PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Matt Cardona (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Robert Nathan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Matt Cardona has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Cardona
vs
Nathan

172 cm
18
154 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

170 cm
18
150 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Granite chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Matt Cardona!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Robert Nathan!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Chad Campbell and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cardona bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Nathan is not content to let Cardona control the position.

Cardona goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Nathan rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Cardona's guard! Nice work there by Nathan!

Cardona throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Nathan escapes and throws Cardona's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Nathan working the body and head with strikes.
You can see the frustration on Cardona's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Cardona takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Cardona is looking for a sweep.
Nathan has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Nathan wants to stand but Cardona is controlling his arm.
Cardona tries to bench press Nathan off him but Nathan keeps the position.
Cardona on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Cardona tries to get out of the position.
Nathan tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cardona tries to improve position but can't.
Nathan advances nicely into full mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cardona is squirming around, avoiding Nathan's attempts to control the action.
Cardona can't escape the position.

Nathan is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Cardona to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Cardona shrugs it off.
Cardona taking shots to the head.
Cardona tries to hold on but Nathan postures up.
Nathan is landing with some decent strikes but Cardona is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Cardona tries to improve his position but instead Nathan has taken his back!

Nathan working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Cardona trying to control the position but Nathan manages to sink in the hooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cardona is really stuck here.
Cardona manages to reverse the position and now he's in Nathan's guard. Nice work there by Cardona.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Nathan working a defensive guard here.
Cardona trying to control but Nathan is working from the bottom.

Cardona is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Nathan is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Nathan has escaped and now he's on top!

The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

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

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:49 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Matt Cardona!