PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kiyoshi Matsumoto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johnny Knuckles (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Matsumoto comes into the arena with Carl Douglas - Kung fu fighting blaring out of the sound system. Knuckles has chosen St. Anger-Metallica as his entrance music. Johnny Knuckles told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Matsumoto
vs
Knuckles

178 cm
31
170 lbs
16 - 6 - 0

172 cm
25
162 lbs
11 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Kiyoshi Matsumoto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Johnny Knuckles!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, Winston Howard and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Knuckles throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Knuckles throws a lazy right hand but Matsumoto sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Matsumoto misses with an uppercut.
Matsumoto throws an overhand right that lands on Knuckles's shoulder, as Knuckles tries to avoid the shot.
Matsumoto throws out a loose jab but Knuckles uses good head movement to avoid it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Matsumoto. Knuckles does a little dance to reset his feet.
Knuckles throws a head kick that misses.
Matsumoto looks to land a body kick but Knuckles moved away.
A looping hook to the body misses from Matsumoto. Knuckles does a little dance to reset his feet.
Matsumoto throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Matsumoto misses with a straight right.
Matsumoto takes a swing at Knuckles's ribcage but misses.
Matsumoto slips under a jab.

Matsumoto closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Knuckles did well to prevent Matsumoto getting side control.
Knuckles trying to control but Matsumoto postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsumoto is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Knuckles wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Matsumoto.
Matsumoto sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Matsumoto trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Matsumoto throws some wild stikes that Knuckles manages to avoid easily.
Matsumoto scoring with strikes but Knuckles is staying in there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsumoto scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Knuckles in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Knuckles is looking to improve his position but Matsumoto isn't that keen on the idea.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Matsumoto unloads with some shots from mount but Knuckles bucks and avoids them well.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Knuckles sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Matsumoto thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Matsumoto not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Matsumoto wants to control but Knuckles is keeping him busy.
Matsumoto prevents Knuckles from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsumoto is keen to just control but Knuckles is a slippery customer.
Matsumoto not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Knuckles is trying to control but can't.
Knuckles keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Matsumoto takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Matsumoto looks to land a strike but Knuckles avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Knuckles is trying to control the position but Matsumoto postures up.
Knuckles keeping moving, preventing Matsumoto from controlling successfully.
Matsumoto stands up over Knuckles, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knuckles keeping full guard, as Matsumoto tries to pass.
Matsumoto loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Matsumoto won't allow Knuckles to sweep him here.
Matsumoto working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Matsumoto working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Matsumoto stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Knuckles swivels though and keeps the full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Matsumoto pushing down on Knuckles's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kiyoshi Matsumoto dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Matsumoto connects with a solid leg kick.
Matsumoto takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Matsumoto misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Knuckles.
Matsumoto throws a jab when Knuckles was well out of range.
Matsumoto fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Knuckles manages to avoid it.
Matsumoto digs a good hook to Knuckles's body.
Matsumoto throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Matsumoto scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Knuckles doesn't seem bothered though.
Knuckles sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Matsumoto throws a leg kick which misses Knuckles's front leg but catches the back leg as Knuckles tries to avoid it.
Matsumoto throws a jab but it's blocked by Knuckles.
Matsumoto misses with a takedown attempt - Knuckles sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Knuckles is breathing heavily.
Knuckles slips a straight right by Matsumoto.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsumoto scores with a jab to the head.

It looks like Johnny Knuckles has been cut.
Knuckles doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Knuckles gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Matsumoto.
Matsumoto tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Knuckles takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

Knuckles is rocked!
Matsumoto misses the shot to the body.
Knuckles is still on wobbly legs! Can Matsumoto finish him?
Knuckles takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Knuckles takes a shot to the body in his stride.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A big right from Matsumoto misses.
Johnny Knuckles is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Matsumoto connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Matsumoto thows a body shot but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knuckles swinging wildly here.
Knuckles looks up at the clock. Bad move! Matsumoto lands a right hand from hell, dropping Knuckles. Matsumoto pounces and finishes the fight with a flurry of punches and elbows.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:11 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Kiyoshi Matsumoto!
Kiyoshi Matsumoto seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.