PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Matt Sydal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jordan Mutch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jordan Mutch has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Sydal
vs
Mutch

180 cm
26
185 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

169 cm
19
154 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Matt Sydal!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jordan Mutch!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Matheus Silva and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mutch throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Sydal bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Mutch throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Mutch connects with a solid leg kick.
Mutch shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Mutch tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Mutch misses with a series of wild punches.

Sydal shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Sydal trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Sydal will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Sydal working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Sydal working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Sydal won't allow Mutch to sweep him here.
Mutch has Sydal pulled in close to control his posture.
Sydal throws an elbow that misses. Mutch uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Sydal's guard. Nice move by Mutch!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mutch missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Mutch wanted to stand there but Sydal had control of the position.
Sydal is looking to stand up but Mutch isn't so interested in that idea.
Mutch trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Mutch wants to control from the top but Sydal keeps moving.
Sydal has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Sydal pushes Mutch off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Mutch connects with a right hand. Sydal shakes it off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mutch thows a left - swing and a miss!
Mutch scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

It looks like Matt Sydal has been cut.
No joy there for Mutch, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Sydal shoots in and gets a takedown into Mutch's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sydal throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Mutch works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Sydal makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Sydal lands a couple of digs.
Sydal postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Sydal is looking to work some ground and pound but Mutch has wrist control.
Sydal scoring with punches to the head and body.
Mutch wants to sweep but no luck.

Mutch is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Sydal trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sydal scoring with some ground and pound.
Sydal stops Mutch from standing up.
Mutch looking for a sweep. Not yet Mutch, not yet.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sydal accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Sydal throws a big elbow that misses.
Sydal is in close to Mutch's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Mutch working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sydal.
Sydal working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Mutch controls Sydal momentarily but Sydal frees himself.
Mutch wants to sweep here but Sydal controlling him for the moment.
Sydal lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sydal is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Mutch is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Mutch has escaped and now he's on top!
Mutch trying to control but Sydal is working from the bottom.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Mutch postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Sydal is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Mutch, into his guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sydal accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sydal working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Sydal dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Matt Sydal's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Nice takedown defense from Mutch. No joy for Sydal on that attempt.
Mutch scores with a jab to the head.
Mutch lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Mutch lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Sydal circles away quickly and effectively.
Sydal shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Mutch pinned against the cage. Mutch gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Jordan Mutch seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sydal looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Mutch is fending him off so far but Sydal persists. Nope, Mutch circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matt Sydal. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mutch throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Sydal tries to score a power double leg takedown but Mutch sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sydal somewhat.

Sydal shoots in and bounces Mutch off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Sydal missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sydal with a flurry of punches that miss.
Sydal works over Mutch with some ground and pound from guard.
Mutch preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Mutch keeping full guard, as Sydal tries to pass.
Sydal working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Mutch manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Sydal is squirming around, avoiding Mutch's attempts to control the action.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mutch punching from mount but Sydal doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Sydal manages to regain half guard whilst avoiding the strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Mutch decides to stand up.
Mutch takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sydal fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Sydal takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sydal manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Mutch on his heels. He'll look to pass Mutch's guard now, I'm sure.
Mutch not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Sydal throws an elbow that misses. Mutch uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Sydal's guard. Nice move by Mutch!
Mutch trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Mutch working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Mutch with a flurry of punches that miss.
Mutch postures up in Sydal's guard and throws a big left but Sydal blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sydal makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Sydal throws a big elbow that misses.
Sydal chips away with some ground and pound.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mutch is controlling Sydal's posture.
Sydal lands a couple of elbows.
Sydal throws a strike but Mutch rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Sydal keeping moving, preventing Mutch from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jordan Mutch will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Matt Sydal's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Sydal takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Good shot there by Mutch.
Mutch tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Sydal manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Sydal throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Mutch tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Sydal is in Mutch's guard.
Mutch working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sydal.
Sydal keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Mutch's head.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Mutch is on top in guard.
Sydal wants to stand and escape but Mutch is having none of it.
Sydal keeping moving, preventing Mutch from controlling successfully.
Sydal preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mutch trying to control but Sydal is working from the bottom.
Matt Sydal overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Sydal has a closed guard, preventing Mutch from standing up.
Sydal keeping moving, preventing Mutch from controlling successfully.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Jordan Mutch hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Mutch shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sydal fails with a takedown attempt.
Sydal shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Mutch as he avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mutch throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sydal.
Sydal takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Sydal ducks under a wild hook from Mutch.
Mutch getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Sydal displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Mutch throws out the jab.
Mutch catches Sydal with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Mutch tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Sydal manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
No joy there for Mutch, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
No luck for Sydal with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matt Sydal. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sydal fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Sydal shoots in and bounces Mutch off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sydal lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Sydal missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Mutch avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Mutch is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Sydal content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Mutch wants to sweep but no luck.

Sydal got a little sloppy there for a moment and Mutch has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Sydal has managed to get both his arms back between Mutch's legs - danger averted.
Mutch takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Sydal throwing strikes but missing.
Sydal tries to free his leg and advance position but Mutch is retaining full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sydal accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Sydal with a nice head shot there.
Sydal throwing strikes from guard but Mutch blocks nicely.
Mutch not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Sydal lands a couple of elbows.
Sydal loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sydal throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Mutch works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mutch avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Sydal throws an elbow that misses. Mutch uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Sydal's guard. Nice move by Mutch!
Mutch wants to control from the top but Sydal keeps moving.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Matt Sydal.
I think Sydal has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Edson Gomes scores the fight 29:28
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 30:28
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matt Sydal!
In his post fight interview, Matt Sydal started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.