PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Christian Derksen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Clay Matthews (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Derksen
vs
Matthews

188 cm
34
192 lbs
24 - 8 - 1

194 cm
30
203 lbs
11 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Spartan Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 24 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Christian Derksen!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Clay Matthews!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matthews defending well as Derksen loads up on a big left hand.
Matthews throws out a counter right but Derksen avoids it with no problem.
Derksen catches Matthews with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Matthews lands a jab to the nose.
Derksen throws a push kick but Matthews slaps the foot to one side.
Derksen is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Derksen misses with a jab to the body
and Matthews counters with a straight right hand.
Matthews throws a sloppy head kick and Derksen moves out of range easily.
Derksen throws a head kick but Matthews moves out of range.
Derksen looks to throw a body kick
and Matthews counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

It looks like Christian Derksen has been cut.
Christian Derksen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Derksen throws a lazy body kick

and Matthews counters with a crisp right hand that drops Derksen! Matthews lets Derksen back up to his feet, looking for a finish!

Derksen is rocked!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Derksen looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Matthews! But no joy.
Derksen turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Derksen tries to land a front kick but Matthews steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Matthews shapes to counter with a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Derksen looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
It seemed like Matthews was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Clay Matthews is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Derksen swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Matthews counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Derksen lands a nice looking body shot.
Derksen misses with a jab to the body
and Matthews counters with a stiff right hand.
Derksen looks for the body kick but Matthews saw that one coming.
Matthews doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Matthews clobbers Derksen with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Derksen moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Matthews avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Derksen blocks a jab.
Matthews thows a left - swing and a miss!
Derksen fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Derksen lands a jab.
Matthews changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Matthews tries to keep at a distance but Derksen has taken the fight into the clinch.
Derksen has a couple of punches blocked by Matthews.
Derksen misses with a hook from the clinch.
Matthews is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Derksen misses with a hook from the clinch.

Matthews breaks from the clinch.
Derksen looks to score with a jab to the body but Matthews is just out of range.

Derksen shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Matthews is trying to defend but Derksen finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Matthews tries to roll over but Derksen keeps him under control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matthews controlling the position for now.

Derksen stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Derksen ducks under a wild hook from Matthews.
Derksen tries to clinch up but Matthews circles away and keeps his distance.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Derksen, as that shot connected.
Derksen connects with a crisp jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Derksen lands with a cross.
Derksen fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Matthews.
Matthews waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Derksen.
Matthews walks into a straight right hand from Derksen.
Matthews gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Derksen takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Derksen misses with a left hand
and Matthews counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Matthews with a jab.
Derksen throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Matthews counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Derksen throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Matthews looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Derksen throws a combination that misses
and Derksen takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Clay Matthews will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Christian Derksen's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Derksen tries for a takedown but Matthews circles away easily
and Matthews counters with a nice body shot.
Derksen feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Matthews's calf.
Derksen tries to clinch up.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Matthews! But no joy.
Matthews uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Derksen.
Matthews thows a left - swing and a miss!
Derksen lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
A chopping leg kick lands by Derksen.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Derksen misses the jab.
A shot to the liver by Derksen. Beautiful body shot.
Derksen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Matthews follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Derksen scores with a nice body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Derksen drives through and clinches with Matthews against the cage.
Derksen pushes Matthews back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Matthews is working Derksen over against the cage.
Matthews doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Matthews struggles to land a body shot inside as Derksen controls his hands.
Derksen lands a left hand.
Matthews tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Derksen's elbow.
Derksen is working Matthews over against the cage.
Derksen scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A left hand lands to the body for Matthews.
Derksen lands a right hand that snaps the head of Matthews backwards.
Derksen lands a shoulder strike.
Matthews dodges an elbow strike from Derksen.
Matthews tries a body shot but Derksen blocks it.
Derksen pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Derksen lands with a light punch inside.

