PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jack Stick (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mathias Matthews (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Stick
vs
Matthews

200 cm
27
159 lbs
11 - 4 - 0

175 cm
22
160 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

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 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jack Stick!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mathias Matthews!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Steve Montenegro and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matthews wants to clinch but Stick slips to the side

and Stick counters with a takedown into side control.
Matthews is looking for a sweep.
Stick trying to control the action but Matthews is working from the bottom.
Matthews is trying to get back to half guard.
Stick wants to lay and pray for a moment but Matthews keeps working.
Stick landing a few strikes.
Matthews can't do much from the bottom here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matthews is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Stick is staying active.
Stick lands an elbow.
Stick in the domination position with Matthews hanging on.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matthews is trying to improve his position.
Matthews on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Matthews is looking for a sweep.
Matthews is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Matthews told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Stick not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Matthews keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Stick working Matthews over with strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stick is nestled in close to Matthews, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Matthews misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Stick is pressing down on Matthews's thigh, looking to free his foot. Matthews is holding on for now.
Matthews is trying to get back to full guard.
Stick really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Matthews is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Stick scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stick missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Matthews actively working from the bottom here.
Stick seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Matthews does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Matthews wants to improve his position but Stick is controlling well.
Matthews gets back to full guard.
Stick won't allow Matthews to sweep him here.
Stick is in close to Matthews's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Stick scoring with some ground and pound.
Stick scoring with punches to the head and body.
Stick postures up and lands a big shot to Matthews's brow.
Stick postures up.
Stick postures up and lands a big shot to Matthews's brow.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stick trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stick content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Matthews has momentary wrist control but Stick slips an elbow through the middle.
Stick stands up over Matthews, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Matthews is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Stick stopping the sweep attempt from Matthews.
Matthews has momentary wrist control but Stick slips an elbow through the middle.
Stick working some strikes from top position.
Matthews working a defensive guard here.

Matthews looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Stick stands and throws Matthews's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Stick scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Matthews to see if he's OK.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matthews is looking to reverse the position.
Matthews is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Matthews is trying to improve his position.
Matthews is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Stick is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Stick lands a nice shot to the head.
Stick lands a big elbow.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Stick landing strikes from the mount.
Matthews takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Matthews wants to control but Stick is having none of it.
Stick tries to control but Matthews wriggling away.
Stick landing strikes from the mount and Matthews is in trouble!
Matthews is looking to get to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Stick dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Matthews fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Stick, pushing him back against the cage.
Stick fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Matthews just leaning against Stick, taking a breather.
Stick jumps guard but Matthews turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Matthews using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Stick has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Stick is fighting off a takedown attempt but Matthews is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Stick to the mat. Stick regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Matthews won't allow Stick to sweep him here.
Matthews wants to control from the top but Stick keeps moving.
Stick will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stick lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Matthews preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stick is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Stick wants to pass the guard but Matthews is keeping the position.

Matthews escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Stick gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Matthews working for submissions but it's allowed Stick to get to half guard.
Matthews wants to control but Stick is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Stick lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stick wants to control but Matthews is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stick prevents Matthews from improving his position.
Matthews on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Stick is just content to waste time from the top position. Matthews takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Matthews lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Stick is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Stick 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.
Matthews won't allow Stick to sweep him here.
Stick is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Matthews is trying to maintain the position but Stick is very close to passing his half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matthews won't allow Stick to pass to mount.
Matthews wants to control but Stick is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Stick controlling the action here.
Stick is trying to control the action in half guard but Matthews is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Matthews keeping hold of Stick's head, controlling as best he can.
Stick scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Stick lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Stick lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stick is nestled in close to Matthews, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Stick performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Stick throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Matthews is refusing to be controlled, as Stick sits in half guard.
Matthews makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Matthews.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Stick connects with a couple of short punches.
Stick working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Matthews's head.
Matthews looking to hit a scissor sweep but Stick is one step ahead there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Stick dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Stick swats away the attempt to clinch by Matthews.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Stick.
Matthews throws a right and a left that both miss.
A swing and a miss from Stick.

Matthews has Stick up against the cage in a clinch.
Stick fails to pull the fight into his guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Matthews.
Stick is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Matthews can do to turn this around?
Stick tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Matthews smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jack Stick. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Matthews stuffs the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stick takes one to the side of the head.
Stick throws a series of punches but Matthews avoids them all with ease.
Matthews tries to clinch there but Stick circles away.
Matthews tries to clinch but Stick is having none of it.
Stick shoots in looking for a takedown but Matthews manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Stick's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Stick is defended easily by Matthews.
Stick shoots in but Matthews avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Matthews moves into the clinch successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Matthews breaks the clinch.
Stick will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A solid leg kick lands there for Matthews.
Matthews scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Stick tries for a takedown but Matthews sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Nice sprawl there from Matthews as Stick shoots in.
Matthews is definitely looking for the counter takedowns 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!
Matthews misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Stick throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Matthews tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Stick is in Matthews's guard.
Matthews is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Matthews sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Stick defending well though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stick is positioning himself well to prevent Matthews advancing to mount.
Matthews throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Stick to regain full guard.
Stick is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

Matthews drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Stick dives on top into guard.

Matthews keeping full guard, as Stick tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Matthews is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Stick is aware though and is defending well.
Stick with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Stick postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Stick accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Matthews 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.

Matthews is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Stick is aware though and is defending well.
Matthews trying to strike off his back.
Stick lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Stick lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Matthews keeping moving, preventing Stick from controlling successfully.
Mathias Matthews has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Stick works over Matthews with some ground and pound from guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mathias Matthews comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Stick has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 29:28
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 29:28
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jack Stick!
Jack Stick decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.
In defeat, Mathias Matthews stepped up to the mic, saying 'Bollocks. Fook that limey bloke!'.