PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Damian Matsuo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matsumae Sukeyuki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Matsuo
vs
Sukeyuki

189 cm
18
182 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

185 cm
35
185 lbs
3 - 8 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Damian Matsuo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Matsumae Sukeyuki !
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Mauricio Rocha and Luis Engracia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matsuo misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sukeyuki uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Matsuo.

Sukeyuki closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Matsuo's guard.
Sukeyuki tries to stand but Matsuo is controlling from the bottom.
Matsuo not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Matsuo throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Matsuo not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Sukeyuki wants to stand but Matsuo is controlling his posture from full guard.

We're going to have a standup here because Damian Matsuo wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Matsuo throws a sloppy head kick and Sukeyuki moves out of range easily.
Matsuo throws a head kick but Sukeyuki moves out of range.
Sukeyuki lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Sukeyuki misses with a double jab.
Matsuo throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sukeyuki .

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsuo misses with a few strikes there.
Sukeyuki throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Sukeyuki takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

Sukeyuki gets the takedown into side control.
Matsuo struggling a bit here.
Matsuo gets back to half guard.
Sukeyuki sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Matsuo defending well though.

Sukeyuki stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Matsuo goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Sukeyuki ducks under a wild hook from Matsuo.
Matsuo will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Matsuo uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsuo throws an overhand right that lands on Sukeyuki 's shoulder, as Sukeyuki tries to avoid the shot.
Matsuo pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Matsuo takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

Sukeyuki bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Sukeyuki goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Matsuo has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Sukeyuki but great work by Matsuo.
Sukeyuki has one of Matsuo's arms on lockdown, trying to prevent him from doing any damage.
Matsuo tries to stand but Sukeyuki is controlling his head.
Matsuo is breathing heavily.
Sukeyuki has one of Matsuo's arms on lockdown, trying to prevent him from doing any damage.
Sukeyuki wants to control but Matsuo postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Matsuo decides to stand up, so the ref orders Sukeyuki to his feet.
Matsuo misses with a low kick.
Matsuo tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sukeyuki was well out of range. Poor timing from Matsuo.
Matsuo lands a head kick. Sukeyuki smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

It looks like Matsumae Sukeyuki has been cut.
Sukeyuki scores with a sloppy right hand. Matsuo should have avoided that one.

Sukeyuki gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Sukeyuki manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Matsuo prevents Sukeyuki from getting back to his feet.
Sukeyuki looking for a sweep. Not yet Sukeyuki , not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sukeyuki keeping moving, preventing Matsuo from controlling successfully.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sukeyuki utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Matsuo trying to control the position from guard on top but Sukeyuki is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Sukeyuki is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Damian Matsuo wasn't doing enough on the ground.
A head kick by Matsuo misses
and Sukeyuki counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Sukeyuki digs a good body shot into Matsuo's ribs.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sukeyuki lands a jab to the head.
Matsuo lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Matsuo lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Matsuo scores with a nice body kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Matsumae Sukeyuki will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Matsumae Sukeyuki 's cut.
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.

Matsuo scores with a nice body kick.
Matsuo throws a head kick that misses.
Matsuo throws a body kick, spinning off balance

and Sukeyuki counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Sukeyuki .
Sukeyuki keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Matsuo's efforts to push away.
Matsuo stalls.
Sukeyuki fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Matsuo is trying to break free.
Matsuo is trying to maintain a safe position but Sukeyuki gets an underhook and turns Matsuo into the cage.

Sukeyuki escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Matsuo takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Matsuo misses with a double jab.
Matsuo goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Matsuo throws a right hand that Sukeyuki ducks under and follows up with a left that Sukeyuki also avoids with ease.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sukeyuki throws a head kick but Matsuo moves out of range.
Sukeyuki scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Matsuo connects with a high kick.
Sukeyuki misses with a double jab.

