PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Futoshi Matsunaga (ranked 55 p4p, 126 weight class) and Balagot Liu (ranked 6 p4p, 13 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Matsunaga
vs
Liu

170 cm
37
145
37 - 17 - 2

173 cm
28
146
18 - 3 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

HELLBENT
SynCity Fightwear

Savage Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 37 - 17 - 2, fighting out of New York, Futoshi Matsunaga!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Balagot Liu!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Don Winkell and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Liu pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Matsunaga seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
A jab lands there for Matsunaga.
Matsunaga swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Matsunaga scores with a jab to the jaw.
Matsunaga lands with a right hand.
Liu is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Matsunaga.
Matsunaga throws a low kick but Liu moves out of range easily.
Liu pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Liu pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Liu motions for Matsunaga to come forward. Liu throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Liu uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Matsunaga.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Liu! But no joy.
Liu throws a right and a left that both miss.
Liu misses with a hook.
A shot to the body from Matsunaga misses
and Liu counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Matsunaga instigates a clinch.

Matsunaga pulls guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Matsunaga working for a triangle but Liu defends it easily.
Matsunaga wants to sweep here but Liu controlling him for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Matsunaga has his foot on Liu's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Liu works his way back into a safe position though.
Liu stopping the sweep attempt from Matsunaga.
Matsunaga has his hands on Liu's head, controlling the position.
Matsunaga working a defensive guard here.
Liu wants to stand but Matsunaga has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Matsunaga escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Liu gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Liu must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Matsunaga is looking for a triangle here but Liu uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Matsunaga tries to bench press Liu off him but Liu keeps the position.
We've been hearing good reports from Matsunaga's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Matsunaga is working hard here to advance position.

Liu decides to stand up, so the ref orders Matsunaga to his feet.
Matsunaga misses the jab.
Liu staying out of range there.
A jab from Matsunaga misses.
Liu misses with a looping left.
Matsunaga walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Matsunaga attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Liu loads up on a big right hand but Matsunaga slips the punch.
Liu ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsunaga swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Matsunaga takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

Matsunaga forces Liu back against the cage and clinches.

