PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Sick Puppy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kiyoshi Matsumoto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Matsumoto has chosen Carl Douglas - Kung fu fighting as his entrance music. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Kiyoshi Matsumoto was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Puppy
vs
Matsumoto

173 cm
25
166 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

178 cm
35
170 lbs
22 - 10 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sick Puppy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Kiyoshi Matsumoto!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Paul Gruel and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Puppy moves into the clinch.
Puppy drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Matsumoto gets the underhooks and prevents it.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Matsumoto just misses with a elbow thrown towards Puppy's brow.
Matsumoto throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Puppy has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Matsumoto is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Puppy wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sick Puppy. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Matsumoto escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Puppy throws a hook to the side of Matsumoto's head but Matsumoto sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Matsumoto, right into the meat.

Puppy tries to sprawl but Matsumoto drives through with a takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Matsumoto keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Matsumoto looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Puppy with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Puppy is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Matsumoto scores with a couple of nice shots.
Matsumoto lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Puppy trying to control but Matsumoto postures up.
Matsumoto wants to pass to mount but Puppy is defending the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsumoto prevents Puppy from improving his position.
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. Matsumoto connects with a nice short shot to Puppy's temple.
Matsumoto is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

Puppy looking for submissions off his back.
Matsumoto is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Puppy is in a horrible position here. Matsumoto smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Matsumoto postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Puppy looks a forlorn figure.
Matsumoto scoring with strikes but Puppy is staying in there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Puppy is trying to stand up.
Puppy can't escape the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Matsumoto with the ground and pound from mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsumoto working Puppy over with strikes here.
Matsumoto scores with a couple of good head shots there.

Puppy is rocked!
Matsumoto lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Oh Puppy is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Matsumoto prevents Puppy from getting the reversal.

Matsumoto jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Puppy is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Puppy and Matsumoto has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Matsumoto working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Puppy sneaks back into half guard.
Matsumoto drops an elbow to the side of Puppy's head.
Matsumoto wants to pass to mount but Puppy is defending the position.
Matsumoto keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Puppy is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Matsumoto scores with a couple of nice shots.
Puppy taking some punishment here, with Matsumoto in his half guard.
Puppy tries to roll over but Matsumoto keeps him under control.

Matsumoto seems to be working for a kimura but Puppy defends the submission attempt.

Puppy looking for subs from the bottom but Matsumoto mounts him!
Matsumoto landing strikes from the mount and Puppy is in trouble!
Puppy trying desperately to get to his feet.
Puppy is trying to escape the mount.
Puppy seems to have got his legs back now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Matsumoto looking for a guillotine from mount but Puppy is having none of it.
Puppy is looking to get to half guard.
Puppy is working hard here to advance position.
Puppy wants to try and get back to his feet.
Puppy is working to get back to half guard.
Puppy regains half guard.
Matsumoto winds up and cracks Puppy with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Matsumoto wants to control but Puppy is keeping him busy.
Matsumoto lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Puppy taking some punishment here, with Matsumoto in his half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsumoto working the head and body with strikes.
Puppy pushes Matsumoto off looking to stand but Matsumoto dives back in and keeps control.

