PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Koi Mattica (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Laird Hamilton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Mattica
vs
Hamilton

182 cm
20
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

192 cm
19
212 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Enjoys gardening

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Koi Mattica!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Laird Hamilton!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hamilton misses with a few strikes there.

Mattica clinches up against the cage.
Mattica stops a takedown attempt from Hamilton.
Hamilton jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Mattica walks away with a smile on his face. Hamilton gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Hamilton shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Mattica defends it nicely.
Koi Mattica has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Laird Hamilton.
Mattica throws a combination that misses
and Hamilton counters with a right hand to the body.
Mattica tries to clinch but Hamilton moves out of range.
Mattica gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Hamilton counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Hamilton looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Mattica is fending him off so far but Hamilton persists. Nope, Mattica circles away and we're back to standing.
Mattica thows a leg kick but Hamilton checks it
and Hamilton counters with a left and a right that stings Mattica.
Hamilton looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Mattica is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Mattica has closed the distance and engaged Hamilton in a clinch.
Mattica is leaning against Hamilton and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Hamilton jumps guard but Mattica stands there with Hamilton around his waist. Hamilton gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mattica tries to land knees in the clinch but Hamilton avoids the damage to the body.
Hamilton tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Mattica smiles and moves away.

Mattica moves into range and clinches up with Hamilton.
Mattica tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Hamilton wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Mattica escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Mattica misses with a leg kick
and Hamilton counters with a nice low kick that buckles Mattica's knee momentarily.
Mattica tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hamilton paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Mattica tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Hamilton counters with a leg kick.
Mattica throws a nice looking combination but Hamilton bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mattica is looking to clinch but Hamilton is avoiding it.
Mattica tries to land a body kick
and Hamilton counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Hamilton throws a combination. Mattica tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Mattica shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Hamilton as he jumps to the side.
Hamilton with a lazy takedown attempt
and Mattica counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Hamilton goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Koi Mattica seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hamilton misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mattica avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Hamilton looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
A left lands for Hamilton.
Mattica misses with a double jab

and Hamilton counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mattica escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Hamilton throws a right and a left that Mattica avoids nicely.
Hamilton thuds a left hand into Mattica's body.
Mattica throws a head kick that misses
and Hamilton counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Mattica tries to close the distance and clinch but Hamilton swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Hamilton tries to keep at a distance but Mattica has taken the fight into the clinch.
Hamilton tries to pull guard but Mattica won't allow it.
Hamilton jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Mattica walks away with a smile on his face. Hamilton gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Hamilton moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hamilton is defended easily by Mattica.
Mattica throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Hamilton counters with a two punch combo.
Hamilton keeps the fight on the outside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hamilton closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Mattica tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Hamilton avoids it.
Hamilton throws an elbow but it misses.
Hamilton tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Mattica smiles and moves away.
Hamilton shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Mattica as he jumps to the side.
Hamilton throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Mattica keeps the fight on the outside.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mattica wants to clinch but Hamilton slips to the side
and Hamilton counters with a one-two to the body.
Mattica throws a one two combo.

It looks like Laird Hamilton has been cut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mattica tries to close the distance and clinch but Hamilton swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Koi Mattica will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Laird Hamilton's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Hamilton blocks the body kick.
Mattica tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Hamilton counters with a three punch combo that has Mattica backing up. Mattica nods at Hamilton to acknowledge the strikes.
Mattica wants to clinch up but Hamilton keeps it at a distance.
Mattica moves in looking to clinch but Hamilton pushes him off.
Hamilton tries a head kick but it misses.
Mattica tries to clinch there but Hamilton circles away.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Mattica landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Hamilton wants to get back to striking at distance but Mattica won't allow it.

Mattica breaks from the clinch.
Hamilton circles away from the clinch attempt.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Hamilton.
Hamilton shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Mattica defends it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mattica clinches but Hamilton breaks the clinch
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.

Mattica closes the distance and clinches.
Hamilton tries to break free but Mattica pushes him back against the cage.

