PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Josh Matson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and PJ Rawson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Matson
vs
Rawson

190 cm
23
215 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

225 cm
25
215 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Heavy handed

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 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Josh Matson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, PJ Rawson!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Edson Gomes and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rawson slips under a jab.
Matson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Rawson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Matson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Rawson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Matson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Matson looks to land a right hand but Rawson moved out of range.
Matson scores with a hook.

It looks like PJ Rawson has been cut.

Rawson moves into the clinch.
Matson is trying to break the clinch but Rawson is controlling him.
Matson tries to break free but Rawson pushes him back against the cage.
Matson avoids the elbow strike from Rawson, against the cage.
Rawson lands an elbow inside.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Rawson.
Matson tries to break free but Rawson pushes him back against the cage.
Rawson lands an elbow inside.
Rawson misses with an elbow over the top.
Matson wants to break the clinch but can't.
With the fighters up against the cage, Rawson throws an elbow but misses.
Matson wants to get back to striking at distance but Rawson won't allow it.
Matson dodges an elbow strike from Rawson.
Rawson lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Rawson looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Rawson lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Matson is trying to break the clinch but Rawson is controlling him.
Rawson lands a nice elbow.
Rawson has Matson pressed against the cage, preventing Matson from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Matson is trying to break the clinch but Rawson is controlling him.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Rawson.
Matson wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Rawson blocks an uppercut.
Nice elbow from Rawson.
Matson has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Rawson is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Rawson lands an elbow inside that Matson shrugs off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matson takes an elbow to the forehead.
Matson avoids the elbow strike from Rawson, against the cage.
Matson tries to circle away but Rawson has him pinned against the cage.
Matson blocks an elbow strike.
Nice elbow from Rawson.
Rawson lands a damaging elbow.
Rawson throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Rawson lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Rawson just misses with a elbow thrown towards Matson's brow.
Rawson keeps control of Matson as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Matson takes an elbow to the forehead.
With the fighters up against the cage, Rawson throws an elbow but misses.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Rawson just misses with a elbow thrown towards Matson's brow.
Matson avoids the elbow strike from Rawson, against the cage.
Rawson lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Rawson lands an elbow inside that Matson shrugs off.
Rawson lands a damaging elbow.
Rawson misses with an elbow strike.
Rawson throws an elbow that misses.
Matson is trying to force a seperation but Rawson has the dominant position.
A frustrated look appears on Matson's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Rawson lands an elbow that stopped Matson in his tracks for a moment.
Matson wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Rawson has him pressed against the cage.

Matson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Rawson connects with a looping right hand.
Matson fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Rawson on the side of the head.
Rawson throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Matson.
Rawson wants to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rawson tries to close the distance and clinch but Matson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Rawson gets a clinch.
Matson lands a right hand.
Rawson lands an elbow just above Matson 's eye.
Rawson comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rawson looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Rawson gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Rawson throws an elbow that misses.
Rawson lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Rawson pushes off an throws an elbow but Matson leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Rawson looks to throw an elbow but misses.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Rawson just misses with a elbow thrown towards Matson's brow.
Matson has a couple of punches blocked by Rawson.
Rawson pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Matson blocks an elbow strike.
Matson dodges an elbow strike from Rawson.
Rawson misses with an elbow over the top.
Rawson comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Matson avoids a wild elbow strike from Rawson.
Matson scores with a hook to the body.
With the fighters up against the cage, Rawson throws an elbow but misses.
Rawson throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Matson is trying to force a seperation but Rawson has the dominant position.
Matson blocks an elbow strike.
Rawson looks to throw an elbow but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matson presses Rawson against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Rawson looks gassed!
Matson misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Nice elbow from Rawson.
Rawson misses with an elbow strike.
Rawson prevents a body shot from Matson.
Rawson throws an elbow that misses.
Matson blocks the elbow strike.
Rawson prevents Matson from breaking the clinch.
Matson working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Matson wants to break free but Rawson has control.
Rawson keeps control of Matson as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Rawson misses with an elbow over the top.
Matson is trying to force a seperation but Rawson has the dominant position.
Matson takes an elbow to the temple.
Matson tries to break the clinch but Rawson is controlling the position.
Matson blocks the elbow strike.
Rawson pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Rawson lands an elbow inside that Matson shrugs off.
Rawson throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Rawson throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Rawson blocks an uppercut.
Nice elbow from Rawson.
Rawson misses with an elbow over the top.
Rawson throws an elbow but it misses.
Rawson misses with an elbow over the top.
Matson wants to get back to striking at distance but Rawson won't allow it.
Rawson lands an elbow inside.
Nice elbow from Rawson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matson working aggressively here.
Matson misses with some punches.
Matson working hard to break the clinch.
Rawson throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Rawson pushes off an throws an elbow but Matson leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Rawson lands an elbow that stopped Matson in his tracks for a moment.
Rawson throws an elbow but it misses.
Matson wants to get back to striking at distance but Rawson won't allow it.
Matson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Rawson misses with an elbow over the top.
Matson blocks an elbow strike from Rawson.
Rawson pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Rawson creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Rawson throws an elbow that misses.
Matson takes an elbow to the temple.
Rawson pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Matson avoids a wild elbow strike from Rawson.
Matson dodges an elbow strike from Rawson.
Rawson lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Matson misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Rawson pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rawson pushes off an throws an elbow but Matson leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Rawson creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Matson's defenses.
Matson takes an elbow to the forehead.
Rawson looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Rawson pushes off an throws an elbow but Matson leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Matson is trying to break the clinch but Rawson is controlling him.
Rawson misses with an elbow over the top.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but PJ Rawson will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on PJ Rawson's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Rawson plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Matson misses with a hook.
Rawson drops his hands momentarily and Matson takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Matson keeps the fight on the outside.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Rawson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Matson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Rawson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Matson.
A swing and a miss from Matson.
Rawson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Matson.
Rawson moves in looking to clinch but Matson pushes him off.
Rawson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
No joy there for Rawson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Matson takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Matson moves into range and connects with a jab.

