PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Steve Lafferty (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vincent Matthews (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Matthews's choice of entrance music: Bleed It Out. 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.

Lafferty
vs
Matthews

188 cm
23
205 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

185 cm
22
205 lbs
1 - 0 - 1

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Steve Lafferty!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Vincent Matthews!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Matthews rushes Lafferty and presses him up against the cage.
Matthews misses with a knee to the head.
Lafferty drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Matthews gets the underhooks and prevents it.

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

Matthews clinches with his opponent.
Matthews misses with a knee to the head.
Lafferty tries to score a body lock takedown but Matthews shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Matthews stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

Matthews jumps guard and drags Lafferty to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Matthews has his foot on Lafferty's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Lafferty works his way back into a safe position though.
Lafferty postures up.

Matthews looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Lafferty sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Lafferty is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Matthews keeping full guard, as Lafferty tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lafferty working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Lafferty is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Lafferty would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Matthews is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Lafferty throwing strikes but missing.
Lafferty wants to stand but Matthews has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Matthews has his foot on Lafferty's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Lafferty works his way back into a safe position though.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Both fighters circling a little - Matthews finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Lafferty is breathing heavily.
Matthews moves in looking to clinch but Lafferty pushes him off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Matthews closes the distance and clinches.
Lafferty tries to score a body lock takedown but Matthews shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steve Lafferty. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Matthews breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Matthews thows a left - swing and a miss!
Matthews stuffs the takedown attempt from Lafferty. Lafferty gets slowly back to his feet.
Matthews tries a head kick but it misses.

Matthews gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Matthews with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Matthews connects with a knee to the head.
Matthews tries to land knees in the clinch but Lafferty avoids the damage to the body.
Matthews tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Matthews throws a knee to the head but misses.
Lafferty is trying to drag Matthews to the mat but Matthews just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Lafferty tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Matthews smiles and moves away.
Vincent Matthews seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lafferty decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Lafferty stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.

Matthews gets caught flat footed, as Lafferty shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Matthews looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Lafferty gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Matthews throws a solid leg kick but Lafferty takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Matthews.
Lafferty looks for a takedown but Matthews sprawls well.
Lafferty looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Lafferty tries for a takedown but Matthews sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matthews lands with a thumping leg kick.
A head kick misses from Matthews.
Matthews slaps away a takedown attempt from Lafferty, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Matthews tries for a takedown but Lafferty circles away easily
and Lafferty counters with a series of strikes. Matthews will be more careful next time no doubt.
Matthews tries to clinch but Lafferty is having none of it.
Matthews throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Lafferty fails to land the takedown.
Matthews connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Lafferty doesn't manage to clinch there - Matthews circles away.
Matthews misses with a wild body shot.
Lafferty is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Matthews stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Matthews wants it to stay on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Vincent Matthews will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Matthews swats away the attempt to clinch by Lafferty.
Matthews lands with a kick to the temple. Lafferty shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Lafferty pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Left hook, right uppercut from Matthews.
Matthews keeps Lafferty at a distance using the push kick.

Matthews gets a clinch.

Matthews breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Matthews tries a head kick but it misses.
Lafferty shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Matthews counters with a two punch combo.
Matthews misses with a wild combination.

Lafferty shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lafferty 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.
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. Lafferty connects with a nice short shot to Matthews's temple.
Matthews is looking to improve his position.
Matthews really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Lafferty. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Lafferty passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Matthews!

Lafferty stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
No luck for Lafferty with that takedown attempt.

Matthews moves into the clinch successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Matthews has Lafferty pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Matthews pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Lafferty tumbling to the mat - Matthews dives into Lafferty's guard.

Lafferty is looking for a triangle but Matthews pushes his legs off easily.
Matthews preventing the sweep.

Lafferty is looking for a triangle but Matthews pushes his legs off easily.
Lafferty is trying to keep Matthews in close.

Matthews is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Matthews wants to get up but he can't break Lafferty's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lafferty is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Lafferty wants to control but Matthews is keeping him busy.
Matthews throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Lafferty is looking to take a break and control but Matthews is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Lafferty decides to return to a standing position.
Matthews lands a nice looking body kick.

Lafferty gets a takedown into half guard.
Matthews wants to control but Lafferty is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Matthews is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Lafferty working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Matthews looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

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

Matthews looking for submissions off his back.
Lafferty is trying to control the action in half guard but Matthews is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Matthews wants to get back to full guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lafferty trying to control the pace.
Lafferty is looking to take a break and control but Matthews is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
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 Steve Lafferty will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Lafferty shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Matthews manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Matthews trying to keep a closed guard but Lafferty is proving a slippery customer.
Lafferty wants to control from the top but Matthews keeps moving.
Lafferty wants to get up but he can't break Matthews's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Lafferty postures up.
Matthews is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Lafferty wants to get up but he can't break Matthews's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Matthews wriggles free and stands up.
Matthews misses with a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matthews throws a left and a right that both miss
and Lafferty counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Matthews thinking.
Lafferty with a lazy takedown attempt

and Matthews counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Matthews.
Matthews slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Matthews tries to stand but Lafferty is controlling his head.
You can see the frustration on Lafferty's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lafferty wants to get back to his feet.
You can see the frustration on Lafferty's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matthews happy to just control the position for now.
Lafferty controls the position for a moment.
You can see the frustration on Lafferty's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Lafferty has a takedown stuffed.
Matthews lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Matthews.
Steve Lafferty is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lafferty scores with a punch to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lafferty closes the distance and pushes Matthews back into the cage.
Matthews effectively controlling the action here.
Matthews tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Lafferty avoids it.
Matthews dodges an elbow strike from Lafferty.

