PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Eric Matthews (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rus Taylor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rus Taylor will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Matthews
vs
Taylor

188 cm
25
205 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

185 cm
23
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Eric Matthews!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rus Taylor!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matthews shoots and misses

and Taylor counters by clinching up.
Matthews changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Taylor fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Taylor keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eric Matthews. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Taylor throws a right and a left that Matthews avoids nicely.
Matthews misses with a takedown

and Taylor counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Taylor.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Matthews looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Taylor trying to control but Matthews is working from the bottom.
Taylor trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Matthews manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Taylor drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Matthews dives on top into guard.
Taylor is trying to control the position but Matthews postures up.

Matthews postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Taylor is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Matthews, into his guard.

Matthews working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Taylor doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Taylor manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Matthews is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! Taylor rolls with it to try and escape but Matthews cranks on the arm and Taylor is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Eric Matthews!
A relieved looking Eric Matthews thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.