PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between John Matrix (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thunder Lips (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Thunder Lips has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with John Matrix's chin.

Matrix
vs
Lips

189 cm
18
235 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

201 cm
18
300 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, John Matrix!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Thunder Lips!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Steve Erwin and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matrix lands with a nice combination. Lips backs away looking to recover.

It looks like Thunder Lips has been cut.
A left lands for Matrix.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lips fails with a takedown attempt.
Matrix stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Matrix cracks Lips with a right hand to the side of the head.
Nice jab there from Matrix.
Lips takes one to the side of the head.

Lips gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Matrix is trying to stall.
Lips drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Matrix misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lips blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Lips drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Matrix gets the underhooks and prevents it.
John Matrix has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thunder Lips.
Matrix lands an uppercut.
Lips looking to throw knees to the head but Matrix is blocking nicely.
Lips drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Matrix gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Lips wants a takedown.
Matrix letting Lips take a breather here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matrix stalls.

Lips wants the takedown. Matrix is fighting it off but Lips persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Matrix's guard against the cage.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Matrix is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Lips looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Matrix might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Matrix is trying to keep Lips in close.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because John Matrix wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Lips closes this distance looking for a takedown but Matrix circles away.
Matrix lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Lips.
Lips trying to control the position but Matrix is working away.

Lips goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Matrix has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Lips but great work by Matrix.
Lips is looking to regain half guard here but Matrix keeps moving and retains side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lips can't do much from the bottom here.
Matrix trying to control the action but Lips is working from the bottom.
Lips holding on.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Matrix dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Thunder Lips's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Lips on the wrong end of a nice jab.

Lips has Matrix up against the cage in a clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Lips.
Lips controlling the action here for a moment.
Lips is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Matrix is defending well for now.
Matrix is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matrix stalling.
Matrix lands a hook to the side of the head.
The referee is keeping an eye on Lips - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Matrix misses with some punches.
Matrix gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Lips.
Matrix stalling in the clinch but Lips improves position.
Matrix lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Matrix leaning against his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matrix is looking to control Lips's arms but Lips gets an underhook and turns him. Now Matrix has his back to the cage.
Matrix has had enough of the clinch but Lips keeps him there for the moment.
Lips blocks an uppercut.
Lips looking for a takedown.
Lips is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Matrix gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
John Matrix has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thunder Lips.
Matrix tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Lips's elbow.
Lips is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Matrix is defending well for now.
Lips drops down looking for an ankle pick but Matrix pulls his leg out and moves away.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Matrix.

Lips has Matrix up against the cage in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Matrix's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Matrix stuffs the takedown attempt from Lips. Lips gets slowly back to his feet.
Lips takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Lips throws out a loose jab but Matrix uses good head movement to avoid it.
A right-left combo lands from Matrix.

Lips closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Matrix prevents a takedown attempt there.
Matrix fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Come on Lips - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Matrix creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!

Lips has hold of one of Matrix's legs. Matrix is fighting the takedown attempt but Lips gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Lips won't allow Matrix to sweep him here.
Lips working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Matrix's head.
Lips's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Matrix on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Matrix tries to get out of the position.
Matrix pulls Lips in close to his closed guard and prevents Lips from doing any damage or advancing position.
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 John Matrix will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Thunder Lips's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Jab by Matrix.

Matrix drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Lips looking for subs off his back but Matrix has passed one foot through into half guard.
Thunder Lips has got the better of the ground game so far.
Lips has his hands clasped together around Matrix's back. He's all about the action.
Lips works his way to full guard. Good work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matrix looking to sit in guard and control but Lips gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Lips working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Matrix is looking to stand up but Lips isn't so interested in that idea.
Lips stays in close to Matrix's body and controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lips wants to control from the top but Matrix keeps moving.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Lips accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lips scoring with some ground and pound.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lips pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Matrix is keeping the position for now.

Lips 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.
Lips seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lips postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Matrix is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Lips, into his guard.
Matrix wants to control from the top but Lips keeps moving.
John Matrix is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

John Matrix has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Lips's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Matrix connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Lips scrambles back to his feet.
Lips takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Lips shoots in looking for a takedown but Matrix manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Lips's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
John Matrix seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Matrix bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Lips's head.
Lips gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Matrix is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Lips on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Matrix tries to close the distance and clinch up but Lips swats him away and circles back towards the center.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Matrix catches Lips with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Matrix scores with a hook to the body. Lips takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Thunder Lips has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Lips moves into the clinch.
Lips wants a takedown.

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 John Matrix.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Matrix, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Winston Howard scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Matrix!