PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Hakuna Matata (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pueblo Cortez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Matata
vs
Cortez

179 cm
18
177 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

205 cm
18
175 lbs
1 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very strong

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

Team S.W.A.T.

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Hakuna Matata!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Pueblo Cortez!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Valeri Chadov and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matata misses with a straight left.
Matata throws a right hand that Cortez ducks under and follows up with a left that Cortez also avoids with ease.
Matata throws a series of punches but Cortez avoids them all with ease.
Cortez ducks under a wild hook from Matata.
Matata connects with a good right hand that stumbles Cortez. Cortez circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Hakuna Matata seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Cortez instigates a clinch.
Matata lands a body punch.
Matata lands a left hand.
Matata lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Cortez throws a punch but it's blocked by Matata.
Matata misses with a hook from the clinch.
Matata doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Cortez blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Cortez wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Cortez misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Cortez tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Cortez is trying to break free.
Matata misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Matata misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Matata lands a hook to the side of the head.
Cortez is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Cortez is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Cortez tries for a takedown but Matata manages to get underhooks.
Cortez has had enough of the clinch but Matata keeps him there for the moment.
Cortez throws a punch but it's blocked by Matata.
Cortez blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Matata misses with the head strike.
Matata misses with a punch to the body.
Matata doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Cortez misses with a punch on the inside.
Matata throws a punch but it's blocked by Cortez.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Matata.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matata scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Cortez blocks an uppercut.
Matata lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Cortez or not.
Matata throws a head punch that misses.
Matata throws a punch but it's blocked by Cortez.
Cortez lands with a left to the head.
Matata tries to throw a body punch but Cortez avoids it by throwing Matata back against the cage.
Cortez lands with a right to the head.
Cortez prevents a body shot from Matata.
Matata struggles to land a body shot inside as Cortez controls his hands.
Cortez tries to stall but Matata uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Matata misses with some punches.
Matata misses with a hook to the ribs.
Matata tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Matata misses with a hook from the clinch.
Matata misses with a punch on the inside.
Matata fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Matata lands a shot to the body.
Cortez blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Matata throws a punch but it's blocked by Cortez.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Cortez.
Cortez looks gassed!
Nice body punch from Matata - that landed with a thud.
Matata misses with some punches.
Matata tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Cortez's elbow.
Matata throws a head punch that misses.
Matata tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Matata goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Matata tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Cortez's elbow.
Matata throws a head punch that misses.
Matata doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cortez blocks a body shot from Matata.
Matata misses with a short punch on the inside.
Matata swings wildly with an uppercut but Cortez uses good head movement to avoid it.
Matata tries a body shot but Cortez blocks it.
Cortez is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Matata is keeping busy.
Cortez blocking some punches.
Matata misses with the head strike.
Matata lands a body shot.
Matata cracks Cortez with a nice body shot.
Matata lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A right hand to the body from Matata.
A nice right hand lands inside from Matata.
Matata misses with a hook from the clinch.
Cortez is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Matata blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Matata tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Cortez lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Cortez lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Cortez misses with a punch on the inside.
Matata can't find room to land a body shot as Cortez controls the action.
Cortez is working for takedown but Matata is calmly controlling the position for now.
Hakuna Matata has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pueblo Cortez.
Cortez blocks an uppercut.
Matata blocking some punches.
Matata fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Matata misses with a hook to the ribs.
Matata misses with a body punch.
Cortez throws a punch but it's blocked by Matata.
Matata tries to work over Cortez's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matata doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Cortez struggles to land a body shot inside as Matata controls his hands.
Matata misses with the head strike.
Cortez has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Matata is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Cortez blocks an uppercut.
Matata lands a body punch in the clinch.
Cortez is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Matata is keeping busy.
Cortez tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Matata misses with the head strike.
Matata misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Cortez prevents a body shot from Matata.
Cortez stalling in the clinch but Matata improves position.
Matata swings wildly with an uppercut but Cortez uses good head movement to avoid it.
Matata prevents the takedown attempt.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Cortez.
Cortez tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Cortez has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Matata avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Cortez fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Matata has a couple of punches blocked by Cortez.
Matata misses with the head strike.
Cortez blocking some punches.
Cortez blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Matata lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Cortez jumps guard but Matata stands there with Cortez around his waist. Cortez gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
A right handed body shot lands from Matata.
Matata lands a body shot in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cortez's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A shot in the inside from Matata.
Matata can't find room to land a body shot as Cortez controls the action.
Matata misses with some punches.
Matata tries to throw a body punch but Cortez avoids it by throwing Matata back against the cage.
Matata doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Matata throws a punch but it's blocked by Cortez.
Matata working aggressively here.
with the fighters clinched against the cage, Cortez creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Matata rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Cortez moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Cortez misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Cortez lands a lovely overhand right.
Cortez shoots in but Matata avoids the takedown attempt easily.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Matata throws a right hand that Cortez ducks under and follows up with a left that Cortez also avoids with ease.
Cortez avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Cortez shoots in for a double leg but Matata sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Cortez slips a jab from Matata.
Matata throws a hook but Cortez avoids it easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Matata throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Cortez feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Matata's calf.
Matata looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Cortez thuds his shin into the meat of Matata's side.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hakuna Matata dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Cortez keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Matata.
Matata throws an overhand right that lands on Cortez's shoulder, as Cortez tries to avoid the shot.
Matata throws an overhand right that lands on Cortez's shoulder, as Cortez tries to avoid the shot.
Matata misses with a two punch combination.
Matata throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Cortez.
Matata circles away from the clinch attempt.
Cortez uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Matata.
Hakuna Matata is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Matata thows a body shot but no joy.
Cortez tries for a takedown but Matata sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Cortez shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Matata thows a left - swing and a miss!
Matata checks the leg kick nicely there.
Matata fails to land with a series of punches.
Cortez misses with a double jab.
Matata misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cortez.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cortez avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
The fighters circling - Matata throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Cortez stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Cortez lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Cortez scores with a shot to the body.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Cortez fails to land with a series of punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cortez misses the shot to the body.
Cortez fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Hakuna Matata is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Cortez throws a series of punches but Matata moves out of range.
A jab from Matata misses.
Matata looks to land a combination but Cortez avoids it well.
Matata looks to land a body kick but Cortez moved away.
Cortez ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Matata moves away.
Good leg kick by Cortez there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Cortez tries to clinch but Matata moves out of range.
Matata swings away with a body shot that misses

