PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Balagot Liu (ranked 54 p4p, 144 weight class) and Futoshi Matsunaga (ranked 8 p4p, 20 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?

Liu
vs
Matsunaga

173 cm
28
146
19 - 3 - 1

170 cm
37
145
37 - 18 - 2

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

SynCity Fightwear
Savage Fightwear

SynCity 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 19 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Balagot Liu!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 37 - 18 - 2, fighting out of New York, Futoshi Matsunaga!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Percy O'Donnell and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Liu avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Matsunaga throws a low kick, looking for Liu's leg but Liu calmly moves out of range.
Liu has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Matsunaga slips under a jab from Liu.
Matsunaga lands a really nice looking cross but Liu seems unphased.
Liu avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Matsunaga throws a hook to the side of Liu's head but Liu sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Liu throws a lazy right hand but Matsunaga sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Matsunaga misses with a hook.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Matsunaga tries a low kick but Liu avoids it.
Matsunaga misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Matsunaga lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Matsunaga misses with a wild body shot.
Matsunaga uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Liu.
Matsunaga misses with a low kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Liu. Matsunaga does a little dance to reset his feet.
Liu takes a swing at Matsunaga's ribcage but misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Liu lands with a straight right. Matsunaga didn't see that one coming.
Matsunaga misses with a series of wild punches.
The fighters circling - Liu throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Liu misses with a left hand
letting Matsunaga counter with a right hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Liu misses with the combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Liu lands a jab to the nose.
Matsunaga is looking to clinch but Liu is avoiding it.
Liu lands with a shot to the body.
Liu throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Liu backing away here, and Matsunaga unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Matsunaga looks to throw the jab but Liu is out of range.
Liu needs to keep his hands up - Matsunaga had a free shot at his head there.
Matsunaga shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Matsunaga works the jab nicely.
Nice straight punches there by Matsunaga. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Matsunaga.
Liu throws a body shot but no joy.

Matsunaga gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Liu pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Matsunaga misses with a hook. Liu ducked under it nicely.
Matsunaga misses with a hook.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Matsunaga throws a lazy right hand but Liu sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Matsunaga has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Liu throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Matsunaga swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Liu throws a hook but Matsunaga avoids it easily.
Matsunaga avoids the head kick by Liu.
Matsunaga throws a hook but Liu avoids it easily.
A big right from Matsunaga misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Liu throws a hook but Matsunaga avoids it easily.
Liu uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Matsunaga has time to react.
Liu paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Matsunaga swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Liu.
Liu is looking to chop away at Matsunaga's legs.
Liu moves forwards but Matsunaga connects with a nice, crisp jab.
A chopping leg kick lands by Liu.
Liu slips under a jab from Matsunaga.
Matsunaga misses with a combination
and Liu counters with a stiff right hand.
Matsunaga misses with a body shot.
Matsunaga fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Liu looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

Matsunaga gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Matsunaga gets control of Liu's arms and successfully pulls guard. Matsunaga will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Matsunaga working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Liu doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Liu manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Matsunaga is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Matsunaga looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Matsunaga working for submissions but it's allowed Liu to get to half guard.
Matsunaga makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Matsunaga.

Matsunaga looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Liu wants to get up but he can't break Matsunaga's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Matsunaga looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Liu has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Matsunaga looking for subs off his back but Liu has passed one foot through into half guard.
Matsunaga trying to hold on to Liu's head to control him but Liu postures up.

