PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Matt Lethal (ranked 1033 p4p, 134 weight class) and Dante Firm (ranked 1741 p4p, 216 weight class). Lethal comes to the cage accompanied by we're off to see the wizard. Matt Lethal has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Lethal
vs
Firm

190 cm
33
179 lbs
16 - 10 - 1

180 cm
33
171 lbs
16 - 6 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Riner Clothing and Laundry (85%)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Matt Lethal!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dante Firm!
The judges for this bout are , Don Winkell and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Firm moves out of range as Lethal strikes.
Matt Lethal seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Firm swings widly with a right hand
and Firm takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Good shot there by Firm.

Firm gets a clinch.
Firm lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Lethal lands a body punch in the clinch.
Firm working aggressively here.
Lethal tries to stall but Firm uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Lethal lands a right hand that snaps the head of Firm backwards.
Firm has a couple of punches blocked by Lethal.
Lethal has Firm pressed against the cage.
Firm lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Lethal backwards.
Firm swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Firm misses with a short punch on the inside.
Lethal is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Lethal blocks an uppercut.
Lethal blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Lethal.
A short uppercut from Firm.
Firm lands a shoulder strike.
Lethal blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Firm swings away with an uppercut that misses.
The referee is keeping an eye on Lethal - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Lethal holding his opponent close, against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Lethal.
Lethal throws a head punch that misses.
Firm struggles to land a body shot inside as Lethal controls his hands.
Firm lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Firm scores with a shoulder strike.
Lethal lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Lethal fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Firm scores with a hook to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Firm.
Firm misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Firm lands a hook that snaps the head of Lethal backwards.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Firm has a couple of punches blocked by Lethal.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
A short right from Firm on the inside.
Firm makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Lethal scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Firm misses with a hook to the ribs.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Lethal.
Lethal is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Firm blocks an uppercut.
Firm misses with a hook from the clinch.
Firm misses with a hook from the clinch.
Lethal blocks an uppercut.
A right handed body shot lands from Lethal.
Lethal's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Lethal lands a body punch in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Firm tries a body shot but Lethal blocks it.
Lethal working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Lethal is trying to maintain a safe position but Firm gets an underhook and turns Lethal into the cage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Firm as Lethal tries to tie him up.
Firm fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Lethal fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Firm misses with a hook from the clinch.
Firm misses with a short punch on the inside.
Firm throws a head punch that misses.
Firm throws a punch but it's blocked by Lethal.
Lethal pushes Firm back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Firm pushes Lethal back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Lethal misses with some punches.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Lethal creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A nice left hand lands by Firm.
A head punch on the inside from Lethal fails to land.
A head punch on the inside from Firm fails to land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lethal tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Lethal lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Firm has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Lethal seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Firm can turn it around.
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!
Lethal blocking some punches.
Firm scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Firm lands with a left to the head.
Firm lands a shoulder strike.
Lethal lands with a short shot to the head.
Firm misses with a short punch on the inside.
Firm tries to throw a body punch but Lethal avoids it by throwing Firm back against the cage.
Firm blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Firm lands with a right to the head.
Firm tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Lethal lands a left hand.
Lethal swings away with an uppercut that misses.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Lethal misses with a punch to the body.
Lethal blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Firm lands a right hand that snaps the head of Lethal backwards.
Firm working aggressively here.
Lethal lands with a right to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dante Firm dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Lethal avoids the body shot from Firm.
Lethal missing with a left hand there. Firm was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Lethal avoids the body shot from Firm.
Lethal moves out of range of the strikes.
Nice straight punches there by Firm. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Firm.
A big right from Lethal misses.
A big right from Lethal misses.
Lethal fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Firm on the side of the head.
Firm swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Firm cracks Lethal with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Firm throws a jab when Lethal was well out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A left lands for Firm.
Firm misses the jab.
Lethal fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Firm bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Lethal fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Firm has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lethal throws an overhand right that lands on Firm's shoulder, as Firm tries to avoid the shot.
Lethal misses with a looping right.
Firm swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Lethal swings for the body but Firm moves out of range.
Lethal keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Firm.
Firm moves out of range of the leg kick from Lethal.
Lethal misses with an uppercut. Firm saw that one coming.
Lethal cracks Firm with a right hand to the side of the head.
Lethal avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Firm has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Lethal.
Lethal throws a low kick but it's checked well by Firm.
Lethal misses with a hook to the body
enabling Firm to counter with a crisp jab.
A telegraphed right hand from Firm misses the target.
