PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Matt Huge (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Blair Howatt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Howatt is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Boom - POD. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Huge
vs
Howatt

176 cm
25
179 lbs
14 - 9 - 0

180 cm
25
175 lbs
10 - 7 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

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 14 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Matt Huge!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Blair Howatt!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Alexandre Firmino and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Huge gets caught flat footed, as Howatt shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Howatt prevents Huge from getting back to his feet.
Huge tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Huge on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Huge tries to get out of the position.
Howatt working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Huge is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Howatt throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Huge works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Howatt throwing strikes from guard but Huge blocks nicely.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Huge is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Howatt is controlling him.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Howatt misses with a jab, cross combination.
Huge shoots and misses
and Howatt counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Howatt lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Huge circles away quickly and effectively.
Blair Howatt seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Huge clinches but Howatt breaks the clinch
and Howatt counters with a three punch combo that has Huge backing up. Huge nods at Howatt to acknowledge the strikes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Howatt shoots in and bounces Huge off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Howatt is working Huge over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Huge can't keep his opponent in guard - Howatt advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Huge is trying to stand.
Huge wants to stand back up but Howatt manages to pass into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Huge is breathing heavily.
Huge tries to bench press Howatt off him but Howatt keeps the position.
Huge on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Huge wants to get back to his feet.
Howatt misses with the ground and pound.
Huge wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Howatt lands a nice forearm strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Huge wants to get back to his feet but Howatt is dominant here and he's now got Huge's back!
Howatt wants to control but Huge is keeping busy.
Howatt cracks Huge with a big shot to body and one to the head - really punishing Huge from the back mount here, looking to soften him up.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Huge looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
Howatt lands strikes to the head.
Howatt has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Huge staying busy and making it hard for Howatt to control.
Howatt has Huge flattened out and is raining down punches.
Huge tries to break free.
Howatt is looking to control Huge but Huge is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Howatt looking to soften up his opponent with punches.
Howatt landing with strikes.

Howatt is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Huge controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Howatt connects with a series of strikes and the referee is calling for Huge to escape the position.

Huge showing good submission defense here.
Huge looking very determined here, making life difficult for Howatt.

Howatt patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Howatt connects with a series of strikes and the referee is calling for Huge to escape the position.
Huge is trying to stand back up.

Howatt has managed to slip his arm under Huge's chin. This could be all over... yep, Huge is tapping out! Submission win for Howatt.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:04 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Blair Howatt!