“Multimate” Fighter Brad Katona had his work cut out for him in a dangerous battle with Brazil’s Jean Matsumoto at UFC Vegas 99 on Saturday.
After winning The Ultimate Fighter 27 only to later be cut by the UFC, Katona had done it again, winning TUF 31, making himself the first two-time TUF champ. As for Matsumoto, he was undefeated entering the fight.
Katona vs. Matsumoto started out hot, the pair trading hard and heavy. Katona found success with his elbows, especially late in the round, stepping into a sharp one with about two minutes remaining. Matsumoto would pursue a takedown, only to see that defended, and the stand-up battle continued after Katona reversed. The Canadian used his lateral movement well, and often.
Round two saw Matsumoto take center, and Katona again work from the outside, circling. As sharp as Matsumoto looked, Katona looked game to go head-to-head with him. He was also finding success catching Matsumoto on the way in, with Matsumoto showing trickles of blood on both sides of the face. Against the fence, Katona clinched up, then clipped Matsumoto with an elbow off the break. A right to the ear landed for Katona. They were trading at will, both firing in bunches each time they came together.
As the round wore on the pace did not let up. Matsumoto began adding in kicks, and Katona’s own face was bloodied by the end of the frame. Matsumoto pursued a takedown late but didn’t have it.
Jean Matsumoto came out firing in round three, with Katona firing a kick in the opening minute and both men getting their licks in. Katona clinched up and dropped levels along the fence, firing a knee but struggling to get Matsumoto, who showed solid balance, down. Matsumoto then had a little assist from the fence, as the ref tried to slap his hand away. Not as bad as some fence grabs at least. Katona still had the position, but not for long as they broke. Katona then shot for a leg, but didn’t have it. He may have slowed a step by the midway point of the third.
In the final minute, a bloodied Matsumoto looked to fend off another Katona takedown attempt, care of some cracking elbows. Matsumoto reversed, and managed to pull the legs out from under Katona, who was right back up. He then landed his own takedown. A final burst of ground n’ pound and a scramble took them to the final horn.
Official Result: Jean Matsumoto def. Brad Katona by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
