PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Chris Matthews (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and William Joseph (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Joseph has chosen TEARS FOR FEARS - SHOUT as his entrance music. Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Matthews
vs
Joseph

176 cm
28
184 lbs
18 - 7 - 1

175 cm
29
174 lbs
18 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

XTREME PWNAGE: Down Under!
Brute

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Chris Matthews!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, William Joseph!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Shigeki Fujiwara and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Joseph dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Matthews. That did some damage!
Matthews looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Joseph misses with a hook.
Joseph fails with the takedown.
Matthews misses with a low kick.
Joseph swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Joseph checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Joseph misses with a hook
and Matthews counters with a nice leg kick.
A swing and a miss from Matthews.
Joseph blocks a head kick by Matthews.
Matthews misses with a leg kick.
Joseph tries to clinch up.
Joseph is looking to chop away at Matthews's legs.
Matthews scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

Matthews clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joseph scores a nice knee to the body.
Matthews tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Matthews swings wildly with an uppercut but Joseph uses good head movement to avoid it.

Joseph gets a trip takedown into half guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Matthews gets full guard.
Joseph slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Matthews controls Joseph momentarily but Joseph frees himself.
Joseph stopping the sweep attempt from Matthews.
Joseph in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Joseph accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Joseph tries to free his leg and advance position but Matthews is retaining full guard.
Matthews trying to control the position.
Matthews keeping full guard, as Joseph tries to pass.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Matthews wants to sweep here but Joseph controlling him for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Matthews working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Joseph doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Joseph manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Matthews keeping full guard, as Joseph tries to pass.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Matthews avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Joseph must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Joseph trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Joseph wants to control from the top but Matthews keeps moving.
Matthews looking for a sweep. Not yet Matthews, not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Joseph working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Joseph trying to control the position from guard on top but Matthews is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Joseph throws an elbow that misses. Matthews uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Joseph's guard. Nice move by Matthews!
Matthews wants to control from the top but Joseph keeps moving.
Joseph manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Joseph landing punches.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Joseph can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Matthews is looking to escape.
Joseph with a couple of short strikes.
Matthews wants to control but Joseph is having none of it.
Joseph tries to control but Matthews wriggling away.
Matthews wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Joseph.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Joseph prevents Matthews from getting the reversal.
Joseph looking to finish with strikes here!
Joseph wants to control the pace but Matthews is squirming around nicely.
Joseph landing strikes from the mount and Matthews is in trouble!
A nice elbow there by Joseph.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Matthews avoids a series of strikes thrown by Joseph.
Joseph is landing with some decent strikes but Matthews is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.

It looks like Chris Matthews has been cut.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Joseph tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
BOOM! Joseph connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Joseph trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Joseph wants to control but Matthews has made it back to half guard. Nice work.
Joseph throwing shots but Matthews is blocking nicely.
Joseph works his foot free and advances to mount.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Joseph lands a heavy elbow.
Joseph throwing strikes here but Matthews is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Joseph takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Matthews holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Joseph tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Joseph controlling his opponent.
Joseph looking to finish Matthews with some ground and pound. This is bad for Matthews!

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Matthews sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

Joseph is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Joseph is figuring out what he wants to do next.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Matthews works his way to full guard. Good work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Joseph scoring with punches to the head and body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

William Joseph dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Chris Matthews'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.

Joseph looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Joseph trying to control from Matthews's half guard. Matthews has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Joseph passes Matthews's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Joseph is looking to take a break and control but Matthews is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Matthews trying to control from the bottom.
Matthews slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Matthews avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joseph wants to control from the top but Matthews keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Matthews looking to hit a scissor sweep but Joseph is one step ahead there.
Joseph throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Matthews works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Matthews not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Joseph got a little sloppy there for a moment and Matthews has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Joseph has managed to get both his arms back between Matthews's legs - danger averted.
Joseph pushes down on Matthews's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matthews avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Joseph.
Joseph missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Matthews manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Joseph content to stall in guard here.
Joseph stands and throws Matthews's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Matthews prevents Joseph from moving into mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Joseph lands a decent elbow from side control.
Joseph with the ground and pound but Matthews regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Joseph thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Matthews's head.
Joseph not doing much here.
Joseph wants to lay and pray for a moment but Matthews keeps working.
William Joseph has got the better of the ground game so far.
Matthews is trying to maintain the position but Joseph is very close to passing his half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Joseph is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Joseph throws a strike but Matthews avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Joseph is fighting to break Matthews's control of his arms but Matthews is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Joseph wants to pass the guard but Matthews is keeping the position.
Matthews trying to control the position.
Joseph stopping the sweep attempt from Matthews.
Joseph trying to control but Matthews is working from the bottom.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Joseph trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Joseph trying to control the position from guard on top but Matthews is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Joseph is looking to work some ground and pound but Matthews has wrist control.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Matthews leaves Joseph with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Joseph has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Matthews.
Joseph lands an elbow inside that Matthews shrugs off.
Matthews fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Joseph blocks a body shot from Matthews.
Joseph misses with an elbow strike.
Joseph blocking some punches.
Matthews presses Joseph against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Matthews stops a takedown attempt from Joseph.
Joseph is breathing heavily.
Matthews lands a right hand that snaps the head of Joseph backwards.
Joseph prevents a body shot from Matthews.
Joseph landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Matthews lands a hook to the side of the head.
Matthews tries to throw a body punch but Joseph avoids it by throwing Matthews back against the cage.

