PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Chris Matthews (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ac Slater (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Matthews
vs
Slater

176 cm
25
184 lbs
15 - 2 - 0

178 cm
26
169 lbs
11 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the super heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Chris Matthews!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ac Slater!
The judges for this bout are Micheangelo Fripello, Ryoma Takatsuka and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice takedown defense from Slater. No joy for Matthews on that attempt.

Slater closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Slater seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Matthews does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Slater might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Matthews kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Matthews wants to improve his position but Slater is controlling well.
Slater trying to control from half guard but Matthews is working away.
Slater is looking to stall here but Matthews recovers full guard.
Slater stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Matthews swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Matthews is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Slater is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matthews managing to control the position.
Slater wants to control from the top but Matthews keeps moving.

Ac Slater has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Matthews is defended easily by Slater.
Matthews misses with a takedown attempt
and Slater counters with a lovely straight right hand!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chris Matthews. That's going to take a lot out of him.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Slater.
Matthews moves out of range of the body kick.
Matthews with a lazy takedown attempt
and Slater cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
An inside leg kick lands from Slater.
Slater ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Matthews moves away.
Slater stuffs the takedown.
Slater misses with a kick to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Slater throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Matthews closes this distance looking for a takedown but Slater circles away.
Slater swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Matthews with a poor takedown
and Slater counters with a series of strikes. Matthews will be more careful next time no doubt.
Slater misses with a straight left.
Slater lands with a kick to the ribs.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Slater displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Matthews.
Matthews takes a jab right on the kisser.
Slater scores with a jab to the jaw.
Matthews with a poor takedown
and Slater cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Matthews fails to land the takedown.

Slater shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Matthews manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Matthews has Slater pulled in close to control his posture.
Slater trying to control the position from guard on top but Matthews is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Slater is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Ac Slater wasn't active enough on the ground.
Matthews shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Slater sprawls well. Slater wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Matthews gets slowly back to his feet.
Slater is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Matthews looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Slater fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Matthews manages to avoid it.

Slater closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Matthews quickly recovers to half guard.
Well, if Slater is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Matthews wants to get back to his feet.
Matthews manages to get to full guard.
Slater in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Matthews can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Slater controls the pace.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ac Slater dominated 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 shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Slater defends it nicely.
Matthews blocks the body kick.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Matthews is defended easily by Slater.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Slater.
Matthews fails with the takedown
and Slater counters with a low kick, right behind Matthews 's knee.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chris Matthews. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Matthews.
Matthews throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Slater's waist but Slater gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Matthews off to one side.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Slater.
Slater catches Matthews with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Slater stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Ac Slater seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Slater throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Matthews shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Slater sprawls well. Slater wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Matthews gets slowly back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Matthews looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Slater!
Slater wants to control but Matthews is having none of it.
Slater is in all sorts of trouble here.
Slater wants to hold on but Matthews pushes him away.
Matthews controlling the position easily from mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matthews has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Matthews avoids the attempt from Slater to control.
Matthews tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Matthews wants to control the pace but Slater is squirming around nicely.

We're going to have a standup here because Chris Matthews wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Matthews changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Slater tries to avoid it but Matthews manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Slater to the ground. Slater escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matthews fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Matthews misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Slater dips to his left and cracks Matthews with an uppercut!
Slater just misses with a punch to the body.
Slater fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Matthews on the side of the head.
Slater scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Matthews fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Matthews shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Slater as he jumps to the side.
That kick from Slater tenderised Matthews's leg. Matthews is trying to keep his angry face on.
Matthews misses with a takedown
and Slater counters with a nice uppercut.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Matthews tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Slater swivels and escapes.
Slater throws a front kick aimed at Matthews's knee but Matthews avoids it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matthews looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Slater is fending him off so far but Matthews persists. Nope, Slater circles away and we're back to standing.
Matthews shoots in for a takedown but Slater shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Slater connects with a crisp jab.
A head kick misses from Slater.
Matthews fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Matthews shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Slater misses with a straight right.
Matthews walks forward, straight into a front kick from Slater.
Slater throws a head kick but Matthews moves out of range.
Slater lands a jab-cross combination.
Slater throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Slater ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Matthews moves away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Matthews misses with a takedown attempt
enabling Slater to counter with a crisp jab.
Matthews shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Matthews with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Slater to score with a decent uppercut.
Matthews shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Slater defends it nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ac Slater showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Slater connects with a jab.
Slater throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Slater throws a body kick that misses.
Matthews tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Slater swivels and escapes.
Slater misses with a low kick.
Matthews with a poor takedown
enabling Slater to counter with a crisp jab.
Slater tries to score with a low kick but Matthews moves his leg out of the way.
Matthews takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Matthews checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Matthews has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Slater.
Slater fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Matthews shoots in looking for a takedown. Slater tries to sprawl out of it but Matthews keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Slater manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chris Matthews. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Slater looks for the body kick but Matthews saw that one coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matthews misses with a takedown attempt
and Slater counters with a slapping leg kick.
That kick from Slater tenderised Matthews's leg. Matthews is trying to keep his angry face on.
Slater looks for the body kick but Matthews saw that one coming.
Slater thumps Matthews with a low kick.
Slater pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Matthews avoids the body shot from Slater.
Matthews closes the distance and clinches up with Slater, looking for a takedown. Matthews pushes Slater against the cage but Slater circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Slater is looking to score with low kicks.
Matthews gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Slater counters with an outside leg kick.
A solid leg kick lands there for Slater.
Slater lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Matthews is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Matthews checks a leg kick.
Slater throws a quick inside leg kick.
Matthews shoots in but Slater avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Slater with a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Slater pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Slater connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Matthews momentarily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Slater uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Matthews looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Slater is fending him off so far but Matthews persists. Nope, Slater circles away and we're back to standing.
Slater throws a right and a left that both miss.
Slater thuds his shin into the meat of Matthews's side.
An inside leg kick from Slater misses.
Matthews shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Slater as he jumps to the side.
Slater feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Matthewss jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Matthews staying out of range there.
The fighters circle momentarily. Slater darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Matthews shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Slater sprawls well. Slater wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Matthews gets slowly back to his feet.
Slater scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Slater closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Matthews makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Matthews.
Slater throws a big elbow that misses.