Liu manages to break the clinch.
Liu closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Matsunaga moves out of range of the strikes.
Liu lands with a cross.
Liu throws a looping overhand right but Matsunaga ducks down to avoid it.
Matsunaga takes one on the button.
Matsunaga with a nice calf kick.
Liu uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Matsunaga.
A jab from Matsunaga misses.
Liu avoids the head kick by Matsunaga.
Matsunaga with a nice calf kick.
Liu darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Liu bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Matsunaga feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Lius jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Matsunaga bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Matsunaga connects with a body shot.
Liu takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Matsunaga jabs Liu to the body, keeping him at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Liu ducks under a wild hook from Matsunaga.
Liu throws out a counter right but Matsunaga avoids it with no problem.
Matsunaga misses with a hook.
Some wild striking there from Matsunaga.
Liu is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Matsunaga.
Liu might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Liu waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Matsunaga.
Matsunaga tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Matsunaga has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Liu finds it's way round the side to connect with Matsunaga's head.
Matsunaga steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Liu.
It looked like Matsunaga wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Liu loads up on a big right hand but Matsunaga slips the punch.
Matsunaga throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
It seemed like Liu was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Liu throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
It looked like Matsunaga wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Liu just misses with a punch to the body.
Matsunaga lands the left hand.
Matsunaga missing with a left hand there. Liu was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Liu appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Liu scores with a head kick.
Liu fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Matsunaga.
Matsunaga stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Liu throws a hook but Matsunaga blocks it.
Matsunaga throws a big shot that misses.
Liu looks to throw the jab but Matsunaga is out of range.
Liu ducks under a wild hook from Matsunaga.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Futoshi Matsunaga will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Matsunaga lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Matsunaga throws a right hand that misses
and Liu makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Liu connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Matsunaga's hands.
Liu's corner calls for a 1-2. Liu obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Matsunaga throws a shot from downtown. Liu moves away and avoids it.
Liu ducks under a wild hook from Matsunaga.
Liu throws a jab when Matsunaga was well out of range.
A lazy left from Liu finds it's target.
Liu checks a low kick from Matsunaga.
Liu throws a nice outside leg kick.
Liu turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Liu lands a jab to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Liu moves away from the strike by Matsunaga.
Liu lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
A decent looking cross lands there for Matsunaga.
Liu misses the jab.
Liu connects with a looping right hand.
Liu has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Liu cracks Matsunaga with an open hand slap.
Matsunaga is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Liu throws a solid leg kick but Matsunaga takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Liu.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsunaga jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Matsunaga throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Matsunaga pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Liu slips a jab and a cross from Matsunaga.
Liu lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Matsunaga lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Liu connects with a solid leg kick.
Liu avoids a punch combination nicely.
Liu is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Matsunaga with a body shot.
Liu tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Matsunaga thows a left - swing and a miss!
Liu takes a swing at Matsunaga's ribcage but misses.
Liu lands with a shot to the body.
Liu throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Liu misses with a hook.
Matsunaga throws a sloppy head kick and Liu moves out of range easily.
Matsunaga will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Despite the aggression on Liu's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Matsunaga tries to land a leg kick but Liu saw it coming and moves away.
Liu pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsunaga uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Liu.
Matsunaga lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Balagot Liu seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Liu swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nice body punch from Matsunaga.
No joy there for Liu, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A leg kick checked by Matsunaga.
Matsunaga rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Liu moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Matsunaga moves away from the strike by Liu.
A big left from Liu misses.
An inside leg kick from Matsunaga misses.
A punch combination from Matsunaga misses.
Liu connects with a nice looking jab.
Liu connects with a crisp jab.
Liu throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Matsunaga sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Matsunaga fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Matsunaga connects with a single shot there.
Matsunaga throws a right hand that Liu ducks under and follows up with a left that Liu also avoids with ease.
Liu misses with a hook.
Liu fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Matsunaga manages to avoid it.
Liu takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Liu uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Matsunaga.
A slow jab from Matsunaga misses its intended target.
Liu throws out a counter right but Matsunaga avoids it with no problem.
Liu throws a big shot that misses.
Matsunaga misses with a jab, cross combination.
Liu connects with a body shot.
Matsunaga takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Liu misses with a wild body shot.
Liu keeps the fight on the outside.
Liu misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Matsunaga.
Liu scores with the left hand. Matsunaga knows he should have avoided that one.
Liu uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Matsunaga.
Liu slips under a jab.
Liu takes a swing at Matsunaga's ribcage but misses.
Liu throws an overhand right that lands on Matsunaga's shoulder, as Matsunaga tries to avoid the shot.
Jab, jab by Matsunaga - just one landing.
Liu throws a hook but Matsunaga avoids it easily.
Matsunaga throws a right and a left that Liu avoids nicely.
Matsunaga moves away from the strike by Liu.
Liu takes a kick to the side of the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Matsunaga looks to land a right hand but Liu moved out of range.
Matsunaga fails with an attempt to clinch.
Liu throws out a counter right but Matsunaga avoids it with no problem.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsunaga throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Liu.
Liu pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
As Liu backs away, Matsunaga returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.

Matsunaga moves into range and clinches up with Liu.
Liu wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Matsunaga has him pressed against the cage.

