a nice straight punch.
Piercer looks to score with a jab to the body but Matijevic is just out of range.
Matijevic feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Piercer wants to slow Matijevic down by chopping away at his legs.
Matijevic lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Piercer takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Matijevic scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A good leg kick by Piercer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matijevic motions for Piercer to come forward. Matijevic throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A bone on bone clash there as Piercer blocks the leg kick.
Piercer moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
A thudding body kick lands there by Matijevic!
Piercer with a nice cross.
Piercer takes a swing at Matijevic's ribcage but misses.
Piercer wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Matijevic throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Piercer counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Piercer connects with a body shot.
Matijevic throws a body shot but no joy.
Piercer thows a left - swing and a miss!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

John Piercer dominated that round.
The cut man is working on John Piercer's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Piercer slips under a jab from Matijevic.
Matijevic checks a leg kick nicely.
Matijevic is looking to counter punch.
Jab from Matijevic.
Piercer takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
John Piercer seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Good leg kick by Piercer.
Piercer scores with a shot to the body.
Matijevic tries to land a front kick but Piercer steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Piercer appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Piercer lunges at Matijevic with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Matijevic's hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Piercer displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Matijevic throws out the jab.
Matijevic tries to move into range but Piercer moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Matijevic throws a poor cross that misses
and Piercer counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Piercer throws a big shot that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matijevic scores with a body shot.
Piercer tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Piercer just misses with a punch to the body.
Matijevic staying out of range there.
Matijevic misses with an attempted mid kick.
Matijevic looks to score with a jab to the body but Piercer is just out of range.
Nice defenses there by Piercer.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Piercer, as that shot connected.
Piercer lands a nice shot to the body.
Piercer throws a hook but Matijevic blocks it.
Matijevic feinted there with a counter leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Piercer misses with a low kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Matijevic.
Piercer's jab looks to have found its range, popping Matijevic under the eye.
Piercer missing with a left hand there. Matijevic was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Piercer lands a nice leg kick that just misses Matijevic's sensitive parts.
Matijevic lands a jab to the nose.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Matijevic steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Piercer. That one must have hurt.
Good work by Piercer as he checks the leg kick.
Matijevic connects with a body shot.
Matijevic throws out a powerful jab.
Piercer avoids the body shot from Matijevic.
Piercer flicks out a counter leg kick but Matijevic steps away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Piercer throws an overhand right that lands on Matijevic's shoulder, as Matijevic tries to avoid the shot.
Matijevic misses with an uppercut. Piercer saw that one coming.
A nice leg kick from Piercer, right into the meat of the thigh.
Piercer throws a jab when Matijevic was well out of range.
Piercer connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Piercer looks to land a left hand but Matijevic moved out of range nicely.
Matijevic throwing a counter right hand but Piercer manages to avoid it.
Matijevic paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
A clash of legs there as Matijevic blocks the low kick.
Piercer blocks a jab.
It seemed like Piercer was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Piercer throws a leg kick but Matijevic moved away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matijevic works the jab nicely.
Piercer throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Matijevic takes a swing at Piercer's ribcage but misses.
Matijevic throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Piercer swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
The fighters circling - Piercer throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Piercer misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
And Matijevic counters with a quick kick to the body but Piercer blocks it.
Matijevic throws a shot from downtown. Piercer moves away and avoids it.
A jab from Matijevic finds it's way through Piercer's defenses.
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!
Matijevic looks to land a left hand but Piercer moved out of range nicely.
Piercer swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Piercer keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
A big left from Matijevic misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but John Piercer will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on John Piercer's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Piercer looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Matijevic catches Piercer with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Piercer uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Matijevic.
Matijevic jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Piercer scores with a head kick. Matijevic tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Matijevic swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Matijevic displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Piercer throws out the jab.
Piercer lands with a thumping leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Piercer throws a sloppy head kick and Matijevic moves out of range easily.
Piercer lands a nice looking body kick.
Piercer swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matijevic ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Piercer moves away.
Piercer with a nice cross.
A slapping body kick lands there for Piercer.
Matijevic walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Matijevic misses with a low kick.
Piercer was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Piercer throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Piercer darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Matijevic ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Piercer scores with a nice right hand.
Piercer throws a jab but it's blocked by Matijevic.
Matijevic fires out a quick counter leg kick but Piercer just manages to avoid it.
Matijevic misses with a lunging right hand
and Piercer counters with a nice uppercut.
Roko Matijevic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Piercer swings widly with a right hand
and Matijevic counters with a nice kick to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Piercer throws a quick inside leg kick.
Matijevic wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Piercer checks a leg kick.
Matijevic does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Matijevic takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Matijevic moves forwards but Piercer connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Piercer throws a right hand that misses
and Matijevic counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Matijevic throws a right and a left that both miss.
Piercer throws a lazy head kick
and Matijevic counters with a nice uppercut.
John Piercer is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matijevic thows a left - swing and a miss!
Matijevic backing away here, and Piercer unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Matijevic is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Piercer throws an ugly left hook that misses
letting Matijevic counter with a right hand.
Matijevic avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Piercer throws a hook but Matijevic blocks it.
Matijevic swings for the body but Piercer moves out of range.
Matijevic throws a jab but it's blocked by Piercer.
A nice side step and Piercer releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Matijevic pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Piercer moves out of range as Matijevic strikes.
Matijevic takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Matijevic thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A left lands for Matijevic.
Matijevic rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
letting Piercer counter with a right hand.
Matijevic is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Piercer.
Matijevic fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Piercer on the side of the head.
Nice shot lands for Piercer.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Matijevic bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Matijevic scoring well with a low kick there.
Matijevic misses with a hook.
Piercer shapes to counter with a head kick.
Matijevic goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Matijevic looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Piercer stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Roko Matijevic.
Well Piercer has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28

The fight is ruled a draw!