PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Guy Downs (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Matthews (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Downs
vs
Matthews

175 cm
27
143 lbs
21 - 13 - 0

175 cm
26
140 lbs
17 - 5 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Valhalla Fight Wear

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 21 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Guy Downs!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Michael Matthews!
The judges for this bout are Ryoma Takatsuka, Jeff Smith and Micheangelo Fripello.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Downs shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
enabling Matthews to counter with a crisp jab.
Downs shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Matthews as he avoids it easily.
Sloppy strikes from Matthews. Those never looked like landing.
Downs on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Downs fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Guy Downs. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Downs drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Matthews defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Downs.
Matthews throws a series of strikes that have Downs backpedaling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Downs closes the distance looking to clinch
and Downs takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Downs shoots in looking for a takedown. Matthews tries to sprawl out of it but Downs keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Matthews manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Matthews misses with a right hand

and Downs counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Downs is keen to just control but Matthews is a slippery customer.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Downs is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Downs tries to free his leg and advance position but Matthews is retaining full guard.
Matthews preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Downs wants to pass the guard but Matthews is keeping the position.
Matthews keeping moving, preventing Downs from controlling successfully.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Downs showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Downs passes into half guard.
Downs wants to lay and pray for a moment but Matthews keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matthews won't allow Downs to pass to mount.

Downs wants to work for an arm triangle but Matthews is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Downs is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Matthews sees it coming and defends easily.
Downs is pressing down on Matthews's thigh, looking to free his foot. Matthews is holding on for now.
Downs throwing shots but Matthews is blocking nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Downs trying to mount his opponent but Matthews defends it.
Downs wants to advance to full mount but Matthews doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Matthews is looking to stand up but Downs isn't so interested in that idea.
Matthews avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Matthews keeping moving, preventing Downs from controlling successfully.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Downs throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Guy Downs dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Downs is trying hard to land a takedown here. Matthews sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
No luck for Downs with that takedown attempt.
Downs looks to clinch
and Matthews counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Matthews throws a right and a left that Downs avoids nicely.
Guy Downs seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Downs fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Guy Downs. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A left and a right from Matthews both land. Nice combination.

It looks like Guy Downs has been cut.
Downs tries to clinch up.
Downs fails with a takedown attempt.
Matthews throws a poor cross that misses

and Downs counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Downs is working for a kimura but Matthews is defending it quite comfortably.
Downs thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Matthews's head.
Matthews is looking to get back to is feet but Downs passes into side control.
Matthews defending against the ground and pound.
Downs wants to control but Matthews is keeping him busy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Downs looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matthews is not content to let Downs control the position.
Downs working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

Downs tries for a kimura but Matthews is defending well.

Downs goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Matthews rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Downs's guard! Nice work there by Matthews!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Downs isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Matthews stacks Downs on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Matthews!
Guy Downs overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Downs tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Matthews wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Downs struggling a bit here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Downs is looking to reverse the position.
Downs manages to work his way to half guard, despite Matthews's best efforts.
Matthews wants to stand up but Downs is controlling the position.

Downs looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Downs has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Matthews escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Matthews!
Downs gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Guy Downs dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Guy Downs's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Matthews throws the left hand but Downs avoids the punch easily.
Downs misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Downs doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Matthews counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Matthews throws the left hand but Downs avoids the punch easily.
Downs throws a good cross that connects.

Downs looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Matthews has one foot on Downs's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Downs tries to clinch but Matthews is having none of it.
Downs looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Guy Downs. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Good exchange - Matthews coming out on top.
Matthews thuds his right hand into Downs's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Downs closes the distance and clinches up with Matthews, looking for a takedown. Downs pushes Matthews against the cage but Matthews circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Downs fails with the takedown.
Matthews's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Matthews duly obliges.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Downs fails with a takedown attempt.
Matthews connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Matthews swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A left lands for Matthews.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Downs shoots in looking for a takedown but Matthews manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Downs's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Nice sprawl there from Matthews as Downs shoots in.
Downs wants to clinch but Matthews slips to the side
and Matthews counters with a one-two to the body.
Downs displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Matthews throws out the jab.
Matthews throws a hook to the side of Downs's head but Downs sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Downs walks into a left hand.
Matthews jabs at Downs's body.
Downs slips a jab and a cross from Matthews.
Downs tries to close the distance and clinch but Matthews swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Matthews misses the shot to the body.
Matthews uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

Downs is rocked!
Matthews leaves Downs with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Matthews scores with a nice head shot.
Oh Downs is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matthews throws a hook but Downs blocks it.
Matthews might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Matthews lands a nice hook to Downs's body. Downs takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Guy Downs is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Matthews lands an uppercut, right on the button! Downs tumbles backwards into the cage, staring vacantly into space! He's got no idea where he is, who he is or what day it is... Poor guy.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:08 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Michael Matthews!
A less than humble Michael Matthews misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.