PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mike Matthews (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rock Action (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Matthews comes into the arena with God's Gonna Cut You Down blaring out of the sound system. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Matthews
vs
Action

185 cm
26
184 lbs
1 - 5 - 0

185 cm
22
197 lbs
2 - 6 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mike Matthews!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rock Action!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Dean Styles and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Matthews closes the distance and clinches.
The referee is keeping an eye on Matthews - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Action.
Action tries a knee to the head but Matthews blocks it.
Action tries to land a knee to the head but Matthews blocks with his arms.
Action using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Matthews has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Matthews misses with an elbow over the top.
Matthews looking to slow down the pace here.
Matthews misses with an elbow over the top.
Matthews lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Matthews lands a nice elbow.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Matthews lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Action with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Matthews gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Action.
Action takes an elbow to the temple.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Action with a knee to the head.
Matthews throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Matthews lands a nice elbow.
A body shot lands from Action.
Matthews is looking to control Action's arms but Action gets an underhook and turns him. Now Matthews has his back to the cage.
Matthews lands a damaging elbow.
Action avoids a wild elbow strike from Matthews.
Action using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Matthews has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Action looks gassed!
Action stalling.
Action tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Action is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Matthews is keeping busy.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Matthews.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Action tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Matthews lands with a right to the head.
Action blocks an elbow strike.
Matthews lands an elbow that stopped Action in his tracks for a moment.
Action has had enough of the clinch but Matthews keeps him there for the moment.
Matthews misses with an elbow over the top.
Matthews gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Matthews just misses with a elbow thrown towards Action's brow.
Matthews lands an elbow inside.
Matthews lands an elbow inside that Action shrugs off.
Matthews looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Action tries a body shot but Matthews blocks it.
Action drops down looking for an ankle pick but Matthews pulls his leg out and moves away.
Mike Matthews has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rock Action.
Matthews throws a quick inside leg kick.

Matthews closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Matthews lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Action backwards.
Action blocks an elbow strike.
Action blocks an elbow strike.
Matthews working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Matthews lands a damaging elbow.
Matthews lands a nice elbow.
Matthews throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Matthews lands a damaging elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Action takes an elbow to the temple.

It looks like Rock Action has been cut.
Matthews is pushing Action up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Matthews gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Matthews throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Nice elbow from Matthews.
Matthews controlling the action here for a moment.
Matthews lands with a light punch inside.
Matthews lands an elbow inside.
Matthews creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Action's defenses.
Matthews stalling in the clinch.
The crowd are getting pretty annoyed with Matthews for his constant stalling in the clinch and are voicing their displeasure.
Action misses with a knee strike.
Matthews creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Action's defenses.
Matthews comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Action takes an elbow to the forehead.
A short right from Matthews.
Action looking to throw knees to the head but Matthews is blocking nicely.
Action takes an elbow to the forehead.
Matthews stalling against the cage.
Matthews lands an elbow inside.
Matthews connects with a nasty looking knee right to Action's face.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Matthews lands an elbow inside that Action shrugs off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matthews throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Action takes an elbow to the temple.
Matthews comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Matthews with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Matthews lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Matthews lands a nice elbow.
Matthews lands a nice elbow.
Matthews lands a nice elbow.
Matthews creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Action's defenses.
Nice elbow from Matthews.
Action takes an elbow to the forehead.
Action with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Matthews throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Matthews lands an elbow inside that Action shrugs off.
Matthews comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Matthews lands an uppercut.
Matthews is pushing Action up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Matthews comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Matthews throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Matthews content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Nice elbow from Matthews.
Matthews misses with a knee strike.
Action throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Matthews blocks it with crossed arms.
Matthews effectively controlling the action here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matthews throws an elbow but it's blocked.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Matthews.
Matthews lands an elbow just above Action 's eye.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Matthews.
Matthews is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Nice elbow from Matthews.
Action tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Matthews is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Matthews lands an elbow just above Action 's eye.
Matthews throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Matthews effectively controlling the action here.
Matthews lands an elbow that stopped Action in his tracks for a moment.
Matthews lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Matthews throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Action takes an elbow to the temple.
Matthews lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Action blocks an elbow strike from Matthews.
Matthews is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Action is keeping busy.
Matthews lands an elbow just above Action 's eye.
Nice elbow from Matthews.
Action is trying to break the clinch but Matthews is controlling him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Matthews dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Rock Action's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Matthews gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Matthews creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Action misses with a punch on the inside.
Matthews stalling the fight.
Matthews has Action pressed against the cage, preventing Action from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Action tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Nice elbow from Matthews.
Matthews lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Matthews pushes off an throws an elbow but Action leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Matthews with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Matthews working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Action trying to land knees to the body.
Action blocks an elbow strike.
Action trying to stall but Matthews improves his position.
Matthews throws an elbow that misses.
Matthews creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Action's defenses.
Matthews pushes off an throws an elbow but Action leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Action takes an elbow to the temple.
A bit of stalling here from Matthews.
Matthews blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Action is breathing heavily.
Matthews lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Action backwards.
Matthews gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Matthews with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Matthews scores with a knee to the head.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Action as Matthews tries to tie him up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matthews lands a nice elbow.
Matthews misses with an elbow strike.
Matthews with a knee to the head.
Action tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Matthews.
Still in the clinch, Matthews scores with a nice short uppercut.
Matthews lands an elbow just above Action 's eye.
Matthews lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Matthews landing knees to the head.
Nice elbow from Matthews.
Matthews taking a breather.
Matthews is looking to control Action's arms but Action gets an underhook and turns him. Now Matthews has his back to the cage.
Mike Matthews has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Action lands a knee to the body.
Matthews softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Matthews taking a breather.
Matthews stalling in the clinch but Action improves position.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Mike Matthews.