Matthews manages to break the clinch.
Matthews ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Joseph moves away.
Joseph on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Joseph uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Matthews.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Joseph scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Joseph blocks a low kick nicely.
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!
Matthews throws a lazy right hand but Joseph sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Joseph lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Matthews lands an overhand right.
Joseph is looking to clinch but Matthews is avoiding it.
Matthews moves out of range as Joseph strikes.
Matthews throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Matthews fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Joseph.
Joseph just misses with a punch to the body.
Joseph blocks a jab.
Matthews jabs Joseph right on the nose. Joseph blinks but takes it well.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Matthews slips a jab from Joseph.
Joseph tries to clinch but Matthews moves out of range.
Matthews lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Matthews throws a leg kick but Joseph checks it.

Matthews moves into the clinch.
Matthews avoiding damage as Joseph throws knees to the body.
Joseph can't find room to land a body shot as Matthews controls the action.
Joseph tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Matthews avoids it.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Joseph just misses with a elbow thrown towards Matthews's brow.
Joseph takes a shot to the head.
A head punch on the inside from Matthews fails to land.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Joseph throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Matthews swings wildly with an uppercut but Joseph uses good head movement to avoid it.
Matthews tries to circle away but Joseph has him pinned against the cage.
Joseph tries to score a body lock takedown but Matthews shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but William Joseph will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Chris Matthews's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Joseph tries to clinch but Matthews moves out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Joseph looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Joseph darts in and clinches Matthews up against the cage.
Joseph misses with an elbow over the top.
Matthews on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Joseph is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Matthews misses with a body punch.
Joseph blocking some punches.
Matthews tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Joseph fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Matthews on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
A nice right hand lands inside from Matthews.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Matthews lands with a left to the head.
Nice elbow from Joseph.
Joseph takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Matthews pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Matthews tries to clinch up but Joseph circles away and keeps his distance.
Matthews feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Joseph's calf.
Matthews turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Matthews misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Joseph.
Matthews throws a leg kick
and Joseph counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Nice body punch from Matthews.
Matthews stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Matthews wants it to stay on the feet.
That kick from Matthews tenderised Joseph's leg. Joseph is trying to keep his angry face on.
Matthews keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Joseph tries to clinch up but Matthews circles away and keeps his distance.
Matthews tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Joseph is able to avoid easily.
Matthews fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Joseph tries to clinch up but Matthews circles away and keeps his distance.
The fight stays on the outside here - Joseph looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Joseph takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Joseph, right into the meat.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Joseph takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Matthews throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Joseph on the side of the head.
Joseph walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Joseph on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Joseph takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Joseph connects with a looping right hand.
Joseph closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matthews throws a solid leg kick but Joseph takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Matthews.
Matthews lands a high kick!
Joseph throws a hook but Matthews avoids it easily.
Joseph wants to slow Matthews down by chopping away at his legs.
Matthews throws a low kick, looking for Joseph's leg but Joseph calmly moves out of range.
Joseph blocks a low kick nicely.
Matthews rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Joseph counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Joseph is looking to clinch but Matthews is avoiding it.
Matthews on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Matthews lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Joseph lunges at Matthews with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Matthews's hand.
Matthews looks to throw the jab but Joseph is out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matthews lands a jab to the nose.
Joseph on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Matthews. Matthews obviously looking to wear him down.
Joseph fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Matthews is out of range.
Joseph blocks a head kick by Matthews.
Matthews cracks the inside of Joseph's front leg.
Joseph tries to clinch up.
Matthews rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Joseph moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Joseph's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

Joseph has managed to clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Joseph throws an elbow that misses.
Joseph landing knees to the body.
Matthews gets through Joseph's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

Joseph gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Joseph is looking to take a break and control but Matthews is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Joseph uses his free foot to push down on Matthews's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Matthews.
Joseph looking to control but Matthews is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Joseph misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Joseph with good strikes from the mount here!
Joseph is landing with some decent strikes but Matthews is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Joseph tries to control but Matthews wriggling away.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Joseph looking to finish Matthews with some ground and pound. This is bad for Matthews!
Joseph trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Matthews regains half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Joseph trying to control the action but Matthews is working from the bottom.
Joseph uses his free foot to push down on Matthews's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Matthews.
Chris Matthews has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Matthews is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Joseph fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Joseph landing punches.
Matthews is working to get back to half guard.
Matthews is working hard here to advance position.
Joseph throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Matthews because Joseph loaded up on that one.
Joseph tries to control but Matthews wriggling away.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Joseph thowing shots but they're missing.
Joseph lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.

Chris Matthews's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Joseph tries to control but Matthews wriggling away.
Matthews keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Joseph is in the full mount, landing strikes.

Jeez, Chris Matthews's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Chris Matthews's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 9:22 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). William Joseph!