PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kiyoshi Matsumoto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bobby Bruce (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Matsumoto's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Carl Douglas - Kung fu fighting. Bruce has chosen Joy Division - Atmosphere as his entrance music. Bobby Bruce told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Matsumoto
vs
Bruce

178 cm
40
170 lbs
33 - 16 - 0

169 cm
36
164 lbs
23 - 7 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Affordable Quality + Reliable Laundry
Bloodlust Horde Fightwear

Milwaukee's Best 160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 33 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Kiyoshi Matsumoto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Bobby Bruce!
The judges for this bout are , Don Winkell and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matsumoto misses with a low kick.
Matsumoto misses with a straight right.
Bruce throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bruce on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Bruce cracks the inside of Matsumoto's front leg.
Matsumoto has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Bruce will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Matsumoto misses the shot to the body.
The fighters circling - Matsumoto throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Matsumoto connects with a jab.
Matsumoto slips a jab and a cross from Bruce.
Bruce throws a head kick but Matsumoto moves out of range.
Bruce throws a shot from downtown. Matsumoto moves away and avoids it.
Bruce lands a body shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bruce misses with an uppercut. Matsumoto saw that one coming.
Matsumoto lands a right hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsumoto throws a lazy right hand but Bruce sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Matsumoto with a jab.
A big right from Matsumoto misses.
We've been informed that Bruce 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.
Matsumoto just misses with a punch to the body.
Matsumoto lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Matsumoto lands a leg kick that knocks Bruce off balance momentarily.
Bruce moves out of range of the strikes.
Matsumoto misses with the combination.
A good leg kick by Matsumoto.
That kick from Bruce tenderised Matsumoto's leg. Matsumoto is trying to keep his angry face on.
An inside leg kick from Bruce misses.
Bruce throws a push kick but Matsumoto slaps the foot to one side.
Matsumoto misses with a looping right.
Bruce takes one on the button.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsumoto misses the body punch
and Bruce counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Matsumoto shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
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!
Bruce lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Matsumoto circles away quickly and effectively.
Matsumoto misses with a hook. Bruce ducked under it nicely.
Bobby Bruce is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Matsumoto uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bruce.
Matsumoto will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Bruce.
Bruce throws a combination that misses
and Matsumoto counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Matsumoto lands with a thumping leg kick.
Bruce throws a good cross that connects.
Bruce slips under a jab from Matsumoto.
Bruce checks a low kick from Matsumoto.
A low kick from Matsumoto is predictable there
letting Bruce counter with a right hand.
Bruce ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Matsumoto moves away.
Matsumoto takes a swing at Bruce's ribcage but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bruce takes a swing at Matsumoto's ribcage but misses.
Bruce ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Bruce swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Bruce misses with a body shot.
Bruce scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Matsumoto missing with a left hand there. Bruce was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Bruce throws a head kick but Matsumoto moves out of range.
Matsumoto throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bruce turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Bruce is looking to chop away at Matsumoto's legs.
Bruce connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Bruce throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Matsumoto stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Matsumoto throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Bruce with a body punch. A glancing blow.

That's four 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!
That kick from Matsumoto tenderised Bruce's leg. Bruce is trying to keep his angry face on.
Bruce looks to land a body kick but Matsumoto moved away.
Matsumoto is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
Matsumoto swings for the body but Bruce moves out of range.
Bruce fails to land with a series of punches.
Matsumoto will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Bruce takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Matsumoto throws a hook to the side of Bruce's head but Bruce sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Matsumoto dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Bruce. That did some damage!
Matsumoto throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Bruce throws a low kick but Matsumoto moves out of range easily.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Bruce tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Matsumoto was well out of range. Poor timing from Bruce.
Bruce moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bruce. Matsumoto does a little dance to reset his feet.
Bruce looks to throw the jab but Matsumoto is out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Kiyoshi Matsumoto will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Bruce throws a low kick but Matsumoto moves out of range easily.
Matsumoto takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Bobby Bruce seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Bruce keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
A big right from Matsumoto misses.
Bruce connects with a leg kick. Matsumoto looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Bruce lands a nice shot that snaps Matsumoto's head back.
Matsumoto's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Bruce connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Matsumoto scrambles back to his feet.
Bruce lands a glancing blow to the side of Matsumoto's head.
Matsumoto chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Bruce can pounce on him.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A bone on bone clash there as Bruce blocks the leg kick.
Matsumoto lands a nice leg kick that just misses Bruce's sensitive parts.
Matsumoto stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Matsumoto throws a head kick but Bruce moves out of range.
Matsumoto waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Bruce.
Bruce shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bruce throws a shot to the body.
Matsumoto misses with a straight left.
Matsumoto lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Bruce feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Matsumotos jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Bruce throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bruce connects with a leg kick. Matsumoto looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Bruce connects with a leg kick. Matsumoto looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Matsumoto stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Bruce.
Matsumoto checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Bruce throws a head kick but Matsumoto moves out of range.
Matsumoto uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Bruce.
Matsumoto tries to move into range but Bruce moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Matsumoto avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Bruce throws a hook but Matsumoto blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsumoto misses with a body shot
enabling Bruce to counter with a crisp jab.
Matsumoto misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Bruce counters with a nice uppercut.
Matsumoto takes a swing at Bruce's ribcage but misses.

