PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Holy Diver (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Matrix (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). John Matrix will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Diver
vs
Matrix

161 cm
19
185 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

180 cm
25
193 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Experienced

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Powerful

Untouchable Fight Nutrition

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 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Holy Diver!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, John Matrix!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Arvi Lind and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice uppercut lands for Matrix. That snapped Diver's head back.

It looks like Holy Diver has been cut.
Matrix uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Diver has time to react.
Diver shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Matrix defends it nicely.
Diver looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Diver tries for a takedown but Matrix sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Holy Diver. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Matrix keeps the fight on the outside.
Diver shoots in for a takedown but Matrix shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Diver shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Diver closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Matrix did well to prevent Diver getting side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Diver throwing shots but Matrix is blocking nicely.
Matrix moves into full guard.
Matrix tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Matrix manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Diver manages to get himself to full guard.
Matrix postures up in Diver's guard and throws a big left but Diver blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matrix works over Diver with some ground and pound from guard.
Matrix has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Diver looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Matrix trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Matrix landing with the ground and pound.
Matrix trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Diver working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Matrix.
Matrix seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Diver keeping moving, preventing Matrix from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matrix content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Matrix wants to control from the top but Diver keeps moving.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. John Matrix wasn't active enough on the ground.
Matrix jabs Diver right on the nose. Diver blinks but takes it well.
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!
Diver needs to keep his hands up - Matrix had a free shot at his head there.
Diver slaps away a takedown attempt from Matrix, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Matrix slaps away a takedown attempt from Diver, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Matrix throws a big shot that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matrix lands a head shot.
John Matrix is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Diver misses with a takedown
and Matrix makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Matrix lands with an uppercut that bounces Diver off the cage and back into range.
Diver shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Matrix counters with a straight right hand.

Holy Diver's cut is getting worse.
Matrix is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Diver is breathing heavily.

Diver closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Matrix's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Matrix bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Diver's guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Matrix slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Matrix makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Matrix is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matrix looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Matrix with a flurry of punches that miss.
Matrix wants to control from the top but Diver keeps moving.
Matrix sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Matrix wants to control from the top but Diver keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Matrix dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Holy Diver's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Jab from Matrix.
Diver moves forwards but Matrix connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Matrix has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Diver tries for a takedown but Matrix circles away easily

and Matrix counters with a right hand that sends Diver tumbling to the canvas! Can Matrix finish him? He dives into Diver's guard looking to do just that!

Diver is rocked!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Diver looking to hit a scissor sweep but Matrix is one step ahead there.
Oh Diver is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Matrix throwing strikes but missing.
Matrix has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Diver keeping moving, preventing Matrix from controlling successfully.
Diver seems to have got his legs back now.
Diver looking to control.
Diver keeping moving, preventing Matrix from controlling successfully.
Matrix postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diver trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Diver looking to hit a scissor sweep but Matrix is one step ahead there.
Diver on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Diver tries to get out of the position.
Matrix looking to sit in guard and control but Diver gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Diver trying to control but Matrix is working from the bottom.
Diver would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Matrix avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Matrix is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matrix looking for a sweep. Not yet Matrix, not yet.
Matrix bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Diver's guard.
Diver might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Matrix looking to pass the guard.
Matrix throws a strike but Diver rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Matrix is looking for a triangle but Diver pushes his legs off easily.
Diver postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Diver makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Matrix is on top in guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Diver is trying to control the position but Matrix postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matrix landing some decent shots from guard.
Matrix postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Matrix postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Matrix advances position into side control!
Diver stops Matrix from passing to mount.
Diver regains half guard, as Matrix was trying to land strikes.
Diver moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diver is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Matrix working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Diver keeping moving, preventing Matrix from controlling successfully.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Matrix postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Matrix throws a big elbow that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Matrix showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Holy Diver's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Diver fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Matrix avoids it really well and circles away.
Matrix misses with a hook.
Matrix throws the left hand but Diver avoids the punch easily.

Diver manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Matrix on his heels. He'll look to pass Matrix's guard now, I'm sure.
Matrix 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.
Diver trying to control the position from guard on top but Matrix is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Matrix is on top in guard.
Diver can't keep his opponent in guard - Matrix advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Matrix missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diver is looking to control Matrix's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Diver avoid being mounted?

Matrix is working for a kimura but Diver is defending it quite comfortably.
Matrix not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Matrix working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Diver trying to control here.
Diver is in trouble now - Matrix has advanced to mount!
Diver is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diver takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Matrix is in the full mount, landing strikes.

Holy Diver's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Matrix is landing with some decent strikes but Diver is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.

Jeez, Holy Diver's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Holy Diver's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:45 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). John Matrix!
A relieved looking John Matrix thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.