PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Keima Matsumoto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jushin Liger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Matsumoto comes to the cage accompanied by I.V. by X-Japan. Keima Matsumoto has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Matsumoto
vs
Liger

170 cm
20
134 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

171 cm
25
140 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Canuck Beavermeat Nutrition
Kobra Clothing Inc. *$5 Clearance Sale*

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Keima Matsumoto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jushin Liger!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matsumoto shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Liger counters with a straight right hand.

It looks like Keima Matsumoto has been cut.
Matsumoto on the wrong end of a nice hook.
A slapping leg kick lands for Liger.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Liger.
Liger lands with a straight right. Matsumoto didn't see that one coming.
Liger dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

A momentary lapse in concentration from Liger enables Matsumoto to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Liger manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Liger controlling the position.

Matsumoto postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Liger is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Matsumoto, into his guard.
Matsumoto is breathing heavily.
Liger trying to control the position from guard on top but Matsumoto is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Liger throws a big elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsumoto utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Matsumoto avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Liger prevents Matsumoto from getting back to his feet.
Matsumoto keeping moving, preventing Liger from controlling successfully.

Matsumoto looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Liger lands a couple of digs.
Liger lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Liger is in close to Matsumoto's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Liger throws a big right hand that misses.
Liger wants to control from the top but Matsumoto keeps moving.
Liger stopping the sweep attempt from Matsumoto.
Liger landing with the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsumoto utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Liger working some strikes from top position.
Liger lands a couple of decent looking shots.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Liger stands up over Matsumoto, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Liger really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Matsumoto. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Matsumoto throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Matsumoto throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Matsumoto keeping moving, preventing Liger from controlling successfully.
Liger throwing strikes from guard but Matsumoto blocks nicely.
Liger working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Matsumoto looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Liger pushes down on Matsumoto's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Liger slips a nice elbow through Matsumoto's hands, connecting with Matsumoto's forehead.
Liger takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
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. Liger connects with a nice short shot to Matsumoto's temple.
Liger seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Liger is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

Matsumoto looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Nice strikes from Liger there.
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. Liger connects with a nice short shot to Matsumoto's temple.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Liger lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
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. Liger connects with a nice short shot to Matsumoto's temple.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Liger looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Matsumoto is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Liger scores with a couple of nice shots.
Liger takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Liger lands strikes from half guard.
Liger looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Matsumoto with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Liger working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Liger seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

Liger is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Liger not landing any meaningful shots this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jushin Liger dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Keima Matsumoto's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Matsumoto drives through with a takedown into guard.
Liger is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

Matsumoto drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Liger dives on top into guard.
Matsumoto keeping moving, preventing Liger from controlling successfully.
Matsumoto looking for a sweep. Not yet Matsumoto, not yet.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Liger landing with the ground and pound.

Liger is trying to tuck his arms in to keep them safe but Matsumoto has managed to isolate one of them and has got a loose triangle. Liger is looking to defend but Matsumoto has done well to lock his legs together - this could be big trouble for Liger! Matsumoto pulls down on the head and a little smile comes across his face - he knows he's got it. Yep, Liger taps out and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:18 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Keima Matsumoto!