Sukeyuki scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Matsuo taking punishment in the form of punches.
Matsuo takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Matsuo is trying to control Sukeyuki 's posture but Sukeyuki avoids it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sukeyuki trying to control the action but Matsuo is working from the bottom.
Matsuo is trying to control Sukeyuki 's posture but Sukeyuki avoids it.
Sukeyuki cracks Matsuo with an elbow. That is naaassty.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sukeyuki grinds an elbow into Matsuo's temple.
Sukeyuki wants to control but Matsuo is keeping him busy.
Sloppy strikes there by Sukeyuki .
Sukeyuki lands some shots froms side control.
Matsuo is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Sukeyuki 's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Sukeyuki takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Matsuo blocking the ground and pound attempt from Sukeyuki .
Matsuo is looking to control Sukeyuki 's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Matsuo avoid being mounted?
Sukeyuki working Matsuo over with strikes.
Sukeyuki looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Sukeyuki stalling.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsuo keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Matsuo tries to kick Sukeyuki off but Sukeyuki keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Sukeyuki decides to return to a standing position.

Sukeyuki clinches.
Matsuo is trying to break free.
Sukeyuki working hard to break the clinch.

Sukeyuki 's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Damian Matsuo is winning the standup battle so far.

Sukeyuki feints and as Matsuo raises his hands in defense, Sukeyuki changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Matsuo not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Sukeyuki decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Matsuo, up you get!
Sukeyuki ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

Sukeyuki pushes Matsuo up against the cage in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Matsuo is trying to push Sukeyuki away but Sukeyuki has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Sukeyuki lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Sukeyuki is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Matsuo trying to control from the bottom.
Sukeyuki working Matsuo over with strikes.
Matsuo is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Sukeyuki scores with a couple of nice shots.
Sukeyuki wants to lay and pray for a moment but Matsuo keeps working.
Sukeyuki is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Sukeyuki scoring with strikes to the body and head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sukeyuki is trying to control. Matsuo wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Sukeyuki missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matsumae Sukeyuki showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Matsumae Sukeyuki 's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

A head kick from Matsuo lands but Sukeyuki takes it in his stride.
A big right from Sukeyuki misses.
Matsuo chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Sukeyuki moves out of range as Matsuo strikes.
Matsuo throws a right and a left that Sukeyuki avoids nicely.
Matsuo misses with a jab, cross combination.
Sukeyuki throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Sukeyuki breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Matsuo misses with a wild body shot.
Sukeyuki connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Matsuo attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Matsuo on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Matsuo throws a head kick but Sukeyuki moves out of range.
Matsuo throws a front kick aimed at Sukeyuki 's knee but Sukeyuki avoids it well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sukeyuki drives through with a takedown into Matsuo's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Sukeyuki content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Matsuo looking for a sweep. Not yet Matsuo, not yet.
Sukeyuki throws a strike but Matsuo rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Sukeyuki pulls Matsuo in close to prevent any damage.
Sukeyuki really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Matsuo. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Sukeyuki thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

Matsumae Sukeyuki has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Matsuo misses the shot to the body.
Matsuo circles away from the clinch attempt.
Matsuo lands a lovely overhand right.
Matsuo swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sukeyuki pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Matsuo back to the cage. Sukeyuki follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Sukeyuki manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Matsuo on his heels. He'll look to pass Matsuo's guard now, I'm sure.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Sukeyuki 's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Matsuo working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Sukeyuki doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Sukeyuki manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sukeyuki wants to control from the top but Matsuo keeps moving.
Matsuo is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Sukeyuki is controlling him.
Matsuo has momentary wrist control but Sukeyuki slips an elbow through the middle.
Matsumae Sukeyuki is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Sukeyuki is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Sukeyuki wants to stand but Matsuo is controlling his posture from full guard.
Sukeyuki is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Matsumae Sukeyuki hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Matsuo throws a push kick but Sukeyuki slaps the foot to one side.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsuo is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Matsuo tried to score with a low kick but Sukeyuki checks it.

Sukeyuki scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Sukeyuki in particular looking to stall.
Let's hope that Sukeyuki has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Sukeyuki working Matsuo over with strikes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sukeyuki controlling the pace.

Sukeyuki decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Matsuo takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Damian Matsuo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Matsuo falls off balance throwing a combination

and Sukeyuki counters by clinching up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matsumae Sukeyuki comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Sukeyuki 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 Matheus Silva scores the fight 28:30
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 28:29
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matsumae Sukeyuki !
After winning the bout, Matsumae Sukeyuki thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.