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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Hiroki Matsuoka (ranked 427 p4p, 54 weight class) and Ethan Sheehy (ranked 866 p4p, 106 weight class). Matsuoka comes into the arena with Tom Petty - Won�t back down blaring out of the sound system. Sheehy has chosen Tree falls - Timber! as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.
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| 176 cm
36
155 lbs
12 - 4 - 0 |
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168 cm
26
149 lbs
12 - 8 - 1 |
Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine |
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Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank |
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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
12 - 4 - 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
12 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Ethan Sheehy!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Gwen Towbar and Stewart Dunkirk.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sheehy lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Sheehy connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Matsuoka's hands.
Matsuoka misses with an uppercut. Sheehy saw that one coming.
Sheehy throws a lazy head kick
and Sheehy takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Sheehy throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Matsuoka looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Sheehy lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Matsuoka misses with an uppercut
enabling Sheehy to counter with a crisp jab.
Matsuoka throws a lazy right hand but Sheehy sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
We've been told by Matsuoka's head coaches at Crapollas Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Matsuoka looks to land a right hand but Sheehy moved out of range.
Sheehy steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Matsuoka misses with the body kick
and Sheehy cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Sheehy misses with a low kick.
Sheehy avoids a kick to the body.
Sheehy lands with a kick to the ribs.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sheehy keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Matsuoka.
Matsuoka throws a right hand that misses
and Sheehy counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Matsuoka misses with a low kick.
Sheehy throws a big counter head kick but Matsuoka avoids it with no problem.
Matsuoka checks a low kick from Sheehy.
Matsuoka tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Sheehy manages to circle out of the way.
Sheehy misses with a head kick.
Sheehy scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsuoka takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Sheehy feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Matsuoka's calf.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Matsuoka, as that shot connected.
Matsuoka misses with a hook. Sheehy ducked under it nicely.
Sheehy now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Sheehy tries a head kick but it misses.
Matsuoka blocks a jab.
An attempted straight right counter from Matsuoka misses the target.
Sheehy avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Sheehy goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Sheehy swings for the body but Matsuoka moves out of range.
Sheehy throws a hook to the side of Matsuoka's head but Matsuoka sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Sheehy throws a body kick that misses.
Sheehy is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Matsuoka.
Matsuoka throws a shot to the body.
Matsuoka clinches.
Sheehy is trying to pull guard but Matsuoka has him pressed against the cage.
Matsuoka manages to break the clinch.
Sheehy checks a leg kick nicely.
Sheehy looks like he wants to counter punch here.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A jab lands there for Sheehy.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A solid leg kick lands there for Matsuoka.
Sheehy ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Matsuoka moves away.
Good shot there by Sheehy.
Sheehy has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Matsuoka takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Sheehy doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
A head kick misses from Matsuoka.
Sheehy fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Matsuoka throws a combination. Sheehy tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Matsuoka rushes Sheehy and presses him up against the cage.
Sheehy tries to throw a body punch but Matsuoka avoids it by throwing Sheehy back against the cage.
Matsuoka lands a right hand that snaps the head of Sheehy backwards.
Matsuoka taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Sheehy pulls Matsuoka into guard.
Sheehy being controlled here, momentarily.
Matsuoka looking to pass the guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsuoka trying to control the position from guard on top but Sheehy is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sheehy looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Matsuoka throwing strikes from guard but Sheehy blocks nicely.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Matsuoka looking to sit in guard and control but Sheehy gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Sheehy throws a big elbow that misses.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Matsuoka keeping moving, preventing Sheehy from controlling successfully.
Sheehy is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Sheehy trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Sheehy is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Matsuoka is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Matsuoka has escaped and now he's on top!
Matsuoka has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Matsuoka looking to pass the guard.
And that�s the end of the round � the fighters go back to their corners.
A close round but Ethan Sheehy will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!
Matsuoka tries to clinch up but Sheehy circles away and keeps his distance.
Sheehy blocks a head kick by Matsuoka.
Matsuoka throws a good cross that connects.
Matsuoka bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sheehy fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Matsuoka throws out a loose jab but Sheehy uses good head movement to avoid it.
Matsuoka connects with a high kick.
Sheehy jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Sheehy throws a sloppy head kick and Matsuoka moves out of range easily.
Matsuoka throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sheehy drops his hands momentarily and Matsuoka takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Matsuoka misses with a head kick.
Matsuoka on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Matsuoka tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sheehy paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Matsuoka waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Sheehy.
Matsuoka throws a hook but Sheehy avoids it easily.
Matsuoka moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromSheehy.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Matsuoka, as that shot connected.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsuoka tries to clinch up but Sheehy circles away and keeps his distance.
Ethan Sheehy seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sheehy looks for the body kick but Matsuoka saw that one coming.
Matsuoka motions for Sheehy to come forward. Matsuoka throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Matsuoka tries to land a leg kick but Sheehy saw it coming and moves away.
Matsuoka bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Sheehy's head.
Matsuoka throws a shot from downtown. Sheehy moves away and avoids it.
Matsuoka fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Matsuoka throws a hook but Sheehy avoids it easily.
Matsuoka scores with a jab to the body.
Matsuoka lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Sheehy throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Donk. Matsuoka catches Sheehy right on the button with a cross.
