PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ryuu Matsumoto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Glen Burnett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Matsumoto
vs
Burnett

175 cm
20
155 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

180 cm
18
150 lbs
1 - 3 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ryuu Matsumoto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Glen Burnett!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Shigeki Sano and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Matsumoto changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Burnett looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Burnett is trying to escape the position but Matsumoto is controlling the position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Burnett is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Matsumoto is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Matsumoto content just to control the position here.
Burnett tries to hold on but Matsumoto pushes him away.

Matsumoto is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Burnett can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Burnett is working to get back to half guard.
Matsumoto sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Matsumoto avoids the attempt from Burnett to control.
Matsumoto looking to control and managing it successfully.
Burnett is desperately trying to improve his position but Matsumoto has a good base and remains in mount.
Burnett wants to hold on but Matsumoto pushes him away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsumoto content just to control the position here.
Burnett is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Matsumoto controlling from the full mount.
Burnett keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Burnett tries to hold on but Matsumoto postures up.
Matsumoto controlling the pace for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Matsumoto seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Burnett for as long as he can get away with.

Matsumoto wants to finish this one by submission but Burnett is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Matsumoto.
Burnett is trying desperately to improve position.
Matsumoto controlling his opponent.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Burnett throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Matsumoto controlling his opponent.
Burnett is looking to get to half guard.
Matsumoto controlling the pace for now.
Matsumoto forces the positional change into back control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsumoto avoiding Burnett 's attempts to control his hands.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Matsumoto controlling the positon.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Ryuu Matsumoto just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Matsumoto shoots in and drives through. Burnett sprawls well.

Matsumoto scores with a takedown into Burnett's guard.
Matsumoto trying to control the position from guard on top but Burnett is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Burnett throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Matsumoto wants to pass the guard but Burnett is keeping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsumoto stands and throws Burnett's legs to the side, diving into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Matsumoto is breathing heavily.
Matsumoto controlling from side mount.
Burnett manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
The fighters are battling for position here. Matsumoto manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Matsumoto tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Matsumoto pulls Burnett in close to prevent any damage.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Matsumoto is on top in guard.
Matsumoto won't allow Burnett to sweep him here.
Matsumoto is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryuu Matsumoto dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Burnett cracks Matsumoto with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Matsumoto fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Burnett fails with the takedown

and Matsumoto decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Burnett's guard.
Matsumoto slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Burnett is looking to reverse the position.
Burnett is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Matsumoto is controlling him well.
Matsumoto connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Burnett some visible discomfort.
Matsumoto is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Burnett's shoulder. That is not cool.
Burnett is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burnett can't do much from the bottom here.
Matsumoto in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Burnett is looking to reverse the position.
Burnett trying to remain calm as Matsumoto controls from the top position.
Burnett is looking for a sweep.
Burnett seems a little lost for a moment, as Matsumoto dominates the positioning.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Ryuu Matsumoto just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.

Burnett gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Burnett will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Burnett working a defensive guard here.
Burnett might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Matsumoto kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burnett thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Matsumoto stops Burnett from standing up.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Burnett is on top in guard.
Burnett wants to control from the top but Matsumoto keeps moving.
Burnett trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Burnett throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Matsumoto works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Matsumoto working a defensive guard here.
Matsumoto pulls Burnett in close to his closed guard and prevents Burnett from doing any damage or advancing position.
Matsumoto looking for a sweep. Not yet Matsumoto, not yet.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Burnett shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Matsumoto counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Burnett!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsumoto controlling the pace for now.

Matsumoto is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Burnett is surviving well by controlling Matsumoto's body position as best he can.
Burnett is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Matsumoto content just to control the position here.
Burnett is controlling an arm, preventing Matsumoto from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.
Burnett working to try and regain half guard.
Burnett tries to hold on but Matsumoto pushes him away.

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.
Matsumoto is trying to take his opponent's back.
Matsumoto controlling from mount.
Burnett is trying desperately to improve position.

Matsumoto looking to secure an arm triangle but Burnett defends it well.
Matsumoto prevents Burnett from getting the reversal.
Burnett is wriggling around here but as he tries to escape, Matsumoto has taken his back.
Burnett wants to escape the position.
Matsumoto not allowing Burnett to control his hands.
Burnett turns into Matsumoto and is now in his guard.
Matsumoto keeping full guard, as Burnett tries to pass.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryuu Matsumoto dominated that second round.
That's time! Matsumoto's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Burnett shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Matsumoto counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Burnett is looking to improve his position.
Burnett controlling the position well.
Matsumoto prevents Burnett from improving his position.
Burnett is doing well to control the position and prevent Matsumoto from advancing to side control.
Matsumoto has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Burnett wants to hold on but Matsumoto pushes him away.
Burnett has given up his back here. Will Matsumoto look for the submission or keep pounding away?
Burnett turns into Matsumoto and is now in his guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Burnett lands a couple of elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burnett wants to control from the top but Matsumoto keeps moving.
Matsumoto is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Matsumoto wants to sweep but no luck.

Matsumoto looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Matsumoto keeping moving, preventing Burnett from controlling successfully.
Burnett stopping the sweep attempt from Matsumoto.
Burnett is fighting to break Matsumoto's control of his arms but Matsumoto is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Burnett controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Matsumoto pulls Burnett in close to his closed guard and prevents Burnett from doing any damage or advancing position.
Burnett wants to stand but Matsumoto has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Burnett wants to control from the top but Matsumoto keeps moving.
Burnett controls from within his opponent's guard.
Burnett trying to control the position from guard on top but Matsumoto is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Burnett tries to free his leg and advance position but Matsumoto is retaining full guard.
Burnett controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Burnett throws a strike but Matsumoto rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Burnett looking to hit a scissor sweep but Matsumoto is one step ahead there.
Matsumoto looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsumoto trying to control the position from guard on top but Burnett is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Matsumoto has his takedown stuffed

and Burnett counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Burnett.
Burnett throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Matsumoto works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Burnett is fighting to break Matsumoto's control of his arms but Matsumoto is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Burnett trying to control but Matsumoto is working from the bottom.
Burnett postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Burnett trying to control the position from guard on top but Matsumoto is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Matsumoto is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Burnett controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Matsumoto seems keen to control Burnett's posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsumoto bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Burnett's guard.

Matsumoto is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Matsumoto pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Burnett is keeping the position for now.
Matsumoto not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Burnett throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Matsumoto won't allow Burnett to sweep him here.
Burnett is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Matsumoto stands and throws Burnett's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Matsumoto in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Glen Burnett has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Burnett is trying to get back to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ryuu Matsumoto showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Matsumoto, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 30:27
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ryuu Matsumoto!