PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Brandon Couture (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Morton Marshall Matthews (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Couture comes to the cage accompanied by Mama said knock you out. 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.

Couture
vs
Marshall Matthews

175 cm
37
156 lbs
36 - 15 - 2

172 cm
35
142 lbs
23 - 21 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Just Fight (Everything 7$)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 36 - 15 - 2, fighting out of London, Brandon Couture!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 21 - 1, fighting out of London, Morton Marshall Matthews!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, James Glass and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Couture has taken the fight to the clinch.
We've been informed that Marshall Matthews has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Couture gets through Marshall Matthews's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

Marshall Matthews breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Couture fails with the takedown.
Marshall Matthews darts in trying to clinch
and Couture counters with a stiff right hand.
Marshall Matthews connects with a single shot there.
Marshall Matthews tries to clinch there but Couture circles away.
Marshall Matthews is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Marshall Matthews closes the distance and clinches.
Marshall Matthews lands a right hand.
Couture misses with a punch to the body.
Couture is looking to break free of the clinch but Marshall Matthews has double underhooks.
Marshall Matthews scores a nice knee to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marshall Matthews unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Marshall Matthews prevents a body shot from Couture.
Marshall Matthews works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Couture is looking to break free of the clinch but Marshall Matthews has double underhooks.

Couture breaks from the clinch.
Marshall Matthews avoids a punch combination nicely.
Marshall Matthews tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Couture manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Couture gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Marshall Matthews breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Marshall Matthews blocks a low kick nicely.
Nice uppercut there from Couture.

Marshall Matthews forces Couture back against the cage and clinches.
Marshall Matthews missing with knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marshall Matthews throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Couture blocks it with crossed arms.
I was talking to Couture's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Couture is trying to push Marshall Matthews away but Marshall Matthews has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Couture escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Couture moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Couture takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Marshall Matthews feints a jab promting Couture to slip. Marshall Matthews then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Couture slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Morton Marshall Matthews seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Marshall Matthews is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Donk. Couture catches Marshall Matthews right on the button with a cross.
Marshall Matthews moves in looking to clinch but Couture pushes him off.
Marshall Matthews tries to clinch but Couture moves away
and Couture counters with a straight right hand.
Couture circles away from the clinch attempt
and Couture counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Marshall Matthews is rocked!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marshall Matthews tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Couture counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Marshall Matthews is still on wobbly legs! Can Couture finish him?
Marshall Matthews is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Marshall Matthews tries to close the distance and clinch up but Couture swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Marshall Matthews seems to have recovered his senses.
Couture throws the left hand but Marshall Matthews avoids the punch easily.
Marshall Matthews is looking to clinch.
Marshall Matthews uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Couture.
A punch combination from Marshall Matthews misses.
Marshall Matthews tries to close the distance and clinch but Couture swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Couture darts in and clinches Marshall Matthews up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marshall Matthews leaning against his opponent.
Couture wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Marshall Matthews has him pressed against the cage.

Marshall Matthews breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Marshall Matthews closes the distance and clinches.
Couture changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Marshall Matthews fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Couture takes a kick to the side of the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Marshall Matthews with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Couture tries to break free but Marshall Matthews pushes him back against the cage.
Marshall Matthews tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Marshall Matthews creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Couture's defenses.
Couture looking for a takedown.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Morton Marshall Matthews will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A swing and a miss from Couture.
Couture looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Marshall Matthews uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Couture.
Couture moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Couture jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Marshall Matthews moves into the clinch.
Couture lands with a light punch inside.
Marshall Matthews misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Couture.
Marshall Matthews creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Couture's defenses.

Couture pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Marshall Matthews wants to clinch but Couture slips to the side
and Couture counters with a straight right hand.
Brandon Couture is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Marshall Matthews wants to clinch.
Marshall Matthews tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Couture counters with a lovely shot to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Marshall Matthews gets a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Couture is working Marshall Matthews over against the cage.
Couture is working Marshall Matthews over against the cage.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Marshall Matthews in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
A hook to the body from Marshall Matthews.
Marshall Matthews using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Couture has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Couture escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Couture bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Marshall Matthews's head backwards.

Couture clinches.

Couture breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Marshall Matthews tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Couture has Marshall Matthews up against the cage in a clinch.
Marshall Matthews on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Marshall Matthews blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Couture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Couture breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Marshall Matthews tries to clinch up but Couture circles away and keeps his distance.
Marshall Matthews doesn't manage to clinch there - Couture circles away.
Marshall Matthews scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Marshall Matthews tries to clinch but Couture moves away
and Couture counters with an inside leg kick.
Brandon Couture is winning the standup battle so far.