Matthews is rocked!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Derksen pushes off an throws an elbow but Matthews leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Matthews tries to throw a body punch but Derksen avoids it by throwing Matthews back against the cage.
Matthews has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Derksen seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Matthews can turn it around.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circle momentarily. Derksen darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Matthews is still on wobbly legs! Can Derksen finish him?
Derksen works Matthews's body with a nice hook.

Matthews gets tackled into the cage by Derksen. Derksen maintains the clinch.
Matthews is trying to break free.
Matthews seems to have recovered his senses.
Nice elbow from Derksen.

It looks like Clay Matthews has been cut.
Derksen lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Matthews misses with a body punch.
Derksen creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Matthews blocking some punches.
Matthews misses with a punch to the body.
Derksen throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Derksen misses with the head strike.

Matthews breaks the clinch.
Matthews uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Derksen.
Matthews looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Derksen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Matthews.
Matthews was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Derksen tries to clinch up.
Derksen fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Matthews.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Derksen pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Good work by Derksen as he checks the leg kick.
Matthews takes one to the side of the head.
Derksen slips a straight right by Matthews.
As Matthews backs away, Derksen returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Derksen throws a body punch but Matthews moves out of range.
A little jabbing left from Matthews on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Derksen throws a hook but Matthews avoids it easily.
Matthews raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Matthews takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Derksen swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Matthews connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Matthews throws an overhand right that lands on Derksen's shoulder, as Derksen tries to avoid the shot.

Derksen closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Derksen.
Derksen keeps control of Matthews as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Derksen.
Derksen swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Derksen creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Matthews misses with a punch on the inside.
Matthews blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Matthews tries to break free but Derksen pushes him back against the cage.
Derksen throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Matthewss head.
Derksen misses with the head strike.
Derksen is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Derksen fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Matthews is trying to force a seperation but Derksen has the dominant position.
Derksen has a couple of punches blocked by Matthews.
Derksen misses with an elbow strike.

Matthews breaks the clinch.
It looks like Derksen has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.

Derksen forces Matthews back against the cage and clinches.

Matthews breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Derksen tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Matthews manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
It seemed like Matthews was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Christian Derksen dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Derksen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Matthews takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Matthews ducks under a wild hook from Derksen.

Derksen feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Matthews is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Derksen is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Matthews can do to turn this around?
Derksen pushes Matthews off looking to stand but Matthews dives back in and keeps control.
Matthews tries to pass to full mount but Derksen defends it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matthews trying to control from half guard but Derksen is working away.
Matthews prevents Derksen from standing back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matthews keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Matthews passes the guard and advances to mount!
Derksen is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Matthews controlling his opponent.
Let's hope that Matthews has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Derksen tries to reverse the position but Matthews maintains control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matthews takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Matthews trying to control but he's not successful this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Matthews content just to control the position here.
We're seeing a lot of stalling here from Matthews.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Matthews tries to control but Derksen wriggling away.
Derksen doing his best to control the position. Can he escape?
Matthews controlling the pace for now.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Matthews can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Derksen is looking to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Clay Matthews really dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A big left from Matthews misses.

Derksen has managed to clinch.
Matthews wants to get back to striking at distance but Derksen won't allow it.

Matthews escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Derksen misses the shot to the body.
Matthews throws a big counter head kick but Derksen avoids it with no problem.
Matthews with a hook.
Derksen misses with a kick to the body.
Derksen tries to clinch up but Matthews circles away and keeps his distance.
Derksen tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Matthews manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Matthews might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matthews closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Derksen swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Matthews.
Matthews comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Derksen shoots and misses
and Matthews cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Derksen misses the jab.
Matthews looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Derksen misses with a shot to the body
and Matthews makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Matthews throws a shot from downtown. Derksen moves away and avoids it.
Matthews moves out of range of the body kick from Derksen.

Derksen darts in and clinches Matthews up against the cage.

Matthews pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Derksen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Matthews throws out the jab.
Derksen tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Matthews manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Derksen tries to clinch up but Matthews circles away and keeps his distance.
It seemed like Matthews was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

Derksen has closed the distance and engaged Matthews in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Derksen lands with a light punch inside.

