PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mike Matthews (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jaime Lener (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Matthews comes to the cage accompanied by God's Gonna Cut You Down . These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Matthews
vs
Lener

185 cm
28
184 lbs
5 - 6 - 0

196 cm
27
185 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Decent elbows
Very quick

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

GR Design - Top quality, from $10 to $150 !

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 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mike Matthews!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jaime Lener!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Dean Styles and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lener uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Matthews.
Matthews darts in trying to clinch
and Lener counters with a straight right hand.
Matthews tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Lener manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Lener throws a right hand that Matthews ducks under and follows up with a left that Matthews also avoids with ease.

Matthews moves into range and clinches up with Lener.
Matthews throws a punch but it's blocked by Lener.

Lener breaks from the clinch.
Lener tries to close the distance and clinch but Matthews swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Lener scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Matthews tries to close the distance and clinch up but Lener swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Matthews fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Lener manages to avoid it.
Lener dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Mike Matthews is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lener shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Matthews but Matthews pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Lener avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Horrible takedown by Lener or perhaps it was just good defense by Matthews which made him look bad.
A big right from Matthews misses.
Matthews throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Matthews tries to clinch but Lener moves away
and Lener connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Matthews misses with a body shot.
Matthews scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

Lener shoots in and gets a takedown into Matthews's guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

Lener gets to his feet. Matthews looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matthews tries to clinch up but Lener circles away and keeps his distance.
Matthews wants to clinch up but Lener keeps it at a distance.
Matthews tries to clinch up but Lener circles away and keeps his distance.
Matthews throws a low kick but Lener moves out of range easily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Matthews throws a body punch but Lener moves out of range.
Lener throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Matthews sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Matthews tries to clinch but Lener moves away
and Lener counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Matthews rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Lener counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Matthews scoring well with a low kick there.
Lener's corner calls for a 1-2. Lener obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Matthews tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lener was well out of range. Poor timing from Matthews.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A good leg kick by Matthews.
Lener scores with a three punch combo!
Matthews is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Lener tries to close the distance and clinch but Matthews swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Matthews uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Lener wants to slow Matthews down by chopping away at his legs.
Lener throws a right and a left that both miss.
Lener is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Lener shoots in for a double leg but Matthews sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Mike Matthews has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jaime Lener.
A big right from Matthews misses.
Lener tests Matthews's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matthews circles away from the clinch attempt.
Lener swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Matthews throws a body punch but Lener moves out of range.
Matthews tries to clinch
and Lener counters with a one-two to the body.

Matthews closes the distance and pushes Lener back into the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lener has Matthews pressed against the cage.
Lener tries to break the clinch but Matthews is controlling the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Matthews creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Lener is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Lener tries to pull guard but Matthews forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Matthews misses with the head strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Mike Matthews will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Matthews tries to clinch up.
Matthews ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Lener moves away.

Lener closes the distance and pushes Matthews back into the cage.
Matthews is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Lener tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Matthews smiles and moves away.
Matthews tries to clinch up but Lener circles away and keeps his distance.
Lener keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Matthews tries to close the distance and clinch up but Lener swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Good work by Lener as he checks the leg kick.

Matthews takes the fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matthews scores with a shot to the side of Lener's head.
Matthews letting Lener take a breather here.
Matthews fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Matthews fails to land.
Matthews effectively controlling the action here.
Matthews lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Lener backwards.
Matthews lands an elbow inside.
Matthews throws an elbow but it misses.
Matthews throws a head punch that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lener dodges an elbow strike from Matthews.
Matthews lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A nice left hand lands by Matthews.
Matthews pushes off an throws an elbow but Lener leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Matthews throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Matthews misses with a punch on the inside.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Matthews just misses with a elbow thrown towards Lener's brow.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Matthews has a couple of punches blocked by Lener.
Lener is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Matthews to keep the fight standing.
Matthews lands a nice elbow.
Matthews lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Matthews swings wildly with an uppercut but Lener uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lener takes an elbow to the forehead.
Matthews lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Lener backwards.
Lener avoids a wild elbow strike from Matthews.
Matthews has Lener pushed against the cage.
Matthews lands a damaging elbow.
Matthews gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
With the fighters up against the cage, Matthews throws an elbow but misses.
Lener dodges an elbow strike from Matthews.
Matthews swings wildly with an uppercut but Lener uses good head movement to avoid it.
Matthews swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matthews pushes Lener back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Matthews has Lener pressed against the cage, preventing Lener from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Lener.
Matthews lands a nice elbow.
Lener avoids a wild elbow strike from Matthews.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Matthews misses with an elbow strike.
Lener is trying to force a seperation but Matthews has the dominant position.
Still in the clinch, Matthews scores with a nice short uppercut.
Matthews prevents Lener from breaking the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Matthews prevents Lener from breaking the clinch.
Matthews keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Lener's efforts to push away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Matthews dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Lener tries to keep at a distance but Matthews has taken the fight into the clinch.
Matthews pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Lener wants to break free but Matthews has control.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Matthews throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Matthews throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Lener has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Lener wants to get back to striking at distance but Matthews won't allow it.
Matthews misses with an elbow over the top.
Mike Matthews has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Matthews gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Matthews lands with a short shot to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Matthews.
Matthews has a couple of punches blocked by Lener.
Lener is trying to break the clinch but Matthews is controlling him.
Matthews keeps control of Lener as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Matthews trying to stall but Lener improves his position.
Matthews lands an elbow that stopped Lener in his tracks for a moment.
Matthews misses with a short punch on the inside.
Matthews lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Lener backwards.
Lener trying to control the position but instead, Matthews has worked for underhooks and has pushed Lener into the cage.
Lener has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
With the fighters up against the cage, Matthews throws an elbow but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lener successfully pulls guard.
Matthews throwing strikes but missing.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Matthews throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Lener seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Lener is trying to control the position but Matthews postures up.

