PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Dado Mata (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brain Buro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mata comes to the cage accompanied by Stranglehold. Buro has chosen Brian Boro`s March as his entrance music. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Brain Buro was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Mata
vs
Buro

172 cm
26
145 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

182 cm
25
155 lbs
11 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

I-Fight Demonic

KAISER Nutrition - Q160/$250

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Dado Mata!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Brain Buro!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Joseph Jones and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mata uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Buro.
Mata attempts a counter takedown but Buro avoids it well and moves away.
Buro throws a hook but Mata avoids it easily.
Buro has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Mata is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Mata misses with an uppercut.
Mata tries for a takedown but Buro sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Mata misses with a wild body shot.
Mata throws the left hand but Buro avoids the punch easily.
Buro slips a jab from Mata.
Mata fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Mata fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dado Mata. That's going to take a lot out of him.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Buro enables Mata to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Buro manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Buro is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Mata is controlling him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Buro has an active guard here but Mata has managed to pass into half guard.

Buro kicks off Mata and gets to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mata ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mata scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Buro trying to hold on to Mata's head to control him but Mata postures up.
Buro wants to get back to his feet.
Buro wants to get back to full guard.
Mata stops Buro from getting back to his feet.
Buro is looking for a sweep. Mata is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Mata trying to mount his opponent but Buro defends it.
Mata works his way into side control.
Buro prevents Mata from moving into mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Buro struggling a bit here.
Mata tries to advance to mount but Buro denies him.
Buro is looking for a sweep.
You can see the frustration on Buro's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Buro tries to escape but Mata is in control.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Mata working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Mata tries to advance to mount but can't.
Buro is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Buro sneaks out the side door and pushes Mata away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A left lands for Buro.
Mata misses with a jab to the body
and Buro counters with a nice uppercut.
Mata on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Mata slips a jab from Buro.
Mata lands with a right hand.
Buro takes a jab right on the kisser.
Buro throws a hook but Mata avoids it easily.
Buro looks to land a left hand but Mata moved out of range nicely.
Mata misses with a straight right.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Mata uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Buro.
Mata changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Buro just misses with a punch to the body.
Buro ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mata moves away.
A swing and a miss from Mata.
Nice defenses there by Buro.
Mata fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mata throws a body punch but Buro moves out of range.

Mata fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Buro sprawls well initially but Mata persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Buro wants to stand back up but Mata manages to pass into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mata works to advance to full mount. Buro defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Buro is desperately trying to improve his position but Mata has a good base and remains in mount.
Mata trying to control but Buro is having none of it.

Mata is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Buro to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Buro shrugs it off.
Buro working to try and regain half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Buro tries to hold on but Mata postures up.

Mata is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Buro has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Buro wants to hold on but Mata pushes him away.

Mata has control of Buro's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Buro regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Buro is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Dado Mata will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Mata misses with a takedown attempt
and Buro counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Buro lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Mata smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Buro displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Mata throws out the jab.
Buro is looking for the big counter here.
Mata swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Mata takes a swing at Buro's ribcage but misses.
Mata pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Mata on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Buro misses with an uppercut.

Mata is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Buro's half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mata wants to free his trapped foot but Buro is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Buro pushes Mata off but Mata dives into side control.
Buro seems a little lost for a moment, as Mata dominates the positioning.
Buro sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Mata wants to lay and pray for a moment but Buro keeps working.
Buro wants to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mata passes to side control.
Buro is trying to improve his position.
Mata advances to full mount.
Buro wants to hold on but Mata pushes him away.
Buro really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Mata trying to control but Buro is having none of it.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Buro wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Buro is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Mata takes Buro's back.

Mata is persistently looking for the submission but Buro is defending it well.
Dado Mata overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Buro fending off the submission attempt from Mata.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mata not allowing Buro to control his hands.
Buro is trying to stand back up.
Mata is not going to allow Buro to sit and survive in this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mata is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Buro has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.

Mata tightening his grip on Buro, looking for the choke.
Buro wants to get back to his feet.
Buro trying to control the hands but Mata breaks the grip.

Mata is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Buro is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Mata off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.
Buro is defending well here and trying to improve his position.

Mata is looking for the choke from the back position but Buro is controlling his hands well.

Mata has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Buro has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Mata tries to keep control of the position but Buro is staying busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Buro trying to get back to his feet but Mata is in full control for now.
Buro breaks Mata's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Mata is adopting a defensive guard.
Buro trying to control but Mata is working from the bottom.

Mata working for a triangle but Buro defends it easily.
Buro is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Mata is on top in guard.

Buro pulls Mata in close to prevent any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dado Mata dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Buro lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Mata tries to score a power double leg takedown but Buro sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Mata somewhat.
Mata cracks Buro with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Mata swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Mata slips a straight right by Buro.
Mata feinted with a counter takedown.
Buro displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Mata throws out the jab.
Mata scores with a body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Buro thows a left - swing and a miss!
Buro swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Mata throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Buro's head.
Mata throws a shot from downtown. Buro moves away and avoids it.
Buro throws an overhand right that lands on Mata's shoulder, as Mata tries to avoid the shot.
Mata feinted with a counter takedown.
Mata moves away from the strike by Buro.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mata takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Mata looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Buro takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Mata throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Buro throws out a loose jab but Mata uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mata changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Mata tries to bum rush Buro with a series of wild strikes but Buro uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Buro throws a right and a left that both miss.
Brain Buro seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Buro swings for the body but Mata moves out of range.
Buro throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Mata.
Buro displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Mata.
Buro throws a hook but Mata blocks it.
Buro defending well as Mata loads up on a big left hand.
Mata swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Mata fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Buro uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Mata tries to clinch up.
Buro's corner calls for a 1-2. Buro obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Buro getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Brain Buro seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Mata drives through with a takedown into guard.

Buro is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Mata is aware though and is defending well.
Buro keeping moving, preventing Mata from controlling successfully.
Buro is pulling down on Mata's head to control his posture.
Mata slips nicely into half guard.
Mata wants to lay and pray for a moment but Buro keeps working.
Buro tries to roll over but Mata keeps him under control.
Brain Buro has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Buro kicks Mata off and gets back to his feet.
Buro misses with a series of wild punches.
Mata moves out of range of the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Buro throws a hook but Mata avoids it easily.
Mata dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Mata takes a swing at Buro's ribcage but misses.
A right-left combo lands from Buro.
Buro throws a shot from downtown. Mata moves away and avoids it.
Mata smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Mata is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Buro.
A big left from Buro misses.
A decent looking cross lands there for Buro.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Mata.

Buro bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mata shoots in for a double leg but Buro sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dado Mata. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mata takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Buro swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Mata feinted with a counter takedown.
Mata uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Buro.
Buro swinging wildly here.
Buro might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mata misses with a head kick.
Nice jab there from Mata.
A slow jab from Buro misses its intended target.
Buro throws the left hand but Mata avoids the punch easily.
Buro's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Mata connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Buro scrambles back to his feet.
A jab lands there for Buro.
Mata throws out a loose jab but Buro uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mata with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Mata shoots in but Buro avoids the takedown attempt easily.
A telegraphed right hand from Buro misses the target.
Mata drops down looking for a counter takedown but Buro sprawls and moves away.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mata fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Buro swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Mata with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Buro to score with a decent uppercut.
Dado Mata is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Buro, as that shot connected.

Mata is rocked!

And that's the end of the fight!
Brain Buro comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Mata has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Columbo Gatti scores the fight 29:28
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dado Mata!
After winning the bout, Dado Mata thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.