PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Boris Matusov (ranked 1311 p4p, 157 weight class) and John Miller (ranked 2311 p4p, 255 weight class). John Miller struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 171.8lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Matusov
vs
Miller

190 cm
21
175 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

178 cm
27
185 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Boris Matusov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, John Miller!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, Dean Styles and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Miller looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Matusov!
Matusov is not content to let Miller control the position.
Matusov gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Matusov trying to control from the bottom.
Matusov manages to get to full guard.
Matusov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Miller manages to get himself to full guard.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matusov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Matusov 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.
Matusov passes into half guard.

Matusov is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matusov is looking to advance position but Miller won't allow it.
Miller wants to improve his position but Matusov is controlling well.
Matusov is looking to take a break and control but Miller is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Matusov is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Miller doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Matusov.
Matusov works his way into full mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matusov can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Miller is looking to escape.

Matusov working for a guillotine from mount but Miller is in no mood to give up.

Matusov is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Miller can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Miller tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Matusov wants to take his opponent's back but he's not managed it.
Matusov looking to control but Miller is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Matusov working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

Matusov is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Miller to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Miller shrugs it off.
Miller tries to hold on but Matusov postures up.
Miller is in all sorts of trouble here.
Matusov fails to advance to Miller's back.
Matusov is working hard here to advance position.
Matusov takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Miller is looking to get to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Miller is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Matusov fails to advance to Miller's back.
Miller is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Matusov tries to control but Miller wriggling away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Matusov avoids the attempt from Miller to control.
Matusov fails to advance to Miller's back.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Matusov controlling the position easily from mount.
Matusov wants to take his opponent's back but instead Miller manages to regain half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Matusov drives through with a takedown into Miller's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Miller bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Matusov's guard.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Matusov is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Miller defends well.
Matusov tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Matusov looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Matusov is looking for a triangle but Miller pushes his legs off easily.

Matusov working for a triangle but Miller defends it easily.

Matusov is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Miller is aware though and is defending well.
Matusov will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Matusov had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Miller defends it easily.
Miller stays in close to Matusov's body and controls the position.
Miller trying to control but Matusov is working from the bottom.

Matusov has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Miller can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Matusov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Miller manages to get himself to full guard.

Miller really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Matusov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Miller escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Matusov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Matusov stands and throws Miller's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Miller is not content to let Matusov control the position.
Matusov tries to move into full mount but can't pass Miller's legs.
Miller is being controlled here.
Miller wants to control but Matusov postures up.

Matusov goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Miller rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Matusov's guard! Nice work there by Miller!
Matusov looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Miller puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matusov tries to get to full guard but Miller has control of the leg.
Matusov gets full guard.
Matusov is trying to keep Miller in close.
Boris Matusov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Miller got a little sloppy there for a moment and Matusov has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Miller has managed to get both his arms back between Matusov's legs - danger averted.
Miller looking to pass the guard.

Miller has a momentary lapse of concentration, allowing Matusov to throw up a leg and lock on what appears to be a pretty tight triangle! Miller is fighting it off but it's all too little too late - Matusov pulls down on the head and he's put Miller to sleep! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Boris Matusov!