PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Damian Matsuo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thiago Dellave (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Thiago Dellave has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Damian Matsuo's chin.

Matsuo
vs
Dellave

189 cm
25
182 lbs
6 - 7 - 0

176 cm
26
177 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Damian Matsuo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Thiago Dellave!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Thiago Cunha and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matsuo moves out of range of the body kick from Dellave.
Matsuo throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Dellave.
Dellave throws a big counter head kick but Matsuo avoids it with no problem.
Matsuo tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Dellave was well out of range. Poor timing from Matsuo.
Dellave lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Matsuo lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Matsuo.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Matsuo.
Dellave blocks a head kick by Matsuo.
Dellave is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Matsuo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sloppy strikes from Dellave. Those never looked like landing.
Matsuo tries to counter with a takedown but Dellave is quick to defend against it.
Matsuo avoids the head kick by Dellave.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dellave keeps Matsuo at a distance using the push kick.
Matsuo throws a head kick that misses.
Matsuo throws a right and a left that both miss.
Matsuo cracks a nice hook into Dellave's ribs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsuo throws a right and a left that Dellave avoids nicely.
Matsuo misses with an attempted mid kick.
Matsuo looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Dellave pushes Matsuo away with a front kick.
Dellave showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Matsuo.
As Matsuo backs off Dellave throws a huge counter combo but Matsuo manages to avoid it all.
Dellave lands a glancing blow to the side of Matsuo's head.
Matsuo paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Nice shot by Matsuo.
Dellave clobbers Matsuo with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Matsuo connects with a single shot there.
Dellave throws a head kick that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Dellave tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Matsuo is able to avoid easily.
Matsuo is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Dellave.
Sloppy strikes from Matsuo. Those never looked like landing.
Matsuo misses with a body shot
and Dellave counters with a nice leg kick.
Matsuo misses with a head kick.
And Dellave responds with a good body kick, but Matsuo manages to step out the way in time.
Dellave stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Matsuo.
Dellave tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Matsuo tries a head kick but it misses.
Dellave throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Dellave avoids a kick to the body.
A slapping leg kick lands for Matsuo.
Matsuo throws a head kick that Dellave semi-blocks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsuo throws a series of punches but Dellave avoids them all with ease.
Dellave avoids the head kick by Matsuo.
Dellave throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Dellave gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Matsuo.
Nice defenses there by Matsuo.
Matsuo throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Matsuo scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Sloppy strikes from Matsuo. Those never looked like landing.
Dellave tries a quick counter leg kick but Matsuo is wise to it.
Matsuo tries a head kick but it misses.
Dellave flicks out a counter leg kick but Matsuo steps away.
Matsuo throws a leg kick
and Dellave counters with a three punch combo that has Matsuo backing up. Matsuo nods at Dellave to acknowledge the strikes.
Matsuo misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Dellave steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Matsuo misses with a wild combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsuo chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Matsuo misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Dellave.
Dellave comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Dellave blocks a head kick by Matsuo.
Dellave lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Matsuo lands a head kick. Dellave smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Matsuo just misses with a punch to the body.
Dellave throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Matsuo 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.

