PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alexy Matson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Champ Bailey (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Alexy Matson has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Matson
vs
Bailey

218 cm
25
195 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
22
200 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Dangerous knees
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Determined

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Alexy Matson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Champ Bailey!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matson tries to clinch up
and Bailey counters with a stiff right hand.

Bailey moves into range and clinches up with Matson.
Matson lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Matson with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Bailey has had enough of the clinch but Matson keeps him there for the moment.

Bailey manages to pull guard.
Bailey looking for a sweep. Not yet Bailey, not yet.

Bailey has his feet on Matson's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

Bailey gets a takedown into half guard.
Matson is not content to let Bailey control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bailey wants to free his trapped foot but Matson is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Bailey prevents Matson from standing back up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Matson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Bailey.
Matson is refusing to be controlled, as Bailey sits in half guard.

That's two 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.

Champ Bailey has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Bailey gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Bailey working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Matson with a knee to the head.
Matson really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Matson lands a damaging elbow.
Bailey takes an elbow to the forehead.
Knees in the clinch landing for Matson.
Bailey tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Bailey takes an elbow to the forehead.
Matson looking to throw knees to the head but Bailey is blocking nicely.
Bailey tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Matson connects with a knee to the head.
Matson is breathing heavily.
Bailey can't break the clinch.
Bailey is trying to force a seperation but Matson has the dominant position.
Bailey wants a takedown but no success here.
Matson lands with a left to the head.
Matson with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Matson landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Matson lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Matson gets underhooks to prevent Bailey's takedown attempt.
Matson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Bailey blocks it with crossed arms.
Bailey tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Matson just stands there and leans against the cage.
Alexy Matson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Champ Bailey.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matson is pressed up against the cage. Bailey has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Matson down to the mat. Matson avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Bailey has managed to clinch.
Bailey wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Matson with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Matson is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Bailey tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Matson smiles and moves away.
Matson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Bailey swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Matson misses with a shot to the body

and Bailey counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Bailey.
Bailey wants to control from the top but Matson keeps moving.
Matson is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Bailey is controlling him.

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

OK we're going to have a standup here. Champ Bailey hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Bailey moves out of range as Matson throws a body kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Champ Bailey dominated that round.
That's time! Matson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Matson looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Matson closes the distance looking to clinch
and Bailey counters with a one-two to the body.
Matson looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Matson tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Bailey counters with a left and a right that stings Matson.
Bailey throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Matson tries to clinch there but Bailey circles away.
Bailey misses with a head kick.
Matson swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Bailey counters with a nice uppercut.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Matson throws a combination. Bailey tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

Bailey shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Matson napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Bailey trying to control the action but Matson is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bailey just content to control the position.
Bailey trying to control the position but Matson is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Bailey stands up and beckons Matson to his feet.
Nice sprawl there from Matson as Bailey shoots in.
Bailey checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Matson scores with a hook to the body. Bailey takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Matson tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Bailey manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Bailey shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Matson defends it nicely.

Matson clinches up with Bailey and pushes him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matson creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Bailey's defenses.
Bailey tries to score a body lock takedown but Matson shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Alexy Matson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Champ Bailey.
Bailey takes an elbow to the temple.
Matson with a knee to the head.
Matson landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Matson lands a damaging elbow.
Matson tries a knee to the head but Bailey blocks it.
Matson tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Matson tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Bailey avoids it.
Bailey tries to break free but Matson pushes him back against the cage.
Bailey struggles to land a body shot inside as Matson controls his hands.

Bailey pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Matson moves in looking to clinch but Bailey pushes him off.
Bailey keeps the fight on the outside.
Matson wants to clinch up but Bailey keeps it at a distance.
Bailey throws a series of punches but Matson moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Bailey pushes Matson up against the cage in a clinch.
Bailey takes a knee right on the jaw!
Bailey tries to pull guard but Matson won't allow it.
Matson lands a knee to the head.
Matson prevents Bailey from breaking the clinch.
Matson connects with a knee to the head.
Bailey takes a knee right on the jaw!
Matson landing knees to the body.
Matson stops a takedown attempt from Bailey.
Bailey fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Matson scores a nice knee to the body.
Bailey tries to score a body lock takedown but Matson shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Matson lands an elbow inside.
Bailey tries to pull guard but Matson won't allow it.
Bailey presses Matson against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Matson lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Matson connects with a nasty looking knee right to Bailey's face.
Matson unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Matson landing knees to the body.
Bailey takes a knee to the side of the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Champ Bailey showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. And we move into the final round!

