PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jhogo Ko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gregory Matice Jr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ko comes to the cage accompanied by DJ Khaled - All I do is win. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Ko
vs
Matice Jr

173 cm
32
157 lbs
13 - 2 - 0

174 cm
21
165 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

Good takedowns
Excellent boxer
KO power

Good wrestler
Brawler
Powerful

Demonic Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jhogo Ko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Gregory Matice Jr!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Bruno Lombardi and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Matice Jr closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Matice Jr is controlling the pace.
It looks like Matice Jr might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Let's hope that Matice Jr has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Gregory Matice Jr wasn't active enough on the ground.

Matice Jr changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Ko looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Ko prevents Matice Jr from improving position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Matice Jr wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ko keeps working.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ko is trying to improve his position.
Ko is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Matice Jr is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Matice Jr prevents Ko from getting the reversal.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Matice Jr tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Ko can't escape the position.
Matice Jr controlling the position easily from mount.
Ko is desperately trying to improve his position but Matice Jr has a good base and remains in mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matice Jr content just to control the position here.
Ko is looking to improve his position but Matice Jr isn't that keen on the idea.
Matice Jr controlling the pace for now.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Ko manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Ko wants to get back to full guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Gregory Matice Jr.

Matice Jr closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Ko's guard.
Matice Jr sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Gregory Matice Jr was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Matice Jr fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Ko to the ground. Matice Jr is now in Ko's guard.
Matice Jr slips nicely into half guard.
Ko is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Matice Jr jumps into side control!
Ko is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Matice Jr is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Ko knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ko is being controlled here.
Ko tries to buck Matice Jr off but Matice Jr is having none of it.
Ko is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Matice Jr off and has taken his back!
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!
Matice Jr breaks Ko's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Ko is trying to control the position but Matice Jr postures up.

Ko is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Matice Jr wants to pass the guard but Ko is keeping the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gregory Matice Jr dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Ko uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Matice Jr.
Matice Jr takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

Ko tries to sprawl but Matice Jr drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Matice Jr uses his free foot to push down on Ko's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Ko.
Ko working to try and regain half guard.
Matice Jr takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Gregory Matice Jr has got the better of the ground game so far.
Matice Jr wants to control the pace but Ko is squirming around nicely.
Matice Jr controlling from mount.
Ko is desperately trying to improve his position but Matice Jr has a good base and remains in mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matice Jr sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Ko bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

Ko drops back looking for a leg! Matice Jr is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Matice Jr manages to kick Ko off! Ko jumps back into Matice Jr's guard.
Matice Jr trying to control the position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Gregory Matice Jr wasn't active enough on the ground.
A looping hook to the body misses from Matice Jr. Ko does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ko looks for the body kick but Matice Jr saw that one coming.
The fight stays on the outside here - Matice Jr looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Matice Jr moves into the clinch successfully.

Matice Jr has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Ko clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
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!
Matice Jr is working the ground and pound. Can Ko escape?
Ko manages to reverse the position and now he's in Matice Jr's guard. Nice work there by Ko.
Matice Jr seems keen to control Ko's posture.
Matice Jr working a defensive guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ko is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Matice Jr looking to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Matice Jr is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Matice Jr is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Ko trying to control here.
Ko tries to get to full guard but Matice Jr has control of the leg.
Matice Jr controlling the action here.
Matice Jr prevents Ko from improving his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Ko actively working from the bottom here.
Matice Jr is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Gregory Matice Jr wasn't active enough on the ground.

Matice Jr closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Ko's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ko has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Matice Jr has passed into side control.
Ko is looking to regain half guard here but Matice Jr keeps moving and retains side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gregory Matice Jr showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Matice Jr shoots in and gets a takedown into Ko's guard.
Matice Jr controls from within his opponent's guard.
Ko looking to hit a scissor sweep but Matice Jr is one step ahead there.
Matice Jr trying to control the position from guard on top but Ko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Gregory Matice Jr hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Matice Jr gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Matice Jr lands with a short punch from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ko tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Matice Jr pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Matice Jr shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Matice Jr controlling the position easily from mount.
Matice Jr's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Gregory Matice Jr is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Gregory Matice Jr has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
An inside leg kick from Matice Jr misses.
Ko misses with a body shot.
Matice Jr pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Matice Jr.
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!

Matice Jr decides to stand back up. Matice Jr steps back and let's Ko get back to his feet.

Matice Jr closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Ko quickly recovers to half guard.
Matice Jr takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Matice Jr prevents Ko from improving his position.
Matice Jr keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Ko wants to improve his position but Matice Jr is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ko is working hard here to advance position.
Matice Jr is pressing down on Ko's thigh, looking to free his foot. Ko is holding on for now.
Ko is looking to control Matice Jr's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Ko avoid being mounted?
Ko wants to improve his position but Matice Jr is controlling well.
Ko is pressing down on Matice Jr's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Matice Jr controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Gregory Matice Jr hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Matice Jr looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Jhogo Ko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matice Jr stopping the sweep attempt from Ko.

Ko is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Ko can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Matice Jr controls the pace.
Ko keeping moving, preventing Matice Jr from controlling successfully.
Matice Jr not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Gregory Matice Jr.
A telegraphed right hand from Ko misses the target.
Ko throws a lazy right hand but Matice Jr sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gregory Matice Jr comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Matice Jr 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 27:30
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gregory Matice Jr!