PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Michael Matthews (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Buck Shmuck (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Michael Matthews has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Matthews
vs
Shmuck

175 cm
24
140 lbs
12 - 2 - 0

174 cm
25
135 lbs
18 - 13 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

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 12 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Michael Matthews!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Buck Shmuck!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matthews jabs at Shmuck's body.
Shmuck tries to clinch there but Matthews circles away.
Shmuck tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Matthews paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Matthews lands with a cross.
Buck Shmuck seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Shmuck shoots in but no luck this time.
Shmuck tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in the close the distance. Matthews manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Shmuck takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Matthews tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Shmuck was well out of range. Poor timing from Matthews.
Matthews swats away the attempt to clinch by Shmuck.
Shmuck tries to clinch but Matthews moves out of range.
Shmuck tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in the close the distance. Matthews manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Shmuck tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in the close the distance. Matthews manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Matthews lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Shmuck circles away quickly and effectively.
Shmuck tries to close the distance and clinch up but Matthews swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Shmuck looks to land a left hand but Matthews moved out of range nicely.
A head kick misses from Shmuck.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Shmuck looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Matthews wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

Shmuck instigates a clinch.

Matthews's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Matthews lands a glancing blow to the side of Shmuck's head.
Shmuck tries to clinch up but Matthews circles away and keeps his distance.

Shmuck closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
Matthews is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Shmuck takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Matthews tries to break the clinch but Shmuck is controlling the position.
Shmuck tries a knee to the head but Matthews blocks it.

Matthews breaks the clinch.
Matthews lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Shmuck backs up against the ropes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shmuck avoids the head kick by Matthews.
Michael Matthews is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Shmuck throws a leg kick but Matthews checks it.
Shmuck fails in his attempt to clinch.
Shmuck tries to clinch but Matthews moves out of range.
Nice sprawl there from Matthews as Shmuck shoots in.
Shmuck tries to clinch but Matthews moves out of range.
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!
Shmuck misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Michael Matthews has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Buck Shmuck.
Shmuck's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Matthews connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Shmuck scrambles back to his feet.
Shmuck shoots in but Matthews avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Matthews lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Shmuck wants to clinch.
Shmuck ducks under a wild hook from Matthews.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shmuck tries to clinch up
letting Matthews counter with a right hand.
Shmuck is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Shmuck tries to clinch but Matthews moves away
and Matthews counters with a straight right hand.
Shmuck tries to clinch up but Matthews circles away and keeps his distance.
Shmuck doesn't manage to clinch there - Matthews circles away.
Shmuck is looking to clinch but Matthews is avoiding it.

Shmuck takes the fight into the clinch.
Still in the clinch, Matthews scores with a nice short uppercut.
Shmuck 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.
Matthews throws a punch but it's blocked by Shmuck.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Matthews's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Shmuck tries to clinch up.
Matthews keeps the fight on the outside.
Matthews circles away from the clinch attempt
and Matthews cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Shmuck tries to clinch up but Matthews circles away and keeps his distance.