Matthews gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Matthews creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Matthews.
Matthews is struggling to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short left from Action.
Matthews avoiding damage as Action throws knees to the body.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Action is looking to control Matthews's arms but Matthews gets an underhook and turns him. Now Action has his back to the cage.
Action misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Matthews lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A knee to the head by Matthews.
Matthews gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Action takes a shot to the head.
Action takes an elbow to the forehead.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Matthews.
Action tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Matthews lands an elbow inside that Action shrugs off.
Matthews lands a damaging elbow.

Action breaks the clinch.

Matthews takes the fight into the clinch.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Matthews.
Matthews lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Action blocks an elbow strike from Matthews.
Matthews lands a damaging elbow.
Action with a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matthews throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Matthews avoiding damage.
Matthews looking to stall.
Matthews lands a nice elbow.
Matthews lands with a short shot to the head.
Matthews lands a nice elbow.
Matthews creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Action's defenses.
Matthews connects with a nasty looking knee right to Action's face.
Matthews tries a knee to the head but Action blocks it.
Action tries a knee to the head but Matthews blocks it.
Matthews pressing his opponent against the cage.
Matthews using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Action has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Action misses with a knee strike.
Action being controlled against the cage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Matthews.
Matthews trying to control the position but instead, Action has worked for underhooks and has pushed Matthews into the cage.
Matthews lands with a left to the head.

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.
Action tries to stall but Matthews uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Matthews looking to stall.
A knee to the head by Matthews.
Action is trying to push Matthews away but Matthews has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Action misses with a knee to the head.
Action takes an elbow to the forehead.
Action takes an elbow to the temple.
Action blocks an elbow strike from Matthews.
Action wants to break free but Matthews has control.
Action takes an elbow to the forehead.
Matthews lands a damaging elbow.
Matthews lands an elbow that stopped Action in his tracks for a moment.
Action takes an elbow to the forehead.
Action takes an elbow to the temple.
Matthews slowing the pace effectively.
Matthews being controlled against the cage.
Matthews makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Matthews lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
A knee to the head by Matthews.
Action dodges an elbow strike from Matthews.
Action is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Matthews dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Rock Action's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Matthews misses with a body shot.
Matthews leaves Action with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Good leg kick by Matthews there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

Matthews forces Action back against the cage and clinches.
Action is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Matthews lands a left hand.
Action blocks an elbow strike.
Matthews lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Action takes an elbow to the temple.
Matthews lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Nice elbow from Matthews.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Matthews.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Matthews lands a nice elbow.
Matthews gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Action tries to land a knee to the head but Matthews blocks with his arms.
Nice elbow from Matthews.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matthews lands a nice elbow.
Matthews lands a knee to the head.
Matthews stalling the fight.
Action tries to land knees in the clinch but Matthews avoids the damage to the body.
Matthews lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Matthews lands an elbow inside that Action shrugs off.
Matthews stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Action takes an elbow to the forehead.
Matthews wants to stall.
Action tries to land a knee to the head but Matthews blocks with his arms.
Nice elbow from Matthews.
Action takes an elbow to the temple.
Matthews gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Matthews.
Matthews taking a breather.
Matthews with a knee to the head.
Matthews lands a right hand.
Matthews gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Matthews with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Action tries to circle away but Matthews has him pinned against the cage.
Action tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Matthews is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Action is keeping busy.
Action throws a punch but it's blocked by Matthews.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Action tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Matthews avoids it.
Action with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Matthews creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Action's defenses.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Matthews creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Matthews trying to control the position but instead, Action has worked for underhooks and has pushed Matthews into the cage.
Nice elbow from Matthews.
Matthews creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Action's defenses.
Matthews throws an elbow but it misses.
Matthews scores with a knee to the head.
Action with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Matthews lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Action with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Action wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Matthews lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Matthews looking to stall.
Action misses with a knee to the head.
Matthews stalling against the cage.
Action blocks an elbow strike from Matthews.
A nice left hand lands by Matthews.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice elbow from Matthews.
Matthews lands an elbow just above Action 's eye.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Action.
Matthews creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Action's defenses.
Matthews lands with a left to the head.

Action breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Action gets tackled into the cage by Matthews. Matthews maintains the clinch.
Rock Action has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Matthews stalling in the clinch but Action improves position.
Action lands a hook that snaps the head of Matthews backwards.
Matthews throws an elbow but it misses.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Matthews.
Matthews taking a breather.
Matthews connects with a nasty looking knee right to Action's face.
A knee to the head by Action.
Matthews is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Matthews pushes off an throws an elbow but Action leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Action tries to pull guard but Matthews won't allow it.
Action throws a knee to the head but misses.
Action with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Matthews lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
A quick uppercut on the inside from Matthews.
Matthews trying to stall but Action improves his position.
Mike Matthews is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Action tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Action wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Matthews has him pressed against the cage.
Matthews slowing the pace effectively.
Action is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Matthews lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Action throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Matthews blocks it with crossed arms.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Matthews looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Nice elbow from Matthews.
Action with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Matthews lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Matthews lands an elbow inside that Action shrugs off.
Action looking to stall.
Matthews creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Action's defenses.
Matthews lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Matthews showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Matthews has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Jonathan Paton scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 30:27
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Matthews!