PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Hikaru Matsuyama (ranked 4806 p4p, 3937 weight class) and Muhammad Arslan (ranked 565 p4p, 0 weight class). Hikaru Matsuyama had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Matsuyama
vs
Arslan

183 cm
25
170
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
26
170
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Can Moonwalk

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Hikaru Matsuyama!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Muhammad Arslan!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Reed Andrews and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Matsuyama closes the distance and clinches.
Matsuyama lands a body shot.

Matsuyama breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Arslan is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Matsuyama.
Arslan walks forward, straight into a front kick from Matsuyama.
Matsuyama lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Matsuyama tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Matsuyama moves into the clinch successfully.

Matsuyama manages to break the clinch.
Arslan shoots for a takedown but Matsuyama saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Matsuyama moves into range and clinches up with Arslan.
Arslan being controlled against the cage.
Arslan goes for a takedown attempt but Matsuyama pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Matsuyama throws a leg kick which misses Arslan's front leg but catches the back leg as Arslan tries to avoid it.
Arslan misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Arslan gets tackled into the cage by Matsuyama. Matsuyama maintains the clinch.
Matsuyama prevents the takedown attempt.
Hikaru Matsuyama has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Muhammad Arslan.

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

Matsuyama gets a clinch.

Matsuyama's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Matsuyama closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Matsuyama lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Matsuyama lands a damaging elbow.
Matsuyama is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Arslan wants to break free but Matsuyama has control.
Matsuyama lands a nice elbow.

Arslan wants the takedown. Matsuyama is fighting it off but Arslan persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Matsuyama's guard against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Matsuyama avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Arslan drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Matsuyama dives on top into guard.

Matsuyama controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Matsuyama gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Matsuyama has taken the fight to the clinch.
Matsuyama tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Arslan avoids it.
Matsuyama scores a nice knee to the body.
Matsuyama tries to throw a body punch but Arslan avoids it by throwing Matsuyama back against the cage.
Matsuyama trying to land knees to the body.
Matsuyama lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

It looks like Muhammad Arslan has been cut.

Matsuyama manages to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Matsuyama rushes Arslan and presses him up against the cage.
Matsuyama is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Nice elbow from Matsuyama.
Matsuyama has Arslan pressed against the cage, preventing Arslan from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Matsuyama manages to break the clinch.

Matsuyama closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Matsuyama misses with an elbow over the top.
A left hand lands to the body for Matsuyama.

Matsuyama pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Matsuyama displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Arslan.
Arslan is trying hard to land a takedown here. Matsuyama sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Matsuyama lands an elbow inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arslan wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Matsuyama has Arslan pressed against the cage, preventing Arslan from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Matsuyama as Arslan tries to tie him up.
Matsuyama tries to throw a body punch but Arslan avoids it by throwing Matsuyama back against the cage.
Matsuyama lands an elbow that stopped Arslan in his tracks for a moment.
Matsuyama is struggling to control the position.
Arslan has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Matsuyama avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Matsuyama unloads a knee to the mid-section.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Arslan managing to block the knees to the body from Matsuyama.
Matsuyama lands an elbow inside that Arslan shrugs off.
Matsuyama creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Arslan's defenses.
Arslan has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Matsuyama after a bit of a struggle.
Arslan looks winded!
Matsuyama trying to land knees to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Hikaru Matsuyama dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Muhammad Arslan's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Arslan takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

Matsuyama closes the distance and clinches.

Matsuyama's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Matsuyama wants to clinch
and Arslan counters with a low kick, right behind Matsuyama 's knee.
Arslan misses with a takedown attempt - Matsuyama sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Matsuyama lands a nice shot that snaps Arslan's head back.

Arslan has Matsuyama up against the cage in a clinch.
Arslan being controlled against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Arslan breaks the clinch.

Matsuyama darts in and clinches Arslan up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arslan is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Matsuyama gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Matsuyama works on Arslan's body with a couple of short punches.
Matsuyama lands a knee to the body.
Matsuyama avoiding damage.
Matsuyama lands a left hand that snaps the head of Arslan backwards.
Matsuyama lands with a right to the head.
Matsuyama lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Matsuyama working Arslan over with knees to the body.
Matsuyama is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.

