PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Hiroki Matsuoka (ranked 1556 p4p, 166 weight class) and Holt Dennis (ranked 2377 p4p, 219 weight class). Matsuoka comes into the arena with Tom Petty - Won’t back down blaring out of the sound system. Hiroki Matsuoka has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Matsuoka
vs
Dennis

176 cm
35
155 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

175 cm
27
155 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Good gas tank

KOMBAT KLOTHING

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Hiroki Matsuoka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Holt Dennis!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Cecil Peabody and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matsuoka throws a big shot that misses.
Matsuoka cracks Dennis with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Matsuoka lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Dennis tries a low kick but Matsuoka avoids it.
Matsuoka connects with a single shot there.

Matsuoka moves into range and clinches up with Dennis.
Dennis has Matsuoka pushed against the cage.
Matsuoka lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Matsuoka tries a body shot but Dennis blocks it.
Matsuoka misses with a hook from the clinch.
Dennis tries to land knees in the clinch but Matsuoka avoids the damage to the body.
A right hook to the body lands for Matsuoka.
Matsuoka misses with a hook to the ribs.
Matsuoka stalling against the cage.
Dennis blocks the elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Matsuoka throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Dennis wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Matsuoka has him pressed against the cage.
We've been hearing reports that Matsuoka has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Dennis is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Dennis looking to throw knees to the head but Matsuoka is blocking nicely.
Matsuoka tries to throw a body punch but Dennis avoids it by throwing Matsuoka back against the cage.

Matsuoka escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Dennis looks for a takedown but Matsuoka sprawls well.
Matsuoka throws a quick counter head kick but Dennis was just out of range.
Hiroki Matsuoka seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A head kick misses from Matsuoka.

Dennis decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Matsuoka kicks off Dennis and gets to his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Dennis takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Dennis on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Matsuoka displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Dennis.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsuoka delivers a nice body kick.
Nice shot lands for Matsuoka.
Dennis avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Dennis closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Matsuoka manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Matsuoka lands with a nice body kick.
Dennis tries to move into range but Matsuoka moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Dennis tries to clinch there but Matsuoka circles away.
Matsuoka throws a hook to the side of Dennis's head but Dennis sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Matsuoka fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Matsuoka throws a front kick that sends Dennis stumbling back into the cage.
Dennis dodges the punch combination from Matsuoka.
Dennis uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Matsuoka.
A good leg kick by Matsuoka.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Dennis is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Matsuoka's half guard.

Dennis decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Dennis throws a sloppy head kick and Matsuoka moves out of range easily.
Dennis tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Matsuoka manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A lazy left from Matsuoka finds it's target.
Dennis takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Dennis tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Matsuoka manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Dennis darts in trying to clinch
and Matsuoka connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Dennis gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Matsuoka.
A head kick misses from Matsuoka.
Dennis changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Dennis bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Matsuoka.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Dennis!
Matsuoka connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
An inside leg kick lands from Matsuoka.
Matsuoka lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Dennis is trying hard to land a takedown here. Matsuoka sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Hiroki Matsuoka has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Holt Dennis.
Matsuoka moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Dennis tries to clinch there but Matsuoka circles away.
Matsuoka scores with a jab to the head.
Dennis is looking to clinch.
Dennis takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Dennis takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Dennis tries to clinch
and Matsuoka counters with a nice uppercut.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Matsuoka misses with a wild combination.

Dennis has managed to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hiroki Matsuoka dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

A slow jab from Matsuoka misses its intended target.
Matsuoka lands a high kick!
Hiroki Matsuoka is winning the standup battle so far.
Matsuoka looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Matsuoka looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Dennis digs a good hook to Matsuoka's body.

Dennis looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Matsuoka pushes Dennis off but Dennis dives into side control.
Matsuoka looks to move to half guard but instead Dennis has passed into mount! Damn!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Dennis stands up from mount. Strange move.
Dennis tries to close the distance and clinch but Matsuoka swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Dennis forces Matsuoka back against the cage and clinches.
Matsuoka doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Dennis has Matsuoka pressed against the cage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Dennis.
Matsuoka letting Dennis take a breather here.
Dennis takes an elbow to the forehead.

It looks like Holt Dennis has been cut.
Dennis blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A body shot lands from Matsuoka.
Matsuoka is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Dennis can do to turn this around?

Dennis's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Matsuoka waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Dennis.
Matsuoka takes a swing at Dennis's ribcage but misses.
Dennis throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Matsuoka's waist but Matsuoka gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Dennis off to one side.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsuoka connects with a high kick.
Matsuoka lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Dennis drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Matsuoka tries to land a front kick but Dennis steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Holt Dennis is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A good leg kick by Matsuoka.
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!
Dennis closes the distance looking to clinch
and Matsuoka counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Dennis gets tackled into the cage by Matsuoka. Matsuoka maintains the clinch.