Marshall Matthews clinches up with Couture and pushes him back against the cage.
Couture tries to break the clinch but Marshall Matthews is controlling the position.
A right hook to the body lands for Couture.
Marshall Matthews taking a breather.
Couture dodges an elbow strike from Marshall Matthews.
Couture avoiding damage as Marshall Matthews throws knees to the body.
Marshall Matthews taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Morton Marshall Matthews seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Couture is looking to break free of the clinch but Marshall Matthews has double underhooks.
Marshall Matthews has Couture pushed against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Couture tries to break the clinch but Marshall Matthews is controlling the position.
Couture throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Marshall Matthewss head.
Marshall Matthews pushes Couture back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Couture tries to circle away but Marshall Matthews has him pinned against the cage.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Marshall Matthews obliges.
Marshall Matthews throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Marshall Matthews wants to stall.

Marshall Matthews breaks from the clinch.
Marshall Matthews tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Couture paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Couture fails with the takedown.
Couture lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Marshall Matthews fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marshall Matthews lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

Couture gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Marshall Matthews lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

Couture breaks the clinch.
Marshall Matthews tries to clinch up.
Marshall Matthews throws a right hand that Couture ducks under and follows up with a left that Couture also avoids with ease.
Morton Marshall Matthews is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Marshall Matthews tries to clinch up but Couture circles away and keeps his distance.
Marshall Matthews lands a head kick!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Marshall Matthews drives through and clinches with Couture against the cage.
Marshall Matthews lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Brandon Couture will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Marshall Matthews fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Couture, pushing him back against the cage.
Couture controlling the action here for a moment.
Couture takes an elbow to the temple.

Couture's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Marshall Matthews closes the distance and clinches.
Marshall Matthews slows down the pace here.
Marshall Matthews struggles to land a body shot inside as Couture controls his hands.
Marshall Matthews scores with a shot to the side of Couture's head.
Marshall Matthews scores with a nice hook to the head.
Nice elbow from Marshall Matthews.
Marshall Matthews misses with a knee strike.
Marshall Matthews wants to stall.

Marshall Matthews escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Marshall Matthews pushes Couture up against the cage in a clinch.
Marshall Matthews blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Couture jumps guard but Marshall Matthews turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Couture on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Marshall Matthews breaks from the clinch.
Couture throws a leg kick
and Marshall Matthews counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Marshall Matthews swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Marshall Matthews tries to clinch but Couture moves out of range.

Marshall Matthews pushes Couture up against the cage in a clinch.
Nice body punch from Marshall Matthews - that landed with a thud.
Couture drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Marshall Matthews gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Couture lands with a short punch from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Marshall Matthews breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Marshall Matthews misses with a kick to the body.

Couture clinches up with Marshall Matthews and pushes him back against the cage.

Marshall Matthews pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Marshall Matthews moves into range and connects with a jab.
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!
Couture takes a head kick and keeps coming.

Couture closes the distance and clinches.
Couture can't break the clinch.

Marshall Matthews manages to break the clinch.

Marshall Matthews clinches.

Marshall Matthews breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Couture gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Couture is trying to push Marshall Matthews away but Marshall Matthews has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Couture softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Marshall Matthews stops a takedown attempt from Couture.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Brandon Couture. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Couture tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Marshall Matthews's elbow.
Marshall Matthews goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Marshall Matthews looking to throw knees to the head but Couture is blocking nicely.
Marshall Matthews lands a nice uppercut.
Marshall Matthews with a knee to the head.
Marshall Matthews manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Marshall Matthews tries to stall but Couture uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Marshall Matthews misses with a knee to the head.
Marshall Matthews is looking to control Couture's arms but Couture gets an underhook and turns him. Now Marshall Matthews has his back to the cage.
Couture is trying to pull guard but Marshall Matthews turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Marshall Matthews manages to break the clinch.

Couture gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Couture breaks from the clinch.
Marshall Matthews is looking to clinch but Couture is avoiding it.

Marshall Matthews tries to keep at a distance but Couture has taken the fight into the clinch.
Marshall Matthews lands a body shot in the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Marshall Matthews is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Marshall Matthews lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Marshall Matthews stalling against the cage.
Couture tries to break the clinch but Marshall Matthews is controlling the position.

Couture's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Marshall Matthews tries to clinch
and Couture counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Marshall Matthews misses with a double jab.
Couture throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Marshall Matthews.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Morton Marshall Matthews really dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Marshall Matthews throws a left and a right that both miss
and Couture counters with a stiff right hand.
Marshall Matthews is looking to clinch but Couture is avoiding it.
Marshall Matthews is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A nice combination there by Couture.
Marshall Matthews tries to close the distance and clinch but Couture swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Couture tries to keep at a distance but Marshall Matthews has taken the fight into the clinch.
Marshall Matthews trying to stall but Couture improves his position.
Couture scores with a shoulder strike.
Couture pressing his opponent against the cage.
Marshall Matthews tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Couture's elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marshall Matthews lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Marshall Matthews with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Marshall Matthews breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Couture circles away from the clinch attempt.
Marshall Matthews is looking to clinch but Couture is avoiding it.
Marshall Matthews is looking to clinch but Couture is avoiding it.
Marshall Matthews tries to close the distance and clinch but Couture swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Couture tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Marshall Matthews is looking to clinch but Couture is avoiding it.

