PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Benjamin St Andre (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kiyoshi Matsumoto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). St Andre kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is When the Saints Go Marching In. Matsumoto has chosen Carl Douglas - Kung fu fighting as his entrance music. This should be fireworks!

St Andre
vs
Matsumoto

176 cm
36
157 lbs
33 - 18 - 0

178 cm
44
170 lbs
35 - 21 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

SP Ultimate Nutrition

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 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Benjamin St Andre!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 35 - 21 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Kiyoshi Matsumoto!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Gwen Towbar and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matsumoto moves out of range of the body kick.
St Andre lands a head shot.
St Andre lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
St Andre fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Matsumoto is out of range.
St Andre tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Matsumoto was well out of range. Poor timing from St Andre.
A big left from St Andre misses.
That kick from St Andre tenderised Matsumoto's leg. Matsumoto is trying to keep his angry face on.
Matsumoto 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.
St Andre connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
St Andre gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Matsumoto.
St Andre misses with a wild body shot.
Matsumoto buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
St Andre tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Matsumoto was well out of range. Poor timing from St Andre.
A countering left hand to the body from Matsumoto misses.
St Andre has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Nelson Fight Camp in the buildup to the fight.
St Andre bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
St Andre connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Matsumoto ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Nice body punch from St Andre.
Matsumoto's jab looks to have found its range, popping St Andre under the eye.
Matsumoto avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Matsumoto 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.
St Andre cracks the inside of Matsumoto's front leg.
Matsumoto walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Matsumoto uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from St Andre.
Matsumoto swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Matsumoto lunges at St Andre with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by St Andre's hand.
St Andre jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Benjamin St Andre seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
St Andre misses with a double jab
and Matsumoto counters with an outside leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A jab from Matsumoto does it's job there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
St Andre throws a nice inside leg kick.
A shot to the body from St Andre misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
An inside leg kick from St Andre misses.
St Andre throws a chopping leg kick but Matsumoto manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Nice shot lands for St Andre.
Some wild striking there from St Andre.
St Andre throws a hook to the side of Matsumoto's head but Matsumoto sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Matsumoto throws out a counter right but St Andre avoids it with no problem.
St Andre misses with a leg kick.
Matsumoto looks to score with a jab to the body but St Andre is just out of range.
St Andre rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Matsumoto moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Matsumoto doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Matsumoto takes a jab right on the kisser.
St Andre tried to score with a low kick but Matsumoto checks it.
Matsumoto feints the counter takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
St Andre lands the left hand.
St Andre bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
A jab lands there for St Andre.
St Andre tries a low kick but Matsumoto avoids it.
Matsumoto throws a body kick that misses.
St Andre misses with a head kick.
The fighters circling - St Andre throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Matsumoto looks to land a left hand but St Andre moved out of range nicely.
St Andre tried to counter with a leg kick but Matsumoto avoided it.
A shot to the liver by St Andre. Beautiful body shot.

Matsumoto shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. St Andre manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

St Andre is looking for a triangle here but Matsumoto uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
St Andre is looking for a sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
St Andre takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Matsumoto misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
St Andre struggling a bit here.
Matsumoto wants to control but St Andre is keeping him busy.
St Andre tries to buck Matsumoto off but Matsumoto is having none of it.
Matsumoto working the body and head with strikes.
Matsumoto working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Benjamin St Andre dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

St Andre misses with a left hand
and Matsumoto counters with a good low kick that St Andre was not able to check.
Matsumoto checks a low kick from St Andre.
St Andre misses with a straight right.
Matsumoto with the counter takedown but St Andre avoids it easily.
St Andre cracks a nice hook into Matsumoto's ribs.
A nice inside leg kick there by Matsumoto. That's going to slow St Andre down.
St Andre lands with a cross.
St Andre lands a nice shot that snaps Matsumoto's head back.
St Andre throws a lazy body kick
and Matsumoto counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps St Andre thinking.
St Andre with a body punch. A glancing blow.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matsumoto works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Matsumoto's hands are dropping dangerously low here and St Andre connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Matsumoto scrambles back to his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Matsumoto 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.
Matsumoto takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
St Andre bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
St Andre throws a big shot that misses.
Matsumoto throws an ugly left hook that misses
and St Andre counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
An inside leg kick from Matsumoto misses.
Matsumoto takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
St Andre scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
St Andre misses with a shot to the body
and Matsumoto counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
A slow jab from Matsumoto misses its intended target.
St Andre half committed to a counter leg kick.
St Andre thows a leg kick but Matsumoto checks it
and Matsumoto counters with a body kick that stops St Andre in his tracks momentarily.
St Andre rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Matsumoto counters with a nice low kick that buckles St Andre's knee momentarily.