Puppy looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Puppy tries to kick Matsumoto off but Matsumoto keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Puppy looking for submissions off his back.
Matsumoto trying to control the action but Puppy is working from the bottom.
Matsumoto lands with a punch from half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Matsumoto is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Puppy wants to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kiyoshi Matsumoto dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Puppy keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Matsumoto.
A head kick misses from Matsumoto.
Matsumoto throws a leg kick which misses Puppy's front leg but catches the back leg as Puppy tries to avoid it.
Matsumoto is looking to chop away at Puppy's legs.
Puppy smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Puppy throws a right and a left that both miss.
Puppy throws a shot from downtown. Matsumoto moves away and avoids it.
Matsumoto lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Matsumoto.
No luck for Matsumoto with that takedown attempt.
Matsumoto looks to land a right hand but Puppy moved out of range.
Matsumoto attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Matsumoto fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Puppy has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Puppy fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Matsumoto on the side of the head.
Matsumoto scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Puppy has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Matsumoto finds it's way round the side to connect with Puppy's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsumoto works the jab nicely.
Puppy misses with an uppercut.
Puppy throws a lazy body kick
and Matsumoto counters with a thumping low kick.
Puppy throws a series of punches but Matsumoto moves out of range.
Sick Puppy is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The fighters circling - Puppy throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Matsumoto keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Puppy connects with a leg kick. Matsumoto looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Puppy tries to clinch up but Matsumoto circles away and keeps his distance.
Matsumoto tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Puppy was well out of range. Poor timing from Matsumoto.
Matsumoto throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Matsumoto misses with a wild body shot.
Nice defenses there by Puppy.
Matsumoto pivots, looking for a leg kick but Puppy is out of range and Matsumoto settles back down.
Puppy lands a jab-cross combination.
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!
Matsumoto throws a quick inside leg kick.
Matsumoto looks to land a right hand but Puppy moved out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsumoto looks to land a left hand but Puppy moved out of range nicely.
Puppy throws a lazy right hand but Matsumoto sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Puppy wants to clinch up but Matsumoto keeps it at a distance.
Puppy just misses with a punch to the body.
Puppy has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Matsumoto.
Matsumoto throws an overhand right that lands on Puppy's shoulder, as Puppy tries to avoid the shot.
Puppy takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Kiyoshi Matsumoto seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Matsumoto shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Puppy defends it nicely.
Puppy tries to land a front kick but Matsumoto steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Matsumoto throws a body punch but Puppy moves out of range.
Matsumoto throws an overhand right that lands on Puppy's shoulder, as Puppy tries to avoid the shot.
Puppy has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Puppy blocks a head kick by Matsumoto.
Puppy scores with a jab to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Puppy misses with a body shot.
Puppy slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Matsumoto chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Kiyoshi Matsumoto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A telegraphed right hand from Puppy misses the target.
Matsumoto on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Puppy throws a combination. Matsumoto tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Matsumoto, as that shot connected.
Puppy catches Matsumoto with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Matsumoto slips under a jab.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Matsumoto is defended easily by Puppy.
Sick Puppy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kiyoshi Matsumoto.
Puppy throws a good cross that connects.
Matsumoto fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nice body punch from Matsumoto.
Puppy gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Matsumoto fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Puppy looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
A slow jab from Puppy misses its intended target.
Matsumoto takes a swing at Puppy's ribcage but misses.
Puppy throws a right hand that misses
and Matsumoto counters with an inside leg kick.
Puppy avoids the body shot from Matsumoto.
Puppy is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Matsumoto uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Puppy.
Matsumoto paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
A looping hook to the body misses from Matsumoto. Puppy does a little dance to reset his feet.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Puppy throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Matsumoto counters with a straight right hand.
Matsumoto misses the shot to the body.
Puppy throws a shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kiyoshi Matsumoto showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Matsumoto is looking to slow Puppy down with leg kicks.
Puppy tries to clinch up but Matsumoto circles away and keeps his distance.
Matsumoto ducks under a wild hook from Puppy.
Matsumoto tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Puppy misses with an uppercut. Matsumoto saw that one coming.
Matsumoto gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Puppy.
Matsumoto lands an overhand right.
Puppy lands a glancing blow to the side of Matsumoto's head.
Puppy jabs Matsumoto to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Matsumoto connects with a high kick.

Puppy moves into the clinch successfully.
Puppy blocks an elbow strike from Matsumoto.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Matsumoto is looking to control Puppy's arms but Puppy gets an underhook and turns him. Now Matsumoto has his back to the cage.
Puppy wants a takedown.
Matsumoto connects with a nasty looking knee right to Puppy's face.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Matsumoto.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Puppy.
Matsumoto tries a body shot but Puppy blocks it.
Matsumoto tries to work over Puppy's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Puppy is looking for a takedown.
Puppy scores with a nice hook to the head.
Matsumoto pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Matsumoto throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Matsumoto tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Puppy is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Matsumoto gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sick Puppy. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Matsumoto misses with a short punch on the inside.
Puppy wants a takedown.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Puppy lands a hook to the side of the head.
Matsumoto is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Matsumoto swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Puppy being controlled against the cage.
Puppy on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsumoto lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Matsumoto blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Puppy has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Matsumoto is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Puppy drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Matsumoto gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Puppy tries for a takedown but Matsumoto manages to get underhooks.
Puppy takes a knee to the side of the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Matsumoto lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Matsumoto gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Puppy.
Matsumoto pushes Puppy back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Matsumoto.
Matsumoto gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Puppy.
Matsumoto is working Puppy over against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsumoto connects with a knee to the head.
Matsumoto tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Matsumoto displaying some good clinch control by pressing Puppy up against the cage.
Kiyoshi Matsumoto seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Matsumoto creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Matsumoto lands a hook that snaps the head of Puppy backwards.
Matsumoto scores with a shot to the side of Puppy's head.
Matsumoto scores a nice knee to the body.
Puppy is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Matsumoto pulls him back up using the underhooks.
A head punch on the inside from Puppy fails to land.
Puppy is looking to take this one to the mat.
Matsumoto has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Matsumoto stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Matsumoto crunches a lovely knee into Puppy's ribcage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Matsumoto throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Puppy takes an elbow to the temple.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Matsumoto just misses with a elbow thrown towards Puppy's brow.
Matsumoto trying to land knees to the body.

Puppy pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Matsumoto keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Matsumoto lands an uppercut out of nowhere! Puppy falls backwards - clearly groggy! Matsumoto dives in and finishes the fight with more strikes for a TKO finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:23 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Kiyoshi Matsumoto!
An out of breath Kiyoshi Matsumoto thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.