Liu's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Matsunaga misses the jab.
Liu avoids the body shot from Matsunaga.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Liu! But no joy.
Matsunaga throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Liu counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Liu cracks Matsunaga with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Matsunaga lands with a thumping leg kick.
Matsunaga throws a lazy right hand but Liu sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A clash of legs there as Matsunaga blocks the low kick.
Liu ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Matsunaga is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Liu.
Liu has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Matsunaga finds it's way round the side to connect with Liu's head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Liu lands a jab to the head.
Liu slips under a jab.
Liu scores with the left hand. Matsunaga knows he should have avoided that one.
Matsunaga buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Liu takes one to the side of the head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Futoshi Matsunaga will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Matsunaga moves out of range as Liu strikes.
Liu swats away the attempt to clinch by Matsunaga.
Matsunaga scores with a jab to the head.
Matsunaga looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Matsunaga throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A telegraphed right hand from Matsunaga misses the target.
Matsunaga tests Liu's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A clash of legs there as Liu blocks the low kick.
Matsunaga scores with a crisp jab that stopped Liu in his tracks.
Matsunaga tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Liu is able to avoid easily.
Matsunaga does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Matsunaga loads up on a big right hand but Liu slips the punch.
Liu now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Liu connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Matsunaga's hands.
Matsunaga takes a jab right on the kisser.
Matsunaga tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Liu manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Matsunaga throws a right and a left that both miss.
Liu ducks under a wild hook from Matsunaga.
Liu misses with a looping right.
Matsunaga throwing a counter right hand but Liu manages to avoid it.
Liu dodges the punch combination from Matsunaga.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Liu throws a looping overhand right but Matsunaga ducks down to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Liu.
A little jabbing left from Liu on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Matsunaga throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A countering left hand to the body from Liu misses.
Liu moves out of range of the body kick.
Liu throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A little feinted left hand from Matsunaga on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Matsunaga on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
A right-left combo lands from Matsunaga.
Matsunaga moves out of range as Liu throws a body kick.
Liu misses with a two punch combination.
It looked like Matsunaga was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Nice defenses there by Liu.
Matsunaga tries to bum rush Liu with a series of wild strikes but Liu uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Liu throws a wild body kick that Matsunaga sees coming a mile off.
Matsunaga looks to throw the jab but Liu is out of range.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Matsunaga, as that shot connected.
Liu looks to score with a jab to the body but Matsunaga is just out of range.
Liu throws out a loose jab but Matsunaga uses good head movement to avoid it.
Liu slips under a jab.
Liu throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Matsunaga.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Matsunaga moves out of range as Liu strikes.
Matsunaga misses with an uppercut.
Matsunaga misses with a hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsunaga throws a big shot that misses.
Liu throws an overhand right that lands on Matsunaga's shoulder, as Matsunaga tries to avoid the shot.
Liu throws a hook but Matsunaga blocks it.
Matsunaga connects with the punch.
Liu lands with a kick to the ribs.
Matsunaga bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Matsunaga thows a left - swing and a miss!
Matsunaga lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Liu avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Matsunaga throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Matsunaga takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Liu throws a head kick that misses.
Nice shot by Liu.
Liu scores with a hook to the body. Matsunaga takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Matsunaga keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Liu throws a jab when Matsunaga was well out of range.
Matsunaga blocks a jab.
Liu blocks a jab.
Liu looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Matsunaga takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Matsunaga connects with a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Liu punishes Matsunaga's body with a nice straight punch.
Matsunaga works over Liu's head and body with a nice combination.
Liu has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Liu there as he acknowledges the shot.
Matsunaga takes a swing at Liu's ribcage but misses.
Liu moves out of range as Matsunaga strikes.
Liu pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A counter left hand to the body from Matsunaga misses its target.
Liu misses with a wild combination.
Liu misses with a wild combination.
Matsunaga just misses with a punch to the body.
Liu is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
A nice inside leg kick there by Liu. That's going to slow Matsunaga down.
Liu dips to his left and cracks Matsunaga with an uppercut!

Matsunaga moves into the clinch successfully.
Matsunaga tries to pull guard but Liu holds him up against the cage and eventually Matsunaga drops back down to his feet.
Liu tries to circle away but Matsunaga has him pinned against the cage.

Liu breaks the clinch.
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!
Matsunaga looks to land a left hand but Liu moved out of range nicely.
Matsunaga scores with a jab to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Liu wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Matsunaga lands a leg kick that knocks Liu off balance momentarily.
Liu lands with a nice body punch.
Liu misses with a few strikes there.
Liu pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Liu slips a jab from Matsunaga.
Matsunaga needs to keep his hands up - Liu had a free shot at his head there.