Matsumoto closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. St Andre quickly recovers to half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Matsumoto throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Matsumoto takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsumoto is figuring out what he wants to do next.
St Andre is trying to maintain the position but Matsumoto is very close to passing his half guard.
St Andre wants to control but Matsumoto passes into side.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Matsumoto working the head with strikes.
Matsumoto working away.
St Andre tries to get back to half guard but can't.
St Andre is working hard here to advance position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsumoto working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Matsumoto working away.
St Andre is looking to regain half guard here but Matsumoto keeps moving and retains side control.
Matsumoto scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at St Andre to see if he's OK.
St Andre is letting Matsumoto control him for a moment.
St Andre is trying to improve his position.
Matsumoto throws a strike aimed at the side of St Andre's head but St Andre avoids it well.
St Andre takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
St Andre being controlled for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on St Andre's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Matsumoto looking to punish the body of his opponent here but St Andre is avoiding damage well.
St Andre is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Matsumoto off and has taken his back!
Good control from St Andre.

St Andre is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Matsumoto is defending well though. St Andre let's go of the attempt for now.
St Andre somehow managing to miss with a strike from the back.
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 Benjamin St Andre will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

St Andre moves out of range of the body kick.
St Andre looks to throw the jab but Matsumoto is out of range.
Matsumoto swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Benjamin St Andre is winning the standup battle so far.
St Andre misses with a kick to the body
and Matsumoto counters with a nice low kick that buckles St Andre's knee momentarily.
Matsumoto throws a body shot but no joy.
It looked like St Andre wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
St Andre is looking to slow Matsumoto down with leg kicks.
St Andre thows a left - swing and a miss!
Matsumoto doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
St Andre staying out of range there.
Matsumoto takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
St Andre throws the left hand but Matsumoto avoids the punch easily.
St Andre is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Matsumoto can do to turn this around?
St Andre wants to land a leg kick but Matsumoto is out of range.
St Andre misses with a left hand
and Matsumoto connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Nice body punch from Matsumoto.

That's one minute gone in the round.
St Andre thows a leg kick but Matsumoto checks it
and Matsumoto cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
St Andre moves away from the strike by Matsumoto.
Matsumoto slips under a jab.
Matsumoto throws a sloppy head kick
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
St Andre tries to land a body kick
and Matsumoto counters with a stiff right hand.
Matsumoto tries to move into range but St Andre moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Matsumoto scores with a hook to the body. St Andre takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Matsumoto's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Matsumoto uses good head movement to avoid the hook from St Andre.
A little jabbing left from Matsumoto on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Matsumoto takes a jab right on the kisser.
Matsumoto misses with a low kick as St Andre jumps back.
St Andre jabs Matsumoto to the body, keeping him at a distance.
St Andre drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
St Andre misses with a right hand
and Matsumoto counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Matsumoto keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Matsumoto misses with a takedown attempt - St Andre sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
St Andre pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Benjamin St Andre is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Matsumoto looks to score with a jab to the body but St Andre is just out of range.
St Andre throws a lazy right hand but Matsumoto sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A punch combination from St Andre misses.
Matsumoto throws a leg kick which misses St Andre's front leg but catches the back leg as St Andre tries to avoid it.

Matsumoto shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Matsumoto showed some decent athleticism there.
Matsumoto is looking to take a break and control but St Andre is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
St Andre trying to hold on to Matsumoto's head to control him but Matsumoto postures up.
Kiyoshi Matsumoto has got the better of the ground game so far.
Matsumoto seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but St Andre does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
St Andre trying to control but Matsumoto postures up.
St Andre moves into full guard.
St Andre wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Matsumoto is now in half guard.
Matsumoto thows a huge punch but St Andre dodges it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
St Andre is looking to improve his position.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Matsumoto in particular looking to stall.
St Andre trying to control here.
Kiyoshi Matsumoto has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
St Andre is staying active underneath Matsumoto, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
St Andre keeps control of the position for the meantime.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Matsumoto is looking to take a break and control but St Andre is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
St Andre misses with a wild body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kiyoshi Matsumoto comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think St Andre has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 29:29
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Benjamin St Andre!
Benjamin St Andre seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.