PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between DeSean Larson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hiro Matsuka (ranked 0 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.

Larson
vs
Matsuka

176 cm
21
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

182 cm
18
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Big heart

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Inexperienced

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 Amsterdam, DeSean Larson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Hiro Matsuka!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Matti Vanhoillinen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matsuka fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Matsuka closes the distance and clinches up with Larson, looking for a takedown. Matsuka pushes Larson against the cage but Larson circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Larson misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Matsuka throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Larson's waist but Larson gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Matsuka off to one side.
DeSean Larson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hiro Matsuka.
Larson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Larson wants it to stay on the feet.
Larson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Larson wants it to stay on the feet.
Nice sprawl there from Larson as Matsuka shoots in.
Matsuka fails with a takedown attempt.
Matsuka closes this distance looking for a takedown but Larson circles away.
Matsuka shoots in and drives through. Larson sprawls well.
Nice takedown defense from Larson. No joy for Matsuka on that attempt.

Larson has closed the distance and engaged Matsuka in a clinch.
Matsuka tries to pull guard but Larson won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Larson jumps guard and drags Matsuka to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Matsuka trying to control but Larson is working from the bottom.
Matsuka forces his way into half guard.
Larson is positioning himself well to prevent Matsuka advancing to mount.
Larson looks like he's trying to stand up.
Larson tries to get to full guard but Matsuka has control of the leg.
Matsuka is looking to take a break and control but Larson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Larson tries to kick Matsuka off but Matsuka keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Larson wants to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Matsuka is looking for a kimura here.
Matsuka wants to lay and pray for a moment but Larson keeps working.
Matsuka might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Larson kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Larson wants to improve his position but Matsuka is controlling well.

Larson is defending against the submission attempts here by Matsuka.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Larson is controlling Matsuka's trapped leg to prevent Matsuka from advancing to side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Matsuka is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Matsuka seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Larson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Matsuka is working for a submission of some sort.
Matsuka is keen to just control but Larson is a slippery customer.
Larson tries to kick Matsuka off but Matsuka keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Larson knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Matsuka on the ground.

Matsuka is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Larson has managed to free his arm - good work.
Larson wants to control but Matsuka is keeping busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Matsuka in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. Larson tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Matsuka!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:23 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Hiro Matsuka!