PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Theo Matthews (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Hetfield (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). James Hetfield has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Matthews
vs
Hetfield

225 cm
25
300 lbs
9 - 6 - 0

195 cm
26
285 lbs
10 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Cold Blooded Kemists ↑ 5x160Q

Meet the Future

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Theo Matthews!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, James Hetfield!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matthews connects with a solid leg kick.
Hetfield throws a series of punches but Matthews moves out of range.
Matthews throws out a loose jab but Hetfield uses good head movement to avoid it.
Matthews closes the distance and clinches up with Hetfield, looking for a takedown. Matthews pushes Hetfield against the cage but Hetfield circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Matthews tries to clinch up
and Hetfield counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Hetfield takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Matthews throws a leg kick which misses Hetfield's front leg but catches the back leg as Hetfield tries to avoid it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Matthews is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A slow jab from Hetfield misses its intended target.
Hetfield misses with a series of wild punches.
Hetfield has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Matthews swinging wildly here.
Matthews moves in looking to clinch but Hetfield pushes him off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hetfield tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Hetfield slaps away a takedown attempt from Matthews, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Matthews tries to clinch up but Hetfield circles away and keeps his distance.
Matthews closes the distance and clinches up with Hetfield, looking for a takedown. Matthews pushes Hetfield against the cage but Hetfield circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Theo Matthews. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Donk. Hetfield catches Matthews right on the button with a cross.
James Hetfield is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Matthews throws a head kick but Hetfield moves out of range.
Matthews lands a glancing blow to the side of Hetfield's head.
Matthews cracks the inside of Hetfield's front leg.

Matthews pushes Hetfield up against the cage in a clinch.
Hetfield blocks the elbow strike.
Hetfield avoiding damage as Matthews throws knees to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hetfield gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Matthews.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matthews misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Hetfield.
Hetfield is trying to push Matthews away but Matthews has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Matthews has Hetfield pressed against the cage, preventing Hetfield from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Matthews throws a knee to the head but misses.
Matthews tries to land knees in the clinch but Hetfield avoids the damage to the body.

Hetfield breaks the clinch.
Hetfield throws a series of punches but Matthews avoids them all with ease.
Matthews throws out a loose jab but Hetfield uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hetfield uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Matthews.
Hetfield swinging wildly here.
Matthews lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
A big right from Matthews misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matthews throws a big shot that misses.
Matthews pivots, looking for a leg kick but Hetfield is out of range and Matthews settles back down.
Matthews closes the distance and clinches up with Hetfield, looking for a takedown. Matthews pushes Hetfield against the cage but Hetfield circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Matthews is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
Hetfield leaves Matthews with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Hetfield misses with a series of wild punches.
Matthews shoots in and drives through. Hetfield sprawls well.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Matthews.
Matthews has a takedown stuffed.
Hetfield misses with the combination.
Hetfield throws a lazy right hand but Matthews sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hetfield lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Matthews.
Hetfield swats away the attempt to clinch by Matthews.
Hetfield stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Matthews.
Theo Matthews seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hetfield throws a right and a left that Matthews avoids nicely.
Hetfield swats away the attempt to clinch by Matthews.
Matthews will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Matthews just misses with a punch to the body.
Matthews doesn't manage to clinch there - Hetfield circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Matthews misses with a head kick.
Matthews misses with a double jab.
A leg kick checked by Hetfield.

Matthews drives through and clinches with Hetfield against the cage.
Matthews tries to land knees in the clinch but Hetfield avoids the damage to the body.
Matthews putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Hetfield in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Matthews has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Hetfield avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Matthews is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Hetfield is defending well for now.
Hetfield looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Matthews misses with an elbow over the top.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Hetfield breaks from the clinch.

Matthews instigates a clinch.

Matthews tightens his grip and picks Hetfield up, before dumping him to the ground. Hetfield manages to land in guard.
Hetfield working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Matthews.
Hetfield preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hetfield avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Matthews is working Hetfield over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Hetfield is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Matthews landing with the ground and pound.

Matthews has gone for a leg lock! Hetfield slips out almost immediately though and dives into Matthews's guard.
Hetfield wants to stand but Matthews has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Matthews has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hetfield can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Matthews looking for a guillotine here but Hetfield defends easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hetfield wants to stand but Matthews has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Hetfield is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Hetfield wanted to stand there but Matthews had control of the position.
Hetfield trying to control the position from guard on top but Matthews is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hetfield wants to stand but Matthews is controlling his posture from full guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Hetfield got a little sloppy there for a moment and Matthews has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Hetfield has managed to get both his arms back between Matthews's legs - danger averted.
Matthews will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Matthews is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hetfield pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Matthews is keeping the position for now.

Matthews throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Matthews is looking for a triangle but Hetfield pushes his legs off easily.
Hetfield trying to control but Matthews is working from the bottom.
Hetfield tries to stand but Matthews is controlling from the bottom.
Hetfield wants to control from the top but Matthews keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hetfield stopping the sweep attempt from Matthews.

Hetfield stands up from Matthews's guard - Hetfield perhaps looking for a knockout.
Hetfield avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Theo Matthews is winning the standup battle so far.
A good leg kick by Matthews.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Matthews uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hetfield.
Hetfield circles away from the clinch attempt.
Matthews fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Hetfield looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Theo Matthews dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Matthews tries to close the distance and clinch but Hetfield swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
James Hetfield is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Matthews tries to score a power double leg takedown but Hetfield sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Matthews somewhat.
Matthews throws a head kick but Hetfield moves out of range.
Matthews bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Matthews lands with an overhand left.
Matthews shoots in and drives through. Hetfield sprawls well.
Matthews misses with a two punch combination.
Hetfield swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Matthews tries to clinch up.
Matthews misses with a hook. Hetfield ducked under it nicely.

Matthews throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Hetfield tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Matthews is in Hetfield's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matthews won't allow Hetfield to sweep him here.

Hetfield escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Matthews gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Hetfield looking for a sweep. Not yet Hetfield, not yet.
Matthews trying to control the position from guard on top but Hetfield is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hetfield wants to get back to his feet but Matthews is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Hetfield keeping moving, preventing Matthews from controlling successfully.
Matthews loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Matthews passes Hetfield's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Matthews is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matthews slips a nice elbow through Hetfield's hands, connecting with Hetfield's forehead.

Matthews seems to be looking for submissions.
Hetfield is trying to control but can't.

Hetfield looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Matthews seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Hetfield does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Hetfield keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Matthews sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Hetfield defending well though.
James Hetfield has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Matthews is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Hetfield doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Matthews.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hetfield moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Matthews throws a big right hand that misses.
Matthews is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Hetfield tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Hetfield has momentary wrist control but Matthews slips an elbow through the middle.

Hetfield throws his legs up looking for a submission but Matthews uses it to pass to side control.
Matthews scoring with punches and elbows.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hetfield manages to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Matthews is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Hetfield is just riding it out for now. Matthews eventually gives up the hold.
Matthews lands strikes from half guard.
Hetfield avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Matthews.
Hetfield flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Hetfield missing with punches from the bottom.
Matthews winds up and cracks Hetfield with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Hetfield looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Hetfield is looking for a sweep. Matthews is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Theo Matthews showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Matthews has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Theo Matthews!
Our winner, Theo Matthews, 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.