PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Sebastian Gaucho (ranked 4350 p4p, 4249 weight class) and Matrin Salvador (ranked 508 p4p, 501 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Gaucho
vs
Salvador

180 cm
24
170
0 - 0 - 0

186 cm
23
170
0 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Sebastian Gaucho!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Matrin Salvador!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Ryoma Takatsuka and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Gaucho has Salvador pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Gaucho pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Salvador tumbling to the mat - Gaucho dives into Salvador's guard.

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

Salvador postures up in Gaucho's guard and throws a big left but Gaucho blocks it.

Gaucho is looking for a triangle but Salvador pushes his legs off easily.
Salvador in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Salvador wanted to stand there but Gaucho had control of the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gaucho trying to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Salvador throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Salvador postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Gaucho is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Salvador, into his guard.

Gaucho drops back, looking for a kneebar! Salvador looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Salvador looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Salvador!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gaucho holding on.
Gaucho manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Gaucho gets back to full guard.

Gaucho escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Salvador gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Gaucho looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Gaucho looking for a guillotine here but Salvador defends easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Salvador decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Gaucho darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Salvador pushes Gaucho off and gets back to his feet.

Salvador fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Gaucho, pushing him back against the cage.
Salvador lands an elbow inside that Gaucho shrugs off.

It looks like Sebastian Gaucho has been cut.
Gaucho is looking to take this one to the mat.
Gaucho is working for takedown but Salvador is calmly controlling the position for now.

Gaucho lands a takedown into guard.

Gaucho is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gaucho is trying to get back to his feet.
Salvador throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Salvador throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

Salvador stands up.
Salvador looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Gaucho has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Salvador after a bit of a struggle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sebastian Gaucho. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gaucho is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Salvador is defending well.
Salvador pushes off an throws an elbow but Gaucho leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Gaucho wants a takedown.
Gaucho drops down looking for an ankle pick but Salvador pulls his leg out and moves away.

Salvador closes the distance and pushes Gaucho back into the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Salvador lands an elbow just above Gaucho 's eye.
Gaucho tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Salvador smiles and moves away.
A combination from Salvador does no damage.

Salvador takes the fight into the clinch.
Gaucho tries to pull guard but Salvador forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Salvador creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Gaucho's defenses.

Salvador jumps guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

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

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Salvador drops back looking for a leg! Gaucho is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Gaucho manages to kick Salvador off! Salvador jumps back into Gaucho's guard.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Salvador loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Matrin Salvador dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Sebastian Gaucho's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Salvador clinches with his opponent.

Gaucho jumps guard and drags Salvador to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Salvador trying to control the position from guard on top but Gaucho is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Salvador has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Gaucho has his foot on Salvador's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Salvador works his way back into a safe position though.
Gaucho punching from the bottom.
Salvador wants to stand and escape but instead Gaucho has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

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

Gaucho utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Salvador stops Gaucho from standing up.

Gaucho looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Gaucho wants to stand up but Salvador is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gaucho looking for a guillotine here but Salvador defends easily.
Salvador stopping the sweep attempt from Gaucho.
Salvador throwing strikes but missing.
Salvador loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Gaucho looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Salvador trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Gaucho wants to get back to his feet but Salvador is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Gaucho working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Salvador.

Gaucho throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Salvador in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Gaucho is on top in guard.

Gaucho postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Salvador is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Gaucho, into his guard.

Salvador throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Salvador throws a strike but Gaucho rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

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

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salvador throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Gaucho works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Salvador throwing strikes from guard but Gaucho blocks nicely.

Gaucho throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Salvador must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Salvador gets to his feet - Gaucho follows without any prompting.

Salvador clinches.

Salvador jumps guard.
Gaucho is pushing down on Salvador's leg trying to pass to half guard. Salvador is fighting to maintain full guard but Gaucho has managed to sneak the leg through.

Gaucho seems to be trying to get a kimura but instead Salvador has recovered full guard.
Gaucho is looking to pass into half guard but Salvador pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Salvador is in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gaucho is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Gaucho avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Gaucho has his foot on Salvador's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Salvador works his way back into a safe position though.
Gaucho is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Salvador is controlling him.

Salvador stands up from guard. Let's bang!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Salvador rushes Gaucho and presses him up against the cage.
Gaucho jumps guard but Salvador stands there with Gaucho around his waist. Gaucho gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Salvador throws an elbow that misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Matrin Salvador showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Sebastian Gaucho's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Gaucho shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Salvador sprawls well. Salvador wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Gaucho gets slowly back to his feet.

Gaucho gets tackled into the cage by Salvador. Salvador maintains the clinch.
Gaucho has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Salvador after a bit of a struggle.
Matrin Salvador seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Nice elbow from Salvador.
Gaucho blocks an elbow strike from Salvador.
Gaucho drops down looking for an ankle pick but Salvador pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sebastian Gaucho. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Salvador clinches up with Gaucho and pushes him back against the cage.
Gaucho goes for a takedown attempt but Salvador pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Salvador tries to bum rush Gaucho with a series of wild strikes but Gaucho uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Gaucho half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salvador scores with a three punch combo!
Gaucho avoids a kick to the body.

Salvador has Gaucho up against the cage in a clinch.
Gaucho tries to score a body lock takedown but Salvador shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Salvador lands a nice elbow.
Salvador gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Gaucho.
Salvador lands an elbow just above Gaucho 's eye.
Salvador throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Salvador tries to land a knee to the head but Gaucho blocks with his arms.
Salvador lands a hook to the side of the head.
Salvador lands a right hand that snaps the head of Gaucho backwards.
Salvador lands an elbow inside.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Salvador looks to throw an elbow but misses.

Salvador successfully pulls guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gaucho trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Gaucho drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Salvador manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Gaucho has Salvador in his guard.

Salvador stands up and waves to Gaucho to follow him.

Salvador gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Gaucho tries for a takedown. No joy.
Gaucho fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Salvador escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Salvador throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Salvador gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Salvador creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Gaucho's defenses.
With the fighters up against the cage, Salvador throws an elbow but misses.
Salvador throws an elbow but it misses.
Salvador throws an elbow but it's blocked.

Gaucho has hold of one of Salvador's legs. Salvador is fighting the takedown attempt but Gaucho gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.

Salvador prevents Gaucho from getting back to his feet.
Salvador wanted to stand there but Gaucho had control of the position.
Gaucho utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Salvador got a little sloppy there for a moment and Gaucho has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Salvador has managed to get both his arms back between Gaucho's legs - danger averted.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gaucho has his foot on Salvador's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Salvador works his way back into a safe position though.
Salvador missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Salvador stands up and waves to Gaucho to follow him.
Matrin Salvador seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Salvador rushes Gaucho and presses him up against the cage.
Gaucho blocks the elbow strike.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Salvador comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

Salvador breaks from the clinch.

Salvador gets a clinch.

Gaucho has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Salvador is trying to keep an underhook but Gaucho manages to get the takedown into half guard.

Gaucho is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Salvador is just riding it out for now. Gaucho eventually gives up the hold.
Sebastian Gaucho has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Matrin Salvador is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Salvador is trying to stand back up but Gaucho is controlling him

And that's the end of the fight!
Matrin Salvador comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Salvador 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 Josh West scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matrin Salvador!