PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Keven Mathis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tom Strikeson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tom Strikeson will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Mathis
vs
Strikeson

199 cm
24
279 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

190 cm
25
270 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Keven Mathis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tom Strikeson!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Daniel Franklin and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Mathis gets caught flat footed, as Strikeson shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Mathis keeping moving, preventing Strikeson from controlling successfully.
Mathis looking for a sweep. Not yet Mathis, not yet.
Mathis has a closed guard, preventing Strikeson from standing up.

Mathis is looking for a triangle but Strikeson pushes his legs off easily.

Mathis is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Mathis had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Strikeson defends it easily.
Strikeson controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Strikeson gets to his feet - Mathis follows without any prompting.
Strikeson tries to close the distance and clinch but Mathis swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Strikeson moves into range and clinches up with Mathis.
Mathis is struggling to control the position.

Strikeson gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strikeson trying to control the position from guard on top but Mathis is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mathis working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Strikeson.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mathis tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Strikeson is looking to work some ground and pound but Mathis has wrist control.

Mathis is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Strikeson defends well.
Mathis wants to sweep but no luck.
Strikeson controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Mathis wants to get back to his feet but Strikeson is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Mathis has his foot on Strikeson's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Strikeson works his way back into a safe position though.

Strikeson avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Strikeson trying to control but Mathis is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Mathis has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Strikeson can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Mathis is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Strikeson is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Mathis scores with a couple of nice shots.
Mathis working over Strikeson with some ground and pound. Strikeson looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Mathis lands with a punch from half guard.

Mathis wants to work for an arm triangle but Strikeson is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Strikeson taking some punishment here, with Mathis in his half guard.
Mathis is breathing heavily.
The fighters are battling for position here. Strikeson manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Strikeson pushes Mathis off and scrambles back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Strikeson drives through and clinches with Mathis against the cage.
Mathis has a couple of punches blocked by Strikeson.
Mathis leaning against his opponent.
Strikeson wants to break free but Mathis has control.
Strikeson wants to get back to striking at distance but Mathis won't allow it.
Mathis has Strikeson pressed against the cage.
Mathis content to slow the pace in the clinch.

Strikeson pulls guard.

Strikeson is working an open guard so Mathis takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Tom Strikeson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Strikeson clinches up with Mathis and pushes him back against the cage.
Strikeson pushes Mathis back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mathis taking a breather.
Mathis tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

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

Mathis tries to keep at a distance but Strikeson has taken the fight into the clinch.
Strikeson is stalling here.

Strikeson successfully pulls guard.

Strikeson manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Strikeson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Strikeson is trying to break free.
Strikeson wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Strikeson ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Strikeson no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tom Strikeson dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Strikeson shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Mathis is trying to defend but Strikeson finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Strikeson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Strikeson prevents Mathis from improving his position.
Mathis manages to get to full guard.

Mathis had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Strikeson defends it easily.
Tom Strikeson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Mathis throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mathis tries to strike from the bottom.
Strikeson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Mathis bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Strikeson's guard.

Mathis works over Strikeson with some ground and pound from guard.
Mathis with a nice head shot there.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Strikeson is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Mathis presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Strikeson avoiding damage.
Mathis struggles to land a body shot inside as Strikeson controls his hands.

Strikeson drags the fight down to the ground.
Strikeson will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.

Mathis decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Strikeson forces Mathis back against the cage and clinches.
Strikeson is trying to break the clinch but Mathis has him pressed against the cage.
Mathis displaying some good clinch control by pressing Strikeson up against the cage.

Strikeson decides to pull guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mathis keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Strikeson's head.
Mathis is looking to work some ground and pound but Strikeson has wrist control.
Strikeson trying to keep a closed guard but Mathis is proving a slippery customer.
Strikeson wants to stand but Mathis is controlling the position.
Mathis landing with the ground and pound.
Mathis 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.

Mathis stands up from Strikeson's guard - Mathis perhaps looking for a knockout.
Strikeson tries to clinch up but Mathis circles away and keeps his distance.
Mathis doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mathis tries to clinch there but Strikeson circles away.
Strikeson tries to close the distance and clinch but Mathis swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strikeson tries to clinch there but Mathis circles away.
Keven Mathis is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Strikeson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Mathis paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Strikeson moves into the clinch successfully.
Mathis tries for a takedown but Strikeson manages to get underhooks.
Mathis taking a breather.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Mathis has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Strikeson avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
A hook to the body from Strikeson.

Strikeson jumps into guard, dragging Mathis to the mat.
Mathis is looking to work some ground and pound but Strikeson has wrist control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Strikeson throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

Strikeson wriggles free and stands up.

Mathis closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Strikeson has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Mathis is trying to keep an underhook but Strikeson manages to get the takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Strikeson wants to take a breather but Mathis is having none of it.
Mathis tries to roll over but Strikeson keeps him under control.
Strikeson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Mathis keeps working.
Mathis avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Strikeson.
Mathis won't allow Strikeson to pass to mount.
Strikeson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tom Strikeson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Mathis's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Strikeson clinches up against the cage.

Strikeson pulls guard successfully.

Mathis stands and steps away. Strikeson gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Strikeson rushes Mathis and presses him up against the cage.
Strikeson is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Mathis jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Strikeson walks away with a smile on his face. Mathis gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Strikeson manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Mathis on his heels. He'll look to pass Mathis's guard now, I'm sure.
Strikeson wanted to stand there but Mathis had control of the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Strikeson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Strikeson is looking to work some ground and pound but Mathis has wrist control.
Strikeson's corner is telling him to maintain position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Mathis is on top in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mathis postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Strikeson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Mathis missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Mathis gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Strikeson jabs Mathis to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Strikeson just misses with a punch to the body.
Strikeson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Mathis paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Mathis circles away from the clinch attempt.
Strikeson doesn't manage to clinch there - Mathis circles away.

Strikeson closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Strikeson scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Mathis displaying some good clinch control by pressing Strikeson up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mathis is stalling here.
Strikeson is stalling here.
Mathis has Strikeson pressed against the cage.
Tom Strikeson seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Mathis prevents Strikeson from breaking the clinch.
Mathis trying to land knees to the body.

Mathis lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Strikeson kicks off Mathis and gets to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Strikeson closes the distance and clinches.
Strikeson pushes Mathis back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A body shot lands from Strikeson.
Strikeson softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Tom Strikeson is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Mathis stalling in the clinch.
Mathis tries to stall but Strikeson uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
A short body shot lands from Strikeson as the two fighters clinch.
Strikeson lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Mathis tries to score a body lock takedown but Strikeson shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
A body shot lands from Strikeson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Strikeson has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Mathis regains guard immediately.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mathis being controlled here, momentarily.

Mathis looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Strikeson won't allow Mathis to sweep him here.
Strikeson sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Strikeson's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tom Strikeson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Strikeson has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tom Strikeson!