PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mateh Kazana (ranked 3887 p4p, 0 weight class) and Exar Sotomayor (ranked 4128 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys are coming into the fight with injuries so let's see if that has a bearing on the fight. Mateh Kazana has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Kazana
vs
Sotomayor

173 cm
25
156 lbs
3 - 8 - 0

181 cm
25
160 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Prefers standup

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 3 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mateh Kazana!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Exar Sotomayor!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, Bruno Lombardi and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kazana lands a high kick!
Sotomayor misses with a combination

and Kazana holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Sotomayor can't break the clinch.

Kazana pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Sotomayor lands with a straight right. Kazana didn't see that one coming.

It looks like Mateh Kazana has been cut.
Sotomayor showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kazana.
Exar Sotomayor seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sotomayor circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kazana is breathing heavily.
Kazana avoids a punch combination nicely.
Sotomayor swinging wildly here.
Kazana drops down looking for a counter takedown but Sotomayor sprawls and moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kazana avoids a punch combination nicely.
Sotomayor scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

Kazana moves into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sotomayor is trying to push Kazana away but Kazana has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Kazana breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kazana walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Sotomayor rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kazana moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Kazana gets a clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Sotomayor's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Kazana is looking for a takedown.

Kazana pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kazana walks into a straight right hand from Sotomayor.
Sotomayor looks to land a combination but Kazana avoids it well.

Kazana gets a clinch.
Sotomayor wants to break the clinch but can't.
Sotomayor is trying to break free.

Kazana breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sotomayor scores with a nice strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kazana steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Sotomayor.
As Sotomayor looks to move away, Kazana throws a big counter combo but Sotomayor just gets out of the way.

Kazana gets in close and instigates a clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kazana leaning against his opponent.
Kazana is working for takedown but Sotomayor is calmly controlling the position for now.
Sotomayor managing to block the knees to the body from Kazana.
Sotomayor wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Kazana tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Sotomayor working hard to break the clinch.
Sotomayor tries to break the clinch but Kazana is controlling the position.
Sotomayor avoiding damage as Kazana throws knees to the body.
Sotomayor tries to break the clinch but Kazana is controlling the position.
Kazana goes for a takedown attempt but Sotomayor pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mateh Kazana. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sotomayor misses with a jab, cross combination.
Sotomayor lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kazana circles away quickly and effectively.
Kazana shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Sotomayor as he avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sotomayor connects with a right hand. Kazana shakes it off.
Sotomayor has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Kazana tries for a takedown but Sotomayor sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Sotomayor tries to bum rush Kazana with a series of wild strikes but Kazana uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Sotomayor misses with a two punch combination.
Kazana misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Sotomayor misses with a double jab.
Kazana seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kazana.
Sotomayor throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kazana.
Sotomayor tries to bum rush Kazana with a series of wild strikes but Kazana uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A big right from Sotomayor misses.

Kazana has closed the distance and engaged Sotomayor in a clinch.
Kazana misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kazana manages to break the clinch.
Kazana dodges the punch combination from Sotomayor.
Sotomayor swinging wildly here.
Sotomayor defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kazana.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sotomayor's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Sotomayor duly obliges.
Sotomayor misses with the combination.
Kazana is looking to counter the offense by Sotomayor and move into the clinch.
Kazana showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sotomayor.
Sotomayor swinging wildly here.

Kazana moves into range and clinches up with Sotomayor.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Exar Sotomayor dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mateh Kazana's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Sotomayor misses with a two punch combination.
It looked like Kazana was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Exar Sotomayor seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kazana fails with a takedown attempt.

Kazana takes the fight into the clinch.
Sotomayor letting Kazana take a breather here.

Kazana drags the fight down to the ground.

Sotomayor stands up from guard. Let's bang!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kazana avoids a punch combination nicely.
Sotomayor misses with a double jab.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kazana takes one on the button.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kazana looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No joy there for Sotomayor, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A jab from Sotomayor misses.

Kazana instigates a clinch.
Kazana throws a knee to the head but misses.
Kazana tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Sotomayor is looking to break free of the clinch but Kazana has double underhooks.
Kazana has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Sotomayor after a bit of a struggle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mateh Kazana. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A frustrated look appears on Sotomayor's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Kazana escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Sotomayor rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kazana moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Sotomayor will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Sotomayor tries to bum rush Kazana with a series of wild strikes but Kazana uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Sotomayor misses with a two punch combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kazana has managed to clinch.
Kazana tries for a takedown. No joy.
Mateh Kazana has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Sotomayor is trying to force a seperation but Kazana has the dominant position.