Rawson closes the distance and pushes Matson back into the cage.
Matson has a couple of punches blocked by Rawson.
Matson tries to break the clinch but Rawson is controlling the position.
Matson wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Rawson has him pressed against the cage.
Matson avoids the elbow strike from Rawson, against the cage.
Rawson lands an elbow inside.
Matson wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Rawson has him pressed against the cage.
Matson avoids the elbow strike from Rawson, against the cage.
Rawson creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Rawson misses with an elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Matson misses with the head strike.

Matson breaks from the clinch.
Rawson doesn't manage to clinch there - Matson circles away.
Matson just misses with a punch to the body.
Matson misses with a body shot.
Rawson stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rawson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Rawson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Matson takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

Rawson clinches with his opponent.
Rawson throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Rawson throws an elbow but it misses.
Rawson lands an elbow inside.
Matson looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Rawson lands an elbow inside.
Rawson gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Matson avoids a wild elbow strike from Rawson.
Matson blocks the elbow strike.
Matson wants to break the clinch but can't.
Rawson lands a nice elbow.
Rawson prevents Matson from breaking the clinch.
Matson blocks the elbow strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matson can't break the clinch.
With the fighters up against the cage, Rawson throws an elbow but misses.
Rawson lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Matson dodges an elbow strike from Rawson.
Rawson has Matson pressed against the cage, preventing Matson from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Matson dodges an elbow strike from Rawson.
Matson wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Matson working hard to break the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Matson.
Matson is trying to break the clinch but Rawson is controlling him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rawson lands an elbow inside that Matson shrugs off.
Rawson prevents a body shot from Matson.
Rawson lands a nice elbow.
Matson lands a shot to the body.
Rawson creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Matson's defenses.
Matson has a couple of punches blocked by Rawson.
Rawson lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Rawson misses with an elbow over the top.
Rawson lands an elbow inside that Matson shrugs off.
Matson avoids the elbow strike from Rawson, against the cage.
Rawson looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Rawson throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Rawson throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Matson tries to break the clinch but Rawson is controlling the position.
Rawson keeps control of Matson as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Matson avoids the elbow strike from Rawson, against the cage.
Matson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rawson lands an elbow inside.
A head punch on the inside from Matson fails to land.
Rawson lands a damaging elbow.
Rawson has Matson pressed against the cage, preventing Matson from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Rawson creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Rawson throws an elbow that misses.
Rawson creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Matson tries to break the clinch but Rawson is controlling the position.
Rawson misses with an elbow over the top.
Matson wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Rawson has him pressed against the cage.
Matson wants to break free but Rawson has control.
Rawson comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Matson swings wildly with an uppercut but Rawson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rawson pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Matson takes an elbow to the forehead.
Rawson throws an elbow that misses.
Rawson blocks an uppercut.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Rawson.
Matson is trying to break the clinch but Rawson is controlling him.
Rawson keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Matson's efforts to push away.
Rawson lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Rawson throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Matson looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Matson.
Matson avoids the elbow strike from Rawson, against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Matson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Rawson moves into the clinch successfully.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Rawson.
Rawson misses with an elbow over the top.
Rawson gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Matson tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Rawson keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Matson's efforts to push away.
Matson avoids a wild elbow strike from Rawson.
Rawson lands a nice elbow.
Matson wants to get back to striking at distance but Rawson won't allow it.
Matson is trying to break the clinch but Rawson is controlling him.
Rawson misses with an elbow over the top.
Matson wants to get back to striking at distance but Rawson won't allow it.
Rawson misses with an elbow strike.
Matson blocks an elbow strike.
Matson struggles to land a body shot inside as Rawson controls his hands.
Rawson lands an elbow inside that Matson shrugs off.
Rawson prevents Matson from breaking the clinch.
Rawson creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Matson working aggressively here.
Rawson creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Matson's defenses.
Matson has had enough of the clinch but Rawson keeps him there for the moment.
Matson tries to throw a body punch but Rawson avoids it by throwing Matson back against the cage.
Nice elbow from Rawson.
Rawson gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
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 Josh Matson will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on PJ Rawson's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Matson on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Rawson. Rawson obviously looking to wear him down.
Rawson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Rawson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Matson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Rawson misses with a wild combination.

