PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Eric Matthews (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jeff Stroud (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Matthews
vs
Stroud

188 cm
29
205 lbs
4 - 10 - 0

178 cm
27
208 lbs
3 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Eric Matthews!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jeff Stroud!
The judges for this bout are , Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stroud stuffs the takedown attempt from Matthews. Matthews gets slowly back to his feet.
Stroud attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.

Matthews looking to score a takedown here. Stroud is defending well but Matthews drives through and ends up in Stroud's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Matthews looking to pass the guard.

Matthews is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Stroud is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Stroud has escaped and now he's on top!

Matthews looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Matthews working for submissions but it's allowed Stroud to get to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Matthews looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Matthews looking for submissions off his back.
Matthews gets full guard.

Matthews has his foot on Stroud's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Stroud works his way back into a safe position though.
Stroud wants to pass the guard but Matthews is keeping the position.

Matthews is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Matthews looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Stroud has picked Matthews up and slammed him! Matthews can't keep hold of the triangle and Stroud manages to pass to side control!
Matthews is looking to regain half guard here but Stroud keeps moving and retains side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Matthews is working hard here to advance position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stroud trying to control the action but Matthews is working from the bottom.
Matthews tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Stroud presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Matthews is looking to get to half guard.
Matthews sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Matthews is looking for a sweep. Stroud is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Matthews looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Matthews is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Stroud pulls his head out easily.

Matthews looking for submissions off his back.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Matthews looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Matthews shoots in for a takedown but Stroud shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Stroud jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nice sprawl there from Stroud as Matthews shoots in.
Matthews shoots in for a takedown but Stroud shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eric Matthews. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Matthews shoots in for a takedown but Stroud shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Stroud tries to sprawl but Matthews drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Matthews wants to free his trapped foot but Stroud is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Matthews is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Stroud doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Matthews.

Matthews is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Stroud doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Matthews.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Matthews is working for a kimura but Stroud is defending it quite comfortably.

Matthews is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Stroud sees it coming and defends easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Matthews is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Stroud sees it coming and defends easily.

Matthews is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Matthews is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Stroud is just riding it out for now. Matthews eventually gives up the hold.
Stroud 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.

Stroud is defending against the submission attempts here by Matthews.
Eric Matthews overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Matthews is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Matthews is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Matthews is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Matthews is working for a kimura but Stroud is defending it quite comfortably.

Matthews is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Stroud doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Matthews.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Stroud misses the shot to the body.
Matthews shoots in but Stroud avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Matthews fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Stroud sprawls well initially but Matthews persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Stroud won't allow Matthews to pass to mount.

Matthews is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Stroud doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Matthews.

Matthews seems to be looking for submissions.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stroud wants to control but Matthews is keeping busy.

Matthews is looking for a kimura but Stroud is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Matthews to get the leverage.
Matthews is looking to advance position but Stroud won't allow it.

Matthews is working for a submission of some sort.
Stroud tries to get to full guard but Matthews has control of the leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Matthews is working for a kimura but Stroud is defending it quite comfortably.

Matthews seems to be looking for submissions.

Matthews is trying to work for a kimura but Stroud is defending well.

Matthews is working for a kimura but Stroud is defending it quite comfortably.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stroud is defending against the submission attempts here by Matthews.

Matthews seems to be looking for submissions.

Matthews is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Stroud has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Matthews maintaining the dominant position here and is working for a kimura. He's locked it up! Stroud could be in real trouble here! He's trying to wriggle out but Matthews has cracked it and Stroud is screaming in pain - he's tapped out! Great finish by Matthews!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:27 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Eric Matthews!
During a confident post fight interview, Eric Matthews thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.