PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Eric Matthews (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lenzi Tapera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Matthews
vs
Tapera

188 cm
31
205 lbs
6 - 16 - 0

190 cm
29
218 lbs
5 - 8 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Eric Matthews!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Lenzi Tapera!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matthews with a poor takedown

and Tapera counters by moving into the clinch.
Tapera misses with a punch to the body.

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

Matthews is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Matthews drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Matthews jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Matthews drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Matthews jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Matthews trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Tapera has control of Matthews's left arm, preventing Matthews from doing any damage.
Tapera controls Matthews momentarily but Matthews frees himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Matthews has gone for a leg lock! Tapera slips out almost immediately though and dives into Matthews's guard.

Matthews had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Tapera defends it easily.
Tapera wants to get up but he can't break Matthews's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Matthews escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Tapera gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Tapera trying to control but Matthews is working from the bottom.
Tapera looking to pass the guard.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tapera tries to stand but Matthews is controlling from the bottom.
Tapera must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Matthews looking for a guillotine here but Tapera defends easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Tapera has a momentary lapse of concentration, allowing Matthews to throw up a leg and lock on what appears to be a pretty tight triangle! Tapera is fighting it off but it's all too little too late - Matthews pulls down on the head and he's put Tapera to sleep! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:35 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Eric Matthews!
During a confident post fight interview, Eric Matthews thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.