Hamilton escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Mattica is looking to clinch.
Mattica misses with a head kick.
Mattica tries to land a body kick
and Hamilton counters with a big head kick but Mattica shrugs it off.
Hamilton throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Mattica closes the distance looking to clinch
and Hamilton counters with a left and a right that stings Mattica.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Danga de danga de dang - Hamilton scores with a four punch combination!
Mattica throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hamilton throws a head kick that misses.
Hamilton lands a nice looking kick to the body. Mattica takes a step back to recover.
Mattica throws a head kick that misses
and Hamilton counters with a two punch combo.
Mattica swings for the body but Hamilton moves out of range.

Mattica has managed to clinch.
Mattica keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Hamilton's efforts to push away.
Mattica stops a takedown attempt from Hamilton.
Koi Mattica has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Laird Hamilton.
Mattica keeps control of Hamilton as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Hamilton looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Mattica is struggling to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hamilton looking for a takedown.
Mattica putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Hamilton in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Hamilton tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Hamilton goes for a takedown attempt but Mattica pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Mattica clinches with his opponent.
Mattica stalling against the cage.
Hamilton fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Mattica pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Mattica looks to throw a body kick
and Hamilton counters with a two punch combo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mattica swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Hamilton counters with a three punch combo that has Mattica backing up. Mattica nods at Hamilton to acknowledge the strikes.
Mattica buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Hamilton swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Hamilton looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Mattica darts in and clinches Hamilton up against the cage.

Mattica escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Mattica throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mattica throws a sloppy head kick
and Hamilton counters with a leg kick.
Koi Mattica is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mattica shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hamilton pinned against the cage. Hamilton gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Hamilton leaves Mattica with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Koi Mattica will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Laird Hamilton's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Hamilton looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Mattica is fending him off so far but Hamilton persists. Nope, Mattica circles away and we're back to standing.
Mattica tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Hamilton counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Mattica throws a head kick that misses
and Hamilton counters with a three punch combo that has Mattica backing up. Mattica nods at Hamilton to acknowledge the strikes.
Hamilton tries to clinch up but Mattica circles away and keeps his distance.
Hamilton lets loose with a powerful body kick. Mattica will feel that in the morning.
Mattica falls off balance throwing a combination

and Hamilton holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

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

Hamilton clinches with his opponent.
Hamilton is trying to drag Mattica to the mat but Mattica just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Hamilton wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Mattica has him pressed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mattica scores with a shot to the side of Hamilton's head.
Mattica trying to land knees to the body.
Hamilton is trying to break free.
Hamilton is trying to drag Mattica to the mat but Mattica just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Koi Mattica has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Laird Hamilton.
Hamilton is working for takedown but Mattica is calmly controlling the position for now.
Mattica lands a knee to the body.
Hamilton is trying to force a seperation but Mattica has the dominant position.

Mattica breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Mattica throws a lazy head kick
and Hamilton counters with a good low kick that Mattica was not able to check.
A combination from Mattica does no damage.

Mattica has taken the fight to the clinch.
Mattica misses with a knee to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mattica breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hamilton buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Mattica misses with a wild combination.
Mattica throws a right and a left that both miss.
Hamilton fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Mattica throws a head kick that misses
and Hamilton counters with a two punch combo.
Mattica throws a leg kick
and Hamilton makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Mattica tries to score a power double leg takedown but Hamilton sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Mattica somewhat.
Hamilton circles away from the clinch attempt
and Hamilton counters with a two punch combo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Mattica is predictable there

and Hamilton counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Mattica is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Mattica with a couple of shots from the bottom there - nothing Hamilton can't handle though.
Hamilton wants to control from the top but Mattica keeps moving.
Mattica is trying to keep Hamilton in close.
Hamilton wants to pass the guard but Mattica is keeping the position.
Mattica scores with a short punch from the bottom.

Mattica has his feet on Hamilton's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Laird Hamilton has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hamilton tries to clinch but Mattica is having none of it.
Mattica takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Hamilton keeps the fight on the outside.
Laird Hamilton seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Mattica darts in trying to clinch
and Hamilton counters with a slapping leg kick.
Mattica throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Hamilton counters with a left and a right that stings Mattica.
Mattica stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Hamilton.
Hamilton falls off balance throwing a combination
and Mattica counters with an inside leg kick.
Koi Mattica is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hamilton misses with the combination.

And that's the end of the fight!
Laird Hamilton comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Mattica 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28

The fight is ruled a majority draw!