Marshall Matthews darts in and clinches Couture up against the cage.
Knees to the body from Marshall Matthews.
The referee is keeping an eye on Marshall Matthews - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Couture lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Couture looking to stall.
Couture stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Couture takes a knee to the side of the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Marshall Matthews obliges.
A nice right hand lands inside from Couture.

Marshall Matthews's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Couture shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Marshall Matthews sprawls well. Marshall Matthews wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Couture gets slowly back to his feet.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Marshall Matthews tries to clinch but Couture moves out of range.
Marshall Matthews tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marshall Matthews throws a front kick that sends Couture stumbling back into the cage.
Couture takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Couture avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Couture avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Marshall Matthews thows a body kick. Couture tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Marshall Matthews. Couture shrugs it off though.

Marshall Matthews moves into the clinch.
Marshall Matthews unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Marshall Matthews lands a right hand.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Marshall Matthews obliges.
Couture takes an elbow to the temple.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marshall Matthews landing knees to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Marshall Matthews prevents Couture from breaking the clinch.
Marshall Matthews creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Couture's defenses.
Marshall Matthews lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Couture is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Marshall Matthews pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Marshall Matthews breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Couture avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Marshall Matthews goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Marshall Matthews with a jab.

Marshall Matthews rushes Couture and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Couture tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Marshall Matthews smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Brandon Couture. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Marshall Matthews avoids a punch combination nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Morton Marshall Matthews dominated that fourth round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Couture lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Marshall Matthews circles away quickly and effectively.
Marshall Matthews tries to clinch up but Couture circles away and keeps his distance.

Marshall Matthews moves into the clinch.
Couture digs a right hand underneath Marshall Matthews's ribcage. Marshall Matthews let out a lung full of air as it connected.

Marshall Matthews manages to break the clinch.
Couture looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Marshall Matthews has managed to clinch.
Couture holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Couture tries to throw a body punch but Marshall Matthews avoids it by throwing Couture back against the cage.
Couture is trying to push Marshall Matthews away but Marshall Matthews has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Couture is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Marshall Matthews tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Marshall Matthews landing knees to the head.
Couture has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Marshall Matthews breaks from the clinch.

Marshall Matthews rushes Couture and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Couture tries to break the clinch but Marshall Matthews is controlling the position.
Couture wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Marshall Matthews has him pressed against the cage.
Marshall Matthews lands a damaging elbow.

Couture manages to break the clinch.
Marshall Matthews is looking to clinch.
Marshall Matthews fails with an attempt to clinch.
Marshall Matthews scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Marshall Matthews tries to clinch but Couture is having none of it.
Brandon Couture has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Couture moves into the clinch.
Marshall Matthews makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Marshall Matthews prevents Couture from breaking the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Marshall Matthews is looking to control Couture's arms but Couture gets an underhook and turns him. Now Marshall Matthews has his back to the cage.
Couture on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Marshall Matthews throws an elbow but it misses.
Couture is looking to break free of the clinch but Marshall Matthews has double underhooks.
Marshall Matthews's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Marshall Matthews manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Couture is trying to push Marshall Matthews away but Marshall Matthews has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Couture drops down looking for an ankle pick but Marshall Matthews pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Brandon Couture. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Couture misses with a jab, cross combination.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Couture misses with a two punch combination.
Couture avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Marshall Matthews fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Couture, pushing him back against the cage.
Marshall Matthews lands a hook to the side of the head.
Couture misses with a punch to the body.
Marshall Matthews stops a takedown attempt from Couture.
Marshall Matthews missing with knees to the body.

Marshall Matthews escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Marshall Matthews doesn't manage to clinch there - Couture circles away.
Marshall Matthews lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Marshall Matthews tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Couture paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Couture circles away from the clinch attempt.
Marshall Matthews gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Marshall Matthews tries to clinch up but Couture circles away and keeps his distance.
Marshall Matthews moves in looking to clinch but Couture pushes him off.
Couture looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Marshall Matthews scores with a decent looking hook.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Couture circles away from the clinch attempt.
Morton Marshall Matthews is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Marshall Matthews plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

And that's the end of the fight!
Morton Marshall Matthews comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Marshall Matthews has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 46:49
Judge James Glass scores the fight 46:49
Judge William Gold scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Morton Marshall Matthews!
Morton Marshall Matthews is the new featherweight champion!
A very excited looking Morton Marshall Matthews made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.