Matsunaga looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Liu pushes past his half guard into mount!
Liu trying to control but he's not successful this time.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but 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 defending well as Liu loads up on a big left hand.
Matsunaga fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Liu fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Matsunaga has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
A jab from Liu misses.
It seemed like Matsunaga was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Liu lands with a thumping leg kick.
Liu misses with a wild body shot.
Matsunaga lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Liu throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Liu ducks under a wild hook from Matsunaga.
Good leg kick by Matsunaga.
Liu throws an overhand right that lands on Matsunaga's shoulder, as Matsunaga tries to avoid the shot.
Liu tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Matsunaga was well out of range. Poor timing from Liu.
Liu misses with a wild body shot.
Liu uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Matsunaga connects with a nice looking jab.
Matsunaga moves out of range of the body kick from Liu.
Matsunaga appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Matsunaga missing with a left hand there. Liu was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Matsunaga swinging wildly here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Liu looks to throw the jab but Matsunaga is out of range.
Liu tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
A jab from Matsunaga misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsunaga moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Matsunaga avoids a punch combination nicely.
Matsunaga connects with a jab.
Liu misses with a few strikes there.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Matsunaga! But no joy.
Nice uppercut there from Matsunaga.
Liu takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Liu tries to bum rush Matsunaga with a series of wild strikes but Matsunaga uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Matsunaga is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Liu with a body shot.
Matsunaga avoids a kick to the body.
Liu moves out of range as Matsunaga strikes.
Matsunaga misses with a hook. Liu ducked under it nicely.
Liu was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Liu misses with a wild body shot.
A chopping leg kick lands by Liu.
Matsunaga ducks under a wild hook from Liu.
Matsunaga takes a swing at Liu's ribcage but misses.
Liu fires out a quick counter leg kick but Matsunaga just manages to avoid it.
Liu misses with a looping right.
Liu connects with an inside leg kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Matsunaga misses with a jab, cross combination.
Liu throwing a counter right hand but Matsunaga manages to avoid it.
Matsunaga looks to score with a jab to the body but Liu is just out of range.
A jab from Matsunaga finds it's way through Liu's defenses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Liu. Matsunaga does a little dance to reset his feet.
A right-left combo lands from Matsunaga.
Matsunaga scores with a hook.
Liu throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Matsunaga ducks under a wild hook from Liu.
Matsunaga on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Matsunaga scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Liu fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Matsunaga ducks under a wild hook from Liu.
Matsunaga is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Liu.
Matsunaga misses with a hook.
Liu feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Matsunagas jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Liu swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Liu lands with a hook. Matsunaga tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Liu takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Liu throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Liu throws a hook but Matsunaga avoids it easily.
Matsunaga slips under a jab.
Matsunaga cracks Liu with a right hand to the side of the head.
Matsunaga connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsunaga throws a lazy right hand but Liu sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Matsunaga fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Nice shot by Liu.
A leg kick checked by Liu.
Liu looks to score with a jab to the body but Matsunaga is just out of range.
Liu cracks a nice hook into Matsunaga's ribs.
Matsunaga avoids the body shot from Liu.
Matsunaga takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Matsunaga avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A right-left combo lands from Liu.
Matsunaga tries to clinch but Liu moves out of range.
Liu lands a head shot.
Liu misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Matsunaga.
A shot to the liver by Liu. Beautiful body shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A swing and a miss from Matsunaga.
Liu throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Liu misses with a jab, cross combination.
Matsunaga fails in his attempt to clinch.
Matsunaga doesn't manage to clinch there - Liu circles away.
Matsunaga misses with a straight left.
Matsunaga lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Liu circles away quickly and effectively.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice straight punches there by Matsunaga. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Matsunaga.
Matsunaga throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Liu buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Liu slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Matsunaga uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Matsunaga moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Liu connects with a good right hand that stumbles Matsunaga. Matsunaga circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Liu swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Liu scores with a jab.
Matsunaga lands with a shot to the body.
Liu drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Liu thows a leg kick but Matsunaga checks it
and Matsunaga counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A jab from Matsunaga misses.
Matsunaga tries to close the distance and clinch but Liu swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Balagot Liu is winning the standup battle so far.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Matsunaga ducks under a wild hook from Liu.
Liu throws a low kick but Matsunaga avoids it.
A jab from Matsunaga misses.
Liu was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Liu throws a body shot but no joy.
Liu chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Matsunaga can pounce on him.
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 Balagot Liu will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Matsunaga has taken the fight to the clinch.

