PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Life Downgrade (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matthew Hebert (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Downgrade
vs
Hebert

160 cm
23
141 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

167 cm
23
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Excellent boxer
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Life Downgrade!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Matthew Hebert!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Dmitry Maklakov and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Downgrade lands a nice shot that snaps Hebert's head back.
Downgrade sizes up Hebert with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

Hebert drives through with a takedown into guard.
Hebert seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Let's hope that Hebert has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Downgrade on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Downgrade tries to get out of the position.
Downgrade wants to stand and escape but Hebert is having none of it.
Hebert engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Downgrade has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Hebert is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Downgrade drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Downgrade is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Hebert pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hebert gets underhooks to prevent Downgrade's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Life Downgrade. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Downgrade drops down looking for an ankle pick but Hebert pulls his leg out and moves away.

Downgrade looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Hebert pushes Downgrade off and gets back to his feet.
Downgrade shoots in looking for a takedown but Hebert manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Downgrade's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Downgrade is breathing heavily.

Hebert gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Hebert working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Downgrade tries for a takedown but Hebert manages to get underhooks.
Hebert is stalling here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Hebert works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Hebert advances position into side control!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Downgrade trying to remain calm as Hebert controls from the top position.
Downgrade wants to get back to his feet but Hebert drags him back down.
Hebert controlling the position from side mount.
Downgrade wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Hebert just content to control the position.
Downgrade takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Hebert connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Downgrade some visible discomfort.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.

Hebert is in a dominant position here, looking for a kimura. Downgrade looks calm but he's in trouble here. Hebert gets his leg over his opponent's head and yanks on the arm. Downgrade is tapping like a morse code operator on the titanic! SOS! SOS! Hebert lets go of the hold and Downgrade can pop his arm back in it's socket.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Matthew Hebert!