PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Steve Borden (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Glenn Matthews (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Borden
vs
Matthews

200 cm
19
265 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

192 cm
22
233 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

Behold The Beast - Pure Energy 159 Promo
Behold The Beast - Pure Energy 159 Promo

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Steve Borden!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Glenn Matthews!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Paulsen Ambrosius and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Matthews fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Borden, pushing him back against the cage.
Matthews with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Matthews breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A good leg kick by Matthews.
Matthews tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Borden swats away the attempt to clinch by Matthews.
A head kick misses from Matthews.
Borden will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Matthews tries to clinch up but Borden circles away and keeps his distance.
Borden keeps the fight on the outside.
Matthews misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Borden changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Matthews tries to avoid it but Borden manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Matthews to the ground. Matthews escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Matthews wants to clinch up but Borden keeps it at a distance.
Matthews throws a sloppy head kick and Borden moves out of range easily.
Matthews throws and low kick but Borden moves out of range easily.
Borden cracks Matthews with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

Matthews fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Borden, pushing him back against the cage.
Matthews using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Borden has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Matthews tries a knee to the head but Borden blocks it.
Matthews throws an elbow but it misses.
Matthews tries to land a knee to the head but Borden blocks with his arms.
Matthews looks gassed!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Borden tries to break free but Matthews pushes him back against the cage.

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

Borden has taken the fight to the clinch.
Matthews missing with knees to the body.

Borden pulls guard successfully.

Borden has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Matthews off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Matthews will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Matthews darts in trying to clinch

and Borden decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Matthews's guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Matthews can do anything to dispel that myth.
Borden distracts Matthews with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Borden stands up from Matthews's guard - Borden perhaps looking for a knockout.
Nice takedown defense from Matthews. No joy for Borden on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steve Borden. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Borden clinches up with Matthews and pushes him back 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!
Borden lands a nice uppercut.
Matthews misses with a knee strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matthews using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Borden has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Borden is looking to control Matthews's arms but Matthews gets an underhook and turns him. Now Borden has his back to the cage.
Matthews tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Borden obliges.
Borden effectively controlling the action here.
Borden cracks Matthews with a nice body shot.
Borden changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Matthews fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Borden closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Matthews did well to prevent Borden getting side control.
Matthews wants to get back to his feet.

Borden stands up out of the half guard.
Borden tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Matthews paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Matthews gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Matthews with a knee to the head.
Borden goes for a takedown attempt but Matthews pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Glenn Matthews seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matthews scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Matthews attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Borden fails with the takedown.
Matthews lands a head kick. Borden smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Matthews throws a head kick that Borden semi-blocks.
Matthews leaves Borden with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
A head kick by Matthews misses

and Borden counters with a takedown into side control.
Matthews is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Borden asserts his dominance and retains side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Borden tries to move into full mount but can't pass Matthews's legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Matthews explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!

Borden clinches up against the cage.

Matthews manages to break the clinch.

Matthews moves into the clinch successfully.
A knee to the head by Matthews.
Matthews with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Borden tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Matthews smiles and moves away.
Borden checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
A head kick misses from Matthews.
Glenn Matthews is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Borden darts in and clinches Matthews up against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Matthews connects with a knee to the head.
Borden wants to get back to striking at distance but Matthews won't allow it.
Matthews with an attempt at a knee that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Borden dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

A leg kick checked by Borden.
Matthews closes the distance but Borden moves to the side

and Borden counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Matthews escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Matthews throws a head kick that misses

and Borden counters with a shoot takedown. Matthews fights it but they end up in guard.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Borden slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Borden wants to control from the top but Matthews keeps moving.
Borden trying to stand up but can't free himself from Matthews's guard.
Matthews wants to stand and escape but Borden is having none of it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Borden slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Matthews wants to clinch
and Borden counters with a straight right hand.
Borden fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Matthews avoids it really well and circles away.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Matthews looking to throw knees to the head but Borden is blocking nicely.
Matthews is trying to force a seperation but Borden has the dominant position.
Borden connects with a nasty looking knee right to Matthews's face.
Matthews using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Matthews misses with a knee strike.
Borden is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Borden tries to break the clinch but Matthews is controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Borden tries to pull guard but Matthews holds him up against the cage and eventually Borden drops back down to his feet.
Matthews using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Borden has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Borden wants to break the clinch but can't.

Borden turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Borden manages to end up in side control.
Matthews is pushing Borden's head away, looking to escape. Borden manages to hold on to the position though.
Matthews avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Borden.
Borden misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Matthews tries to escape but Borden is in control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Borden working the head and body with strikes.
Matthews really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Borden. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Borden misses with a body kick.
Matthews wants to clinch.
Matthews feints and then cracks Borden's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Borden down.
Matthews tries a head kick but it misses.
Borden fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steve Borden. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Borden circles away from the clinch attempt.
Borden checks the leg kick nicely there.
Matthews stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Matthews wants it to stay on the feet.
Matthews lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
The fight stays on the outside here - Borden looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Matthews keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
The fight stays on the outside here - Matthews looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Matthews lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Borden circles away quickly and effectively.
Matthews throws a sloppy head kick and Borden moves out of range easily.

Borden takes the fight into the clinch.
Borden wants a takedown but no success here.
Matthews working Borden over with knees to the body.
Borden tries to pull guard but Matthews holds him up against the cage and eventually Borden drops back down to his feet.
Borden tries to pull guard but Matthews holds him up against the cage and eventually Borden drops back down to his feet.

Matthews pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Borden will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A head kick by Matthews misses
and Borden counters with a head kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Borden dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Matthews tries to clinch

and Borden counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Borden is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Matthews is trying to stand up here but Borden is controlling him well.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Borden lands a nice short elbow.
Matthews tries to kick Borden off but Borden keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Borden slips a nice elbow through Matthews's hands, connecting with Matthews's forehead.
Borden stops Matthews from getting back to his feet.
Steve Borden overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Borden connects with a nice short shot to Matthews's temple.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Matthews throws a head kick but Borden moves out of range.

Borden gets a clinch.

Borden turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Borden is looking to take a break and control but Matthews is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matthews wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Borden moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Borden wants to control but Matthews is keeping him busy.
Matthews is trying to get back to his feet.
Borden working the ground and pound.

Borden decides to stand back up. Borden steps back and let's Matthews get back to his feet.
Borden tries a head kick but it misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Matthews throws a nice looking combination but Borden bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Borden shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Borden was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Matthews tries to buck Borden off but Borden takes his back!
Matthews trying to get back to his feet but Borden is in full control for now.
Borden landing with strikes.
Matthews controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
Borden is looking to control Matthews but Matthews is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Borden is working the ground and pound here and the referee is taking a close look at Matthews. He must escape soon or this one will be stopped.
Borden is looking to finish with some ground and pound!
Matthews holding both Borden 's hands and preventing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Borden lands shots from the back.
Borden has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Matthews wants to get back to his feet.
Borden keeps control of the position easily here as Matthews tries to buck him off.
Borden's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Matthews holding both Borden 's hands and preventing any damage.
Can Matthews hold on?! Borden is landing more strikes to his hapless foe.
Glenn Matthews has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Matthews looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
Steve Borden is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
I would not like to be Matthews right now.

And that's the end of the fight!
Steve Borden showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Borden, 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 Radbod Blank scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Steve Borden!