Liu manages to break the clinch.
Matsunaga slips under a jab from Liu.
Matsunaga blocks a head kick by Liu.
Liu misses with a low kick.
A swing and a miss from Matsunaga.
Liu on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Liu waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Matsunaga.
Liu looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
A telegraphed right hand from Liu misses the target.
Matsunaga with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Liu stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Matsunaga on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Liu takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Liu misses with a hook
and Matsunaga counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Liu throws a series of punches but Matsunaga moves out of range.
Matsunaga looks like he wants to counter punch here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Matsunaga avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Liu misses with a body shot.
A chopping leg kick lands by Matsunaga.
Matsunaga ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Liu bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Matsunaga uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Liu.
Matsunaga unleashes a big counter combination but Liu bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsunaga lands an overhand right.
Matsunaga attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Liu takes one to the side of the head.
Liu missing with a left hand there. Matsunaga was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Matsunaga misses with a straight right.
Jab, jab by Liu - just one landing.
Liu on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Liu avoids the body shot from Matsunaga.
Liu swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Matsunaga moves away from the strike by Liu.
Matsunaga tried to score with a low kick but Liu checks it.
Matsunaga avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Matsunaga scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Matsunaga misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Matsunaga throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Liu sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Liu comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Matsunaga thows a left - swing and a miss!
Liu dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A jab from Liu finds it's way through Matsunaga's defenses.
Matsunaga throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Matsunaga moves into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Liu breaks from the clinch.
Matsunaga looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Matsunaga avoids a punch combination nicely.
Matsunaga swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A big right from Matsunaga misses.
Matsunaga misses with a looping right.
Matsunaga jabs at Liu's body.
Matsunaga bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Liu's head.
Matsunaga checks the leg kick.
Matsunaga throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Matsunaga looks to throw the jab but Liu is out of range.
Liu was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Liu swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Matsunaga! But no joy.
Liu throws a head kick that misses.
Liu lands a nice shot that snaps Matsunaga's head back.
Matsunaga avoids the body shot from Liu.
Liu lands a really nice looking cross but Matsunaga seems unphased.
Liu looks to land a left hand but Matsunaga moved out of range nicely.
Matsunaga misses with a wild combination.
An attempted straight right counter from Liu misses the target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsunaga avoids the body shot from Liu.
Matsunaga is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Liu with a body shot.
Liu defending well as Matsunaga loads up on a big left hand.
Matsunaga connects with a nice looking jab.
Liu lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Matsunaga circles away quickly and effectively.
Liu is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Matsunaga tries to close the distance and clinch but Liu swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Matsunaga lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Liu takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Matsunaga throws a shot from downtown. Liu moves away and avoids it.
Liu cracks a nice hook into Matsunaga's ribs.
Liu looks to score with a jab to the body but Matsunaga is just out of range.
Liu takes one on the chin but seems OK.
A combination from Liu does no damage.
Liu misses with a double jab.
A low kick from Matsunaga misses
and Matsunaga takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Matsunaga waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Liu.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Liu lands a head shot.
Matsunaga avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Matsunaga goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Matsunaga misses with a low kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsunaga tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Matsunaga scores with a head kick.
Liu bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Matsunaga misses with the combination.
An attempted straight right counter from Liu misses the target.
Liu lands a lovely overhand right.
Liu keeps the fight on the outside.
Liu misses with a straight left.
Liu looks to land a right hand but Matsunaga moved out of range.
Matsunaga misses with a double jab.
Matsunaga ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Liu moves away.
