PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Leo Pitbull (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt Serra (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Matt Serra has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Leo Pitbull's chin.

Pitbull
vs
Serra

178 cm
23
178 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

168 cm
25
171 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Leo Pitbull!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Matt Serra!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Joseph Jones and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Serra clinches.

Pitbull jumps guard.

Pitbull throws his legs up looking for a submission but Serra uses it to pass to side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pitbull is trying to get back to half guard.
Pitbull wants to control but Serra postures up.
Serra is looking to take a break and control but Pitbull is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Pitbull wants to control but Serra postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pitbull is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Serra controls the position from side control.

Serra is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Pitbull knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
You can see the frustration on Pitbull's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Serra trying to control the action but Pitbull is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Serra working the ground and pound.

Serra has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

Serra fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Pitbull, pushing him back against the cage.
Serra is looking to break free of the clinch but Pitbull has double underhooks.
Pitbull is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.

Pitbull has hold of one of Serra's legs. Serra is fighting the takedown attempt but Pitbull gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Serra wants to stand up but Pitbull is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pitbull knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Serra on the ground.
Pitbull stopping the sweep attempt from Serra.
Serra trying to control the position.
Pitbull stops Serra from standing up.
Pitbull throwing strikes but missing.
Pitbull trying to control the position from guard on top but Serra is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Serra is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Serra closes this distance looking for a takedown but Pitbull circles away.
Pitbull is looking to clinch.
Pitbull stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Pitbull wants it to stay on the feet.
A solid body kick from Pitbull.

Pitbull gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Pitbull gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Pitbull scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Pitbull throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Serra is trying to control but can't.
Serra is looking for a sweep. Pitbull is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Serra tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Leo Pitbull will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Serra moves into the clinch.

Pitbull's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Pitbull misses with a jab, cross combination.
Pitbull tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Serra manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Pitbull drives through with a takedown into guard.
Serra is controlling Pitbull's posture.
Pitbull's corner is telling him to maintain position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Serra has Pitbull pulled in close to control his posture.
Serra tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Serra pulls Pitbull in close to his closed guard and prevents Pitbull from doing any damage or advancing position.

Serra pushes Pitbull off and gets back to his feet.
Pitbull fails in his attempt to clinch.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Serra enables Pitbull to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Serra manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Serra manages to escape and get back to his feet.

Serra gets caught flat footed, as Pitbull shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Serra kicks Pitbull off and gets to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Pitbull closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Serra to the mat! Serra manages to get full guard.

Serra pushes Pitbull off and scrambles back to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Serra misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Pitbull closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Serra is trying to improve his position.
Serra is trying to control Pitbull's posture but Pitbull avoids it.
Pitbull prevents Serra from escaping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Pitbull is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Serra is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Serra is looking to reverse the position.
Pitbull wants to lay and pray for a moment but Serra keeps working.
Serra is looking to reverse the position.
Serra is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Pitbull is controlling him well.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Serra throws a body shot but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
A looping hook to the body misses from Pitbull. Serra does a little dance to reset his feet.
Pitbull circles away from the clinch attempt.

Pitbull fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Serra sprawls well initially but Pitbull persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Pitbull is thwarting Serra's attempts to control the position.
Pitbull is trying to control. Serra wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Serra keeping hold of Pitbull's head, controlling as best he can.
Pitbull prevents Serra from improving his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Serra showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Serra looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
It looked like Pitbull wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

Pitbull shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Serra manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Serra tries to score a power double leg takedown but Pitbull sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Serra somewhat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Serra swats away the attempt to clinch by Pitbull.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Serra shoots in for a takedown but Pitbull shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Leo Pitbull has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matt Serra.

Serra moves into range and clinches up with Pitbull.
Pitbull is struggling to control the position.

Serra jumps into guard, dragging Pitbull to the mat.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Pitbull accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Pitbull wants to control from the top but Serra keeps moving.

Serra is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Pitbull presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Serra fails to pull guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Serra works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Serra takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Pitbull avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Pitbull looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Pitbull striking off his back but it's not causing Serra any problems.
Pitbull trying to control the position.

Serra decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Serra tries to clinch but Pitbull moves out of range.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Serra shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Pitbull defends it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Serra tries to score a power double leg takedown but Pitbull sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Serra somewhat.
Pitbull avoids the head kick by Serra.
Pitbull went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Pitbull tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Serra manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Pitbull shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Serra napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Matt Serra has got the better of the ground game so far.
Pitbull landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.

Pitbull is trying to get an arm triangle but Serra is defending well.
Serra is looking for a sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Serra can't do much from the bottom here.
Serra is trying to improve his position.
Serra striking from the bottom but nothing landed.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Pitbull stands up and beckons Serra to his feet.
Pitbull tries to clinch but Serra is having none of it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matt Serra comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Serra has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 28:29
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 28:29
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matt Serra!