PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Hideki Matsui (ranked 4723 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zachary Crawford (ranked 4751 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Matsui
vs
Crawford

188 cm
22
212 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

183 cm
19
150 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid 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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Hideki Matsui!
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, Zachary Crawford!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Crawford scores with a takedown into Matsui's guard.
Matsui wants to sweep here but Crawford controlling him for the moment.
Crawford is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Matsui is looking for a triangle but Crawford pushes his legs off easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Matsui preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Crawford really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Matsui. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Crawford throws a big right hand that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Matsui is on top in guard.

Crawford wants to sweep but no luck.
Crawford keeping moving, preventing Matsui from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crawford controls Matsui momentarily but Matsui frees himself.
Matsui trying to control but Crawford is working from the bottom.
Matsui sitting in guard here, content to control.
Matsui trying to control but Crawford is working from the bottom.
Matsui is really struggling to control Crawford but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Matsui missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Matsui forces his way into half guard.
Matsui is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Matsui looking to control and managing it successfully.
Crawford is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Matsui is looking to work his way around to Crawford's back. He needs to be careful though, as he's in danger of losing this dominant position.
Matsui with shots to the head and body - Crawford looks very uncomfortable down there.
Crawford tries to reverse the position but Matsui maintains control.

Matsui wants to finish this one by submission but Crawford is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Matsui.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsui content just to control the position here.

Matsui is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Crawford is surviving well by controlling Matsui's body position as best he can.
Matsui trying to control but Crawford is having none of it.
Matsui prevents Crawford from getting the reversal.
Crawford is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Crawford is trying to escape the mount.

Matsui has hold of Crawford's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Crawford manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Matsui looking to control and managing it successfully.
Matsui breaks from Crawford's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Matsui looking to control but Crawford is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Matsui is giving the impression that he's looking to ground and pound but he switches suddenly into a beautiful far side armbar! Crawford is forced to tap! Great finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Hideki Matsui!