Matsunaga throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Matsunaga catches Liu with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
A head kick misses from Liu.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Liu is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Matsunaga.
Liu moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Matsunaga connects with a body shot.
Matsunaga throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Liu fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Futoshi Matsunaga just about did enough to take it.
That's time! Liu's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Liu looks to land a left hand but Matsunaga moved out of range nicely.
A jab from Liu misses.
Matsunaga steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Liu.
Matsunaga throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Matsunaga tries to clinch but Liu is having none of it.
Matsunaga keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Liu scoring well with a low kick there.
Liu moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Matsunaga scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
A telegraphed right hand from Matsunaga misses the target.
Matsunaga connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Liu throws a looping overhand right but Matsunaga ducks down to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matsunaga throws a good cross that connects.
Liu misses with a jab to the body
letting Matsunaga counter with a right hand.
Matsunaga looks to land a right hand but Liu moved out of range.
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 closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Matsunaga throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Liu stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Matsunaga dodges the punch combination from Liu.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Liu checks a leg kick nicely.
Matsunaga misses with an uppercut.
Matsunaga connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
The fighters circle momentarily. Liu darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Matsunaga throws a hook to the side of Liu's head but Liu sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Matsunaga scores with a hook.
Liu slips a jab from Matsunaga.
Liu is looking to counter punch.
Liu clobbers Matsunaga with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Matsunaga misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Liu.
It looked like Liu wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Matsunaga's corner calls for a 1-2. Matsunaga obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Liu. Matsunaga does a little dance to reset his feet.
Matsunaga let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Matsunaga staying out of range there.
Liu shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Liu displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Matsunaga throws out the jab.
Liu uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Matsunaga.
Matsunaga lands a head shot.
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 bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Liu's head backwards.
Liu throws a head kick that misses.
Matsunaga wants to land a leg kick but Liu is out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsunaga uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Liu.
Matsunaga works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Liu 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.
Matsunaga staying out of range there.
Matsunaga's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Matsunaga duly obliges.
Liu throws a leg kick which misses Matsunaga's front leg but catches the back leg as Matsunaga tries to avoid it.
Liu scores with a jab to the jaw.
Liu checks a leg kick.
Nice shot lands for Matsunaga.
Matsunaga pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Liu lands a right hook to the body.
A lazy left from Matsunaga finds it's target.
Liu lands with an uppercut that bounces Matsunaga off the cage and back into range.
Liu walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Nice uppercut there from Liu.
Jab, jab by Liu - just one landing.
Liu takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Jab from Liu.
Matsunaga lands a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsunaga is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Liu.
Liu misses with a straight left.
Liu scores with a nice strike.
Liu lands a nice looking kick to the body. Matsunaga takes a step back to recover.
An inside leg kick from Matsunaga misses.
Liu steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Matsunaga.
Liu misses with a straight right.
Matsunaga walks into a straight right hand from Liu.
Nice straight punches there by Liu. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Liu.
Liu swings for the body but Matsunaga moves out of range.
Liu scores with a jab to the body.
Matsunaga swings for the body but Liu moves out of range.
An attempted straight right counter from Liu misses the target.
Liu throws out a loose jab but Matsunaga uses good head movement to avoid it.
Matsunaga tries to close the distance and clinch but Liu swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Matsunaga looks to throw the jab but Liu is out of range.
A left lands for Liu.
Matsunaga throws a jab when Liu was well out of range.
Liu appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Liu has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Matsunaga.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Liu throws a looping overhand right but Matsunaga ducks down to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsunaga lands an overhand right.

