PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Hiroko Matsumato (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sasha Lakovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Matsumato comes to the cage accompanied by My Pre Fight Warmup. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Matsumato
vs
Lakovic

176 cm
26
183 lbs
11 - 8 - 0

189 cm
30
181 lbs
21 - 11 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Hiroko Matsumato!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Sasha Lakovic!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Cecil Peabody and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lakovic avoids a punch combination nicely.
Lakovic goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

Matsumato shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Lakovic's guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Matsumato pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Lakovic is keeping the position for now.

Matsumato has gone for a leg lock! Lakovic slips out almost immediately though and dives into Matsumato's guard.

Matsumato working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Lakovic doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Lakovic manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Lakovic throws a big elbow that misses.
Lakovic with a flurry of punches that miss.
Matsumato avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Matsumato managing to control the position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Matsumato is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lakovic got a little sloppy there for a moment and Matsumato has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Lakovic has managed to get both his arms back between Matsumato's legs - danger averted.
Matsumato utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Matsumato can't keep his opponent in guard - Lakovic advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Lakovic scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

Matsumato looking for a kimura from the bottom but Lakovic passes into side control!
Matsumato taking a bit of punishment here - Lakovic scoring with strikes.
Lakovic working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

Lakovic working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Matsumato is looking for a sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lakovic is looking to take a break and control but Matsumato is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Lakovic throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Lakovic looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Matsumato is avoiding damage well.
Lakovic trying to control the position but Matsumato is working away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Matsumato tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Lakovic wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lakovic trying to control the action but Matsumato is working from the bottom.
Matsumato tries to escape but Lakovic is in control.
Lakovic working away.
Lakovic creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Matsumato sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Matsumato is looking to regain half guard here but Lakovic keeps moving and retains side control.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lakovic tries for a kimura but Matsumato is defending well.
Lakovic throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Lakovic scoring with punches and elbows.
Lakovic tries to score with some ground and pound. Matsumato controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Matsumato is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Matsumato is trying to improve his position.
Matsumato wants to get back to his feet but Lakovic drags him back down.
Lakovic scores with a couple of short elbows.
Matsumato might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Lakovic is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Matsumato knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Matsumato's face as Lakovic controls the position.
Matsumato tries to bench press Lakovic off him but Lakovic keeps the position.
Matsumato manages to work his way to half guard, despite Lakovic's best efforts.
Matsumato wants to get back to his feet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Matsumato looking for submissions off his back.

Matsumato looking for submissions off his back.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Lakovic lands a nice short elbow.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Matsumato is not content to let Lakovic control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sasha Lakovic dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Lakovic throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Lakovic throws a push kick but Matsumato slaps the foot to one side.
Matsumato with a body punch. A glancing blow.
A nice leg kick lands there from Lakovic.
Lakovic defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Matsumato.
Lakovic throws a jab when Matsumato was well out of range.
Matsumato shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Lakovic counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Matsumato throws a series of punches but Lakovic avoids them all with ease.
A telegraphed right hand from Lakovic misses the target.
Lakovic keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Matsumato.
Lakovic defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Matsumato.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hiroko Matsumato. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Matsumato on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Hiroko Matsumato is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lakovic swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lakovic lands with a nice body kick.
Matsumato misses with an uppercut.
Lakovic throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Matsumato fails with a takedown attempt.
Lakovic lands a nice shot that snaps Matsumato's head back.
Lakovic bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Matsumato's head backwards.
Matsumato shoots in but no luck this time.
Lakovic throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Lakovic misses with a head kick.
Matsumato misses with a takedown attempt - Lakovic sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
No luck for Matsumato with that takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lakovic scores with a push kick.
Lakovic throws a chopping leg kick but Matsumato manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Lakovic misses with a double jab.
Matsumato ducks under a wild hook from Lakovic.
Lakovic scores with a sloppy right hand. Matsumato should have avoided that one.
Lakovic waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Matsumato.
Sasha Lakovic seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Lakovic looks for the body kick but Matsumato saw that one coming.
Matsumato connects with a crisp jab.
Matsumato tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lakovic was well out of range. Poor timing from Matsumato.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Lakovic.
Lakovic throws a series of strikes that have Matsumato backpedaling.
Matsumato misses with a takedown
and Lakovic counters with a good, hard body kick but Matsumato shrugs it off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A thudding body kick lands there by Lakovic!
Hiroko Matsumato seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Matsumato throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Lakovic was covering up waiting for the punch and Matsumato finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Sasha Lakovic has got the better of the ground game so far.
Lakovic is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Matsumato pushes down on Lakovic's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Lakovic is doing well to control the position and prevent Matsumato from advancing to side control.
Lakovic gets full guard.
Lakovic controls Matsumato momentarily but Matsumato frees himself.
Matsumato wants to control from the top but Lakovic keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsumato postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Matsumato postures up in Lakovic's guard and throws a big left but Lakovic blocks it.
Matsumato stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Lakovic swivels though and keeps the full guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Matsumato preventing the sweep.
Matsumato wants to pass the guard but Lakovic is keeping the position.
Matsumato won't allow Lakovic to sweep him here.

Lakovic working for a triangle but Matsumato defends it easily.

Matsumato postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Lakovic is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Matsumato, into his guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sasha Lakovic showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Lakovic looks to land a body kick but Matsumato moved away.
Lakovic lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Lakovic stuffs the takedown.
Lakovic scores with a decent looking hook.
Nice sprawl there from Lakovic as Matsumato shoots in.
Lakovic throws a looping overhand right but Matsumato ducks down to avoid it.
Lakovic cracks the inside of Matsumato's front leg.
Lakovic looks to score with a jab to the body but Matsumato is just out of range.

Matsumato shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Lakovic is not content to let Matsumato control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lakovic is trying to control but can't.
Lakovic keeps control of the position for the meantime.

Matsumato is working for a kimura but Lakovic is defending it quite comfortably.

Matsumato seems to be working for a kimura but Lakovic defends the submission attempt.
Lakovic keeps control of the position for the meantime.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Matsumato is looking for a kimura but Lakovic is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Matsumato to get the leverage.
Lakovic is looking for a sweep. Matsumato is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

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

Matsumato is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lakovic trying to control here.
Sasha Lakovic is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Lakovic regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsumato being controlled here momentarily.
Lakovic keeping full guard, as Matsumato tries to pass.

Matsumato 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.
Lakovic controls Matsumato momentarily but Matsumato frees himself.
Lakovic wants to sweep but no luck.
Lakovic is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Still in half guard, Lakovic seems content to control.
Lakovic is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Lakovic takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Matsumato regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Lakovic.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Matsumato is on top in guard.
Hiroko Matsumato has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Matsumato drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Lakovic dives on top into guard.
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!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Matsumato wants to sweep but no luck.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sasha Lakovic comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Lakovic has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 27:30
Judge George Francis scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sasha Lakovic!
Our winner, Sasha Lakovic, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.