PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ferdinand Mathews (ranked 6467 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bota Prochao (ranked 6968 p4p, 540 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.

Mathews
vs
Prochao

224 cm
18
161 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
18
155 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Can Moonwalk

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ferdinand Mathews!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Bota Prochao!
The judges for this bout are Francis DeMontford, Damien Edna and Bruno Hogan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mathews pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Prochao back to the cage. Mathews follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Mathews attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Prochao tries to counter by closing the distance.
Prochao looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Mathews is fending him off so far but Prochao persists. Nope, Mathews circles away and we're back to standing.
Mathews slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Prochao is trying hard to land a takedown here. Mathews sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Prochao tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Mathews swivels and escapes.
As Prochao looks to move away, Mathews throws a big counter combo but Prochao just gets out of the way.
Ferdinand Mathews has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bota Prochao.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Prochao.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Prochao avoids the head kick by Mathews.
Mathews misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Danga de danga de dang - Mathews scores with a four punch combination!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mathews closes the distance and pushes Prochao back into the cage.
Mathews is trying to break free.
Mathews has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Prochao after a bit of a struggle.
Mathews lands a damaging elbow.
Mathews wants to get back to striking at distance but Prochao won't allow it.
Prochao tries to score a body lock takedown but Mathews shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Mathews manages to pull guard.
Mathews wants to get back to his feet but Prochao is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Prochao avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mathews throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Prochao's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Prochao stands and throws Mathews's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mathews is trying to improve his position.
Mathews manages to work his way to half guard, despite Prochao's best efforts.
Mathews is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Mathews is breathing heavily.
Prochao wants to control but Mathews is keeping him busy.
Prochao stalling.
Mathews is looking to improve his position.
Mathews is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Prochao's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Prochao's back!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mathews lands an elbow to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mathews throwing damaging strikes from the back! Prochao could be in trouble here!
Prochao just trying to survive but Mathews is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Prochao is trying to break free.
Mathews is punishing Prochao with some ground and pound.
Prochao tries to escape but Mathews has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Mathews will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Prochao is taking damage to the body and head.
Prochao looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Mathews is working the ground and pound here and the referee is taking a close look at Prochao. He must escape soon or this one will be stopped.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Prochao trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Prochao grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.
Mathews punches Prochao on the ear.
Mathews is looking to finish with some ground and pound!
Prochao is trying to remain composed but Mathews is hammering down strikes to the side of his head.
Mathews scores with punches from the back.
Mathews is throwing punches to the body, looking to soften Prochao up.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mathews is throwing punches to the body, looking to soften Prochao up.
Prochao rolls, trying to escape but Mathews keeps control of the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ferdinand Mathews dominated that round.
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.

Mathews misses with a double jab.

Mathews has taken the fight to the clinch.

Mathews breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Mathews throws a low kick but Prochao moves out of range easily.

Mathews pushes Prochao up against the cage in a clinch.
Prochao is trying to drag Mathews to the mat but Mathews just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Mathews is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Prochao can do to turn this around?

Mathews breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Mathews has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Horrible takedown attempt by Prochao or perhaps it was just good defense by Mathews, which made it look bad.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Prochao stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Mathews.
Mathews misses with a low kick.
Prochao shoots for a takedown but Mathews saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Ferdinand Mathews has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bota Prochao.
Prochao is breathing heavily.
Mathews throws a solid leg kick but Prochao takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Mathews.
Bota Prochao seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mathews pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Prochao back to the cage. Mathews follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Prochao shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Mathews but Mathews pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Mathews pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Ferdinand Mathews is winning the standup battle so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mathews moves into range and clinches up with Prochao.
Mathews gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Prochao.

Prochao has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Mathews regains guard immediately.
Mathews 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.
Prochao looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Mathews working for a triangle but Prochao defends it easily.
Prochao stopping the sweep attempt from Mathews.
Prochao looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Prochao looking to sit in guard and control but Mathews gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Mathews makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Mathews wanted to stand there but Prochao had control of the position.
Mathews postures up and lands a big shot to Prochao's brow.
Mathews with a flurry of punches that miss.
Mathews is in close to Prochao's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Mathews is looking to work some ground and pound but Prochao has wrist control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Prochao preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Prochao preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Prochao is controlling Mathews's posture.
Mathews postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Prochao is looking for a triangle but Mathews pushes his legs off easily.
Mathews content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Prochao has momentary wrist control but Mathews slips an elbow through the middle.
Prochao controls Mathews momentarily but Mathews frees himself.
Mathews lands a couple of digs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ferdinand Mathews dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Mathews misses with a low kick.
Prochao counters with a body kick.

Mathews gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Mathews is on top in guard.

Prochao controlling the position.
Prochao controls Mathews momentarily but Mathews frees himself.
Prochao is pulling down on Mathews's head. It's preventing any offense from Mathews, at least for the moment.
Prochao takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mathews postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Mathews accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Mathews landing with the ground and pound.
Mathews postures up and lands a big shot to Prochao's brow.
Mathews 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.

Mathews avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Mathews postures up and lands a big shot to Prochao's brow.
Mathews postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Mathews is looking to work some ground and pound but Prochao has wrist control.
Mathews lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mathews postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Prochao has momentary wrist control but Mathews slips an elbow through the middle.
Mathews lands a couple of digs.
Mathews working some strikes from top position.
Mathews content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Mathews with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Mathews working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Prochao's head.
Mathews keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Prochao's head.
Mathews really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Prochao has momentary wrist control but Mathews slips an elbow through the middle.
Mathews with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Mathews lands a couple of digs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mathews postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Mathews lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Mathews distracts Prochao with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Mathews won't allow Prochao to sweep him here.
Mathews lands a couple of digs.
Mathews connects with a couple of short punches.
Mathews with a nice head shot there.
Mathews makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Mathews wants to get up but he can't break Prochao's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Ferdinand Mathews overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Mathews connects with a couple of short punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mathews is in close to Prochao's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Mathews lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Mathews with a nice head shot there.
Mathews stands up over Prochao, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Mathews working some strikes from top position.
Mathews scoring with punches to the head and body.
Mathews is in close to Prochao's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Mathews scoring with punches to the head and body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mathews working some strikes from top position.
Mathews makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ferdinand Mathews showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Mathews has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Francis DeMontford scores the fight 30:26
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 30:27
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ferdinand Mathews!