Bailey misses with a head kick.

Bailey has managed to clinch.
Matson is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Matson utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Matson tries to land a knee to the head but Bailey blocks with his arms.
Bailey takes a knee right on the jaw!
Bailey is trying to break the clinch but Matson has him pressed against the cage.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Matson obliges.

Bailey's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A head kick from Bailey lands but Matson takes it in his stride.

Bailey has closed the distance and engaged Matson in a clinch.
Matson throws a knee to the head but misses.
Matson gets underhooks to prevent Bailey's takedown attempt.
Matson lands a knee to the head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bailey tries to circle away but Matson has him pinned against the cage.
Bailey trying to control the position but instead, Matson has worked for underhooks and has pushed Bailey into the cage.
Matson utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matson tries a knee to the head but Bailey blocks it.
Bailey misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Matson.
Knees in the clinch landing for Matson.
A knee to the head by Matson.
Matson working Bailey over with knees to the body.
Matson lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Bailey putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Matson in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Bailey wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Bailey takes a knee right on the jaw!
Matson connects with a knee to the head.
Matson with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Matson lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Bailey tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Matson lands a damaging elbow.
Bailey trying to control the position but instead, Matson has worked for underhooks and has pushed Bailey into the cage.
A knee to the head by Matson.
Matson unloads a knee to the mid-section. Bailey lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Bailey wants a takedown but no success here.
Alexy Matson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Champ Bailey.

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 lands a knee to the body.
Matson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Bailey blocks it with crossed arms.
Matson unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Matson lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Bailey trying to control the position but instead, Matson has worked for underhooks and has pushed Bailey into the cage.
Matson looking to throw knees to the head but Bailey is blocking nicely.
Bailey fails to pull guard.
Matson landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Matson landing knees to the body.
Bailey is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Matson pulls him back up using the underhooks.
A knee to the head by Matson.
Bailey is looking to control Matson's arms but Matson gets an underhook and turns him. Now Bailey has his back to the cage.
Matson working Bailey over with knees to the body.
Matson connects with a knee to the head.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Matson tries a knee to the head but Bailey blocks it.
Matson is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Bailey is defending well for now.
Matson with a knee to the head.
Matson with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Knees in the clinch landing for Matson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bailey looking to stall.
Matson connects with a nasty looking knee right to Bailey's face.
Matson is pressed up against the cage. Bailey has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Matson down to the mat. Matson avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Matson moves in looking to clinch but Bailey pushes him off.

Matson takes the fight into the clinch.
Matson putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Bailey in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Bailey blocks an elbow strike.
Matson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Bailey jumps guard but Matson stands there with Bailey around his waist. Bailey gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Bailey tries to pull guard but Matson holds him up against the cage and eventually Bailey drops back down to his feet.
Knees to the body from Matson.
Matson lands a knee to the head.
Bailey tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Matson's elbow.
Matson creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Bailey's defenses.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Bailey is looking to break free of the clinch but Matson has double underhooks.
Matson using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

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.
Matson with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Bailey takes a knee right on the jaw!
Bailey misses with a body punch.
Matson crunches a lovely knee into Bailey's ribcage.
Matson lands a good knee to the midsection. Bailey won't want to take too many of those.
Matson with a knee to the head.
Matson tries a knee to the head but Bailey blocks it.
Bailey takes an elbow to the forehead.
Matson connects with a knee to the head.
Bailey has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Matson avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Bailey tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Matson smiles and moves away.

Matson gets caught napping as Bailey dives in and scores a takedown. Matson manages to retain guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bailey throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Alexy Matson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Champ Bailey is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Bailey works a leg free and moves into half guard.

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 Alexy Matson.
I think Bailey 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 28:30
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 28:30
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Champ Bailey!