PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Nate Lopez (ranked 2307 p4p, 281 weight class) and Mathis Malen (ranked 4235 p4p, 476 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Lopez
vs
Malen

183 cm
22
175 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

188 cm
22
179 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Excellent MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Nate Lopez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Mathis Malen!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Arvi Lind and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Malen with a lazy takedown attempt
and Lopez counters with a straight right hand.

Malen changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Lopez looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Lopez can't do much from the bottom here.

Malen is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Lopez is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Malen really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Lopez. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Lopez tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Malen wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Malen wants to control but Lopez is keeping him busy.
Lopez is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Malen's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lopez won't allow Malen to pass to mount.

Malen is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Malen passes the guard and advances to mount!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malen throwing strikes here but Lopez is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Lopez is in all sorts of trouble here.
Lopez is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Top Dawg, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Malen fails to move to back control.
Lopez manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Malen trying to control from half guard but Lopez is working away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Malen trying to advance position but Lopez counters by regaining guard.
Malen trying to control the position from guard on top but Lopez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lopez keeping full guard, as Malen tries to pass.

Malen stands up over his opponent, looking to dive in with a big punch. Here he comes, superman style! Oh, the punch misses and Lopez has got him in a triangle choke for good measure! Oh no! Malen manages to get his head free but now Lopez has transitioned to an armbar! Malen grimaces and is forced to tap! Beautiful Jiu Jitsu from Lopez! I'd be surprised if that didn't end up as submission of the night!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:28 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Nate Lopez!
After the fight, Nate Lopez was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.