Lafferty pulls guard.

Lafferty looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Matthews stands up from Lafferty's guard - Matthews perhaps looking for a knockout.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Lafferty.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steve Lafferty. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lafferty takes a jab right on the kisser.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lafferty pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Lafferty fails with the takedown

so Matthews counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lafferty controls Matthews momentarily but Matthews frees himself.

Lafferty is looking for a triangle here but Matthews uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.

Matthews stands up and we're back to a striking position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Matthews looks to throw the jab but Lafferty is out of range.
Matthews misses with an attempted mid kick.
Matthews leaves Lafferty 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.

Vincent Matthews really dominated that round.
That's time! Lafferty's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Matthews lands a slapping body shot.
Matthews throws a right and a left that Lafferty avoids nicely.
Lafferty wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Matthews throws a head kick but Lafferty moves out of range.
Lafferty misses with a head kick.
A nice combination there by Lafferty.
Matthews tries a head kick but it misses.
Nice shot by Lafferty.

Lafferty shoots in and bounces Matthews off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Lafferty not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Lafferty wants to stand but Matthews is controlling his posture from full guard.
Steve Lafferty overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Matthews is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Matthews looking to control.

Matthews working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Lafferty doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Lafferty manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Lafferty trying to control the position from guard on top but Matthews is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Matthews is trying to keep Lafferty in close.
Lafferty throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Lafferty misses with a takedown attempt - Matthews sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Lafferty closes the distance and clinches up with Matthews, looking for a takedown. Lafferty pushes Matthews against the cage but Matthews circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Lafferty avoids the head kick by Matthews.
Lafferty gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Matthews counters with a head kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steve Lafferty. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lafferty will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Matthews throws a left and a right that both miss

and Lafferty counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Lafferty tries to stand but Matthews is controlling from the bottom.
Matthews is trying to keep Lafferty in close.

Matthews is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Lafferty is aware though and is defending well.
Lafferty controlling from the top position.
Lafferty advances position into side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matthews struggling a bit here.
Lafferty is staying tight to Matthews's torso, preventing him from escaping.

Lafferty stands up and beckons Matthews to his feet.

Matthews drives through and clinches with Lafferty against the cage.
Lafferty tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Matthews smiles and moves away.
Lafferty misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lafferty fails with the takedown.
Matthews throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Matthews misses with a head kick.
Lafferty pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Lafferty closes this distance looking for a takedown but Matthews circles away.
Matthews connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Lafferty throws a head kick but Matthews moves out of range.
Nice takedown defense from Matthews. No joy for Lafferty on that attempt.
Matthews closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Matthews slaps away a takedown attempt from Lafferty, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Matthews rushes Lafferty and presses him up against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Lafferty had his way with Vincent Matthews in that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Matthews lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

Matthews shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Lafferty's guard.
Matthews wants to get up but he can't break Lafferty's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Matthews missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Matthews stops Lafferty from standing up.
Matthews looking to sit in guard and control but Lafferty gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Matthews is working an open guard so Lafferty takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Matthews scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

Lafferty gets a takedown into half guard.
Matthews is pressing down on Lafferty's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matthews throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Matthews is trying to control the position from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Lafferty accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Lafferty stands up from Matthews's guard - Lafferty perhaps looking for a knockout.
Lafferty misses with a wild body shot.
Lafferty shoots in looking for a takedown. Matthews tries to sprawl out of it but Lafferty keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Matthews manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Matthews misses with a combination

and Lafferty counters with a nice double leg into side control. Matthews won't be happy with that.
Lafferty trying to control the action but Matthews is working from the bottom.

Lafferty has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matthews throws a leg kick which misses Lafferty's front leg but catches the back leg as Lafferty tries to avoid it.
Lafferty misses with a takedown attempt

and Matthews counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Lafferty working a defensive guard here.
Lafferty avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Lafferty looking to hit a scissor sweep but Matthews is one step ahead there.

Lafferty is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Matthews defends well.
Matthews is looking to stand up but Lafferty won't let him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matthews wants to control from the top but Lafferty keeps moving.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Lafferty is on top in guard.
Lafferty trying to control but Matthews is working from the bottom.
Matthews pulls Lafferty in to control the position.
Matthews trying to keep a closed guard but Lafferty is proving a slippery customer.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Matthews wants to stand up but Lafferty is controlling him.

Lafferty gets to his feet - Matthews follows without any prompting.
No luck for Lafferty with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steve Lafferty. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Matthews throws a right hand that Lafferty ducks under and follows up with a left that Lafferty also avoids with ease.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lafferty checks a low kick from Matthews.

Lafferty shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Lafferty was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Matthews tries to reverse the position but Lafferty maintains control.
Lafferty scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Lafferty prevents Matthews from getting the reversal.

Lafferty working for a guillotine from mount but Matthews is in no mood to give up.
Matthews can't escape the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lafferty avoids the attempt from Matthews to control.
Lafferty trying to control but he's not successful this time.

And that's the end of the fight!
Steve Lafferty showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Lafferty 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Andi Peters scores the fight 48:47
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 48:47
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 49:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Steve Lafferty!
Steve Lafferty is the new light heavyweight champion!