PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Yokida Matae (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tsa Rock (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.

Matae
vs
Rock

190 cm
35
271 lbs
33 - 10 - 0

210 cm
33
265 lbs
27 - 14 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Meet the Future
Reaper Combatwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 33 - 10 - 0, fighting out of New York, Yokida Matae!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Tsa Rock!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Richard Clark and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matae lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Rock circles away quickly and effectively.
Rock pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Matae back to the cage. Rock follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

It looks like Yokida Matae has been cut.
Matae looks to land a right hand but Rock moved out of range.
Rock misses with an uppercut. Matae saw that one coming.
Nice sprawl there from Rock as Matae shoots in.
Rock throws a series of punches but Matae moves out of range.
A jab from Rock misses.
Rock cracks the inside of Matae's front leg.
Rock scoring well with a low kick there.

Matae closes the distance and clinches.
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!
Matae misses with the head strike.

Rock breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Rock keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A jab from Rock misses.
Rock throws a head kick but Matae moves out of range.
Matae takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Tsa Rock seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Matae misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matae throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Matae fails with an attempt to clinch.
Rock waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Matae.
Rock throws a nice inside leg kick.
Matae blocks a head kick by Rock.
Rock looks to land a left hand but Matae moved out of range nicely.
Matae dips to his left and cracks Rock with an uppercut!

It looks like Tsa Rock has been cut.

Matae closes the distance and clinches.
Matae lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Rock backwards.
A short right from Matae.
Matae working aggressively here.
Rock trying to control the position but instead, Matae has worked for underhooks and has pushed Rock into the cage.
Matae lands with a right to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Good body shot from Matae.
Matae goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Matae breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Matae scores with a nice body kick.
Matae looks to land a left hand but Rock moved out of range nicely.
Rock looks to land a body kick but Matae moved away.
A good leg kick by Matae.
Nice jab there from Matae.
A punch lands to the side of Matae 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Matae tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Rock takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Rock misses with a leg kick.
Rock connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Rock throws out a loose jab but Matae uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rock throws out a loose jab but Matae uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rock avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matae swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Matae looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Matae moves out of range of the body kick from Rock.
Rock looks to land a right hand but Matae moved out of range.
Rock tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Rock missing with a left hand there. Matae was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
That kick from Matae tenderised Rock's leg. Rock is trying to keep his angry face on.
Matae walks into a straight right hand from Rock.
Rock blocks a jab.
Matae jabs Rock to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Matae fails in his attempt to clinch.
Matae fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Rock has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
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!
Matae uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Rock.
A jab from Rock misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Matae.
Rock misses with a straight left.
Rock lands a jab.
Nice defenses there by Rock.
Rock connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Rock misses the jab.
Rock tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.

Matae takes the fight into the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Matae.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A right hook to the body lands for Matae.
Matae effectively controlling the action here.
Matae lands a right hand that snaps the head of Rock backwards.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yokida Matae dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Rock throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Rock tries to work over Matae's front leg with a kick but Matae checks it.
Danga de danga de dang - Matae scores with a four punch combination!

That has opened up Tsa Rock's cut even more.
Matae tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Rock swivels and escapes.
Rock getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Matae tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Rock manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Matae throws a head kick that misses.
Yokida Matae is winning the standup battle so far.
Matae swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Matae lands a head kick. Rock smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Rock throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Matae stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rock misses with a few strikes there.
Rock chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Matae misses with a kick to the body.
Rock slips under a jab from Matae.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matae waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Rock.
Matae connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Tsa Rock is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rock swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Matae throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rock throws a nice head kick!
Matae blocks a head kick by Rock.
Rock jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Matae dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
No joy there for Rock, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Rock throws a jab but it's blocked by Matae.
Matae fails in his attempt to clinch.
Matae shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Rock but Rock pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Matae throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rock's waist but Rock gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Matae off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yokida Matae. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jab, jab by Rock - just one landing.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rock takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Rock takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Rock throws out a loose jab but Matae uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rock misses with a head kick.
Matae moves out of range of the body kick from Rock.

