PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Super Monkey (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tatsujiri Matsui (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Monkey
vs
Matsui

167 cm
22
170 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

190 cm
22
170 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Likes ground

Fight 4 America

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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Super Monkey!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tatsujiri Matsui!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, George Francis and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matsui closes this distance looking for a takedown but Monkey circles away.
Matsui closes the distance and clinches up with Monkey, looking for a takedown. Matsui pushes Monkey against the cage but Monkey circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Matsui slips a jab and a cross from Monkey.
Matsui tries for a takedown but Monkey sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Super Monkey has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tatsujiri Matsui.
Monkey throws a right and a left that Matsui avoids nicely.
Monkey will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Matsui tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Monkey swivels and escapes.

Monkey has taken the fight to the clinch.
Matsui can't get the takedown.

Monkey is trying to trip Matsui. He has hold of a leg but Matsui is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Monkey persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Matsui trying to strike off his back.
Monkey is in close to Matsui's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Monkey is looking to work some ground and pound but Matsui has wrist control.
Matsui trying to control the position.
Monkey scoring with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Monkey accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Monkey looking to pass the guard.
Matsui looking to control.
Matsui has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Monkey in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Matsui stuffs the takedown attempt from Monkey. Monkey gets slowly back to his feet.
A combination from Monkey does no damage.

Monkey moves into the clinch.

Monkey has clasped his hands together around Matsui's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Monkey is breathing heavily.
You can see the frustration on Matsui's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Monkey wants to stand but Matsui has his arm trapped.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Monkey lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Monkey lands a decent elbow from side control.
Monkey in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Matsui tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Monkey wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
You can see the frustration on Matsui's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Matsui is looking to reverse the position.
Monkey working the head with strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Monkey lands some shots froms side control.
Matsui tries to buck Monkey off but Monkey is having none of it.
Monkey cracks Matsui with a big elbow.
Monkey working the head and body with strikes.
Monkey works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Monkey in side control lands a decent elbow.
Matsui is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsui misses with a strike from the bottom.
Monkey landing strikes.
Matsui throwing some weak shots from the bottom that do no damage.
Monkey lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Matsui down.
Monkey lands some shots froms side control.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Matsui fails with the takedown

and Monkey counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Matsui tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Monkey just stands there and leans against the cage.
Monkey scores with an uppercut up the middle.

Monkey breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Matsui showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Monkey.
Monkey digs a good body shot into Matsui's ribs.
Matsui with a poor takedown

and Monkey counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Monkey.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Monkey breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Monkey drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Monkey scoring with some ground and pound.
Matsui trying to control the position.
Monkey pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Matsui is keeping the position for now.
Matsui working a defensive guard but Monkey manages to pass into side control anyway.
Matsui regains half guard.
Matsui tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Nice strikes from Monkey there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Super Monkey dominated that round.
That's time! Monkey's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Monkey lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Matsui gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Monkey counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Monkey throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Matsui.
Nice defenses there by Matsui.

Monkey feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Monkey is working Matsui over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Monkey stands and steps away. Matsui gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Monkey throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Matsui gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Monkey counters by clinching up.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Monkey pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Monkey lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Monkey.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsui tries to clinch

and Monkey counters by moving into the clinch.
Monkey avoiding damage as Matsui throws knees to the body.
Matsui can't get the takedown.
Super Monkey has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tatsujiri Matsui.

Monkey breaks the clinch.
Matsui closes the distance but Monkey moves to the side

and Monkey counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Matsui tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Matsui jumps guard but Monkey stands there with Matsui around his waist. Matsui gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Monkey lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

Monkey breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Monkey moves into the clinch.

Monkey breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Monkey looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Monkey closes the distance and clinches.

Monkey has Matsui pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Monkey pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Matsui tumbling to the mat - Monkey dives into Matsui's guard.
Monkey postures up.
Matsui has a closed guard, preventing Monkey from standing up.

Matsui has his foot on Monkey's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Monkey works his way back into a safe position though.
Monkey has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Matsui striking off his back but it's not causing Monkey any problems.
Monkey might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Matsui throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Monkey lands a couple of elbows.
Matsui is trying to keep Monkey in close.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsui keeping full guard, as Monkey tries to pass.
Monkey lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Matsui looking to control.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Matsui has his takedown stuffed

and Monkey counters with a single leg into guard. Matsui didn't expect that.
Matsui striking off his back but it's not causing Monkey any problems.
Matsui throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Matsui looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Monkey scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Monkey knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Matsui on the ground.
Matsui controls Monkey momentarily but Monkey frees himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsui has a closed guard, preventing Monkey from standing up.
Matsui working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Monkey.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Monkey throws a series of punches but Matsui avoids them all with ease.

Monkey has closed the distance and engaged Matsui in a clinch.
Monkey comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

Monkey manages to break the clinch.
Matsui gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Monkey counters with a single leg into guard. Matsui didn't expect that.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Matsui is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Monkey is working Matsui over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Super Monkey dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

A punch combination from Monkey misses.

Monkey moves into the clinch.

Monkey has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Matsui is trying to keep an underhook but Monkey manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Monkey not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Monkey lands strikes from half guard.

Monkey decides to stand up.
Matsui fails with the takedown

and Monkey decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Matsui's guard.
Monkey working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Matsui is on top in guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Matsui throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Monkey pushes Matsui off and gets back to his feet.

Monkey rushes Matsui and presses him up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Monkey breaks from the clinch.
Monkey uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
A decent looking cross lands there for Monkey.
Monkey is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Jab by Monkey.
Matsui tries to clinch

and Monkey counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Monkey tries to pass the half guard into mount. Matsui knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Monkey thows a huge punch but Matsui dodges it nicely.

Monkey postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Matsui to stand up.
Monkey will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Monkey shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Monkey was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Matsui tries to hold on but Monkey pushes him away.
Monkey with a couple of short strikes.
Monkey working Matsui over with strikes here.
Matsui tries to hold on but Monkey postures up.
Monkey is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Matsui can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Monkey landing punches.
Matsui flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Monkey looking to finish Matsui with some ground and pound. This is bad for Matsui!
Matsui wants to hold on but Monkey pushes him away.
Monkey scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Matsui?
Matsui is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Matsui swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Monkey working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Matsui manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Matsui wants to control but Monkey is keeping busy.
Matsui punching from the bottom.
Monkey is nestled in close to Matsui, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Matsui has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Monkey is working away from the top position though.
Monkey takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Matsui avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Monkey.
Matsui is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Monkey scores with a couple of nice shots.
Matsui avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Monkey.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Matsui shoots in looking for a takedown. Monkey tries to sprawl out of it but Matsui keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Monkey manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Monkey misses with a jab, cross combination.
Super Monkey is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Monkey closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Matsui takes an elbow to the forehead.
Monkey gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Matsui.
Super Monkey has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tatsujiri Matsui.

Monkey lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Monkey is keen to just control but Matsui is a slippery customer.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The fighters are battling for position here. Matsui manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Matsui wants to sweep here but Monkey controlling him for the moment.
Monkey in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

And that's the end of the fight!
Super Monkey showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Monkey 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 30:27
Judge George Francis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Super Monkey!