PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Vegan Cornaro (ranked 5096 p4p, 5887 weight class) and Matthew Start (ranked 502 p4p, 549 weight class). Matthew Start is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Cornaro
vs
Start

180 cm
19
155
0 - 0 - 0

205 cm
20
156
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Likes musicals

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 Las Vegas, Vegan Cornaro!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Matthew Start!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Chris Downing and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Start misses with the combination.
It looked like Cornaro wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Cornaro looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
Cornaro misses with the combination.
Cornaro uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Start.
Cornaro defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Start.
Cornaro was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Cornaro shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Start as he avoids it easily.
Cornaro tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Start defends well and Cornaro ends up having to push Start into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Start! But no joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cornaro tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vegan Cornaro. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Start wants to take the fight to the mat but Cornaro manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Start.
Start scores with a nice hook to the head.

Start turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Start manages to end up in side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Start advances to full mount.
Cornaro might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Start content just to control the position here.

Start working for a submission here. He's tucked his head under his opponent's arm, looking for an arm triangle. He's hopped off into side control, looking to tighten the submission... is it going to work? He's given up a good position looking for it. Cornaro looks OK. Oh, I spoke too soon, he's out! That must have been tighter than I thought! Excellent work there by Start! Submission of the night perhaps?

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:33 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Matthew Start!
After the fight, Matthew Start 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.