PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Hugh Matthews (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lenny Watkins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Watkins is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Bad Boys for life. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Matthews
vs
Watkins

179 cm
22
184 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

188 cm
23
178 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Hugh Matthews!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Lenny Watkins!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Robert Douchet and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice sprawl there from Watkins as Matthews shoots in.
Matthews misses with a double jab.
Matthews looks to score with a jab to the body but Watkins is just out of range.
Watkins scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Matthews looks for a takedown but Watkins sprawls well.
Watkins lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Watkins slips under a jab.
Matthews shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Watkins defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hugh Matthews. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Matthews is defended easily by Watkins.
Hugh Matthews seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Watkins scores with a hook to the body. Matthews takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Watkins staying out of range there.
Matthews shoots in looking for a takedown. Watkins tries to sprawl out of it but Matthews keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Watkins manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Decent striking displayed by Watkins there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Watkins tries to bum rush Matthews with a series of wild strikes but Matthews uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Watkins lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Watkins.
Watkins slips under a jab.

Matthews changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Watkins looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Watkins wants to control but Matthews postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Watkins is trying to improve his position.
Watkins is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Matthews has just dragged him back down to the mat.
The strikes coming from Matthews are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Matthews prevents Watkins from escaping the position.
Watkins gets back to half guard.
Matthews 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.
Watkins trying to hold on to Matthews's head to control him but Matthews postures up.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Watkins moves away from the strike by Matthews.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Matthews, as that shot connected.

Matthews shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Watkins napping and manages to drive through into side control!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matthews prevents Watkins from escaping the position.
Watkins tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Matthews in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Watkins can't do much from the bottom here.
Matthews lands a few punches from side control.
Watkins tries to buck Matthews off but Matthews is having none of it.
Watkins manages to get one leg in to regain half 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!
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Matthews lands a nice short elbow.
Watkins has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Matthews is working away from the top position though.

Watkins looking for submissions off his back.
Watkins looks gassed!
Matthews landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Watkins tries to get to full guard but Matthews has control of the leg.
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. Matthews connects with a nice short shot to Watkins's temple.
Matthews landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Matthews lands with a punch from half guard.
Watkins is looking to control Matthews's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Watkins avoid being mounted?
Matthews takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Watkins is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Matthews pulls his head out easily.
Watkins trying to control but Matthews postures up.
Matthews throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matthews throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Matthews missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Matthews is nestled in close to Watkins, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Watkins trying to control here.

Matthews is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Watkins has managed to free his arm - good work.
Matthews is thwarting Watkins's attempts to control the position.
Matthews lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Matthews missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hugh Matthews 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.

Nice jab there from Matthews.
Watkins scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Watkins thows a body shot but no joy.
Watkins connects with the punch.
Matthews lands with an overhand left.
Watkins throws a nice looking combination but Matthews bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Nice sprawl there from Watkins as Matthews shoots in.
Matthews throws a lazy right hand but Watkins sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Matthews slips a jab and a cross from Watkins.
Watkins throws a hook but Matthews blocks it.
Matthews walks into a jab.
Matthews misses the jab.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Matthews, as that shot connected.
Matthews looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Watkins is fending him off so far but Matthews persists. Nope, Watkins circles away and we're back to standing.
Watkins throws a jab when Matthews was well out of range.
Matthews shoots in and drives through. Watkins sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hugh Matthews. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Watkins digs a good body shot into Matthews's ribs.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Matthews closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Watkins to the mat! Watkins manages to get full guard.
Matthews scoring with punches to the head and body.

Watkins had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Matthews defends it easily.
Matthews throwing strikes but missing.

Watkins has his foot on Matthews's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Matthews works his way back into a safe position though.
Matthews distracts Watkins with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Matthews scoring with some ground and pound.
Watkins looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Watkins throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Matthews working some strikes from top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Watkins looking to hit a scissor sweep but Matthews is one step ahead there.
Matthews working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Watkins's head.
Watkins looking to control.
Matthews with a nice head shot there.
Matthews trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Matthews drops back, looking for a kneebar! Watkins looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Watkins looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Watkins!
Watkins throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Watkins scores with a couple of short elbows.
Matthews is trying to control Watkins's posture but Watkins avoids it.
Watkins throwing shots but missing, from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matthews is looking for a sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Watkins working the ground and pound.
Matthews manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Watkins thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Watkins is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Watkins in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hugh Matthews overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Matthews tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Matthews is looking for a triangle here but Watkins uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Watkins scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Matthews to see if he's OK.
Watkins wants to lay and pray for a moment but Matthews keeps working.
Matthews tries to bench press Watkins off him but Watkins keeps the position.

Watkins tries for a kimura but Matthews is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matthews is trying to control Watkins's posture but Watkins avoids it.
Matthews tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Watkins wants to control but Matthews is keeping him busy.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Matthews throws out a loose jab but Watkins uses good head movement to avoid it.
Watkins tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Matthews was well out of range. Poor timing from Watkins.
Matthews throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Watkins's waist but Watkins gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Matthews off to one side.
Matthews throws a big shot that misses.
Watkins scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Matthews swings away with a body shot that misses
enabling Watkins to counter with a crisp jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lenny Watkins showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Matthews misses the jab.
Watkins throws a left and a right that both miss
and Matthews counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Matthews takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Watkins throws a nice looking combination but Matthews bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Matthews throws a combination that misses
and Watkins connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Matthews shoots for a takedown but Watkins saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Matthews shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Watkins throws a right and a left that Matthews avoids nicely.
Matthews avoids a punch combination nicely.
A looping hook to the body misses from Watkins. Matthews does a little dance to reset his feet.
Matthews misses with a hook to the body
and Watkins counters with a left and a right that stings Matthews.
Watkins jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Watkins throws a left and a right that both miss

and Matthews counters with a takedown into side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Watkins takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Watkins sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Watkins is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Watkins trying to control but Matthews postures up.
Matthews landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Watkins moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Matthews lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Matthews lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Matthews working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Watkins looking to control.
Matthews cracks Watkins with a solid left hand.
Watkins looking for a sweep. Not yet Watkins, not yet.

Matthews got a little sloppy there for a moment and Watkins has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Matthews has managed to get both his arms back between Watkins's legs - danger averted.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matthews working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Watkins's head.
Matthews missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Matthews throwing strikes from guard but Watkins blocks nicely.
Matthews missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Watkins has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Matthews can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Matthews landing with the ground and pound.
Matthews passes Watkins's left leg - he's now in half guard.
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. Matthews connects with a nice short shot to Watkins's temple.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Watkins is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Watkins taking some punishment here, with Matthews in his half guard.
Matthews prevents Watkins from improving his position.
Matthews slips a nice elbow through Watkins's hands, connecting with Watkins's forehead.
Matthews landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Matthews sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Watkins defending well though.
Matthews lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Watkins moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matthews preventing the sweep.

Watkins is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Matthews is aware though and is defending well.
Matthews pushes down on Watkins's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Matthews drops an elbow to the side of Watkins's head.
Watkins is trying to get back to full guard.
Matthews lands strikes from half guard.
Matthews is thwarting Watkins's attempts to control the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Matthews working over Watkins with some ground and pound. Watkins looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Matthews lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hugh Matthews showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Matthews 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 Trevor Gratis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hugh Matthews!