Matsumoto drives through with a takedown into Bruce's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Bruce wants to sweep but no luck.
Matsumoto slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bruce is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsumoto trying to control but Bruce is working from the bottom.

Kiyoshi Matsumoto has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Bruce is looking to chop away at Matsumoto's legs.
Matsumoto feints and then cracks Bruce's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Bruce down.
Matsumoto takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Matsumoto throws a chopping leg kick but Bruce manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Bruce throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Matsumoto sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Bruce moves away from the strike by Matsumoto.
Bruce lands a jab to Matsumoto's midsection.
Matsumoto slips under a jab.
Bruce moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Matsumoto. That's going to slow Bruce down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A clash of legs there as Matsumoto blocks the low kick.
Bruce misses with a head kick.
Matsumoto misses with a body shot.
Bruce ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Matsumoto moves away.
Bruce keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Matsumoto misses with a low kick as Bruce jumps back.
Matsumoto connects with an inside leg kick.
Matsumoto thows a body shot but no joy.
Matsumoto misses with a hook to the body
and Bruce counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
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!
Matsumoto darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Bruce throws a low kick, looking for Matsumoto's leg but Matsumoto calmly moves out of range.
Bruce wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Bruce throws a sloppy body shot

and Matsumoto counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Bruce!
Matsumoto working the ground and pound but Bruce is defending the strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Some bone on bone action there as Matsumoto checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
A shot to the liver by Matsumoto. Beautiful body shot.
Matsumoto slips a jab and a cross from Bruce.
Matsumoto avoids the body shot from Bruce.
Matsumoto feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Bruces jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Bruce throws a one two combo.
Bruce lands a leg kick that knocks Matsumoto off balance momentarily.
Bruce throws a lazy body kick
and Matsumoto counters with an outside leg kick.
Bruce throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Matsumoto sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Bruce listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Bruce thows a body shot but no joy.
Bruce jabs Matsumoto to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Bruce steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Matsumoto.
Bruce misses with a low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsumoto throws an off balance right hand
and Bruce counters with an outside leg kick.
Matsumoto connects with a single shot there.
Matsumoto cracks Bruce with a good jab.
Bruce lunges at Matsumoto with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Matsumoto's hand.
Bruce misses with a left hand
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Bruce looks to land a right hand but Matsumoto moved out of range.
Matsumoto moves out of range as Bruce throws a body kick.
Matsumoto misses with a wild body shot.
Bruce thows a leg kick but Matsumoto checks it
and Matsumoto finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Bruce staying out of range there.
Matsumoto lands a slapping body shot.
Bruce takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Matsumoto just misses with a punch to the body.
Bruce throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsumoto throws a low kick but it's checked well by Bruce.
Matsumoto cracks a nice hook into Bruce's ribs.
Bruce blocks a jab.
Bruce throws a leg kick but Matsumoto moved away.
Matsumoto throws a shot to the body.
A head kick misses from Bruce.
Matsumoto misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bruce.
Bruce throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Bruce ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Matsumoto moves away.
A jab lands there for Bruce.
Bruce throws an overhand right that lands on Matsumoto's shoulder, as Matsumoto tries to avoid the shot.
Matsumoto slips under a jab from Bruce.
Bruce throws a right hand that misses
and Matsumoto counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bruce scores with a crisp jab that stopped Matsumoto in his tracks.
Bruce steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Matsumoto.
Bruce throws a leg kick but Matsumoto sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Matsumoto thows a left - swing and a miss!
Bruce motions for Matsumoto to come forward. Bruce throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Matsumoto avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Bruce moves out of range as Matsumoto strikes.
Bruce uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Matsumoto.
Bruce slips under a jab.
Bruce stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Matsumoto.
Bruce's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Matsumoto moves out of range of the body kick from Bruce.
Matsumoto uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bruce.
Bruce throws a head kick but Matsumoto moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bruce throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Matsumoto shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Bruce pinned against the cage. Bruce gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Matsumoto slips a jab from Bruce.
Bruce throws a jab when Matsumoto was well out of range.
Matsumoto looks to score with a jab to the body but Bruce is just out of range.
Bruce cracks Matsumoto with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Matsumoto avoids the body shot from Bruce.
Bruce connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Matsumoto momentarily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Matsumoto swings for the body but Bruce moves out of range.
Matsumoto listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Matsumoto pushes Bruce away with a front kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Bobby Bruce.
I think Bruce has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 29:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Bobby Bruce!
Bobby Bruce made sure to mention his sponsor, Milwaukee's Best 160 in his post fight interview.