Shmuck throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Matthews was covering up waiting for the punch and Shmuck finishes the takedown easily into guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Matthews wants to get back to his feet but Shmuck is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Matthews is on top in guard.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Matthews trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Buck Shmuck will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Shmuck wants to clinch.
Matthews avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Shmuck is defended easily by Matthews.
Shmuck avoids a punch combination nicely.
Shmuck moves in looking to clinch but Matthews pushes him off.
Shmuck is trying hard to land a takedown here. Matthews sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Shmuck misses with a looping right.
Matthews misses the jab.
Shmuck fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Michael Matthews has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Buck Shmuck.
Shmuck tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in the close the distance. Matthews manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Shmuck needs to keep his hands up - Matthews had a free shot at his head there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shmuck tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in the close the distance. Matthews manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Matthews circles away from the clinch attempt
and Matthews cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A jab from Matthews finds it's way through Shmuck's defenses.
Matthews lands a nice hook to Shmuck's body. Shmuck takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Shmuck tries to clinch there but Matthews circles away.
Shmuck tries to clinch up.
Matthews takes one to the side of the head.
Matthews misses with a two punch combination.
Matthews throws a series of punches but Shmuck moves out of range.
Shmuck on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Matthews lands a two punch combo.
The fight stays on the outside here - Shmuck looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matthews scores with a jab to the jaw.
Shmuck misses with a straight right.
Matthews misses with a straight left.
Shmuck tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Shmuck tries for a takedown but Matthews sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Shmuck wants to clinch.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Shmuck fails in his attempt to clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shmuck shoots in looking for a takedown but Matthews manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Shmuck's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Shmuck tries to clinch but Matthews moves out of range.
Matthews throws a right and a left that both miss.
Shmuck tries to close the distance and clinch up but Matthews swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matthews lands a really nice looking cross but Shmuck seems unphased.
Shmuck moves away from the strike by Matthews.
Shmuck moves out of range of the strikes.
Shmuck wants to clinch but Matthews slips to the side
and Matthews counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Shmuck uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Matthews.
Matthews tries to bum rush Shmuck with a series of wild strikes but Shmuck uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Michael Matthews is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Shmuck moves to clinch but Matthews breaks away
and Matthews connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Matthews swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Matthews has taken the fight to the clinch.
Shmuck throws a knee to the head but misses.
Matthews tries to break the clinch but Shmuck is controlling the position.
Shmuck tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Matthews avoids it.
Shmuck pressing his opponent against the ropes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matthews on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Matthews manages to break the clinch.
Shmuck is looking to clinch.
Shmuck takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Nice shot lands for Matthews.
Shmuck tries to bum rush Matthews with a series of wild strikes but Matthews uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Shmuck misses with the combination.
Matthews looks to land a combination but Shmuck avoids it well.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shmuck tries to clinch there but Matthews circles away.
Matthews stuffs the takedown.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sloppy strikes from Matthews. Those never looked like landing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Michael Matthews will probably get the nod.
That's time! Matthews's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!

Shmuck has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Shmuck looks for a takedown but Matthews sprawls well.
Matthews throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Shmuck shoots in for a takedown but Matthews shows good takedown defense.
Shmuck tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in the close the distance. Matthews manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Shmuck takes one to the chin there.
Shmuck takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Matthews uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Shmuck has time to react.
Matthews throws an overhand right that lands on Shmuck's shoulder, as Shmuck tries to avoid the shot.
Matthews ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Shmuck moves away.
Shmuck misses with a straight left.
Matthews looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Matthews misses the shot to the body.
Shmuck tries to clinch up but Matthews circles away and keeps his distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matthews misses the shot to the body.
Michael Matthews is winning the standup battle so far.
Matthews throws a big shot that misses.

Matthews rushes Shmuck and presses him up against the ropes.
Matthews is looking to break free of the clinch but Shmuck has double underhooks.
Matthews wants to break free but Shmuck has control.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Shmuck missing with knees to the body.
Shmuck has a couple of punches blocked by Matthews.
Matthews lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Shmuck tries to land a knee to the head but Matthews blocks with his arms.
Matthews looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Matthews lands a shoulder strike.

Matthews breaks the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shmuck wants to clinch.

Shmuck gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Shmuck looking to throw knees to the head but Matthews is blocking nicely.
Matthews blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Shmuck throws an elbow but it misses.
Shmuck trying to land knees to the body.
Matthews is trying to push Shmuck away but Shmuck has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
Matthews avoids the elbow strike from Shmuck, against the ropes.
Stalling in the clinch from Matthews.
Shmuck swings wildly with an uppercut but Matthews uses good head movement to avoid it.
Shmuck keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Matthews's efforts to push away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Matthews breaks from the clinch.
Shmuck shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Matthews sprawls well. Matthews wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Shmuck gets slowly back to his feet.
Michael Matthews has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Buck Shmuck.
Matthews throws a right and a left that Shmuck avoids nicely.
Shmuck misses with a looping right.
Matthews circles away from the clinch attempt.
Matthews throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Shmuck tries to close the distance and clinch up but Matthews swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Shmuck shoots in but Matthews avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Shmuck fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matthews slaps away a takedown attempt from Shmuck, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Shmuck takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Matthews fakes the leg kick and cracks Shmuck in the body.
Matthews lands with a nice body punch.
Matthews looks to land a right hand but Shmuck moved out of range.
Matthews throws a leg kick but Shmuck sees it coming and moves out of range.
Shmuck has a takedown stuffed.
Shmuck takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Matthews keeps the fight on the outside.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shmuck is looking to clinch but Matthews is avoiding it.
Matthews slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Matthews misses with a wild combination.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michael 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Andi Peters scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 29:28

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