Kazana escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Sotomayor misses with a wild combination.
Kazana walks into a stiff left hand from Sotomayor.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kazana will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Sotomayor bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Kazana's head.
Sotomayor's jab looks to have found its range, popping Kazana under the eye.
Exar Sotomayor is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kazana has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Sotomayor throws a series of punches but Kazana moves out of range.
Sotomayor slaps away a takedown attempt from Kazana, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Mateh Kazana is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sotomayor rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kazana moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Sotomayor lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kazana circles away quickly and effectively.

Kazana clinches.
Sotomayor tries to break the clinch but Kazana is controlling the position.
Kazana looking for a takedown.
Sotomayor is trying to force a seperation but Kazana has the dominant position.
Kazana jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Sotomayor walks away with a smile on his face. Kazana gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Sotomayor misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kazana seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Kazana looks to land a combination but Sotomayor avoids it well.
Kazana has a takedown stuffed.
Sotomayor displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kazana.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sotomayor lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kazana circles away quickly and effectively.
Sotomayor throws a right and a left that Kazana avoids nicely.
Kazana throws a lazy right hand but Sotomayor sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Sotomayor moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Sotomayor throws a right and a left that both miss.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kazana tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sotomayor sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kazana somewhat.
Sotomayor swinging wildly here.
Kazana avoids a punch combination nicely.
Sotomayor stuffs the takedown attempt from Kazana. Kazana gets slowly back to his feet.
Sotomayor misses with the combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Exar Sotomayor showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Mateh Kazana's cut.
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. This is the final round!

Kazana shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Sotomayor but Sotomayor pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Sotomayor scores with a decent looking hook.
Good shot there by Sotomayor.
Kazana takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Sotomayor scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Sotomayor throws a series of punches but Kazana avoids them all with ease.
Kazana half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Kazana throws a series of strikes that have Sotomayor backpedaling.
Sotomayor will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kazana takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Nice takedown defense from Sotomayor. No joy for Kazana on that attempt.
Sotomayor lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A head kick misses from Kazana.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kazana shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Sotomayor as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mateh Kazana. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sotomayor connects with a jab.
Sotomayor has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sotomayor scores with a jab to the jaw.
Kazana blocks a jab.
Sotomayor might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Sotomayor throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kazana.
As Sotomayor looks to move away, Kazana throws a big counter combo but Sotomayor just gets out of the way.
Sotomayor throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kazana.

Kazana closes the distance and clinches.
Kazana fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Sotomayor is trying to push Kazana away but Kazana has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Sotomayor is looking to break free of the clinch but Kazana has double underhooks.
Sotomayor prevents the takedown attempt.
Kazana displaying some good clinch control by pressing Sotomayor up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sotomayor is trying to break free.
Kazana drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sotomayor is looking to break free of the clinch but Kazana has double underhooks.

Kazana escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kazana tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sotomayor sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kazana somewhat.
Sotomayor lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kazana circles away quickly and effectively.

Kazana darts in and clinches Sotomayor up against the cage.

Kazana escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Some wild striking there from Sotomayor.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sotomayor swinging wildly here.
Kazana is looking to counter the offense by Sotomayor and move into the clinch.

Kazana has Sotomayor up against the cage in a clinch.
Kazana struggles to land a body shot inside as Sotomayor controls his hands.
Sotomayor looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Kazana pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kazana is trying hard to land a takedown here. Sotomayor sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Sotomayor swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Sotomayor darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Sotomayor will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Sotomayor lands with an uppercut that bounces Kazana off the cage and back into range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kazana fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Sotomayor connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Kazana tries to clinch but Sotomayor moves out of range.
Sotomayor misses with a series of wild punches.
Sotomayor throws a right and a left that Kazana avoids nicely.
Kazana drops down looking for a counter takedown but Sotomayor sprawls and moves away.
A slow jab from Sotomayor misses its intended target.
Sotomayor swinging wildly here.
Kazana seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Kazana has taken the fight to the clinch.
Sotomayor has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Mateh Kazana has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Exar Sotomayor is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Kazana lands an elbow just above Sotomayor 's eye.

And that's the end of the fight!
Exar Sotomayor comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Sotomayor winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Jorge Garcia scores the fight 27:30
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Exar Sotomayor!