PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Max Matthews (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rico Willis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Matthews
vs
Willis

195 cm
29
263 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

187 cm
31
230 lbs
13 - 13 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Great elbows
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Max Matthews!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rico Willis!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Willis with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Matthews misses with a takedown attempt
and Willis counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Matthews gets the takedown into side control.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Matthews wants to lay and pray for a moment but Willis keeps working.
Matthews throwing strikes but Willis manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!

Willis decides to stand up, so the ref orders Matthews to his feet.
A head kick misses from Willis.

Willis rushes Matthews and presses him up against the cage.
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!
Willis landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Matthews is trying to break the clinch but Willis has him pressed against the cage.
Willis stops a takedown attempt from Matthews.
Matthews lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Willis backwards.
Willis misses with an elbow strike.
Matthews wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Max Matthews. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matthews has Willis pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Willis manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Our sources have told us that Matthews has been working on his knees in the buildup to the fight.
Matthews avoids a wild elbow strike from Willis.
Willis misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Matthews.
Willis using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Matthews is breathing heavily.
Willis scores with an uppercut up the middle.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Willis makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Willis obliges.
A nice right hand lands inside from Willis.
Willis with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Willis using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Willis lands a knee to the body.
Willis lands an elbow just above Matthews 's eye.

It looks like Max Matthews has been cut.
Matthews is trying to push Willis away but Willis has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Willis misses with a body punch.
Matthews misses with some punches.
Willis lands with a left to the head.
Willis lands a body shot in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Willis throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Matthewss head.
Willis is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Willis lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Willis pushes Matthews back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Willis connects with a knee to the head.
Willis lands with a short punch from the clinch.

Matthews is rocked!
Matthews tries to pull guard but Willis won't allow it.
Oh Matthews is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Willis misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Matthews.
Matthews seems to have got his legs back now.
Matthews's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Willis lands a big knee! That's hurt Matthews! Oh, he's all over the place! Willis lands another knee that sends Matthews to the floor and the referee steps in to end the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:42 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Rico Willis!