Damian Matsuo dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Dellave takes a kick to the side of the head.
Dellave avoids the head kick by Matsuo.
A little jabbing left from Dellave on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Dellave throws a sloppy head kick and Matsuo moves out of range easily.
Matsuo fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Dellave throws a quick inside leg kick.
Matsuo throws a head kick that misses.
Matsuo fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Dellave on the side of the head.
Matsuo tries to score with a low kick but Dellave moves his leg out of the way.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matsuo looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Dellave is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Matsuo misses with a double jab
and Dellave counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Some wild striking there from Dellave.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dellave tries a head kick but it misses.
Matsuo seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Matsuo is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Dellave steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Matsuo.
Dellave is looking for the big counter here.
Damian Matsuo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Dellave throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Matsuo sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Dellave misses with a low kick.
Matsuo misses with a few strikes there.
Dellave checks a leg kick nicely.
Matsuo throws a head kick that Dellave semi-blocks.
Dellave scores with a head kick. Matsuo tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Matsuo ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Matsuo throwing a counter right hand but Dellave manages to avoid it.
Matsuo tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Dellave swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsuo throws a leg kick but Dellave checks it.
Dellave is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Dellave, right into the meat.
Matsuo scores with a head kick. Dellave tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Matsuo displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Dellave checks a leg kick nicely.
Matsuo misses with the combination.
Matsuo takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Matsuo throws a head kick but Dellave moves out of range.
Dellave throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Matsuo tries to counter with a takedown but Dellave is quick to defend against it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No joy there for Matsuo, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Matsuo throws a series of punches but Dellave avoids them all with ease.
Matsuo looks to land a body kick but Dellave moved away.
Dellave counters with a body kick.
Matsuo lands a jab to Dellave's midsection.
Matsuo misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Matsuo throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Dellave's head.
Matsuo throws a combination. Dellave tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Dellave throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Matsuo seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Dellave misses with a left hand
and Matsuo counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Damian Matsuo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dellave moves out of range of the body kick from Matsuo.
A low kick from Matsuo is predictable there
and Dellave counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsuo moves out of range as Dellave strikes.
Matsuo is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Dellave can do to turn this around?
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Dellave wants to slow Matsuo down by chopping away at his legs.
Dellave throws a head kick that misses.
A jab from Matsuo finds it's way through Dellave's defenses.
Matsuo rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Dellave moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Dellave pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Matsuo misses with a few strikes there.
Matsuo fails to land with a series of punches.
Damian Matsuo is winning the standup battle so far.
Matsuo digs a good hook to Dellave's body.
Dellave dodges the punch combination from Matsuo.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Damian Matsuo dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Matsuo swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Dellave fakes the leg kick and cracks Matsuo in the body.
Dellave throws a nice outside leg kick.
Matsuo misses with a wild combination.
Matsuo misses with a series of wild punches.
Dellave is trying to counter with his kicks.
Dellave fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Matsuo.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dellave throws a hook but Matsuo blocks it.
Matsuo is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Matsuo shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Dellave eats them both and turns towards Matsuo to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Matsuo throws a sloppy head kick and Dellave moves out of range easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsuo lands a nice hook to Dellave's body. Dellave takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Dellave throws a head kick that misses.
Dellave tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Dellave swinging wildly here.
Matsuo throws a series of strikes that have Dellave backpedaling.
Dellave takes a kick to the side of the head.
A combination from Matsuo does no damage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Dellave throws a head kick but Matsuo moves out of range.
Dellave feints and then cracks Matsuo's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Matsuo down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsuo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Matsuo's jab looks to have found its range, popping Dellave under the eye.
Matsuo throws a sloppy head kick
and Matsuo takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Matsuo throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Dellave turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
A swing and a miss from Dellave.
Dellave tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Matsuo fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Matsuo throws a shot to the body.
Matsuo takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Matsuo tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Dellave is able to avoid easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Dellave misses.
Matsuo tries to counter by clinching up but Dellave breaks away and moves out of range.
Matsuo scores with the left hand. Dellave knows he should have avoided that one.
Matsuo fails to land with a series of punches.
Dellave misses with a head kick.
Matsuo throws a lazy head kick
and Dellave counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Matsuo throws a half hearted mid kick.
Dellave takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
A looping hook to the body misses from Matsuo. Dellave does a little dance to reset his feet.
Dellave thows a left - swing and a miss!
Matsuo throws an overhand right that lands on Dellave's shoulder, as Dellave tries to avoid the shot.
Dellave fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Matsuo has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsuo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Matsuo misses with a wild body shot.
Matsuo misses with a body shot.
Dellave shapes to counter with a head kick.
Some bone on bone action there as Dellave checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Matsuo throws a leg kick but Dellave sees it coming and moves out of range.
A chopping leg kick lands by Dellave.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Matsuo moves out of range as Dellave throws a body kick.
Matsuo misses with an attempted mid kick.
Matsuo throws a push kick but Dellave slaps the foot to one side.
Matsuo misses with a double jab.
Matsuo moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromDellave.
