PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Hiroshimato Natuzaka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ryo Matsuda (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Natuzaka
vs
Matsuda

185 cm
21
156 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

182 cm
18
160 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Hiroshimato Natuzaka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ryo Matsuda!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Taro Takaoka and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Natuzaka closes the distance and clinches.
Natuzaka looking to stall.
Matsuda fails to pull guard.
Matsuda jumps guard but Natuzaka stands there with Matsuda around his waist. Matsuda gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Matsuda fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Hiroshimato Natuzaka has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ryo Matsuda.
Natuzaka landing knees to the body.

Natuzaka manages to pull guard.
Natuzaka wants to get back to his feet but Matsuda is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Matsuda trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Matsuda accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Matsuda accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Matsuda postures up in Natuzaka's guard and throws a big left but Natuzaka blocks it.

Matsuda postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Natuzaka is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Matsuda, into his guard.
Natuzaka is pushing down on Matsuda's leg trying to pass to half guard. Matsuda is fighting to maintain full guard but Natuzaka has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Natuzaka working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Natuzaka really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Matsuda flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Natuzaka is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Natuzaka tries to stand but can't do so whilst Matsuda controls his leg.
Natuzaka passes to full mount!
Matsuda is working to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Matsuda looks gassed!
Natuzaka looking to finish Matsuda with some ground and pound. This is bad for Matsuda!
Matsuda is squirming around, avoiding Natuzaka's attempts to control the action.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Matsuda is wriggling around trying to escape.

Natuzaka looking to secure an arm triangle but Matsuda defends it well.
Natuzaka with the ground and pound from mount.
Matsuda tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Matsuda throwing hammer fists to the chest of Natuzaka. What's that going to do exactly?
Matsuda can't escape the position.
Matsuda swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsuda is in all sorts of trouble here.
Natuzaka landing strikes from the mount and Matsuda is in trouble!
Matsuda has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Matsuda throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Matsuda is looking to get to half guard.
Matsuda gets back to half guard.
Matsuda flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Matsuda moves into full guard.
Matsuda throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

Matsuda working for a triangle but Natuzaka defends it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Matsuda has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Natuzaka has passed into side control.
Matsuda is looking to regain half guard here but Natuzaka keeps moving and retains side control.

Natuzaka decides to stand back up. Natuzaka steps back and let's Matsuda get back to his feet.
Ryo Matsuda seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Natuzaka closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Matsuda to the mat! Matsuda manages to get full guard.
Matsuda manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Natuzaka is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Matsuda looking to ground and pound but Natuzaka is blocking nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hiroshimato Natuzaka dominated that 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.

Natuzaka wants to clinch up but Matsuda keeps it at a distance.
Matsuda tries to clinch but Natuzaka moves out of range.
Matsuda moves in looking to clinch but Natuzaka pushes him off.
The fight stays on the outside here - Natuzaka looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Matsuda looks to clinch

and Natuzaka moves into the clinch.
Natuzaka keeps control of Matsuda as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Matsuda has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Natuzaka uses from the top position.

Natuzaka stands and steps away. Matsuda gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Matsuda misses with an attempted mid kick.
Natuzaka avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Matsuda circles away from the clinch attempt.
Hiroshimato Natuzaka is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Matsuda is looking to clinch but Natuzaka is avoiding it.
Matsuda doesn't manage to clinch there - Natuzaka circles away.
Matsuda misses with a body kick.
Matsuda gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Natuzaka decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Matsuda's guard.
Natuzaka is looking to stand up but Matsuda won't let him.
Natuzaka lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Natuzaka wanted to stand there but Matsuda had control of the position.
Matsuda looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Natuzaka puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.

Natuzaka is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsuda tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Matsuda is pressing down on Natuzaka's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Matsuda is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Natuzaka punching from the bottom.
Matsuda thows a huge punch but Natuzaka dodges it nicely.
Natuzaka moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Matsuda stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Natuzaka swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hiroshimato Natuzaka overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Matsuda scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Natuzaka wants to stand and escape but Matsuda is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsuda thows a big elbow that misses.

Natuzaka pushes Matsuda off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Matsuda throws a sloppy head kick and Natuzaka moves out of range easily.
Matsuda throws a sloppy head kick and Natuzaka moves out of range easily.
Matsuda is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Natuzaka decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Matsuda is trying to get back to full guard.
Matsuda works his way to full guard. Good work.