Matthews has his feet on Slater's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
A left and a right from Slater both land. Nice combination.
Slater missing with a left hand there. Matthews was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Matthews shoots for a takedown but Slater saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Matthews looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Slater is fending him off so far but Matthews persists. Nope, Slater circles away and we're back to standing.
Matthews showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Slater.
Slater tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Matthews is able to avoid easily.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Slater.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matthews shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Slater but Slater pushes him off and we're back to square one.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Slater throws a quick inside leg kick.
Slater misses with a few strikes there.
Horrible takedown by Matthews or perhaps it was just good defense by Slater which made him look bad.
Slater looks for the body kick but Matthews saw that one coming.
Slater ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Matthews checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Matthews moves out of range of the body kick.
Slater scoring well with a low kick there.
Matthews closes this distance looking for a takedown but Slater circles away.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Slater scores with a jab to the head.
Matthews takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Matthews fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Matthews shoots and misses
and Slater counters with a low kick, right behind Matthews 's knee.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ac Slater really dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

The crowd cheers as Slater lands an impressive looking overhand right. Matthews doesn't seem phased though.
Matthews gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
enabling Slater to counter with a crisp jab.
Slater throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Slater has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Matthews with a poor takedown
and Slater counters with a three punch combo that has Matthews backing up. Matthews nods at Slater to acknowledge the strikes.
Slater moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Slater tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Slater leaves Matthews with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chris Matthews. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Slater lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Matthews takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Matthews.
Slater displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Matthews.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Slater tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A right-left combo lands from Slater.
Matthews will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Slater scores with a nice right hand.
Slater connects with the punch.
Matthews is trying hard to land a takedown here. Slater sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Slater lands a jab to the nose.
Matthews avoids a kick to the body.
Matthews has his takedown stuffed

and Slater counters with a single leg into guard. Matthews didn't expect that.
Slater trying to control but Matthews is working from the bottom.
Slater in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Slater controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Matthews utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Slater throws a strike but Matthews rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Matthews wanted to stand there but Slater had control of the position.
Slater lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Matthews!
Slater with the ground and pound from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Slater trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Matthews wants to control but Slater is having none of it.
Slater lands a big shot there that rocks Matthews but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Matthews is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Matthews taking shots to the head.
Slater is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Matthews can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Matthews is looking to improve his position but Slater isn't that keen on the idea.
Slater fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Slater pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Matthews is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Slater sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
BOOM! Slater connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Slater content just to control the position here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Matthews avoids a series of strikes thrown by Slater.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ac Slater dominated that fourth round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Matthews shoots for a double leg takedown but Slater sprawls well. He's pushed Matthews's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Matthews takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Slater misses with a head kick.
A big left from Slater misses.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Matthews is defended easily by Slater.
Slater throws a big shot that misses.
Nice defenses there by Matthews.
Slater misses with a kick to the body.
Matthews misses with a takedown attempt - Slater sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chris Matthews. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Matthews with a poor takedown
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Slater lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Slater throws a push kick but Matthews slaps the foot to one side.
Slater thows a body shot but no joy.
Matthews fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Slater leaves Matthews with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Slater throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Matthews tries for a takedown but Slater circles away easily
and Slater counters with a nice uppercut.
Matthews checks a leg kick nicely.
Slater stuffs the takedown attempt from Matthews. Matthews gets slowly back to his feet.
A head kick misses from Slater.
Slater chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Matthews has his takedown stuffed
and Slater finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Matthews doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Slater counters with an outside leg kick.
Slater looks for the body kick but Matthews saw that one coming.
Chris Matthews has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Slater throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

Matthews gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Ac Slater is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Slater wants to control from the top but Matthews keeps moving.
Matthews punching from the bottom.
Slater must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Matthews trying to control the position.
Slater stopping the sweep attempt from Matthews.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Matthews keeping moving, preventing Slater from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Slater prevents Matthews from getting back to his feet.
Matthews throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Slater trying to control the position from guard on top but Matthews is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Matthews wants to stand and escape but Slater is having none of it.
Slater controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Ac Slater was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Matthews has a takedown stuffed.
Matthews shoots in but no luck this time.
That kick from Matthews tenderised Slater's leg. Slater is trying to keep his angry face on.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Slater has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Slater there as he acknowledges the shot.
Slater throws a head kick that Matthews semi-blocks.
Matthews misses with a hook
enabling Slater to counter with a crisp jab.
Matthews fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Matthews fails with the takedown
and Slater counters with a series of strikes. Matthews will be more careful next time no doubt.
An inside leg kick lands from Slater.
Matthews looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Decent striking displayed by Slater there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Slater bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Slater scores with a hook to the body. Matthews takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Slater with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Matthews misses with a body kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Slater misses with a low kick.
Good leg kick by Slater there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Matthews gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Slater counters with a slapping leg kick.
Matthews on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ac Slater comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Slater 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 45:50
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 45:50
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ac Slater!
Ac Slater is the new super heavyweight champion!
A relieved looking Ac Slater thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.