PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Wasim Kayani (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kiyoshi Matsumoto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kayani comes into the arena with Audioslave - Exploder blaring out of the sound system. The crowd seem to be enjoying Matsumoto's choice of entrance music: Carl Douglas - Kung fu fighting. Kiyoshi Matsumoto has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Kayani
vs
Matsumoto

170 cm
28
167 lbs
15 - 7 - 0

178 cm
40
170 lbs
33 - 19 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

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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 15 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Wasim Kayani!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 33 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Kiyoshi Matsumoto!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice straight punches there by Kayani. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kayani.
Matsumoto scores with a sloppy right hand. Kayani should have avoided that one.
That kick from Kayani tenderised Matsumoto's leg. Matsumoto is trying to keep his angry face on.

Matsumoto fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Kayani to the ground. Matsumoto is now in Kayani's guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Matsumoto makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Kayani tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Matsumoto content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Kayani is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kayani trying to control the position.
Matsumoto must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Kayani is adopting a defensive guard.
Kayani trying to control the position.
Kayani pulls Matsumoto in close to prevent any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Matsumoto avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Kayani wants to sweep but no luck.
Kayani is working hard here to advance position.
Matsumoto throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kayani is trying to keep Matsumoto in close.
We've been hearing good reports from Kayani's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Matsumoto throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kayani works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Matsumoto throws a big right hand that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsumoto looking to pass the guard.
Kayani lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Matsumoto!
Matsumoto can't escape the position.
Matsumoto is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Matsumoto holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Kayani tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Kayani throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Kayani throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Kayani throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Kayani lands a nice shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsumoto holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Kayani tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Kayani with a couple of short strikes.
Kayani lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Matsumoto hang on?

Kayani looking to secure an arm triangle but Matsumoto defends it well.
Kayani lands with some strikes.
Matsumoto working to try and regain half guard.
Kayani has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Kayani unloads with some shots from mount but Matsumoto bucks and avoids them well.
Matsumoto felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Kayani lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kayani throws some wild stikes that Matsumoto manages to avoid easily.
Poor strikes thrown by Kayani there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Kayani sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Matsumoto is working to get back to half guard.
Kayani trying to control but Matsumoto is having none of it.
Matsumoto tries to hold on but Kayani postures up.
Kayani is landing with some decent strikes but Matsumoto is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kayani landing strikes from the mount.
Kayani misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wasim Kayani dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Matsumoto avoids the head kick by Kayani.
Matsumoto lunges at Kayani with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Kayani's hand.
Matsumoto fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kayani looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Matsumoto scores with a decent looking hook.
Kayani lunges at Matsumoto with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Matsumoto's hand.
Kayani takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Matsumoto misses with a low kick.
Matsumoto is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kayani.
Matsumoto ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

Matsumoto shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Kayani napping and manages to drive through into side control!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kayani tries to buck Matsumoto off but Matsumoto is having none of it.
Kayani is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Matsumoto's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kayani wants to get back to full guard but Matsumoto has mounted him!
Matsumoto is landing with some decent strikes but Kayani is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Matsumoto tries to control but Kayani wriggling away.
Kayani in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Kayani is looking to get to half guard.
Matsumoto landing shots from mount.
Matsumoto is in the full mount, landing strikes.

Kayani is rocked!
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 looking to control but Kayani is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Kayani is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kayani slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Matsumoto wants to control but Kayani is keeping him busy.

Matsumoto seems to be looking for submissions.
Matsumoto missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Kayani is looking to improve his position.
Matsumoto performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Kayani is looking to improve his position.
Wasim Kayani overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kayani gets full guard.
Matsumoto distracts Kayani with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Matsumoto works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kayani is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Matsumoto pulls his head out easily.
Matsumoto throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Matsumoto is looking to advance position but Kayani won't allow it.
Matsumoto is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Kayani is looking to improve his position.
Matsumoto lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Matsumoto lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Kayani is looking to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsumoto is nestled in close to Kayani, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Kayani regains full guard. Nicely done.
Kayani wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Matsumoto pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kayani is keeping the position for now.
Kayani working a defensive guard here.
Matsumoto loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Matsumoto trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Matsumoto trying to control but Kayani is working from the bottom.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Kayani throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Matsumoto connects with a couple of short punches.
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.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Kayani staying out of range there.
Matsumoto scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Matsumoto throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Matsumoto tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Matsumoto throws the kick towards the body but Kayani avoids it.
Kayani takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Kayani swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Matsumoto.
Matsumoto takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Kayani stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Matsumoto.
The fighters circling - Matsumoto throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kayani doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kayani tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Matsumoto is able to avoid easily.
Kayani lands a high kick!
Kayani looks to land a combination but Matsumoto avoids it well.
Matsumoto misses with a wild body shot.
Kayani takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
An inside leg kick lands from Kayani.
Matsumoto walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Kayani checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Matsumoto misses with a wild body shot.
Matsumoto ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Matsumoto will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Kayani throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsumoto misses with an uppercut.
Matsumoto has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Kayani.
Matsumoto fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Kayani.
Matsumoto lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kayani tries to score with a low kick but Matsumoto moves his leg out of the way.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Kayani lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Matsumoto has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Matsumoto and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Matsumoto misses with an attempted mid kick.
An inside leg kick from Kayani misses.
Matsumoto is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Kayani rather than just go for the knockout.
Matsumoto goes for a double leg but Kayani avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Kayani continues to drive forward.
Kayani blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A right hook to the body lands for Matsumoto.

Kayani escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Matsumoto uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kayani.
A telegraphed right hand from Kayani misses the target.
Kayani misses with a looping right.
Kayani rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Matsumoto moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Kayani buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
That kick from Kayani tenderised Matsumoto's leg. Matsumoto is trying to keep his angry face on.
Kayani misses with a straight left.
Matsumoto looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Kayani throws an off balance right hand
and Matsumoto counters with a nice leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Matsumoto, as that shot connected.
Matsumoto lands a head shot.
Kayani keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Matsumoto.
Kayani throws a leg kick that misses.
Kiyoshi Matsumoto seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Matsumoto takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
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!
A bone on bone clash there as Kayani blocks the leg kick.
Kayani throws a looping overhand right but Matsumoto ducks down to avoid it.
Matsumoto looks for a takedown but Kayani sprawls well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kayani misses with a looping right.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Kiyoshi Matsumoto.
I think Matsumoto has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 29:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Kiyoshi Matsumoto!
Kiyoshi Matsumoto seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.