Matsuda escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Natuzaka gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Matsuda bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Natuzaka's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Natuzaka looking to control.
Matsuda passes Natuzaka's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Matsuda is working for a submission of some sort.
Natuzaka is trying to get back to full guard.
Natuzaka pushes Matsuda off looking to stand but Matsuda dives back in and keeps control.
Matsuda thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Natuzaka to regain full guard.
Natuzaka wants to stand up but Matsuda is controlling him.
Natuzaka manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Matsuda manages to get himself to full guard.

Matsuda is working an open guard so Natuzaka takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsuda avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Natuzaka tries to clinch up.
A low kick from Matsuda is predictable there

and Natuzaka counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Matsuda tries to pull guard but Natuzaka won't allow it.
Matsuda tries to pull guard but Natuzaka won't allow it.
Hiroshimato Natuzaka has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ryo Matsuda.
Matsuda tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Natuzaka smiles and moves away.

Natuzaka darts in and clinches Matsuda up against the cage.
Matsuda tries to pull guard but Natuzaka holds him up against the cage and eventually Matsuda drops back down to his feet.
Matsuda can't break the clinch.
Matsuda is looking to break free of the clinch but Natuzaka has double underhooks.
Matsuda tries to land knees in the clinch but Natuzaka avoids the damage to the body.
Matsuda fails to pull guard.
A knee to the head by Natuzaka.

Matsuda jumps guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Natuzaka passes into half guard under a barage of strikes.

Matsuda actively working from the bottom here.
Matsuda is refusing to be controlled, as Natuzaka sits in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hiroshimato Natuzaka dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Natuzaka rushes Matsuda and presses him up against the cage.
Matsuda tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Natuzaka just stands there and leans against the cage.
Matsuda jumps guard but Natuzaka stands there with Matsuda around his waist. Matsuda gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Matsuda comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

Natuzaka jumps guard and drags Matsuda to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Matsuda works over Natuzaka with some ground and pound from guard.
Natuzaka wants to stand but Matsuda is controlling the position.
Matsuda is looking to work some ground and pound but Natuzaka has wrist control.
Matsuda connects with a couple of short punches.
Matsuda trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Matsuda in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Matsuda with a nice head shot there.
Natuzaka wants to stand and escape but Matsuda is having none of it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Natuzaka avoids a kick to the body.
Matsuda misses with a kick to the body

and Natuzaka counters with a nice double leg into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsuda trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

Natuzaka gets to his feet - Matsuda follows without any prompting.
Natuzaka is looking to clinch.
Natuzaka moves in looking to clinch but Matsuda pushes him off.
Matsuda darts in trying to clinch

and Natuzaka counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Matsuda jumps guard but Natuzaka stands there with Matsuda around his waist. Matsuda gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Hiroshimato Natuzaka has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ryo Matsuda.

Natuzaka breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Natuzaka darts in and clinches Matsuda up against the cage.
Matsuda wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Natuzaka landing knees to the head.

Matsuda is rocked!

It looks like Ryo Matsuda has been cut.
Natuzaka lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Matsuda is still on wobbly legs! Can Natuzaka finish him?
Natuzaka lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Matsuda is trying to break free.
Natuzaka connects with a knee to the head.
Matsuda is looking to break free of the clinch but Natuzaka has double underhooks.
Natuzaka crunches a lovely knee into Matsuda's ribcage.
Matsuda jumps guard but Natuzaka stands there with Matsuda around his waist. Matsuda gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Matsuda tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Natuzaka just stands there and leans against the cage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Matsuda.
Matsuda seems to have recovered his senses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsuda tries to break the clinch but Natuzaka is controlling the position.
Matsuda jumps guard but Natuzaka stands there with Matsuda around his waist. Matsuda gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Matsuda tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Natuzaka just stands there and leans against the cage.

Matsuda jumps guard and drags Natuzaka to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Natuzaka has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Matsuda has thrown up a leg looking for a triangle. Natuzaka doesn't defend quickly enough and Matsuda has managed to lock this one up! Can Natuzaka escape?! NO! He's tapping out! Damn, that was a quick submission - congrats to Matsuda on a fantastic submission victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:34 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Ryo Matsuda!