PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Matheus Mafetoni (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Josh Matson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Josh Matson is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Mafetoni
vs
Matson

186 cm
21
215 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

190 cm
22
215 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Very strong

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite 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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Matheus Mafetoni!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Josh Matson!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Emerson Jorge and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Matson rushes Mafetoni and presses him up against the cage.
Matson prevents a takedown attempt there.

Matson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nice uppercut there from Matson.
Matson misses with a jab, cross combination.
Mafetoni has a takedown stuffed.
Matson thuds his right hand into Mafetoni's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Mafetoni gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Matson.

It looks like Matheus Mafetoni has been cut.

Matson lands a left and a right that send Mafetoni crashing to the mat, dazed. Matson thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Matson scores with the left hand. Mafetoni knows he should have avoided that one.
Matson misses with a two punch combination.
Nice sprawl there from Matson as Mafetoni shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matheus Mafetoni. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Matson throws a lazy right hand but Mafetoni sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Mafetoni shoots in and drives through. Matson sprawls well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Matson clinches with his opponent.
Mafetoni changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Matson fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Mafetoni blocks a head kick by Matson.

Matson closes the distance and clinches.
Mafetoni wants a takedown.
Mafetoni has Matson pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Matson manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Matson tries to break free but Mafetoni pushes him back against the cage.
Mafetoni has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Matson is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Matson manages to break the clinch.
Mafetoni displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Matson throws out the jab.
Mafetoni shoots in for a takedown but Matson shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Matson will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Matson misses with an attempted mid kick.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Mafetoni. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matson is looking to score with low kicks.
Matson thows a body shot but no joy.
Mafetoni tries to score a power double leg takedown but Matson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Mafetoni somewhat.
Josh Matson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A jab lands there for Matson.

Mafetoni pushes Matson up against the cage in a clinch.
Matson gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Mafetoni.
Matson gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Mafetoni.
Mafetoni is breathing heavily.
Matson has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Matson breaks from the clinch.
Matson works the jab nicely.
Matson lands the left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mafetoni manages to avoid it.
Mafetoni ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Mafetoni doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Matson tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Mafetoni is able to avoid easily.
The fight stays on the outside here - Matson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Matson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Matson walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Mafetoni checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Mafetoni circles away from the clinch attempt.
Mafetoni shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Matson but Matson pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Mafetoni staying out of range there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Matson misses with an uppercut. Mafetoni saw that one coming.
Mafetoni takes a shot to the body in his stride.

Mafetoni shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Matson manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Matson wants to stand up but Mafetoni is controlling him.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Matson can do anything to dispel that myth.
Matson pulls Mafetoni in close to prevent any damage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Matson wants to stand up but Mafetoni is controlling him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Matson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Matheus Mafetoni's cut.
That's time! Mafetoni's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Matson throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Matson throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Mafetoni stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Matson punishes Mafetoni's body with a nice straight punch.
Matson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Nice jab there from Matson.
Matson finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Mafetoni fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Matson keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

Matheus Mafetoni's cut is getting worse.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Matson swings for the body but Mafetoni moves out of range.
Matson jabs Mafetoni right on the nose. Mafetoni blinks but takes it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mafetoni ducks under a wild hook from Matson.

Mafetoni drives through and clinches with Matson against the cage.
Mafetoni tries for a takedown. No joy.

Mafetoni lands a takedown into guard.
Mafetoni stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Matson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Mafetoni looking to sit in guard and control but Matson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Matson controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matson trying to control the position from guard on top but Mafetoni is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matson is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Mafetoni has his hands on Matson's head, controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Mafetoni is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Mafetoni is pulling down on Matson's head to control his posture.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Matson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Matheus Mafetoni's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Matson misses with a series of wild punches.
Mafetoni tries to move into range but Matson moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Josh Matson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A big left from Matson misses.
Matson looks to clinch

and Mafetoni counters by moving into the clinch.
Matson wants to break the clinch but can't.

Mafetoni ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Mafetoni no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mafetoni controlling Matson's posture.

Mafetoni is looking for a triangle but Matson pushes his legs off easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Mafetoni swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Matson tries to stand but Mafetoni is controlling from the bottom.

Matson decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

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.
Matson tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Mafetoni counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Mafetoni trying to control the pace.
Mafetoni is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mafetoni trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Mafetoni won't allow Matson to get back to his feet.
Matheus Mafetoni has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mafetoni postures up.
Mafetoni looking to sit in guard and control but Matson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Mafetoni is trying to keep Matson in close.

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.
Mafetoni tries to land a sweep but no joy.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Mafetoni looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Josh Matson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Matson walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Mafetoni checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Matheus Mafetoni.
I think Matson has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Mauricio Rocha scores the fight for Josh Matson!
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight for Josh Matson!
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight for Josh Matson!

Josh Matson wins by unanimous decision!