Matsuyama pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Arslan gets tackled into the cage by Matsuyama. Matsuyama maintains the clinch.
Arslan jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Matsuyama walks away with a smile on his face. Arslan gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Hikaru Matsuyama has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Muhammad Arslan.
Arslan tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Matsuyama moves into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Arslan avoids a wild elbow strike from Matsuyama.
Matsuyama misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Matsuyama lands a hook that snaps the head of Arslan backwards.
Arslan tries to pull guard but Matsuyama won't allow it.
Matsuyama landing knees to the body.
Arslan is breathing heavily.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Matsuyama.
Matsuyama tries to throw a body punch but Arslan avoids it by throwing Matsuyama back against the cage.
Arslan blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Arslan takes an elbow to the forehead.
Matsuyama misses with a knee strike.
Arslan is trying to maintain a safe position but Matsuyama gets an underhook and turns Arslan into the cage.
Matsuyama landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Matsuyama lands a left hand that snaps the head of Arslan backwards.
Matsuyama tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Arslan avoids it.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arslan avoids the head kick by Matsuyama.
Matsuyama fails in his attempt to clinch.
Arslan looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Matsuyama is fending him off so far but Arslan persists. Nope, Matsuyama circles away and we're back to standing.

Matsuyama darts in and clinches Arslan up against the cage.

Matsuyama's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Arslan tried to score with a low kick but Matsuyama checks it.
Hikaru Matsuyama is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Matsuyama drives through and clinches with Arslan against the cage.
Matsuyama is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Matsuyama lands a nice knee to the body.
Matsuyama lands a nice elbow.
Matsuyama lands a right hand.
Arslan is trying to break free.
Matsuyama is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Arslan can do to turn this around?
Matsuyama effectively controlling the action here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsuyama landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Matsuyama landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

Arslan pulls guard effortlessly.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Matsuyama trying to control the position from guard on top but Arslan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Matsuyama got a little sloppy there for a moment and Arslan has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Matsuyama has managed to get both his arms back between Arslan's legs - danger averted.
Matsuyama is stalling in the full guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Hikaru Matsuyama dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Muhammad Arslan's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Matsuyama throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Matsuyama takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

Arslan clinches up with Matsuyama and pushes him back against the cage.
Hikaru Matsuyama has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Arslan drags the fight down to the ground.
Matsuyama is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Arslan is trying to control the position but Matsuyama postures up.
Matsuyama pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Arslan is keeping the position for now.
Arslan wants to stand up but Matsuyama is controlling him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Arslan is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Arslan can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Matsuyama controls the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arslan trying to control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Matsuyama stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Matsuyama wants it to stay on the feet.
Matsuyama throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
The fight stays on the outside here - Matsuyama looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Matsuyama tries to clinch but Arslan moves out of range.
Matsuyama tries to clinch up.
Muhammad Arslan is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Arslan swats away the attempt to clinch by Matsuyama.

Matsuyama closes the distance and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Arslan wants to break free but Matsuyama has control.
Matsuyama creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Matsuyama escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Arslan closes the distance and clinches.

Arslan escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Matsuyama defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Arslan.
Matsuyama throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Arslan.

Matsuyama gets tackled into the cage by Arslan. Arslan maintains the clinch.
Matsuyama landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Matsuyama is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Arslan takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

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

Matsuyama has taken the fight to the clinch.
Arslan is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Matsuyama to keep the fight standing.
Hikaru Matsuyama has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Muhammad Arslan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Matsuyama breaks the clinch.

Matsuyama moves into the clinch successfully.
Matsuyama landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Matsuyama using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Matsuyama lands with a short shot to the head.

Matsuyama breaks from the clinch.

Matsuyama has taken the fight to the clinch.
Arslan is looking to break free of the clinch but Matsuyama has double underhooks.
Matsuyama lands an elbow just above Arslan 's eye.
Arslan takes an elbow to the temple.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Arslan takes a knee to the side of the body.
Matsuyama connects with a knee to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Matsuyama lands an elbow just above Arslan 's eye.
Arslan drops down looking for an ankle pick but Matsuyama pulls his leg out and moves away.
Hikaru Matsuyama seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arslan takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Hikaru Matsuyama is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Matsuyama gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Arslan jumps guard but Matsuyama turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Matsuyama doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Arslan is working for takedown but Matsuyama is calmly controlling the position for now.
Nice elbow from Matsuyama.
A bit of stalling here from Matsuyama.
Matsuyama lands a body punch.
Muhammad Arslan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Matsuyama stalls.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hikaru Matsuyama showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Matsuyama, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Jonathan Paton scores the fight 30:27
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 30:27
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hikaru Matsuyama!