PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Travis Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thomas Matherix (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Smith
vs
Matherix

180 cm
22
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
23
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Travis Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Thomas Matherix!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Donatello Bradman and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith shoots in looking for a takedown. Matherix tries to sprawl out of it but Smith keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Matherix manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Matherix closes the distance looking to clinch

and Smith counters by clinching up.
Matherix tries to land a knee to the head but Smith blocks with his arms.
Matherix tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Smith tries to circle away but Matherix has him pinned against the cage.
Matherix tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Smith jumps guard but Matherix stands there with Smith around his waist. Smith gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Matherix tries a knee to the head but Smith blocks it.
Matherix looking to throw knees to the head but Smith is blocking nicely.
Matherix connects with a nasty looking knee right to Smith's face.

It looks like Travis Smith has been cut.
Matherix misses with a knee to the head.
Smith has Matherix pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Matherix manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Travis Smith. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Matherix misses with a knee to the head.
Matherix throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Smith blocks it with crossed arms.
Matherix gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Smith.
Smith has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Matherix after a bit of a struggle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matherix with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Matherix throws a knee to the head but misses.
Matherix with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Smith wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Matherix with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Smith jumps guard but Matherix turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Smith has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Matherix is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Matherix landing knees to the head.
Matherix throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Smith blocks it with crossed arms.
Matherix tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Smith looking for a takedown.
Smith wants a takedown but no success here.
Matherix looking to throw knees to the head but Smith is blocking nicely.
Matherix tries to land a knee to the head but Smith blocks with his arms.
Matherix looking to throw knees to the head but Smith is blocking nicely.
Matherix tries to land a knee to the head but Smith blocks with his arms.
Matherix looks winded!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matherix tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Matherix misses with a knee to the head.
Matherix looking to throw knees to the head but Smith is blocking nicely.
Matherix is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Matherix misses with a knee strike.
Matherix with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Smith misses with an elbow over the top.
Matherix using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Smith has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Smith wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Matherix has him pressed against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Matherix looking to throw knees to the head but Smith is blocking nicely.
Matherix using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Smith has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Smith wants to get back to striking at distance but Matherix won't allow it.
Matherix with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Smith is trying to maintain a safe position but Matherix gets an underhook and turns Smith into the cage.
Smith wants to get back to striking at distance but Matherix won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matherix misses with a knee to the head.
A knee to the head by Matherix.
Matherix looking to throw knees to the head but Smith is blocking nicely.
Matherix throws a knee to the head but misses.
Matherix using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Smith has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Matherix misses with a knee strike.

Smith gets control of Matherix's arms and successfully pulls guard. Smith will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Smith has a closed guard, preventing Matherix from standing up.
Smith bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Matherix's guard.
Matherix preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Matherix is working an open guard so Smith takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matherix tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Smith counters with a series of strikes. Matherix will be more careful next time no doubt.
Matherix tries to clinch there but Smith circles away.
Smith circles away from the clinch attempt.
Smith fails to land the takedown.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Smith moves into the clinch successfully.
Smith tries for a takedown. No joy.
Matherix throws a knee to the head but misses.
Smith can't get the takedown.
Matherix with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Matherix tries to land a knee to the head but Smith blocks with his arms.
Matherix using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Smith has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Smith takes a knee right on the jaw!
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Matherix lands a knee to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Matherix dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Travis Smith's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Matherix wants to clinch up but Smith keeps it at a distance.

Smith moves into the clinch successfully.

Smith's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Thomas Matherix seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Matherix wants to clinch
and Smith counters with a solid body kick.
Matherix is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Matherix moves to clinch but Smith breaks away
and Smith cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Matherix tries to clinch but Smith is having none of it.

Matherix moves into the clinch.
Matherix misses with a knee to the head.
Matherix tries to land a knee to the head but Smith blocks with his arms.
Matherix throws a knee to the head but misses.
Matherix looking to throw knees to the head but Smith is blocking nicely.
Matherix throws a knee to the head but misses.
Matherix tries to land a knee to the head but Smith blocks with his arms.
Matherix is breathing heavily.
Matherix misses with a knee to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith tries for a takedown. No joy.
Matherix throws a knee to the head but misses.
Matherix tries a knee to the head but Smith blocks it.
Matherix throws a knee to the head but misses.
Smith is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Matherix to keep the fight standing.
Smith is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Matherix to keep the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Travis Smith. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smith working hard to break the clinch.
Smith tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Matherix smiles and moves away.
Smith swats away the attempt to clinch by Matherix.
Nice takedown defense from Matherix. No joy for Smith on that attempt.
Matherix tries to clinch up
and Smith counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Matherix instigates a clinch.
Matherix throws a knee to the head but misses.
Matherix lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Matherix tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Smith has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Matherix avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Matherix tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Matherix looking to throw knees to the head but Smith is blocking nicely.
Matherix tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Smith tries for a takedown but Matherix manages to get underhooks.
Matherix throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Smith blocks it with crossed arms.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Smith manages to break the clinch.

