PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Theo Matthews (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ben Carmichael (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Matthews
vs
Carmichael

225 cm
18
300 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

171 cm
20
290 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Theo Matthews!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Ben Carmichael!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Chris Edwards and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matthews connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Carmichael takes a shot to the body in his stride.

Carmichael throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Matthews tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Carmichael is in Matthews's guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Carmichael looking to sit in guard and control but Matthews gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Carmichael is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Carmichael can do anything to dispel that myth.

Carmichael is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Matthews looking to sit in guard and control but Carmichael gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Matthews keeping moving, preventing Carmichael from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Carmichael would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Matthews manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Matthews is trying to stand up but he's being controlled by his opponent.

Matthews working for a guillotine from mount but Carmichael is in no mood to give up.

Matthews is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Carmichael has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Carmichael!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Matthews looking to hit a scissor sweep but Carmichael is one step ahead there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Matthews has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Carmichael can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Matthews working a defensive guard here.
Matthews working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Carmichael.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matthews is trying to control the position but Carmichael postures up.
Carmichael trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Matthews trying to keep a closed guard but Carmichael is proving a slippery customer.
Matthews is looking to stand up but Carmichael isn't so interested in that idea.
Carmichael stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Matthews swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Matthews is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Matthews will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Theo Matthews wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Carmichael takes one on the button.
Carmichael looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Carmichael on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Matthews ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
A shot to the liver by Matthews. Beautiful body shot.
Carmichael with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Matthews to score with a decent uppercut.
Carmichael misses with a wild body shot.

Carmichael gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Matthews swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Matthews tries to break free but Carmichael pushes him back against the cage.
Matthews tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Carmichael blocks an uppercut.

Carmichael manages to break the clinch.
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!
Carmichael shoots for a double leg takedown but Matthews sprawls well. He's pushed Carmichael's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Theo Matthews seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Carmichael gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Carmichael fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
A lazy left from Matthews finds it's target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Theo Matthews dominated that round.
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.

Matthews lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Matthews is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Matthews moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Matthews jabs Carmichael to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Jab, jab by Matthews - just one landing.
Nice takedown defense from Matthews. No joy for Carmichael on that attempt.
Carmichael takes one on the button.
Carmichael tries to land a front kick but Matthews steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

Carmichael clinches.
Carmichael leaning his opponent against the cage.
Carmichael is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Matthews is defending well.
Carmichael blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Carmichael tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Theo Matthews has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ben Carmichael.

Carmichael has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Matthews clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A lull in the action here.
Carmichael really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Matthews. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Carmichael is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matthews turns into Carmichael and is now in his guard.

Matthews decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Matthews scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Matthews lands a jab-cross combination.
Matthews darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Matthews ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Carmichael takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Carmichael is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Matthews.
Matthews stuffs the takedown.
Matthews avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Carmichael takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Matthews is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Carmichael doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Danga de danga de dang - Matthews scores with a four punch combination!

Carmichael has taken the fight to the clinch.
Matthews misses with a body punch.

Carmichael breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Carmichael takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Carmichael takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Carmichael takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Carmichael tries to clinch but Matthews is having none of it.
Carmichael takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Theo Matthews is winning the standup battle so far.
Matthews lands a jab to the head.
Matthews slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Matthews lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Matthews.
Matthews circles away from the clinch attempt.
Matthews connects with a body shot.
Matthews scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Good standup being displayed there by Matthews as he connects with a hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matthews lands with a right hand.
Carmichael takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Matthews scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Matthews connects with a crisp jab.
Matthews works over Carmichael's head and body with a nice combination.
Matthews lands a two punch combo.
Matthews connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Carmichael's hands.
Carmichael has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Nice body punch from Matthews.
Matthews scores with a jab. Carmichael acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Matthews lands a body shot.
Matthews lands an overhand right.
Carmichael tries to move into range but Matthews moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Matthews lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Carmichael on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Carmichael moves forwards but Matthews connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Theo Matthews is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Matthews connects with a crisp jab.
Matthews clobbers Carmichael with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Theo Matthews is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Matthews cracks Carmichael with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Jab from Matthews.
Matthews scores with a shot to the body.
Carmichael takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Matthews lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Matthews stuffs the takedown attempt from Carmichael. Carmichael gets slowly back to his feet.
Matthews moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Matthews catches Carmichael with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Matthews thuds his right hand into Carmichael's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Carmichael throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Matthews jabs Carmichael right on the nose. Carmichael blinks but takes it well.
Matthews dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Theo Matthews dominated that second round.
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!

Carmichael tries for a takedown but Matthews sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Matthews lands a slapping body shot.
Jab from Matthews.
Carmichael wants to clinch.
Carmichael has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Matthews finds it's way round the side to connect with Carmichael's head.
Matthews cracks a nice hook into Carmichael's ribs.
Matthews throws a shot to the body.
Matthews scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Carmichael moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Matthews lands with a good body shot.
Matthews slaps away a takedown attempt from Carmichael, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Carmichael takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A right-left combo lands from Matthews.
Matthews throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Carmichael on the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matthews bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Carmichael's head backwards.
Matthews lands an overhand right.
Carmichael changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Matthews tries to avoid it but Carmichael manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Matthews to the ground. Matthews escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Theo Matthews has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ben Carmichael.
Matthews lands a jab to Carmichael's midsection.
Carmichael looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Matthews works over Carmichael's head and body with a nice combination.
The crowd cheers as Matthews lands an impressive looking overhand right. Carmichael doesn't seem phased though.
Matthews stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Carmichael takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

Carmichael has closed the distance and engaged Matthews in a clinch.

Carmichael drags the fight down to the ground.
Matthews wants to control from the top but Carmichael keeps moving.
Matthews stands and throws Carmichael's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Matthews is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Carmichael knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Matthews is in a dominant position here, looking for a kimura. Carmichael looks calm but he's in trouble here. Matthews gets his leg over his opponent's head and yanks on the arm. Carmichael is tapping like a morse code operator on the titanic! SOS! SOS! Matthews lets go of the hold and Carmichael can pop his arm back in it's socket.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:28 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Theo Matthews!