PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Johnny Matthews (ranked 1729 p4p, 2102 weight class) and Rock Romero (ranked 228 p4p, 272 weight class). Rock Romero has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Johnny Matthews's chin.

Matthews
vs
Romero

180 cm
20
180
5 - 2 - 0

186 cm
20
177
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Nutritional Shaved Ice
Brooklyn Threads

KRAKEN Nutrition + Laundry

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 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Johnny Matthews!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Rock Romero !
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Anthony Taglia and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matthews shoots for a double leg takedown but Romero sprawls well. He's pushed Matthews's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Matthews moves out of range of the strikes.
Matthews shoots in for a takedown but Romero shows good takedown defense.
Matthews dives in and grabs Romero 's left leg, looking for a takedown. Romero pushes down on Matthews's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Johnny Matthews. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Matthews closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Romero did well to prevent Matthews getting side control.
Romero keeps control of the position for the meantime.

Matthews seems to be looking for submissions.

Matthews looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Romero is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Matthews is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

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

Romero makes his way to full guard, as Matthews worked for a kimura.
Matthews working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Romero wants to sweep here but Matthews controlling him for the moment.
Matthews wants to pass the guard but Romero is keeping the position.
Matthews working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Romero wants to sweep here but Matthews controlling him for the moment.
Romero is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Matthews pushing down on Romero 's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Matthews is trying to work for a kimura but Romero is defending well.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Matthews is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Matthews works his way into side control.

Matthews looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Matthews tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Matthews has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Matthews is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Romero has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Matthews is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Romero knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Matthews tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.

Matthews goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Romero has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Matthews but great work by Romero .
Romero takes a little break here. Matthews wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Matthews is looking for a sweep.
Romero controls the position from side control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Matthews dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Romero throws a hook but Matthews avoids it easily.
Romero stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Romero wants it to stay on the feet.
Romero scores with a body shot.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Matthews.

Matthews goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Romero has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Matthews but great work by Romero .
Johnny Matthews overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Matthews is trying to escape the position but Romero is controlling the position.
Matthews tries to bench press Romero off him but Romero keeps the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matthews seems a little lost for a moment, as Romero dominates the positioning.
Matthews is looking for a sweep.
Matthews seems a little lost for a moment, as Romero dominates the positioning.
Matthews tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Romero wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
The referee asks Romero politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Romero prefers to stall for the moment though.
Matthews is trying to get back to his feet.
Romero controls the position from side control.
Matthews prevents Romero from improving position.
You can see the frustration on Matthews's face as Romero controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Romero fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Matthews manages to avoid it.
Rock Romero is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Romero scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Romero connects with a body shot that sends Matthews's belly button to the back.
Matthews misses with a takedown attempt - Romero sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Matthews shoots in and drives through. Romero sprawls well.
Romero appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Johnny Matthews. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A left lands for Romero .
Matthews takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Romero lands a slapping body shot.
Matthews looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Matthews has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Matthews there as he acknowledges the shot.
Romero scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

Matthews is rocked!
Romero has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Rock Romero seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Matthews leaves his chin hanging out and Romero seizes the opportunity with an uppercut! Matthews crumbles to the floor in a heap! The referee steps in and tends to the downed fighter! What a knockout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:55 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Rock Romero !
After winning the bout, Rock Romero thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.