Firm displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Lethal throws out the jab.
Firm tries to counter by closing the distance.
Lethal ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Firm moves away.
A jab lands there for Firm.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A slapping body kick lands there for Lethal.
Lethal swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Firm keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Firm scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Lethal lands with a shot to the body.
Lethal throws a body shot but no joy.
Firm throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Lethal counters with a nice uppercut.
Lethal staying out of range there.
Lethal throws a leg kick but Firm checks it.
Firm scores with the left hand. Lethal knows he should have avoided that one.
Lethal ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Firm avoids the body shot from Lethal.
Lethal misses with a hook. Firm ducked under it nicely.
Firm doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Lethal misses with a hook. Firm ducked under it nicely.
It seemed like Firm was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
The crowd cheers as Lethal lands an impressive looking overhand right. Firm doesn't seem phased though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Lethal, right into the meat.
Firm sizes up Lethal with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Lethal avoids the body shot from Firm.
Firm loads up on a big right hand but Lethal slips the punch.
It looked like Lethal wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Firm avoids the head kick by Lethal.
Lethal takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Lethal misses with a looping left.
Firm misses with a hook. Lethal ducked under it nicely.
A little feinted left hand from Lethal on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Lethal walks into a straight right hand from Firm.
Lethal throws a leg kick but Firm checks it.
The fighters circling - Firm throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Firm throws out a loose jab but Lethal uses good head movement to avoid it.
A jab from Firm misses.
Lethal just misses with a punch to the body.
Firm now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Lethal uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Firm.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Firm misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lethal.
Matt Lethal is winning the standup battle so far.
Firm misses with a hook.
Lethal misses with a lunging right hand
and Firm cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
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!
Firm lands a body shot.
Firm throws a looping overhand right but Lethal ducks down to avoid it.
Firm lands a jab to Lethal's midsection.
Lethal misses with a body kick.
Firm wants to counter the offense by Lethal and move into the clinch position.
Lethal uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Firm.
Firm throws out a loose jab but Lethal uses good head movement to avoid it.
Lethal half committed to a counter leg kick.
Lethal avoids the body shot from Firm.
Lethal misses with a double jab.
Firm wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Lethal misses the jab.
Firm lands with an uppercut that bounces Lethal off the cage and back into range.
Firm misses with a looping right.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Dante Firm will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Firm scores with a sloppy right hand. Lethal should have avoided that one.
Firm slips a jab from Lethal.
A swing and a miss from Firm.
Firm tries to clinch up but Lethal circles away and keeps his distance.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Lethal.
Firm gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Lethal.
Lethal throws a lazy right hand but Firm sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Lethal sets himself, and Firm steps forward looking for the clinch! Lethal avoids it this time.
Lethal smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
A swing and a miss from Lethal.
Firm keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Firm throws a right hand that misses
and Lethal connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lethal keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Lethal slips under a jab.
A quick step to the side and Lethal tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Firm misses with an uppercut.
Firm is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Lethal.
Lethal throws an off balance right hand
and Firm counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Firm connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Firm fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Lethal manages to avoid it.
Lethal misses the shot to the body.
A jab from Lethal misses.
Lethal misses with a body shot
and Lethal takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Lethal digs a good body shot into Firm's ribs.
Firm takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Lethal throws a hook but Firm blocks it.
Lethal lands with an overhand left.
An inside leg kick lands from Lethal.
A telegraphed right hand from Lethal misses the target.
Lethal misses with a body kick.
Lethal slips under a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Firm wants to clinch up but Lethal keeps it at a distance.
Lethal swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Firm has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

Firm is rocked!
Firm digs a good hook to Lethal's body.
Firm is still on wobbly legs! Can Lethal finish him?
Firm throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Lethal sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Firm misses with a body shot.
Firm misses with an uppercut
and Lethal counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Firm seems to have recovered his senses.
Firm ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Lethal moves away.
Matt Lethal has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lethal thows a body kick. Firm tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Firm takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Lethal is looking to chop away at Firm's legs.
Firm throws a big shot that misses.
Firm misses with a hook. Lethal ducked under it nicely.
Some wild striking there from Lethal.
Firm throws a body shot but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Firm misses.
Firm swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Firm pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Lethal throws a half hearted mid kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Firm. Lethal does a little dance to reset his feet.
Firm lands a right hook to the body.
Dante Firm is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Firm walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Nice uppercut lands for Firm. That snapped Lethal's head back.
Lethal looks to land a right hand but Firm moved out of range.
Firm on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Look low, kick high! Lethal uses the oldest trick in the book to send Firm tumbling to the canvas, in a truly brutal knockout! Lethal is absolutely delighted - when Firm wakes up, I doubt he'll be quite so happy!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:48 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Head Kick). Matt Lethal!
Matt Lethal thanked the fans post fight for their support.