Matthews decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Lener, up you get!
Nice body punch from Matthews.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matthews tries to clinch up but Lener circles away and keeps his distance.
Matthews doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

Lener drives through with a takedown into Matthews's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Lener takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Matthews looking to control.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Mike Matthews has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Matthews swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Mike Matthews is winning the standup battle so far.
Good work by Matthews as he checks the leg kick.
Lener keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lener scores with a nice right hand.
Matthews will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Lener moves out of range of the leg kick from Matthews.
Nice uppercut there from Matthews.
Matthews checks a leg kick nicely.
Lener moves in looking to clinch but Matthews pushes him off.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lener tries to clinch up but Matthews circles away and keeps his distance.
Lener looks to clinch
and Matthews counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Lener shoots in for a takedown but Matthews shows good takedown defense.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Matthews connects with a solid leg kick.
Matthews takes a swing at Lener's ribcage but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Matthews clearly takes 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.

Matthews swings for the body but Lener moves out of range.
Matthews thows a left - swing and a miss!
Matthews is looking to clinch.
Lener tries to clinch there but Matthews circles away.
Matthews looks to land a left hand but Lener moved out of range nicely.
Lener blocks a leg kick.
Lener goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Matthews wants to clinch up but Lener keeps it at a distance.
Lener misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Lener misses with a kick to the body.
Matthews tries to clinch up.
Matthews throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matthews fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Lener manages to avoid it.
Matthews tried to score with a low kick but Lener checks it.
Matthews throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Matthews misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Matthews tries to clinch up but Lener circles away and keeps his distance.
Matthews is looking to clinch.
Lener tries to land a front kick but Matthews steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Matthews tries to clinch but Lener moves away
and Lener counters with a nice body shot.
Jaime Lener is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Matthews throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
The fight stays on the outside here - Matthews looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lener misses with an uppercut. Matthews saw that one coming.
The fight stays on the outside here - Matthews looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Matthews wants to clinch up but Lener keeps it at a distance.
Matthews lands with a nice body punch.
Lener feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Matthewss jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!

Lener moves into range and clinches up with Matthews.
Lener can't break the clinch.

Lener pulls guard effortlessly.
Matthews might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Matthews trying to stand up but can't free himself from Lener's guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Lener can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lener looking for a sweep. Not yet Lener, not yet.
Matthews trying to stand up but can't free himself from Lener's guard.
Matthews working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Lener seems keen to control Matthews's posture.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Jaime Lener wasn't active enough on the ground.
Matthews throws a body punch but Lener moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Matthews has closed the distance and engaged Lener in a clinch.
Lener is looking to break free of the clinch but Matthews has double underhooks.
Matthews comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Matthews tries to stall but Lener uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Matthews throws an elbow that misses.
Lener blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Matthews misses with some punches.
Lener has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Matthews has Lener pushed against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Matthews throws a head punch that misses.
Matthews fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Matthews had his way with Jaime Lener in that round.
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!

Matthews leaves Lener with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Matthews tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Lener counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Matthews swats away the attempt to clinch by Lener.
Matthews jabs Lener to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Matthews throws a quick inside leg kick.
Lener shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Matthews but Matthews pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Lener shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Matthews but Matthews pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Mike Matthews has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jaime Lener.
Lener is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Matthews swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matthews looks to score with a jab to the body but Lener is just out of range.

Matthews has managed to clinch.
Matthews tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Matthews.
Matthews lands a damaging elbow.
Lener tries to break the clinch but Matthews is controlling the position.
Lener tries to pull guard but Matthews forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Matthews controlling the action here for a moment.
Matthews misses with an elbow over the top.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Lener.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Matthews.
Lener is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Matthews creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Lener's defenses.
Lener blocks an elbow strike from Matthews.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Matthews just misses with a elbow thrown towards Lener's brow.
Matthews is trying to stall.
Matthews stalling.
Matthews lands a nice uppercut.
Matthews taking a breather.
Lener jumps guard but Matthews turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Matthews throws an elbow but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short left from Matthews.
Matthews misses with an elbow strike.
Matthews misses with an elbow over the top.
A frustrated look appears on Lener's face as he tries to break the clinch.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Matthews.
Matthews misses with a hook from the clinch.
Lener can't get the takedown.
Lener blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Lener letting Matthews take a breather here.
Matthews seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.
Matthews looking to stall.
Mike Matthews is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lener jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Matthews walks away with a smile on his face. Lener gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Matthews misses with a low kick.
Matthews throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Lener closes the distance and clinches up with Matthews, looking for a takedown. Lener pushes Matthews against the cage but Matthews circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Lener tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Matthews swivels and escapes.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Matthews moves in looking to clinch but Lener pushes him off.

Matthews closes the distance and pushes Lener back into the cage.
Jaime Lener has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Matthews misses with an elbow over the top.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Matthews showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Matthews, 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 49:46
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 49:46
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Matthews!
Mike Matthews is the new welterweight champion!
Mike Matthews made sure to mention his sponsor, GR Design - Top quality, from $10 to $150 ! in his post fight interview.