PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ray Machine (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Morton Marshall Matthews (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Machine comes to the cage accompanied by Stupid KId. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Machine
vs
Marshall Matthews

165 cm
26
147 lbs
15 - 8 - 1

172 cm
27
142 lbs
17 - 14 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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 15 - 8 - 1, fighting out of London, Ray Machine!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 14 - 0, fighting out of London, Morton Marshall Matthews!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Paul Tew and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Machine misses with a wild combination.
Machine thows a body shot but no joy.
Marshall Matthews throws a head kick that misses.

Marshall Matthews fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Machine, pushing him back against the cage.
Marshall Matthews is looking to break free of the clinch but Machine has double underhooks.
Marshall Matthews lands a knee to the head.
Marshall Matthews unloads a knee to the mid-section. Machine lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Machine jumps guard but Marshall Matthews stands there with Machine around his waist. Machine gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Machine is working for takedown but Marshall Matthews is calmly controlling the position for now.
Machine tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ray Machine. That's going to take a lot out of him.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Marshall Matthews.
Marshall Matthews works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

Marshall Matthews breaks the clinch.
Marshall Matthews checks the leg kick nicely there.

Marshall Matthews gets a clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Marshall Matthews is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Machine is defending well for now.
Machine is trying to pull guard but Marshall Matthews has him pressed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marshall Matthews tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Machine avoids it.
Machine is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Marshall Matthews is defending well.
Marshall Matthews is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Marshall Matthews's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ray Machine seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Machine avoids the head kick by Marshall Matthews.

Marshall Matthews has closed the distance and engaged Machine in a clinch.
Marshall Matthews tries to land knees in the clinch but Machine avoids the damage to the body.
Marshall Matthews is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Machine is trying to stall.
Marshall Matthews takes an elbow to the forehead.

Machine gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Marshall Matthews wants to control but Machine is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Marshall Matthews is refusing to be controlled, as Machine sits in half guard.
Marshall Matthews is trying to control but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marshall Matthews pushes Machine off looking to stand but Machine dives back in and keeps control.
Marshall Matthews is looking to improve his position.

Machine is working for a submission of some sort.
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!
Marshall Matthews wants to get back to his feet.
Ground and pound from Machine.
Machine wants to control but Marshall Matthews is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machine missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Marshall Matthews moves into full guard.
Marshall Matthews pulls Machine in close to his closed guard and prevents Machine from doing any damage or advancing position.
Marshall Matthews being controlled here, momentarily.
Machine prevents Marshall Matthews from getting back to his feet.
Marshall Matthews will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machine missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Machine trying to control the position from guard on top but Marshall Matthews is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Marshall Matthews tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Machine throwing strikes from guard but Marshall Matthews blocks nicely.
Marshall Matthews wants to sweep but no luck.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Marshall Matthews misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Machine takes a swing at Marshall Matthews's ribcage but misses.

Machine manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Marshall Matthews on his heels. He'll look to pass Marshall Matthews's guard now, I'm sure.
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.

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

A close round but Morton Marshall Matthews will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Machine misses with a combination
and Marshall Matthews counters with a solid body kick.

Machine tries to keep at a distance but Marshall Matthews has taken the fight into the clinch.
Machine tries to throw a body punch but Marshall Matthews avoids it by throwing Machine back against the cage.
Marshall Matthews is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Machine is defending well for now.
Machine misses with some punches.
Stalling in the clinch from Marshall Matthews.
Machine tries to pull guard but Marshall Matthews won't allow it.
Marshall Matthews taking a breather.
Marshall Matthews lands with a light punch inside.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Marshall Matthews obliges.
Marshall Matthews prevents a body shot from Machine.
Machine is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Marshall Matthews is defending well.
Machine trying to control the position but instead, Marshall Matthews has worked for underhooks and has pushed Machine into the cage.
Marshall Matthews connects with a knee to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Marshall Matthews's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Marshall Matthews moves into the clinch successfully.
Marshall Matthews connects with a knee to the head.

It looks like Ray Machine has been cut.
Machine avoiding damage.
Marshall Matthews lands a knee to the body.

Marshall Matthews manages to break the clinch.
Marshall Matthews's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Marshall Matthews duly obliges.
Machine thows a body shot but no joy.
Marshall Matthews connects with the punch.

