PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between El Matador (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Oliver Ramirez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Matador
vs
Ramirez

164 cm
30
140 lbs
15 - 15 - 0

165 cm
20
140 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
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 15 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, El Matador!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Oliver Ramirez!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Chad Campbell and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ramirez instigates a clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Ramirez is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Matador is working for takedown but Ramirez is calmly controlling the position for now.
Matador working Ramirez over with knees to the body.
We've been informed that Ramirez has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.

Matador tightens his grip and picks Ramirez up, before dumping him to the ground. Ramirez manages to land in guard.
Matador loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

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

Matador wants to stand and escape but Ramirez is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Matador pushes Ramirez off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Matador drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Ramirez gets the underhooks and prevents it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Matador breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ramirez goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Ramirez throws a right and a left that both miss.

Matador looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Matador is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Matador 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.
Ramirez looking for a sweep. Not yet Ramirez, not yet.
Matador scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Matador working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Matador stopping the sweep attempt from Ramirez.
Ramirez seems keen to control Matador's posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ramirez is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Matador loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Matador drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Ramirez dives on top into guard.

This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Matador is looking to stand up but Ramirez isn't so interested in that idea.
Ramirez tries to free his leg and advance position but Matador is retaining full guard.
Ramirez wants to get up but he can't break Matador's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Ramirez won't allow Matador to get back to his feet.
Matador seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Ramirez looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Matador has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Ramirez off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ramirez throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Matador.

Matador changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Ramirez looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Matador has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Matador is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Ramirez knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Matador working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Ramirez tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Matador wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Matador tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Matador has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Matador is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Ramirez knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matador looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Ramirez is avoiding damage well.
Ramirez tries to improve position but can't.
Matador throws a strike aimed at the side of Ramirez's head but Ramirez avoids it well.

Matador looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Matador misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Ramirez is looking to reverse the position.

Matador looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Ramirez is trying to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

El Matador dominated that 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.

Matador darts in looking for a takedown but Ramirez gets double underhooks and turns Matador into the cage.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ramirez. Matador does a little dance to reset his feet.
Matador shoots in for a takedown but Ramirez shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Matador shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Ramirez sprawls well. Ramirez wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Matador gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for El Matador. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ramirez throws a left and a right that both miss

and Matador counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Ramirez trying to keep a closed guard but Matador is proving a slippery customer.
Matador makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matador trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Matador's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Matador keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Ramirez's head.

Matador drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Ramirez dives on top into guard.

Matador is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Ramirez is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matador trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

Matador has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Ramirez has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.

Matador turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
You can see the frustration on Ramirez's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Matador sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Ramirez is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.

Matador thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Ramirez pushes Matador away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Matador gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Matador lands a nice forearm strike.
Matador with the ground and pound but Ramirez regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ramirez works his way to full guard. Good work.
Matador landing some decent shots from guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ramirez controls Matador momentarily but Matador frees himself.

Matador thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Ramirez is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Matador is controlling him.
Ramirez working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Matador.

Matador 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.
Ramirez preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matador with a flurry of punches that miss.

Matador 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.

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

Ramirez trying to stand up but can't free himself from Matador's guard.

Matador pushes Ramirez off and gets back to his feet.
Matador shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ramirez as he jumps to the side.
Oliver Ramirez is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ramirez wants to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matador shoots in but Ramirez avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Ramirez throws a counter combo.
Ramirez misses with a double jab.
Matador is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ramirez can do to turn this around?
Ramirez keeps the fight on the outside.
Nice takedown defense from Ramirez. No joy for Matador on that attempt.
Ramirez looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

Matador drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Matador trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
El Matador overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ramirez working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Matador.

Matador drops back, looking for a kneebar! Ramirez looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Ramirez looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Ramirez!

Matador wants to get back to his feet but Ramirez drags him back down.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

El Matador dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Ramirez clinches with his opponent.
Ramirez prevents the takedown attempt.
Matador tries to pull guard but Ramirez forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Matador wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for El Matador. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Matador has Ramirez pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Ramirez manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Matador tries for a takedown but Ramirez manages to get underhooks.
Ramirez is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Ramirez tries a body shot but Matador blocks it.
Matador wants to take the fight to the mat but Ramirez manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matador is trying to pull guard but Ramirez turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Matador drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Ramirez gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Matador blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matador drops down looking for an ankle pick but Ramirez pulls his leg out and moves away.

Ramirez tries to keep at a distance but Matador has taken the fight into the clinch.
Matador drops down looking for an ankle pick but Ramirez pulls his leg out and moves away.
El Matador is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Matador tries for a takedown but Ramirez sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ramirez moves in looking to clinch but Matador pushes him off.
Matador shoots in but Ramirez avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Some wild striking there from Ramirez.
Matador appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Ramirez leaves Matador with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jab, jab by Ramirez - just one landing.
Matador fails to land the takedown.
Ramirez tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Matador was well out of range. Poor timing from Ramirez.
Matador changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Ramirez tries to avoid it but Matador manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Ramirez to the ground. Ramirez escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Ramirez unleashes a big counter combination but Matador bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Matador is defended easily by Ramirez.
Ramirez misses with a series of wild punches.
Matador is looking for a counter combo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ramirez swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Danga de danga de dang - Ramirez scores with a four punch combination!
Ramirez slaps away a takedown attempt from Matador, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Ramirez lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Matador shoots in and drives through. Ramirez sprawls well.
Ramirez throws a combination that misses

and Matador moves into the clinch.

Matador turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ramirez is pushing Matador's head away, looking to escape. Matador manages to hold on to the position though.
Matador fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Ramirez is trying to get back to his feet.

Matador swings around for an armbar but Ramirez sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Matador's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ramirez won't allow Matador to get back to his feet.
Ramirez is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Matador wants to stand but Ramirez is controlling the position.
Ramirez pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Matador is keeping the position for now.
Ramirez trying to control the position from guard on top but Matador is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Matador wants to get back to his feet but Ramirez is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Oliver Ramirez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Matador pushes Ramirez off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Oliver Ramirez comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Matador 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 Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... El Matador!
A relieved looking El Matador thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.