Matsunaga clinches up with Liu and pushes him back against the cage.
Matsunaga is trying to pull guard but Liu turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Liu.
Matsunaga jumps guard but Liu turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Futoshi Matsunaga. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Liu's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Liu with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A big right from Matsunaga misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Liu dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Matsunaga. That did some damage!
Matsunaga takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Liu with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Matsunaga moves in looking to clinch but Liu pushes him off.
Liu misses with a looping right.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Balagot Liu just about did enough to take it.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Matsunaga goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Liu connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Liu buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Liu misses with a two punch combination.
The fighters circling - Liu throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Matsunaga just misses with a punch to the body.
Matsunaga swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A big left from Matsunaga misses.
Liu connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Liu takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
A jab from Matsunaga misses.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Matsunaga checks a leg kick.
Matsunaga fails to land with a series of punches.
Matsunaga pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matsunaga takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Matsunaga throws a hook to the side of Liu's head but Liu sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Liu now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Liu throws a jab when Matsunaga was well out of range.
Liu misses with a looping left.
Matsunaga throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
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!
Good work by Matsunaga as he checks the leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good shot there by Liu.
Liu misses with a looping right.
Liu misses with a jab, cross combination.
Matsunaga swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Liu checks a low kick from Matsunaga.
Matsunaga throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Matsunaga swinging wildly here.
Matsunaga throws a half hearted mid kick.
Matsunaga blocks a jab.
Matsunaga swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Liu.
Matsunaga ducks under a wild hook from Liu.
Liu throws a nice looking combination but Matsunaga bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A telegraphed right hand from Matsunaga misses the target.
Sloppy strikes from Matsunaga. Those never looked like landing.
Matsunaga misses with a straight left.
Matsunaga needs to keep his hands up - Liu had a free shot at his head there.
Liu works Matsunaga's body with a nice hook.
Matsunaga avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

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!
Liu throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A left lands for Liu.
Liu defending well as Matsunaga loads up on a big left hand.
Matsunaga avoids a kick to the body.
Matsunaga throws a jab but it's blocked by Liu.
A solid leg kick lands there for Liu.
Matsunaga throws a quick inside leg kick.
Liu looks to land a combination but Matsunaga avoids it well.
Liu scores with a hook.
A jab from Matsunaga misses.
Liu throws a jab when Matsunaga was well out of range.
Matsunaga misses with a two punch combination.
Liu uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Matsunaga.
Matsunaga misses with a two punch combination.
Liu misses with a double jab.
Liu thows a left - swing and a miss!
Liu misses with an uppercut.
Liu throws a shot from downtown. Matsunaga moves away and avoids it.
Matsunaga's jab looks to have found its range, popping Liu under the eye.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Liu works the jab nicely.
Liu throws a jab when Matsunaga was well out of range.
Liu blocks a jab.
Liu lands with a kick to the ribs.
A head kick misses from Liu.
Matsunaga throws out a powerful jab.
Liu avoids the body shot from Matsunaga.
A punch combination from Matsunaga misses.
Matsunaga works over Liu's head and body with a nice combination.
Liu throws the left hand but Matsunaga avoids the punch easily.
Matsunaga throws a looping overhand right but Liu ducks down to avoid it.
Liu dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Liu is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Matsunaga.
Liu keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Matsunaga.
Matsunaga throws the kick towards the body but Liu avoids it.
Matsunaga throws a body shot but no joy.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Matsunaga gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Liu.
Liu swinging wildly here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Liu slips a jab and a cross from Matsunaga.
Liu throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Matsunaga misses the body punch
letting Liu counter with a right hand.
A looping hook to the body misses from Matsunaga. Liu does a little dance to reset his feet.
Liu looks like he wants to counter punch here.
A head kick misses from Liu.
The crowd cheers as Liu lands an impressive looking overhand right. Matsunaga doesn't seem phased though.
Matsunaga's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Matsunaga duly obliges.
Liu misses the jab.
Matsunaga moves into range and connects with a jab.
Matsunaga throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Liu lands a nice hook to Matsunaga's body. Matsunaga takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Matsunaga staying out of range there.
Matsunaga throws a big counter combination but Liu scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
The fighters circling - Liu throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Matsunaga throws a combination that misses
and Matsunaga takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Liu throws a body shot but no joy.
Matsunaga takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Liu cracks Matsunaga with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
A big right from Liu misses.
Liu on the wrong end of a nice jab.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Balagot Liu dominated that fourth round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