Matthews manages to break the clinch.
Derksen throws a body shot but no joy.

Derksen clinches with his opponent.
Derksen misses with an elbow over the top.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Matthews tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Derksen's elbow.

Matthews manages to break the clinch.
Clay Matthews seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Derksen scores with a nice body kick.
Matthews with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Derksen to score with a decent uppercut.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Matthews.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
A looping hook to the body misses from Matthews. Derksen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Derksen tries to clinch but Matthews is having none of it.
Good standup being displayed there by Matthews as he connects with a hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Derksen is looking to score with low kicks.
Derksen's jab looks to have found its range, popping Matthews under the eye.
Derksen is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Matthews misses with a looping left.
Matthews drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Matthews misses with a straight left.
Matthews throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Derksen looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Matthews scores with a shot to the body.
Derksen lands with a thumping leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matthews scores with a sloppy right hand. Derksen should have avoided that one.

Derksen closes the distance and clinches.
Derksen pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Matthews.

Matthews pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Derksen fails with an attempt to clinch.
Matthews swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Derksen moves in looking to clinch but Matthews pushes him off.
Derksen swinging wildly here.
Derksen cracks the inside of Matthews's front leg.
Derksen catches Matthews with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Clay Matthews will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Derksen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Derksen waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Matthews.
Matthews throws a counter combo.
Derksen tries to clinch up.

Derksen moves into the clinch successfully.

Matthews pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Derksen misses with a hook.
Matthews replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Derksen blocks it well.
Matthews walks into a stiff left hand from Derksen.
Derksen tries to land a body kick
letting Matthews counter with a right hand.
Matthews throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matthews throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Matthews crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Derksen - the referee stops the clock and Matthews gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Derksen. Matthews manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Matthews slips under a jab.
As Derksen backs off Matthews throws a huge counter combo but Derksen manages to avoid it all.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big right from Derksen misses.
Derksen stalks Matthews and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Matthews's face. Matthews staggers backwards, shaken.
Derksen lands a nice leg kick that just misses Matthews's sensitive parts.
Matthews throws a one two combo.
Derksen misses with an uppercut.
A little jabbing left from Matthews on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Derksen keeps Matthews at a distance using the push kick.

Derksen rushes Matthews and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Matthews takes an elbow to the forehead.
Derksen misses with an elbow over the top.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Derksen.
A short right from Matthews.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Matthews blocking some punches.
Derksen throws an elbow but it misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Matthews breaks the clinch.
Derksen scores with a push kick.
An inside leg kick from Derksen misses.
Matthews loads up on a big right hand but Derksen slips the punch.
Derksen is looking for a counter combo.
Matthews misses with a wild body shot.
Derksen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Derksen looks to land a body kick but Matthews moved away.
Derksen cracks Matthews with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Matthews chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Derksen can pounce on him.
Derksen tries to clinch but Matthews moves out of range.
Derksen thows a body kick. Matthews tries to catch it but that hurt him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Derksen thumps Matthews with a low kick.
Derksen with a jab.
Derksen moves in looking to clinch but Matthews pushes him off.
Derksen is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Derksen throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Matthews counters with a stiff right hand.
Clay Matthews is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Derksen drives through and clinches with Matthews against the cage.
Matthews has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Derksen struggles to land a body shot inside as Matthews controls his hands.
Matthews blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Derksen.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Derksen just misses with a elbow thrown towards Matthews's brow.
Matthews working hard to break the clinch.
Christian Derksen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Derksen misses with a short punch on the inside.
Derksen swings wildly with an uppercut but Matthews uses good head movement to avoid it.
Derksen misses with some punches.
Matthews on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Matthews blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Matthews blocks the elbow strike.
Derksen creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Matthews's defenses.
Matthews blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Derksen throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Matthews blocks an elbow strike.
Derksen throws an elbow that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Christian Derksen showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Matthews 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 48:48
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 47:48
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 48:47

The fight is ruled a draw!
Christian Derksen retains his title. It's always disappointing when a championship fight ends as a draw but that's what happens when you leave the fight in the judges hands!