PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between John Matrix (ranked 4014 p4p, 4484 weight class) and Zinny Fidel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Matrix
vs
Fidel

200 cm
18
205
1 - 0 - 0

190 cm
18
210
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Matrix!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Zinny Fidel!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Stewart Dunkirk and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A slapping leg kick lands for Matrix.
Fidel is looking to clinch but Matrix is avoiding it.
A nice leg kick from Matrix, right into the meat of the thigh.
Matrix thows a body kick. Fidel tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Fidel tries a low kick but Matrix avoids it.
Matrix thuds a left hand into Fidel's body.
Matrix checks a leg kick.
Matrix lands a jab-cross combination.
Matrix throws a nice inside leg kick.
Fidel tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Matrix manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Matrix throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Matrix dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Fidel. That did some damage!
Matrix connects with an inside leg kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fidel attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Fidel misses with a low kick.
Fidel tries to clinch up but Matrix circles away and keeps his distance.
Fidel gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Nice body punch from Matrix.
Matrix fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Fidel has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice inside leg kick there by Matrix. That's going to slow Fidel down.
Both fighters circling a little - Matrix finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Fidel wants to clinch up but Matrix keeps it at a distance.
Fidel takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Matrix circles away from the clinch attempt.
Fidel doesn't manage to clinch there - Matrix circles away.
Matrix is looking to slow Fidel down with leg kicks.
A low kick from Fidel misses
and Matrix counters with a nice body kick.
Fidel's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Matrix - that will leave a mark!
A chopping leg kick lands by Matrix.
Fidel 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.
Matrix keeps the fight on the outside.
Matrix connects with a jab.
Matrix scores with a hook.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Fidel moves into the clinch.
Matrix jumps guard but Fidel stands there with Matrix around his waist. Matrix gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Matrix managing to block the knees to the body from Fidel.
Matrix looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fidel throws a knee to the head but misses.
Fidel tries to land a knee to the head but Matrix blocks with his arms.
Fidel is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Matrix is defending well for now.
Fidel blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Fidel tries to land a knee to the head but Matrix blocks with his arms.
Matrix tries to score a body lock takedown but Fidel shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Fidel looking to throw knees to the head but Matrix is blocking nicely.
Matrix wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Matrix manages to break the clinch.
Fidel on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Matrix. Matrix obviously looking to wear him down.
John Matrix seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fidel walks into a stiff left hand from Matrix.

Fidel forces Matrix back against the cage and clinches.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Fidel obliges.
Matrix is trying to push Fidel away but Fidel has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Knees in the clinch landing for Fidel.
Matrix is breathing heavily.
Matrix has had enough of the clinch but Fidel keeps him there for the moment.
Fidel tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Matrix avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fidel using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Matrix has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Matrix avoiding damage as Fidel throws knees to the body.
Fidel looking to throw knees to the head but Matrix is blocking nicely.
Fidel misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Matrix.
Matrix takes a knee right on the jaw!

It looks like John Matrix has been cut.
A knee to the head by Fidel.
Fidel scores with a knee to the head.
Fidel tries to land a knee to the head but Matrix blocks with his arms.
Fidel tries a knee to the head but Matrix blocks it.
Fidel throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Matrix blocks it with crossed arms.
Fidel trying to land knees to the body.
Matrix fails to pull guard.
Matrix has been working on his balance at Blacksmith MMA Gym 🇺🇲, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Fidel.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Matrix. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Matrix tries to pull guard but Fidel won't allow it.
Matrix pushes off an throws an elbow but Fidel leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Fidel tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Matrix avoids it.
Matrix tries to break free but Fidel pushes him back against the cage.
Matrix jumps guard but Fidel turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fidel gets underhooks to prevent Matrix's takedown attempt.
Matrix is trying to drag Fidel to the mat but Fidel just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Fidel prevents a body shot from Matrix.
Matrix taking a breather.
Fidel lands a knee to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fidel tries a knee to the head but Matrix blocks it.
Fidel connects with a nasty looking knee right to Matrix's face.
Matrix avoiding damage as Fidel throws knees to the body.
Matrix is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Fidel is defending well for now.
Fidel with a knee to the head.

Matrix is rocked!
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fidel working the clinch nicely. Matrix is working for position but Fidel cracks him with a big knee to the head! Matrix crumples up against the cage and Fidel lands two more shots before the ref can save Matrix! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Knee & Punches). Zinny Fidel!