PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Caliman Matos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Graves (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Matos
vs
Graves

188 cm
19
189 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

183 cm
19
185 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

OG King Of Laundry (Fast Response 80%)
KAISER Nutrition - Q160/$250

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Caliman Matos!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Mike Graves!
The judges for this bout are Ryoma Takatsuka, Colin Fray and Jeff Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Graves doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Matos makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Matos fails with a takedown attempt.
Graves tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
We've been hearing reports that Matos has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Matos shoots in but no luck this time.
Matos tries for a takedown but Graves sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Caliman Matos. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Graves dives in and scores a takedown into Matos's guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Matos is on top in guard.

Matos drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Matos jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matos advances to half guard.

Matos is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Graves has managed to free his arm - good work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Matos trying to pass the guard but Graves defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Matos is trying to work for a kimura but Graves is defending well.
Matos thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Graves's head.
Matos tries to pass the half guard into mount. Graves knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Matos working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Graves's thigh. Graves counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Matos tries to free his leg and advance position but Graves is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Graves can do anything to dispel that myth.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Graves looks winded!
Graves is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Matos.

Matos changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Graves looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Matos passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Graves!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Matos goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Graves is on top in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Matos is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Matos trying to keep a closed guard but Graves is proving a slippery customer.
Matos bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Graves's guard.
Matos stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Graves swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Matos pushing down on Graves's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Matos seems to be looking for submissions.

Matos seems to be looking for submissions.
Matos moves into full mount! Graves won't be happy about that!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Matos misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.

Matos wants to finish this one by submission but Graves is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Matos.

Matos has control of Graves's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Graves regains control of the situation pretty easily.

Matos working for a submission here. He's tucked his head under his opponent's arm, looking for an arm triangle. He's hopped off into side control, looking to tighten the submission... is it going to work? He's given up a good position looking for it. Graves looks OK. Oh, I spoke too soon, he's out! That must have been tighter than I thought! Excellent work there by Matos! Submission of the night perhaps?

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:49 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Caliman Matos!
Caliman Matos tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.