PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tanaka Matsuda (ranked 309 p4p, 161 weight class) and Clubber Lang (ranked 32 p4p, 17 weight class). Matsuda kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Gojira - Another World. Clubber Lang is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Matsuda
vs
Lang

190 cm
36
200
38 - 17 - 0

185 cm
31
190
25 - 14 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 38 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Tanaka Matsuda!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 14 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Clubber Lang!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Alexandre Firmino and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lang stuns Matsuda with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Lang fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Matsuda manages to avoid it.
Lang throws a body punch but Matsuda moves out of range.
Matsuda fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Matsuda looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Lang throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Matsuda sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Matsuda appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Nice body kick there by Lang.
Lang throws a body kick that misses

and Matsuda counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Matsuda is looking to work some ground and pound but Lang has wrist control.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Matsuda accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Lang working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Matsuda.
Lang preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Matsuda looking to pass the guard.
Lang tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsuda pushes down on Lang's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Lang wants to get back to full guard.
Matsuda looks to land a strike but Lang avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Matsuda landing some decent shots from guard.
Matsuda in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Matsuda throws a big elbow that misses.
Matsuda pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Lang is keeping the position for now.
Matsuda postures up in Lang's guard and throws a big left but Lang blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsuda throws a big elbow that misses.
Matsuda slips nicely into half guard.
Lang is trying to get back to full guard.
Matsuda is looking to pass Lang's guard but actually Lang recovers to full guard.
Matsuda's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Lang controlling the position.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsuda trying to move into half guard but instead Lang has managed to sweep!

Lang is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Matsuda looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Matsuda looking to hit a scissor sweep but Lang is one step ahead there.

Matsuda is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Lang defends well.
Lang trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsuda is trying to keep Lang in close.
Lang trying to control the position from guard on top but Matsuda is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lang's corner is telling him to maintain position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Matsuda lands with a straight right. Lang didn't see that one coming.
Lang throws a body punch but Matsuda moves out of range.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Lang moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Clubber Lang seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lang scores with a sloppy right hand. Matsuda should have avoided that one.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Clubber Lang will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Matsuda connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Lang's hands.
Matsuda misses with a straight left.
An inside leg kick from Lang misses.
Matsuda scores with a body shot.
Lang takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Lang tries to land a front kick but Matsuda steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Matsuda scores with a hook.
Matsuda shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Lang sprawls well. Lang wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Matsuda gets slowly back to his feet.
Lang thinks about the counter body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matsuda moves out of range as Lang strikes.
Lang scores with a punch to the head.
The fighters circling - Lang throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A counter left hand to the body from Matsuda misses its target.
A looping hook to the body misses from Matsuda. Lang does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsuda lands a nice looking body shot.
Lang is looking to slow Matsuda down with leg kicks.
Lang looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Lang tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Matsuda manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Lang throws a chopping leg kick but Matsuda manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Matsuda appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Matsuda shoots in and drives through. Lang sprawls well.
Lang tests Matsuda's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A low kick lands for Lang.
Lang uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Matsuda.
Lang takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Matsuda throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Lang wants to clinch up but Matsuda keeps it at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsuda moves out of range of the leg kick from Lang.
Lang listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Lang connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A looping hook to the body misses from Matsuda. Lang does a little dance to reset his feet.

Matsuda shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Lang is trying to defend but Matsuda finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Lang controlling the position for now.
Tanaka Matsuda overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Matsuda wants to take a breather but Lang is having none of it.
Matsuda is nestled in close to Lang, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Matsuda prevents Lang from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lang blocking the ground and pound attempt from Matsuda.
Matsuda thows a huge punch but Lang dodges it nicely.
Lang controlling the position well.
Matsuda thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Lang's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Matsuda drops an elbow to the side of Lang's head.
Lang controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Matsuda thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Lang is trying is best to control the position here.
Lang is continuing to stall.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Matsuda is keen to just control but Lang is a slippery customer.
Matsuda missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Matsuda misses with a head shot. Lang uses the momentum to regain guard.
Matsuda postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tanaka Matsuda dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Good leg kick by Lang.
Nice body punch from Lang.
Lang fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Matsuda manages to avoid it.
Matsuda misses with an uppercut. Lang saw that one coming.
Matsuda cracks Lang with a good jab.
Lang throws a jab but it's blocked by Matsuda.
Matsuda changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Matsuda takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Lang listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Lang throws a body punch but Matsuda moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lang throws a leg kick but Matsuda sees it coming and moves out of range.
Matsuda avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Matsuda takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Lang works the jab nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lang throws an overhand right that lands on Matsuda's shoulder, as Matsuda tries to avoid the shot.
Matsuda slips a jab from Lang.
Matsuda misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Lang keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Matsuda fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Lang fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Matsuda.
Matsuda throws a looping overhand right but Lang ducks down to avoid it.
Matsuda wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
A telegraphed right hand from Matsuda misses the target.
Lang was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lang throws a right hand that misses
and Lang takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Lang lands a slapping body shot.
Lang throws a shot to the body.
Matsuda moves out of range of the strikes.
Matsuda thows a left - swing and a miss!
Clubber Lang seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Lang misses with the body kick

and Matsuda counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Matsuda has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Matsuda controlling the pace.
Lang has his hands clasped together around Matsuda's back. He's all about the action.
Matsuda working the head and body with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lang blocking the ground and pound attempt from Matsuda.
Lang wants to control but Matsuda is keeping busy.

Matsuda looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Matsuda throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Lang to regain full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Matsuda tries to free his leg and advance position but Lang is retaining full guard.
Lang working a defensive guard but Matsuda passes into half guard.
Lang won't allow Matsuda to pass to mount.
Lang regains full guard. Nicely done.
Matsuda stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Lang swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Lang avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Matsuda wants to pass the guard but Lang is keeping the position.
Matsuda trying to control the position from guard on top but Lang is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Clubber Lang.
I think Lang has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 29:29
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 28:29
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Clubber Lang!
A very excited looking Clubber Lang made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.