PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Hugh Matthews (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nick Daiz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nick Daiz is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Matthews
vs
Daiz

172 cm
21
180 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

185 cm
22
178 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Hugh Matthews!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Nick Daiz!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, William Peck and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Matthews scores a takedown into full mount!
Matthews can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Daiz is looking to escape.
Matthews lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Matthews is stalling here but it's allowed Daiz to get half guard.
Daiz is trying to stand back up but Matthews is controlling him
Daiz is trying to maintain the position but Matthews is very close to passing his half guard.

Matthews is working for a kimura but Daiz is defending it quite comfortably.
Daiz wants to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matthews is nestled in close to Daiz, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Daiz moves into full guard.
Matthews pushing down on Daiz's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Matthews moves into full mount! Daiz won't be happy about that!
Daiz is wriggling around trying to escape.

Matthews looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Matthews avoids the attempt from Daiz to control.
Matthews tries to control but Daiz wriggling away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Daiz regains half guard.
Daiz looks like he's trying to stand up.
Daiz is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Matthews thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Daiz's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Daiz is looking for a sweep. Matthews is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Matthews passes to full mount!
Matthews working the ground and pound effectively.
Matthews is breathing heavily.
Matthews postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Daiz looks a forlorn figure.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Daiz is trying desperately to improve position.
Matthews working Daiz over with strikes here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Daiz wants to hold on but Matthews pushes him away.
Matthews could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Daiz can't escape the position.

Matthews jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Daiz is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Daiz and Matthews has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Matthews trying to control the action but Daiz is working from the bottom.
Daiz is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Matthews is controlling him well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Daiz takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hugh Matthews dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Daiz connects with a right hand. Matthews shakes it off.

Matthews scores with a takedown into Daiz's guard.
Daiz can't keep his opponent in guard - Matthews advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Daiz has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Matthews is working away from the top position though.
Matthews trying to control from half guard but Daiz is working away.
Matthews takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Matthews seems to be working for a kimura but Daiz defends the submission attempt.
Daiz holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Daiz trying to control but Matthews postures up.
Matthews trying to mount his opponent but Daiz defends it.

Daiz kicks Matthews off and gets back to his feet.
A left and a right from Daiz both land. Nice combination.
Daiz looks to land a combination. Matthews sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Daiz misses with a two punch combination.
The fight stays on the outside here - Daiz looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Daiz lands a high kick!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A right-left combo lands from Daiz.
Daiz stalks Matthews and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Matthews's face. Matthews staggers backwards, shaken.
Daiz avoids the body shot from Matthews.
Daiz throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Matthews shoots in and bounces Daiz off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Daiz is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matthews passes Daiz's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Matthews working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Daiz has hold of Matthews's hands but Matthews slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Matthews prevents Daiz from standing back up.

Daiz is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Matthews pulls his head out easily.
Hugh Matthews overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Daiz is trying to get back to full guard.
Matthews working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Daiz blocking the ground and pound attempt from Matthews.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Matthews thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Daiz tries to bum rush Matthews with a series of wild strikes but Matthews uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Matthews misses with a two punch combination.
Matthews chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Daiz can pounce on him.
Nice takedown defense from Daiz. No joy for Matthews on that attempt.

Daiz clinches with his opponent.

Daiz breaks the clinch.
The crowd cheers as Daiz lands an impressive looking overhand right. Matthews doesn't seem phased though.
Daiz scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
No luck for Matthews with that takedown attempt.

Daiz rushes Matthews and presses him up against the cage.
A shot in the inside from Daiz.
Daiz tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Daiz is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Matthews is defending well for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Nick Daiz will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Daiz throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Daiz swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Matthews counters with a nice double leg into side control. Daiz won't be happy with that.
Daiz tries to escape but Matthews is in control.
Matthews lands a decent elbow from side control.
Matthews working the ground and pound.
Daiz is trying to control Matthews's posture but Matthews avoids it.
Matthews wants to control but Daiz is keeping him busy.
Matthews happy to just control the position for now.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Daiz is trying to control Matthews's posture but Matthews avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matthews landing strikes.
Matthews lands an elbow.