Machine instigates a clinch.
Marshall Matthews trying to land knees to the body.

Marshall Matthews's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Machine jabs at Marshall Matthews's body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marshall Matthews fails to land with a series of punches.
Machine misses with a hook. Marshall Matthews ducked under it nicely.

Marshall Matthews gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Machine tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Marshall Matthews lands a body punch in the clinch.

Marshall Matthews breaks from the clinch.

Machine changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Marshall Matthews looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Marshall Matthews is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Machine is trying to ground and pound but Marshall Matthews uses the momentary lack of control by Machine to regain half guard.
Marshall Matthews is not content to let Machine control the position.
Marshall Matthews keeps control of the position for the meantime.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marshall Matthews is trying to stand.
Machine wants to control but Marshall Matthews is keeping him busy.

Machine is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Marshall Matthews sees it coming and defends easily.
Machine moves nicely into side control.
Machine throws a strike aimed at the side of Marshall Matthews's head but Marshall Matthews avoids it well.
Machine creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Marshall Matthews sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machine sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Marshall Matthews is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Machine lands a nice forearm strike.
Marshall Matthews is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Machine is controlling him well.
Machine in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Machine working the ground and pound but Marshall Matthews is defending the strikes.

Machine tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Machine has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Machine thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Machine tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Machine has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
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 Ray Machine will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Ray Machine's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Marshall Matthews moves away from the strike by Machine.
Machine fails with a takedown attempt.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Machine.
Marshall Matthews slips a jab and a cross from Machine.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Marshall Matthews drives through and clinches with Machine against the cage.
Marshall Matthews manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

Marshall Matthews's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Machine misses with a double jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machine tries to land a front kick but Marshall Matthews steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

Marshall Matthews closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Machine.
Machine misses with an elbow strike.
Marshall Matthews missing with knees to the body.
Machine avoiding damage as Marshall Matthews throws knees to the body.
Machine tries to pull guard but Marshall Matthews won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ray Machine. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Marshall Matthews crunches a lovely knee into Machine's ribcage.
Marshall Matthews working Machine over with knees to the body.
Marshall Matthews lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Machine blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Marshall Matthews missing with knees to the body.
Marshall Matthews wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Machine has him pressed against the cage.
Machine tries for a takedown. No joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marshall Matthews has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
A nice right hand lands inside from Machine.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Marshall Matthews lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

Marshall Matthews pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Marshall Matthews tries to bum rush Machine with a series of wild strikes but Machine uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Machine scores with a nice head shot.
Marshall Matthews displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Machine.

Machine has taken the fight to the clinch.
Machine tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Marshall Matthews's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Marshall Matthews rushes Machine and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Machine has Marshall Matthews pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Marshall Matthews manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Machine tries to score a body lock takedown but Marshall Matthews shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machine looking to slow down the pace here.
Marshall Matthews lands a knee to the head.
Knees to the body from Marshall Matthews.
Morton Marshall Matthews seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Marshall Matthews landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Machine taking a breather.

Marshall Matthews breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Machine scores with a jab.

Marshall Matthews forces Machine back against the cage and clinches.
Marshall Matthews stalling in the clinch.

Marshall Matthews breaks the clinch.

Marshall Matthews closes the distance and clinches.
Machine drops down looking for an ankle pick but Marshall Matthews pulls his leg out and moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Marshall Matthews moves into the clinch successfully.
Marshall Matthews lands a good knee to the midsection. Machine won't want to take too many of those.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Marshall Matthews breaks the clinch.
Machine swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Marshall Matthews ducks under a wild hook from Machine.
Machine throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Machine shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Marshall Matthews defends it nicely.

Marshall Matthews has closed the distance and engaged Machine in a clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Knees in the clinch landing for Marshall Matthews.
Marshall Matthews lands an elbow inside that Machine shrugs off.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Morton Marshall Matthews comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Marshall Matthews has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Phil Schofield scores the fight for Morton Marshall Matthews!
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight for Morton Marshall Matthews!
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight for Morton Marshall Matthews!

Morton Marshall Matthews wins by unanimous decision!
Morton Marshall Matthews made sure to mention his sponsor, Fossington & Blythe: Gentlemen's Fight Attire in his post fight interview.