Matae clinches.
Matae misses with a punch to the body.
A right hook to the body lands for Matae.
Rock has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Rock throws a head punch that misses.
Nice body punch from Matae.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Rock.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rock.
Matae misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matae misses with the head strike.
Matae misses with a hook from the clinch.

Rock breaks from the clinch.
Rock checks a leg kick.
Matae ducks under a wild hook from Rock.
Rock is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Matae blocks a jab.
Rock is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Matae.
Matae throws a leg kick but Rock sees it coming and moves out of range.
Matae tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Matae throws a body kick that misses.
Matae tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rock paws at him with a jab and circles away.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
A swing and a miss from Matae.
Rock swats away the attempt to clinch by Matae.
Matae scores with the left hand. Rock knows he should have avoided that one.

The cut above Tsa Rock's eye is starting to cause him problems now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matae throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Rock scores with a leg kick.
Rock keeps the fight on the outside.
Some wild striking there from Rock.
Nice cross by Rock.
Rock blocks a head kick by Matae.
A right-left combo lands from Rock.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sloppy strikes from Matae. Those never looked like landing.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Matae wants to clinch up but Rock keeps it at a distance.
Matae displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Rock throws out the jab.
Matae has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Rock finds it's way round the side to connect with Matae's head.
Matae pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Yokida Matae will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Matae misses with an attempted mid kick.
Rock connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Matae momentarily.
Matae tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Rock is able to avoid easily.
Matae fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Matae misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rock.
Matae takes one on the button.
Rock blocks a low kick nicely.

Matae rushes Rock and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Rock breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rock throws a chopping leg kick but Matae manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Rock misses with a lunging right hand
and Matae counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Matae bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Rock throws a hook but Matae blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rock misses with an uppercut. Matae saw that one coming.
Matae throws a series of punches but Rock avoids them all with ease.
Matae avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Matae waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Rock.
Rock connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

Yokida Matae's cut is getting worse.
Rock looks to land a combination but Matae avoids it well.
Rock swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Matae fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rock manages to avoid it.
Matae throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Matae, as that shot connected.
Rock misses with a lunging right hand
and Matae counters with a head kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rock tries to score with a low kick but Matae moves his leg out of the way.
Matae looks to throw the jab but Rock is out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matae takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Matae fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Matae misses the jab.
Rock waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Matae.
Matae uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Rock.
Rock takes a swing at Matae's ribcage but misses.
Rock misses with a looping right.
Matae throws a right and a left that Rock avoids nicely.
Decent striking displayed by Rock there.
Matae thows a body shot but no joy.
Rock takes a swing at Matae's ribcage but misses.
Matae ducks under a wild hook from Rock.
A bone on bone clash there as Matae blocks the leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matae jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Matae looking to land some kicks to the body here.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rock. Matae does a little dance to reset his feet.
Matae uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Rock.
Rock scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Rock throws a jab but it's blocked by Matae.
Rock scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Yokida Matae is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rock loads up on a big right hand but Matae slips the punch.
Matae lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Matae loads up on a big right hand but Rock slips the punch.
Rock misses with a leg kick.
Matae with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Rock to score with a decent uppercut.
Rock lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matae walks into a left hand.
Rock takes one on the chin but seems OK.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Matae fails in his attempt to clinch.
Rock moves out of range as Matae throws a body kick.
Matae looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Rock lands the left hand.
Rock is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Matae ducks under a wild hook from Rock.
Matae connects with a solid leg kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rock lands with a shot to the body.
Matae misses with an uppercut. Rock saw that one coming.
Tsa Rock has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Matae throws an overhand right that lands on Rock's shoulder, as Rock tries to avoid the shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tsa Rock comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Matae has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Donald Grub scores the fight 29:28
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yokida Matae!
Yokida Matae decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.