PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bill Russell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dark Matter (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bill Russell had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 206.1lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Russell
vs
Matter

190 cm
22
225 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

185 cm
25
205 lbs
10 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Real Fighters Nutrition
BioPharm Nutrition

BioPharm Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Bill Russell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Dark Matter!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Reed Andrews and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Russell shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Matter as he avoids it easily.
Matter thuds his right hand into Russell's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Matter tests Russell's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Matter lunges at Russell with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Russell's hand.
Russell stuffs the takedown attempt from Matter. Matter gets slowly back to his feet.

Russell moves into the clinch successfully.
Russell is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Matter gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Russell is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Matter pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bill Russell. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Russell has Matter pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Matter manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Matter is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Russell gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Russell turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Russell manages to end up in side control.
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!
Matter tries to improve position but can't.
Matter gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

Russell is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russell moves nicely into side control.
Matter gets back to half guard.
Russell stops Matter from getting back to his feet.
Russell throwing shots but Matter is blocking nicely.
Matter moves into full guard.
Russell postures up.
Matter is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Russell postures up and lands a big shot to Matter's brow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russell lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Russell looking to pass the guard.
Russell trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Russell working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Matter's head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Matter looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Matter is looking to stand up but Russell isn't so interested in that idea.
Matter looks gassed!
Russell is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Russell landing with the ground and pound.

Russell got a little sloppy there for a moment and Matter has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Russell has managed to get both his arms back between Matter's legs - danger averted.
Russell throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Matter works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russell postures up and lands a big shot to Matter's brow.
Matter has momentary wrist control but Russell slips an elbow through the middle.
Matter wants to sweep here but Russell controlling him for the moment.
Matter is trying to keep Russell in close.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Matter looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Matter is trying to control the position but Russell postures up.
Russell landing some decent shots from guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Russell scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Russell stands and throws Matter's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Russell landing a few strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russell in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Russell is working Matter over with some ground and pound from side control.
Matter on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Russell working the ground and pound.

Russell is trying to get an arm triangle but Matter is defending well.
Russell working the body and head with strikes.

Russell thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Matter tries to bench press Russell off him but Russell keeps the position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Russell tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Russell scoring with punches and elbows.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bill Russell dominated that round.
That's time! Russell's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Russell shoots in but no luck this time.

Russell looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Matter!
Matter keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Russell punishing his opponent with strikes.
Matter bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Russell is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Matter throwing strikes but missing.
Matter stays in close to Russell's body and controls the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matter trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Matter has gone for a leg lock! Russell slips out almost immediately though and dives into Matter's guard.
Matter is trying to keep Russell in close.
Matter seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Russell advances position into side control!
Matter manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Matter is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russell prevents Matter from standing back up.
Matter is looking for a sweep. Russell is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Matter on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Matter looking for submissions off his back.

Russell is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Matter has hold of Russell's hands but Russell slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

Russell is looking for a kimura here.
Matter makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Matter.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Russell got a little sloppy there for a moment and Matter has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Russell has managed to get both his arms back between Matter's legs - danger averted.
Russell stands up over Matter, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Russell tries to free his leg and advance position but Matter is retaining full guard.
Russell slips nicely into half guard.
Russell uses his free foot to push down on Matter's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Matter.
Matter tries to reverse the position but Russell maintains control.
Russell avoids the attempt from Matter to control.
Russell is landing with some decent strikes but Matter is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Russell is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Matter is surviving well by controlling Russell's body position as best he can.
Russell landing strikes from the mount and Matter is in trouble!
A nice elbow there by Russell.
Matter tries to lock up and control but Russell gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Russell putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Russell lands with some strikes.

Matter is rocked!
Russell breaks from Matter's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Matter is still in real trouble! Can Russell finish him?
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Russell drops a big elbow. That's hurt Matter! More shots from Russell and the ref steps in! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Bill Russell!
Bill Russell gave a mention to BioPharm Nutrition in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).