Matsuoka manages to break the clinch.
Matsuoka dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Dennis. That did some damage!
Dennis shoots in for a takedown but Matsuoka shows good takedown defense.
Matsuoka with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Dennis to score with a decent uppercut.
Matsuoka tries to clinch but Dennis moves out of range.
Dennis fails in his attempt to clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Matsuoka looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dennis misses with a takedown attempt - Matsuoka sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
As Dennis looks to move away, Matsuoka throws a big counter combo but Dennis just gets out of the way.
Hiroki Matsuoka has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Holt Dennis.
Donk. Matsuoka catches Dennis right on the button with a cross.
Dennis tries to clinch up but Matsuoka circles away and keeps his distance.
Matsuoka uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Hiroki Matsuoka is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Dennis shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Matsuoka as he jumps to the side.
Matsuoka tried to counter with a leg kick but Dennis avoided it.
Matsuoka lands with a shot to the body.
Matsuoka throws a big shot that misses.
Matsuoka works Dennis's body with a nice hook.
Matsuoka cracks Dennis with a right hand to the side of the head.
Dennis slips under a jab from Matsuoka.
Dennis tries for a takedown but Matsuoka sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Matsuoka throws a head kick but Dennis moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsuoka tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Matsuoka pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Matsuoka explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Dennis doesn't manage to clinch there - Matsuoka circles away.
Dennis is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Dennis 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.
Dennis's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Dennis misses with a takedown attempt - Matsuoka sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Matsuoka misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Dennis shoots in looking for a takedown but Matsuoka manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Dennis's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
An attempted straight right counter from Matsuoka misses the target.
Horrible takedown attempt by Dennis or perhaps it was just good defense by Matsuoka, which made it look bad.
Matsuoka scores with a leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hiroki Matsuoka dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Holt Dennis's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Dennis shoots in for a double leg but Matsuoka sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
A nice leg kick lands there from Matsuoka.
Matsuoka circles away from the clinch attempt.
Dennis fails with the takedown
and Matsuoka cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Matsuoka stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Matsuoka wants it to stay on the feet.
Hiroki Matsuoka has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Holt Dennis.
Dennis needs to keep his hands up - Matsuoka had a free shot at his head there.
Dennis gets cracked there but stands up to it.

Matsuoka clinches up against the cage.

Matsuoka breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Dennis takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Matsuoka throws a leg kick which misses Dennis's front leg but catches the back leg as Dennis tries to avoid it.
Matsuoka throws out a loose jab but Dennis uses good head movement to avoid it.
Matsuoka throws a nice head kick!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Matsuoka scores with a nice head shot.
Matsuoka lands a glancing blow to the side of Dennis's head.
Dennis has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Matsuoka.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dennis takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Dennis gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Matsuoka counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Matsuoka scores with a jab. Dennis acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

Dennis is rocked!
Dennis tries for a takedown but Matsuoka sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Dennis is still on wobbly legs! Can Matsuoka finish him?
Matsuoka throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Matsuoka with a jab.
Matsuoka moves out of range as Dennis throws a body kick.
Matsuoka thows a left - swing and a miss!
Dennis tries to counter by closing the distance.
Nice takedown defense from Matsuoka. No joy for Dennis on that attempt.
Dennis has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Dennis takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Matsuoka plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Dennis fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Matsuoka avoids it really well and circles away.
Dennis takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dennis tries to bum rush Matsuoka with a series of wild strikes but Matsuoka uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A chopping leg kick lands by Matsuoka.
Dennis on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Matsuoka. Matsuoka obviously looking to wear him down.
A lazy left from Matsuoka finds it's target.
Dennis fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Matsuoka avoids it really well and circles away.
Dennis takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Dennis shoots for a double leg takedown but Matsuoka sprawls well. He's pushed Dennis's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Dennis seems to have recovered his senses.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Dennis is defended easily by Matsuoka.
Matsuoka was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dennis avoids the head kick by Matsuoka.
Matsuoka dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Dennis. That did some damage!
Dennis shoots for a takedown but Matsuoka saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Dennis takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Matsuoka lands a jab.
Matsuoka throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hiroki Matsuoka is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Good leg kick by Matsuoka there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Matsuoka with a hook.
Matsuoka uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Dennis.
Matsuoka moves into range and connects with a jab.
Matsuoka lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Dennis backs up against the cage.
Dennis throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Matsuoka's waist but Matsuoka gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Dennis off to one side.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Matsuoka keeps Dennis at a distance using the push kick.
Matsuoka misses with a takedown attempt - Dennis sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Matsuoka throws a nice head kick!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsuoka keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Dennis has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Matsuoka.
Dennis shoots in and drives through. Matsuoka sprawls well.
Matsuoka moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Dennis tries to close the distance and clinch up but Matsuoka swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Dennis shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Dennis misses with a double jab

and Matsuoka counters by clinching up.
Dennis has had enough of the clinch but Matsuoka keeps him there for the moment.

Matsuoka manages to break the clinch.
Holt Dennis has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Matsuoka throws a nice outside leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hiroki Matsuoka showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Matsuoka 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 30:26
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 30:26
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hiroki Matsuoka!
During a confident post fight interview, Hiroki Matsuoka thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.