PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jack Falcon (ranked 22931 p4p, 564 weight class) and Tazawa Matsu (ranked 5626 p4p, 498 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.

Falcon
vs
Matsu

174 cm
23
180 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

172 cm
22
182 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
KO power

Good wrestler
Brawler
Good gas tank

UnderGround Supplements

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 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jack Falcon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Tazawa Matsu!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Nard Betker and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Falcon connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Matsu's hands.

Matsu scores with a takedown into Falcon's guard.
Matsu throwing strikes from guard but Falcon blocks nicely.
Matsu throwing strikes but missing.
Matsu throws an elbow that misses. Falcon uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Matsu's guard. Nice move by Falcon!

Matsu is adopting a defensive guard.
Matsu looking for a sweep. Not yet Matsu, not yet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Falcon trying to control but Matsu is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Falcon missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Falcon tries to stand but Matsu is controlling from the bottom.
Falcon trying to control but Matsu is working from the bottom.
Matsu looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Matsu is adopting a defensive guard.
Falcon looking to sit in guard and control but Matsu gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Matsu must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Falcon not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Matsu throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Matsu throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Falcon works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Falcon on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Falcon tries to get out of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Matsu working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Matsu throws a big right hand that misses.
Falcon is pulling down on Matsu's head. It's preventing any offense from Matsu, at least for the moment.
Matsu trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Falcon 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.
Falcon working a defensive guard here.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Matsu postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Matsu looks for a takedown but Falcon sprawls well.
An attempted straight right counter from Falcon misses the target.
Falcon ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Matsu moves away.
Matsu tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Falcon throws an overhand right that lands on Matsu's shoulder, as Matsu tries to avoid the shot.
Falcon throws a solid leg kick but Matsu takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Falcon.
Matsu is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Falcon jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Tazawa Matsu seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Falcon misses with a two punch combination.
Matsu avoids the body shot from Falcon.
Matsu fails with a takedown attempt.
Matsu doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Falcon counters with a nice uppercut.
Jack Falcon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tazawa Matsu.
Matsu slips a straight right by Falcon.
Matsu tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Matsu takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Matsu fails with a takedown attempt.

Matsu moves into the clinch.
Matsu is looking for a takedown.
I was talking to Falcon's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Falcon is trying to push Matsu away but Matsu has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsu works on Falcon's body with a couple of short punches.
Matsu lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Matsu lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Matsu looking for a takedown.

Matsu decides to pull guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Falcon stays in close to Matsu's body and controls the position.

Falcon gets to his feet - Matsu follows without any prompting.
Matsu shoots in for a double leg but Falcon sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Matsu tries for a takedown but Falcon circles away easily
and Falcon makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Falcon looks to land a right hand but Matsu moved out of range.
Falcon throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Matsu.
Falcon comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Falcon dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Matsu wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Matsu is defended easily by Falcon.

Matsu rushes Falcon and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Falcon is trying to break the clinch but Matsu is controlling him.
Matsu tries for a takedown. No joy.
Falcon is trying to break free.
Falcon is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Jack Falcon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tazawa Matsu.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matsu tries for a takedown. No joy.
Matsu tries for a takedown but Falcon manages to get underhooks.

Falcon pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Matsu shoots for a takedown but Falcon saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Matsu shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Falcon but Falcon pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Falcon throws a quick counter head kick but Matsu was just out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Falcon misses with a two punch combination.
Falcon throws a sloppy head kick and Matsu moves out of range easily.

Matsu feints and as Falcon raises his hands in defense, Matsu changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Falcon pushes Matsu off and scrambles back to his feet.
Matsu shoots for a takedown but Falcon saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Matsu is breathing heavily.
Matsu shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Falcon swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Matsu slips a jab from Falcon.
Matsu shoots in for a takedown but Falcon shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Falcon tries a head kick but it misses.
Matsu is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Matsu fails to land the takedown.
Matsu tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Falcon manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A combination from Falcon does no damage.
Matsu shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Falcon as he avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Falcon throws a big shot that misses.
Jack Falcon is winning the standup battle so far.

Matsu closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Matsu lands in his opponent's guard.
Falcon preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Falcon is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Falcon working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Matsu.
Matsu is in close to Falcon's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Falcon trying to control the position.
Matsu throws an elbow that misses. Falcon uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Matsu's guard. Nice move by Falcon!

Falcon wants to control from the top but Matsu keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Falcon won't allow Matsu to sweep him here.
Matsu is adopting a defensive guard.
Tazawa Matsu has got the better of the ground game so far.
Falcon throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Matsu looking for a sweep. Not yet Matsu, not yet.
Falcon wants to stand and escape but instead Matsu has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Matsu stopping the sweep attempt from Falcon.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Matsu landing with the ground and pound.
Falcon has momentary wrist control but Matsu slips an elbow through the middle.
Falcon avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Matsu throws an elbow that misses. Falcon uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Matsu's guard. Nice move by Falcon!

Falcon wants to get up but he can't break Matsu's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Falcon loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Matsu is looking to sweep but instead, Falcon has passed into half guard.
Matsu works his way to full guard. Good work.
Matsu is controlling Falcon's posture.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Falcon dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Matsu clinches up with Falcon and pushes him back against the cage.
Matsu throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Falcons head.
Matsu has Falcon pressed against the cage, preventing Falcon from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Matsu goes for a takedown attempt but Falcon pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Falcon throws a head kick but Matsu moves out of range.
Matsu shoots in for a takedown but Falcon shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Falcon dives in for a single leg takedown but Matsu sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Matsu doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Falcon counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Jack Falcon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tazawa Matsu.
Matsu misses with a takedown
and Falcon counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matsu shoots in for a takedown but Falcon shows good takedown defense.
Matsu takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Falcon misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Matsu.
Matsu takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Matsu shoots in looking for a takedown. Falcon tries to sprawl out of it but Matsu keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Falcon manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsu shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Falcon pinned against the cage. Falcon gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Matsu rushes Falcon and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Matsu jumps into guard, dragging Falcon to the mat.
Falcon trying to control the position from guard on top but Matsu is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Falcon throws a strike but Matsu rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Falcon has control of Matsu's left arm, preventing Matsu from doing any damage.
Matsu throws a strike but Falcon rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsu is looking to stand up but Falcon isn't so interested in that idea.
Falcon working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Matsu's head.
Falcon throwing strikes but missing.

Falcon decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Matsu tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Falcon swivels and escapes.
Matsu dives in for a single leg takedown but Falcon sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Falcon appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Matsu uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Falcon.
Matsu swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Falcon fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Matsu dives in and scores a takedown into Falcon's guard.
Falcon is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Matsu can do to turn this around?
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Matsu throws a strike but Falcon rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Falcon trying to control but Matsu is working from the bottom.
Matsu working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Falcon.
Jack Falcon is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Falcon wants to control from the top but Matsu keeps moving.
Falcon has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Matsu is proving hard to escape from.
Falcon trying to control the position from guard on top but Matsu is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tazawa Matsu has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Falcon wanted to stand there but Matsu had control of the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Falcon trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Matsu 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.
Matsu keeping moving, preventing Falcon from controlling successfully.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Falcon would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Matsu looks to land a body kick but Falcon moved away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Matsu shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Falcon is defending against the submission attempts here by Matsu.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jack Falcon showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Falcon, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Saam Ante scores the fight 30:27
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jack Falcon!
A victorious Jack Falcon thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.