Matsuoka has taken the fight to the clinch.
Sheehy scores with a shoulder strike.
Matsuoka working hard to break the clinch.
Matsuoka misses with an elbow over the top.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sheehy gets control of Matsuoka's arms and successfully pulls guard. Sheehy will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsuoka loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Matsuoka tries to free his leg and advance position but Sheehy is retaining full guard.
Sheehy trying to keep a closed guard but Matsuoka is proving a slippery customer.
Sheehy is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Matsuoka in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Sheehy trying to control the position.
Sheehy keeping moving, preventing Matsuoka from controlling successfully.
Sheehy is trying to control the position but Matsuoka postures up.
Matsuoka sitting in guard here, content to control.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsuoka drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Sheehy manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Matsuoka has Sheehy in his guard.
Sheehy throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Matsuoka works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Matsuoka keeping moving, preventing Sheehy from controlling successfully.
Sheehy looking to pass the guard.
Sheehy wants to control from the top but Matsuoka keeps moving.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Matsuoka is trying to control the position but Sheehy postures up.
Sheehy pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Matsuoka is keeping the position for now.
Sheehy working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Matsuoka avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Matsuoka tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Matsuoka swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Matsuoka takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
And that�s the end of the round � the fighters go back to their corners.
Hiroki Matsuoka dominated that second 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. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.
Matsuoka looks to land a left hand but Sheehy moved out of range nicely.
Matsuoka throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Sheehy sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Matsuoka misses with a looping right.
Sheehy throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Sheehy misses with a low kick.
Matsuoka scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Matsuoka throws a body kick that misses.
Matsuoka throws a head kick but Sheehy moves out of range.
Sheehy looks like he wants to counter punch here.
A head kick from Matsuoka lands but Sheehy takes it in his stride.
Matsuoka avoids the body shot from Sheehy.
Matsuoka connects with a crisp jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sheehy misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Matsuoka.
The fighters circling - Matsuoka throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Matsuoka avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Matsuoka misses with a looping right.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Sheehy chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Matsuoka can pounce on him.
Nice uppercut lands for Matsuoka. That snapped Sheehy's head back.
Matsuoka takes a swing at Sheehy's ribcage but misses.
Matsuoka lands a head kick!
Matsuoka fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sheehy manages to avoid it.
A swing and a miss from Matsuoka.
Sheehy connects with an inside leg kick.
Sheehy throws a hook to the side of Matsuoka's head but Matsuoka sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Matsuoka throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Sheehy sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Matsuoka throws a hook to the side of Sheehy's head but Sheehy sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A head kick from Sheehy lands but Matsuoka takes it in his stride.
Matsuoka uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Sheehy.
Sheehy misses with an attempted mid kick.
Sheehy misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Matsuoka tests Sheehy's chin there with a solid looking shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sheehy shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsuoka checks the leg kick.
Matsuoka avoids the body shot from Sheehy.
A shot to the liver by Matsuoka. Beautiful body shot.
Sheehy throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Matsuoka listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Jab from Matsuoka.
Hiroki Matsuoka seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Matsuoka has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Sheehy finds it's way round the side to connect with Matsuoka's head.
Matsuoka ducks under a wild hook from Sheehy.
Good exchange - Matsuoka coming out on top.
Matsuoka fails with the takedown.
A big right from Matsuoka misses.
Sheehy stalks Matsuoka and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Matsuoka's face. Matsuoka staggers backwards, shaken.
Matsuoka misses with a leg kick.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsuoka fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Sheehy tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Matsuoka was well out of range. Poor timing from Sheehy.
Matsuoka jabs Sheehy to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Sheehy lands a right hook to the body.
Sheehy lands a leg kick that knocks Matsuoka off balance momentarily.
Sheehy pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
It looked like Matsuoka was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Sheehy.
Matsuoka throws a jab when Sheehy was well out of range.
Matsuoka throws the left hand but Sheehy avoids the punch easily.
Sheehy thuds his right hand into Matsuoka's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Sheehy keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sheehy jabs Matsuoka to the body, keeping him at a distance.
A looping hook to the body misses from Matsuoka. Sheehy does a little dance to reset his feet.
Sheehy stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Sheehy wants it to stay on the feet.
Matsuoka lands with a hook. Sheehy tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Matsuoka moves away from the strike by Sheehy.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sheehy lands a leg kick that knocks Matsuoka off balance momentarily.
Sheehy throws a leg kick but Matsuoka sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Sheehy throws a sloppy head kick and Matsuoka moves out of range easily.
Sheehy throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Sheehy thows a left - swing and a miss!
Matsuoka checks the leg kick nicely there.
A big right from Sheehy misses.
Sheehy tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Matsuoka was well out of range. Poor timing from Sheehy.
A good leg kick by Matsuoka.
Matsuoka throws an overhand right that lands on Sheehy's shoulder, as Sheehy tries to avoid the shot.
Sheehy wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Sheehy - that will leave a mark!
Sheehy takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
A low kick from Sheehy is predictable there
and Matsuoka counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Matsuoka misses with a hook from the clinch.
And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Hiroki Matsuoka.
I think Matsuoka 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 George Francis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 29:28
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 29:28
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.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
59% |
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