A jab from Dellave misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Damian Matsuo clearly takes that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Matsuo stuns Dellave with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Matsuo pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Matsuo throws a sloppy head kick and Dellave moves out of range easily.
Nice shot lands for Matsuo.
Matsuo feints a jab promting Dellave to slip. Matsuo then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Dellave slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Dellave throws a head kick but Matsuo moves out of range.
Dellave checks a low kick from Matsuo.
Matsuo swinging wildly here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dellave misses with a hook.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Matsuo crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Dellave - the referee stops the clock and Matsuo gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Dellave. Matsuo manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Dellave looks to land a left hand but Matsuo moved out of range nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dellave tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Matsuo fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Matsuo misses with a kick to the body.
Matsuo is looking to wear down Dellave with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Matsuo slips under a jab.
A clash of legs there as Dellave blocks the low kick.
Matsuo misses the shot to the body.
Dellave looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Matsuo does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Dellave looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Dellave.
Matsuo takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Dellave throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsuo throws a nice outside leg kick.
Matsuo tries to land a body kick
enabling Dellave to counter with a crisp jab.
Matsuo lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Dellave pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Matsuo fails to land with a series of punches.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Matsuo connects with a solid leg kick.
Matsuo slips a jab from Dellave.
Matsuo is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Matsuo throws a lazy body kick
and Dellave makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Matsuo throws a push kick but Dellave slaps the foot to one side.
Despite the aggression on Dellave's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Matsuo digs a good body shot into Dellave's ribs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsuo tries a head kick but it misses.
Dellave pulls out of a head kick attempt.
It looked like Matsuo was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Dellave.
Matsuo pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Dellave back to the ropes. Matsuo follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Dellave slips a jab and a cross from Matsuo.
Dellave looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Matsuo misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Dellave wants to slow Matsuo down by chopping away at his legs.
Matsuo is looking to counter the offense by Dellave and move into the clinch.
Matsuo will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Dellave is looking to score with low kicks.
Dellave lands with a kick to the temple. Matsuo shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Matsuo avoids a kick to the body.
Matsuo misses with a body kick.
Matsuo takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Matsuo swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsuo works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Dellave has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Dellave checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Matsuo takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Matsuo goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Matsuo chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Dellave can pounce on him.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Matsuo throws a head kick but Dellave moves out of range.
Dellave takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Dellave takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Dellave walks forward, straight into a front kick from Matsuo.
Matsuo buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Damian Matsuo had his way with Thiago Dellave in that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Matsuo bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Dellave goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Matsuo appears to be looking for a big counter.
Matsuo connects with a nice looking jab.
Matsuo throws a head kick that half lands.
Matsuo looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Dellave tries a low kick but Matsuo avoids it.
Dellave slips a jab and a cross from Matsuo.
Dellave avoids the head kick by Matsuo.
Dellave counters with a body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dellave looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Dellave blocks a head kick by Matsuo.
Dellave throws a body kick that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsuo misses with a hook to the body
and Dellave counters with a leg kick.
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.
Dellave takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Dellave misses with a low kick.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Dellave lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Matsuo has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Matsuo and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Matsuo misses with a head kick.
A combination from Dellave does no damage.
Dellave swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Matsuo blocks a head kick by Dellave.
As Dellave backs away, Matsuo returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Matsuo keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Dellave.
Dellave avoids the head kick by Matsuo.
Sloppy strikes from Matsuo. Those never looked like landing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsuo throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Dellave replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Matsuo blocks it well.
Matsuo keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Dellave ducks right into an uppercut from Matsuo.
Matsuo lands the left hand.
Matsuo slips under a jab.
Dellave throws a sloppy head kick and Matsuo moves out of range easily.
Matsuo throws a sloppy head kick and Dellave moves out of range easily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Matsuo plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Matsuo misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Dellave.
A little jabbing left from Dellave on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Matsuo lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Dellave. Those never looked like landing.
Matsuo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Dellave! But no joy.
Matsuo blocks a head kick by Dellave.
Matsuo moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Dellave throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Matsuo throws a series of punches but Dellave avoids them all with ease.
Dellave lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Dellave avoids a punch combination nicely.
Dellave is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Matsuo fails to land with a series of punches.
Dellave misses with an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsuo pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Matsuo misses with a head kick.
Dellave fakes the leg kick and cracks Matsuo in the body.
Dellave misses with a hook. Matsuo ducked under it nicely.
Dellave throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Dellave chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Matsuo can pounce on him.
Dellave dodges the punch combination from Matsuo.
A right-left combo lands from Matsuo.
Thiago Dellave has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Damian Matsuo is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A right-left combo lands from Matsuo.

And that's the end of the fight!
Damian Matsuo showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Matsuo has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 50:45
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 50:45
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Damian Matsuo!