and Cortez counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cortez stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Matata swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Matata looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Cortez stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Matata swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Cortez throws a big right hand that misses.
Matata keeping moving, preventing Cortez from controlling successfully.
Matata trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cortez trying to control the position from guard on top but Matata is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Matata lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Cortez!
Matata breaks from Cortez's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Matata punching from mount but Cortez doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Cortez is trying to escape the mount.
Cortez wants to try and get back to his feet.
Cortez is looking to improve his position but Matata isn't that keen on the idea.
The referee warns Cortez that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Matata is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Cortez can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matata has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Cortez's face.
Matata lands a nice shot to the head.
Matata dominating with strikes here.
Cortez tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Matata throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Cortez working to try and regain half guard.
The referee warns Cortez that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Matata throwing strikes here but Cortez is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Matata landing strikes from the mount.
Matata misses with a head shot.
Poor strikes thrown by Matata there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Matata misses with a head shot.
Cortez is in a horrible position here. Matata smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Cortez avoids a series of strikes thrown by Matata.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matata throwing strikes here but Cortez is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Matata looking to ground and pound but Cortez is blocking nicely.
Cortez is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Cortez tries to reverse the position but Matata maintains control.
Matata throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Matata working the ground and pound effectively.
Cortez is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Matata throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Matata throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Cortez tries to lock up and control but Matata gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Poor strikes thrown by Matata there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Cortez is looking to get to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hakuna Matata dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Cortez fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
A jab from Matata does it's job there.
Matata pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Matata takes a kick to the side of the head.
Matata keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Cortez tries to clinch but Matata is having none of it.
Matata looks to land a combination but Cortez avoids it well.
Cortez tries to clinch up.
Matata throws a body punch but Cortez moves out of range.
Matata throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Cortez moves out of range as Matata strikes.
Matata is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Matata's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Cortez defending well as Matata loads up on a big left hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matata throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Matata fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Cortez takes a body punch but keeps moving.
A combination from Cortez does no damage.
Matata misses with a combination

and Cortez moves into the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cortez looking to stall.
Matata goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Cortez wants to break free but Matata has control.
Matata misses with a hook to the ribs.
Cortez tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Matata smiles and moves away.
Matata swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Cortez moves out of range of the strikes.
Cortez takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Matata misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Cortez counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Cortez tries to close the distance and clinch but Matata swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Cortez takes one to the side of the head.
Cortez fails to land the takedown.
Hakuna Matata has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pueblo Cortez.
Cortez uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Matata.

Matata decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Matata missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Matata thows a huge punch but Cortez dodges it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cortez tries to get to full guard but Matata has control of the leg.
Cortez trying to control but Matata postures up.
Matata throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Matata wants to pass the guard but Cortez is defending well.
Cortez is looking to improve his position.
Matata missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Matata connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Cortez's hands.

It looks like Pueblo Cortez has been cut.
Cortez shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Matata but Matata pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Matata misses with a series of wild punches.
Matata swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Cortez wants to clinch up but Matata keeps it at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cortez darts in and clinches Matata up against the cage.
Matata misses with some punches.
Cortez blocks an uppercut.
Matata working aggressively here.
Matata lands a body shot.
Cortez blocking some punches.
Matata working aggressively here.
Matata lands a body punch.
Matata throws a head punch that misses.
Cortez tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Cortez stalling in the clinch.
Cortez throws a punch but it's blocked by Matata.
Matata goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Cortez blocks a body shot from Matata.
Matata tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Cortez blocks a body shot from Matata.
Cortez throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Matatas head.
Cortez is trying to break the clinch but Matata has him pressed against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Matata fails to land.
Matata lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Matata doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Matata misses with a hook to the ribs.
Cortez tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Cortez throws a punch but it's blocked by Matata.
Cortez can't break the clinch.
Matata misses with some punches.
A nice right hand lands inside from Matata.
Cortez lands with a short head shot on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matata prevents Cortez from breaking the clinch.
Cortez drops down looking for an ankle pick but Matata pulls his leg out and moves away.
Cortez throws a hook to the side of Matata's head but Matata sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Cortez moves out of range of the strikes.
Matata throws a one two combo.
Cortez tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Matata paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Matata swinging wilding here.
Cortez fails in his attempt to clinch.
Pueblo Cortez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Matata dodges the punch combination from Cortez.
Matata throws a hook but Cortez blocks it.
Cortez uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Matata.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Matata throws a shot from downtown. Cortez moves away and avoids it.
Cortez jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Jab, jab by Cortez - just one landing.
Cortez throws a series of punches but Matata moves out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hakuna Matata showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Matata has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 30:27
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hakuna Matata!