The fighters circling - Liu throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Liu is looking to score with low kicks.
Liu misses with a right hand
enabling Matsunaga to counter with a crisp jab.
Matsunaga is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Liu moves out of range as Matsunaga throws a body kick.
Liu digs a good hook to Matsunaga's body.
Matsunaga misses with a two punch combination.
Liu looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Matsunaga takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Liu keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Matsunaga.
Liu throws a right hand that Matsunaga ducks under and follows up with a left that Matsunaga also avoids with ease.
Matsunaga tries to bum rush Liu with a series of wild strikes but Liu uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Liu lands a leg kick that knocks Matsunaga off balance momentarily.
Matsunaga fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Matsunaga throws a series of punches but Liu avoids them all with ease.
Matsunaga pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Liu back to the cage. Matsunaga follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Liu slips under a jab from Matsunaga.
Liu looks to land a right hand but Matsunaga moved out of range.
Matsunaga scores with a nice head shot.
Liu just misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Liu pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Matsunaga throws a leg kick which misses Liu's front leg but catches the back leg as Liu tries to avoid it.
Liu ducks under a wild hook from Matsunaga.
Liu on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Matsunaga. Matsunaga obviously looking to wear him down.
Matsunaga keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Jab, jab by Liu - just one landing.
Liu lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Matsunaga at a distance.
Matsunaga scores with a hook to the body. Liu takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Matsunaga misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Liu.
Liu throws out a counter right but Matsunaga avoids it with no problem.
A big right from Matsunaga misses.
Liu looks to land a right hand but Matsunaga moved out of range.
Matsunaga motions for Liu to come forward. Matsunaga throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Liu drops his hands momentarily and Matsunaga takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Liu fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Matsunaga looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Matsunaga fails in his attempt to clinch.
Liu looks to land a combination but Matsunaga avoids it well.
Liu tries to bum rush Matsunaga with a series of wild strikes but Matsunaga uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Liu misses with a straight right.
Liu staying out of range there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Liu misses.
Liu throws a right and a left that Matsunaga avoids nicely.
Liu throws a jab when Matsunaga was well out of range.
Liu cracks Matsunaga with an open hand slap.
Matsunaga lands with a cross.
Liu's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
A big left from Matsunaga misses.
Matsunaga jabs Liu to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Liu lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Liu slips a straight right by Matsunaga.
Liu throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Matsunaga stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Matsunaga buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Matsunaga misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A slapping leg kick lands for Liu.
A combination from Matsunaga does no damage.
Liu looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Liu misses with an uppercut. Matsunaga saw that one coming.
Matsunaga seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Matsunaga misses with a hook.

Matsunaga instigates a clinch.
Matsunaga is trying to pull guard but Liu turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Liu breaks the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Matsunaga. Those never looked like landing.
Liu pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Liu defending well as Matsunaga loads up on a big left hand.
Liu is looking to chop away at Matsunaga's legs.
Matsunaga bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Matsunaga takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Matsunaga throws an overhand right that lands on Liu's shoulder, as Liu tries to avoid the shot.
A nice side step and Liu releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Matsunaga bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Liu moves out of range of the strikes.
Liu circles away from the clinch attempt.
Liu takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Matsunaga misses with a straight left.
A cross from Liu lands.
Matsunaga displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Liu throws out the jab.
A swing and a miss from Liu.
Matsunaga takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Liu digs a good hook to Matsunaga's body.
Matsunaga swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsunaga keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Liu throws a head kick that misses.
Liu keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Matsunaga avoids the body shot from Liu.
Liu fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Matsunaga manages to avoid it.
A jab from Liu misses.
Matsunaga throws a big counter combination but Liu scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Matsunaga throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Liu sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Matsunaga throws a body punch but Liu moves out of range.
Matsunaga uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Liu.
Liu with a hook.
Matsunaga keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Liu lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Matsunaga tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Matsunaga fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Matsunaga dips to his left and cracks Liu with an uppercut!
Matsunaga misses with a hook. Liu ducked under it nicely.
Matsunaga scores with a hook.
Matsunaga blocks a jab.
Matsunaga misses with a looping left.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Futoshi Matsunaga.
I think Matsunaga has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 48:47
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 46:49
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Balagot Liu!
Balagot Liu is the new featherweight champion!
After winning the bout, Balagot Liu thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.