Matherix clinches with his opponent.
Matherix tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Smith utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matherix with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Matherix with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Matherix tries to land a knee to the head but Smith blocks with his arms.
Smith looking for a takedown.
Matherix with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Smith stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Matherix throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Smith blocks it with crossed arms.
Smith tries to pull guard but Matherix forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Thomas Matherix seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Matherix lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Smith is trying to pull guard but Matherix has him pressed against the cage.
Matherix tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Matherix misses with a knee to the head.

Smith escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith lands a two punch combo.
Matherix tries to clinch there but Smith circles away.
Matherix tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Matherix clinches up with Smith and pushes him back against the cage.
Matherix connects with a nasty looking knee right to Smith's face.
Matherix tries a knee to the head but Smith blocks it.
Matherix tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Smith has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Smith effectively controlling the action here.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Matherix with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Matherix tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Smith looking to slow down the pace here.
Smith is trying to force a seperation but Matherix has the dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Matherix showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Travis Smith's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Matherix tries to clinch up but Smith circles away and keeps his distance.
Matherix stuffs the takedown attempt from Smith. Smith gets slowly back to his feet.
Matherix wants to clinch but Smith slips to the side
and Matherix takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Matherix wants to clinch up but Smith keeps it at a distance.
Matherix tries to clinch but Smith is having none of it.
Matherix wants to clinch.
Smith with a jab.
Matherix moves in looking to clinch but Smith pushes him off.
Smith shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Matherix as he jumps to the side.
Smith swats away the attempt to clinch by Matherix.
Matherix tries to clinch up but Smith circles away and keeps his distance.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Matherix tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Smith manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smith clinches.
Matherix with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Matherix landing knees to the head.
Matherix with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Matherix with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Matherix misses with a knee strike.
Smith tries to score a body lock takedown but Matherix shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Travis Smith. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Smith breaks from the clinch.
Matherix tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Smith manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Smith shoots in for a takedown but Matherix shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Smith swats away the attempt to clinch by Matherix.
Matherix moves to clinch but Smith breaks away
and Smith counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Matherix is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Matherix tries to clinch up.
Thomas Matherix is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Matherix is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matherix tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Smith manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Matherix tries to close the distance and clinch but Smith swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Smith avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Matherix wants to clinch.
Smith keeps the fight on the outside.
Smith circles away from the clinch attempt.
Matherix stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Matherix wants it to stay on the feet.
Matherix doesn't manage to clinch there - Smith circles away.
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!
The fight stays on the outside here - Matherix looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Matherix darts in and clinches Smith up against the cage.
Matherix connects with a knee to the head.
Matherix looking to throw knees to the head but Smith is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matherix tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Matherix misses with a knee strike.
Matherix tries a knee to the head but Smith blocks it.
Smith is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Matherix pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Matherix tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Matherix misses with a knee to the head.
Matherix using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Smith has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
A frustrated look appears on Smith's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Matherix using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Smith has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Matherix throws a knee to the head but misses.
Smith is trying to force a seperation but Matherix has the dominant position.
Smith wants to break the clinch but can't.
Matherix tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Matherix misses with a knee strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith tries for a takedown. No joy.
Matherix tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Smith is trying to drag Matherix to the mat but Matherix just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Smith wants to take the fight to the mat but Matherix manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Matherix with a knee to the head.
Matherix looking to throw knees to the head but Smith is blocking nicely.
Matherix throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Smith blocks it with crossed arms.
Smith tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Matherix smiles and moves away.
Travis Smith is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Smith gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Travis Smith has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Matherix tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Matherix with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thomas Matherix comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Matherix winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Skip Squint scores the fight for Thomas Matherix!
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight for Thomas Matherix!
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight for Thomas Matherix!

Thomas Matherix wins by unanimous decision!