Rawson has taken the fight to the clinch.
Matson pushes Rawson back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rawson lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Rawson looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Matson blocks the elbow strike.
Rawson throws an elbow but it misses.
A head punch on the inside from Matson fails to land.
Matson is working Rawson over against the cage.
PJ Rawson seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Matson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Josh Matson is winning the standup battle so far.
Matson jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Rawson tries to clinch up but Matson circles away and keeps his distance.
Matson is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Rawson wants to clinch.
A jab from Matson finds it's way through Rawson's defenses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Matson swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rawson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Matson throws an overhand right that lands on Rawson's shoulder, as Rawson tries to avoid the shot.
Rawson takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Rawson slips under a jab.
Rawson scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Matson keeps the fight on the outside.
Rawson lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Rawson moves out of range as Matson strikes.
Rawson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Matson getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Matson throws a looping overhand right but Rawson ducks down to avoid it.

Rawson moves into range and clinches up with Matson.
Matson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Rawson throws an elbow but it misses.
Matson blocks an elbow strike from Rawson.
Matson avoids a wild elbow strike from Rawson.
Rawson creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Nice elbow from Rawson.
Matson takes an elbow to the temple.
Matson dodges an elbow strike from Rawson.
Rawson lands an elbow just above Matson 's eye.
Matson has had enough of the clinch but Rawson keeps him there for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matson wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Rawson has him pressed against the cage.
Matson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Rawson.
Rawson throws an elbow but it misses.
Rawson creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Matson wants to get back to striking at distance but Rawson won't allow it.
Rawson misses with an elbow strike.
Matson avoids the elbow strike from Rawson, against the cage.
Rawson comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Matson blocks an elbow strike.

Matson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Rawson lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Matson keeps the fight on the outside.
Matson throws a hook to the side of Rawson's head but Rawson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rawson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Matson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Rawson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Rawson tries to clinch up.
Matson swings for the body but Rawson moves out of range.
Rawson wants to clinch up but Matson keeps it at a distance.
Rawson thuds his right hand into Matson's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matson scores with a jab. Rawson acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Rawson tries to clinch but Matson moves out of range.

Rawson has closed the distance and engaged Matson in a clinch.
Rawson lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Rawson lands an elbow inside that Matson shrugs off.
Rawson creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Rawson.
Matson working hard to break the clinch.
With the fighters up against the cage, Rawson throws an elbow but misses.
Matson blocks the elbow strike.
Matson has had enough of the clinch but Rawson keeps him there for the moment.
Matson tries to circle away but Rawson has him pinned against the cage.
Matson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Rawson just misses with a elbow thrown towards Matson's brow.
Matson working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Matson blocks an elbow strike.
Nice elbow from Rawson.
Rawson gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
A head punch on the inside from Matson fails to land.
Rawson comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Matson tries to break the clinch but Rawson is controlling the position.
Matson blocks an elbow strike.
Rawson gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Rawson throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Matson takes an elbow to the forehead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rawson keeps control of Matson as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Rawson throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Rawson creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Matson's defenses.
Matson misses with a short punch on the inside.
Matson is trying to break the clinch but Rawson is controlling him.
Rawson keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Matson's efforts to push away.
Rawson misses with an elbow strike.
Matson has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Rawson throws an elbow that misses.
Rawson comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Rawson throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Matson is trying to force a seperation but Rawson has the dominant position.
Matson blocks an elbow strike.
Matson is trying to break the clinch but Rawson is controlling him.
Matson avoids the elbow strike from Rawson, against the cage.
Rawson throws an elbow that misses.
Matson wants to break free but Rawson has control.
A frustrated look appears on Matson's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Matson wants to break free but Rawson has control.
Rawson throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Matson looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Rawson pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Matson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Matson blocks an elbow strike from Rawson.
With the fighters up against the cage, Rawson throws an elbow but misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to PJ Rawson.
I think Rawson 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 Emerson Jorge scores the fight 27:30
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 27:30
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... PJ Rawson!