PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Cu IV (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gregory Matice Jr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

IV
vs
Matice Jr

178 cm
23
164 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

174 cm
24
165 lbs
7 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very strong

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Cu IV!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Gregory Matice Jr!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Jorge Garcia and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matice Jr fails to land the takedown.
Matice Jr closes this distance looking for a takedown but IV circles away.

IV dives in and scores a takedown into Matice Jr's guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Matice Jr manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Matice Jr trying to control but IV is having none of it.
IV tries to lock up and control but Matice Jr gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Matice Jr controlling the position easily from mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matice Jr's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
IV is trying desperately to improve position.
Matice Jr sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
IV trying desperately to get to his feet.
IV tries to hold on but Matice Jr pushes him away.
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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
IV is trying desperately to improve position.
Matice Jr looking to control and managing it successfully.
IV is squirming around, avoiding Matice Jr's attempts to control the action.
IV tries to reverse the position but Matice Jr maintains control.
IV sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Matice Jr looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

That's three 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.

Matice Jr moves into the clinch.
IV has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Matice Jr avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
IV wants to take the fight to the mat but Matice Jr manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Matice Jr is pressed up against the cage. IV has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Matice Jr down to the mat. Matice Jr avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cu IV. That's going to take a lot out of him.
IV tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Matice Jr manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Matice Jr tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. IV manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Matice Jr misses with a double jab

and IV counters with a shoot takedown. Matice Jr fights it but they end up in guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Matice Jr keeping moving, preventing IV from controlling successfully.
Matice Jr controls IV momentarily but IV frees himself.
Matice Jr has control of IV's left arm, preventing IV from doing any damage.
This has been an exciting period of action!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gregory Matice Jr has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Matice Jr fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Matice Jr shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. IV is trying to defend but Matice Jr finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Matice Jr is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Matice Jr content just to control the position here.
IV wants to try and get back to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Matice Jr trying to control but IV is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gregory Matice Jr dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Matice Jr looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
IV looking for a sweep. Not yet IV, not yet.
Matice Jr sitting in guard here, content to control.
IV wants to control the position but Matice Jr says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
IV is trying to stand up here but Matice Jr is controlling him well.
Matice Jr is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for IV!
Matice Jr controlling his opponent.
IV is squirming around, avoiding Matice Jr's attempts to control the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
IV working to try and regain half guard.
Matice Jr controlling from the full mount.
IV is trying desperately to improve position.
IV blocking the ground and pound.
Matice Jr controlling the position easily from mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
IV is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Matice Jr controlling from mount.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
IV is looking to get to half guard.
Matice Jr controlling the pace for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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 tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but IV was well out of range. Poor timing from Matice Jr.

IV tries to sprawl but Matice Jr drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Matice Jr working the head and body with strikes.
IV pushes Matice Jr off looking to stand but Matice Jr dives back in and keeps control.
IV tries to get to full guard but Matice Jr has control of the leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matice Jr controlling the action here.
Matice Jr wants to control but IV is keeping him busy.
IV is looking to escape.
Matice Jr controlling the action here.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Gregory Matice Jr has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

IV changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Matice Jr looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
IV creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
IV scoring with punches and elbows.
Matice Jr gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
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.
That's time! IV's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Matice Jr is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in IV's half guard.
Matice Jr not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
IV wants to get back to his feet.
Matice Jr controlling the action here.
IV wants to get back to his feet.
Still in half guard, Matice Jr seems content to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matice Jr moves into full mount! IV won't be happy about that!
Matice Jr controlling the position easily from mount.
Matice Jr trying to control but IV is having none of it.
Matice Jr controlling from mount.
Cu IV has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
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.
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 stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Gregory Matice Jr.
Matice Jr throws a lazy head kick

and IV decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Matice Jr's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Matice Jr is trying to control the position but IV postures up.
Matice Jr looking for a sweep. Not yet Matice Jr, not yet.
IV throws a big right hand that misses.
IV stays in close to Matice Jr's body and controls the position.
Gregory Matice Jr has got the better of the ground game so far.
Matice Jr pulls IV in to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Cu IV wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Matice Jr tries to score a power double leg takedown but IV sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Matice Jr somewhat.
IV tries to clinch up but Matice Jr circles away and keeps his distance.
Horrible takedown by Matice Jr or perhaps it was just good defense by IV which made him look bad.
Matice Jr moves in looking to clinch but IV pushes him off.

Matice Jr scores with a takedown into IV's guard.
Matice Jr trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Matice Jr's corner is telling him to maintain position.
IV managing to control the position.

IV pushes Matice Jr off and gets back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
IV fails with a takedown attempt.
Matice Jr will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Cu IV has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gregory Matice Jr.

Matice Jr is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in IV's half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Matice Jr wants to control but IV is keeping him busy.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Matice Jr sitting and controlling from the half guard.
IV tries to get to full guard but Matice Jr has control of the leg.

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 Anthony Taglia scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jorge Garcia 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!