Matthews is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Daiz knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Matthews throwing strikes but Daiz manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Matthews is looking for a sweep.

Daiz wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Matthews, who protects the arm well.
Matthews 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.
Matthews tries to buck Daiz off but Daiz is having none of it.
Daiz misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Daiz in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Matthews closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Daiz to the mat! Daiz manages to get full guard.
Daiz wants to get back to his feet but Matthews passes into half guard.
Matthews is trying to control the action in half guard but Daiz is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Daiz looks like he's trying to stand up.

Matthews is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Daiz doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Matthews.
The fighters are battling for position here. Daiz manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's four 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.
Matthews working some strikes from top position.

Daiz had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Matthews defends it easily.
Matthews trying to control but Daiz is working from the bottom.
Matthews stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Daiz swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Matthews trying to control the position from guard on top but Daiz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hugh Matthews clearly takes 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.

Daiz darts in and clinches Matthews up against the cage.

Daiz's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Daiz tries to clinch but Matthews moves out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Matthews looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Matthews instigates a clinch.
Matthews tries to score a body lock takedown but Daiz shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Matthews looking for a takedown.
Daiz is trying to stall.
Daiz lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Matthews or not.
Daiz goes for a takedown attempt but Matthews pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Daiz misses with a takedown attempt

and Matthews counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Matthews trying to mount his opponent but Daiz defends it.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Matthews wants to take a breather but Daiz is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matthews drops an elbow to the side of Daiz's head.
Matthews seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Daiz blocking the ground and pound attempt from Matthews.
Matthews keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

Daiz looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Daiz bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Daiz looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Matthews tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matthews can't do much from the bottom here.

Daiz wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Matthews, who protects the arm well.
Matthews is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Daiz's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Daiz missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Matthews trying to hold on to Daiz's head to control him but Daiz postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matthews tries to kick Daiz off but Daiz keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Matthews tries to get to full guard but Daiz has control of the leg.
Matthews is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Daiz's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Daiz's back!
Matthews is trying to stick to Daiz's back but Daiz is turning into Matthews. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Matthews's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Daiz.
Daiz trying to control the position from guard on top but Matthews is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Daiz looking to pass the guard.

Daiz stands up and waves to Matthews to follow him.
Daiz lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Matthews has taken the fight to the clinch.
Daiz is trying to break the clinch but Matthews is controlling him.
Matthews tries to score a body lock takedown but Daiz shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hugh Matthews. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Matthews gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Daiz.
Matthews is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Daiz is keeping busy.
Daiz is trying to break the clinch but Matthews is controlling him.
Daiz misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Matthews is trying to trip Daiz. He has hold of a leg but Daiz is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Matthews persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Daiz avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Daiz manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Matthews shoots and misses

and Daiz counters by moving into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hugh Matthews had his way with Nick Daiz in that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Daiz throws a one two combo.
Matthews shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Daiz defends it nicely.
Daiz lands with a hook. Matthews tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

Daiz darts in and clinches Matthews up against the cage.
Matthews fails to pull guard.
Daiz has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Matthews avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Matthews jumps guard.
Daiz showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Matthews lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Daiz!
Matthews scoring with strikes but Daiz is staying in there.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matthews lands a big shot there that rocks Daiz but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Matthews trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Daiz is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Daiz is in all sorts of trouble here.
Daiz is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

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.
Matthews working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Matthews prevents Daiz from getting the reversal.
Matthews looking to finish Daiz with some ground and pound. This is bad for Daiz!
Matthews is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Matthews content just to control the position here.

Daiz defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Matthews.
Daiz sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Daiz tries to kick Matthews off but Matthews keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Matthews trying to pass the guard but Daiz defending well.
Matthews seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Matthews takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

That's four 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.
Daiz trying to control here.
Matthews works his way into side control.
Hugh Matthews is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Matthews is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Daiz is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Nick Daiz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Daiz is trying to escape the position but Matthews is controlling the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Matthews is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Daiz is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hugh Matthews showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Matthews has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 49:46
Judge William Peck scores the fight 49:46
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hugh Matthews!
Hugh Matthews is the new welterweight champion!