Matsunaga gets a clinch.
Liu working hard to break the clinch.
Liu is trying to break the clinch but Matsunaga has him pressed against the cage.
Liu is trying to break the clinch but Matsunaga has him pressed against the cage.
Matsunaga throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Lius head.
Matsunaga is trying to pull guard but Liu has him pressed against the cage.
Matsunaga tries to pull guard but Liu holds him up against the cage and eventually Matsunaga drops back down to his feet.

Matsunaga decides to pull guard.

Matsunaga looking for subs off his back but Liu has passed one foot through into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Matsunaga is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Futoshi Matsunaga will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. 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.

Liu just misses with a punch to the body.
Matsunaga tries to clinch but Liu moves out of range.
Matsunaga misses the shot to the body.
Liu misses with an uppercut. Matsunaga saw that one coming.
Liu looks to land a right hand but Matsunaga moved out of range.
Matsunaga throws a looping overhand right but Liu ducks down to avoid it.
Liu misses with a straight right.
Liu lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Matsunaga throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Liu is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Matsunaga.
Liu throws a head kick but Matsunaga moves out of range.
Liu will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Liu takes a swing at Matsunaga's ribcage but misses.
Liu ducks under a wild hook from Matsunaga.
Matsunaga walks into a jab.
Liu uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Matsunaga.
Matsunaga misses with a hook.
Liu cracks Matsunaga with an open hand slap.
Liu swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Matsunaga counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Matsunaga clinches up against the cage.

Liu breaks the clinch.
Liu missing with a left hand there. Matsunaga was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Matsunaga lands with a right hand.
Matsunaga connects with a looping right hand.
Matsunaga misses the jab.
Liu wants to slow Matsunaga down by chopping away at his legs.
Matsunaga wants to clinch.
Liu cracks Matsunaga with a good jab.
A jab lands there for Matsunaga.
Matsunaga throws a hook but Liu blocks it.
Matsunaga is looking to slow Liu down with leg kicks.
Liu misses with an uppercut. Matsunaga saw that one coming.
Matsunaga ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Matsunaga misses with a left hand
and Liu counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Matsunaga gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Liu escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Matsunaga misses with a body shot.
Liu bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Liu defending well as Matsunaga loads up on a big left hand.
It looked like Liu wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Matsunaga throws a jab when Liu was well out of range.
Liu ducks under a wild hook from Matsunaga.
Matsunaga avoids the head kick by Liu.
Matsunaga ducks under a wild hook from Liu.
Matsunaga closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Liu tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Matsunaga was well out of range. Poor timing from Liu.
Matsunaga lands with a straight right. Liu didn't see that one coming.
Matsunaga throws a head kick but Liu moves out of range.
Decent striking displayed by Liu there.
Matsunaga misses with a low kick.
Liu was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
A cross from Matsunaga lands.
Liu swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Liu scores with a head kick. Matsunaga tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Liu throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Liu throws a hook but Matsunaga avoids it easily.
Liu scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Liu throws a chopping leg kick but Matsunaga manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Liu throws a looping overhand right but Matsunaga ducks down to avoid it.
Matsunaga swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Liu throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Matsunaga sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Liu misses with a body shot.
A punch combination from Liu misses.
Matsunaga misses with a low kick.
Liu was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Matsunaga takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Matsunaga tries to clinch but Liu is having none of it.
Liu staying out of range there.
Liu swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Liu swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Matsunaga misses with a head kick.
Liu displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Matsunaga throws out the jab.
Some bone on bone action there as Liu checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Matsunaga stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Liu.
Liu fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Matsunaga manages to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Liu on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Futoshi Matsunaga is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Matsunaga ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Liu moves away.
Liu throws a big shot that misses.
The fighters circle momentarily. Matsunaga darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Matsunaga moves in looking to clinch but Liu pushes him off.
Liu drops his hands momentarily and Matsunaga takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Liu swinging wildly here.
Matsunaga tests Liu's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Liu moves out of range as Matsunaga strikes.
Matsunaga tries to bum rush Liu with a series of wild strikes but Liu uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Matsunaga takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Matsunaga throws a body shot but no joy.
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 throws an overhand right that lands on Liu's shoulder, as Liu tries to avoid the shot.
Liu fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Balagot Liu has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Liu slips a jab from Matsunaga.
Matsunaga misses with a wild body shot.
Liu is looking to counter punch.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Futoshi Matsunaga.
Well Matsunaga has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 46:49
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 50:46
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 49:48

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Balagot Liu!
Balagot Liu retains his featherweight title!
Our winner, Balagot Liu, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.