PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Matt Classic (ranked 4919 p4p, 4898 weight class) and Tamati Tauati (ranked 440 p4p, 437 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Tamati Tauati was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Classic
vs
Tauati

180 cm
18
155
1 - 1 - 0

181 cm
21
162
0 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Self confident

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Tends to cut

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Matt Classic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Tamati Tauati!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Marco Blurström and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Tauati looking to score a takedown here. Classic is defending well but Tauati drives through and ends up in Classic's guard.
Classic is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Tauati throws a big elbow that misses.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Classic is on top in guard.

Tauati working a defensive guard here.
Classic not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Tauati can do anything to dispel that myth.
Tauati wants to sweep but no luck.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Classic works over Tauati with some ground and pound from guard.
Classic scoring with some ground and pound.
Classic slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Classic's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Classic preventing the sweep.
Classic's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Tauati wants to sweep but no luck.
Classic showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Classic postures up.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Classic seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Tauati gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

so Classic counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Classic is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Tauati is trying to keep Classic in close.
Tauati throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Tauati thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Classic won't allow Tauati to sweep him here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tauati is still trying to improve position.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Classic thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Classic trying to control the position from guard on top but Tauati is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Classic controls from within his opponent's guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Tauati dives in for a single leg takedown but Classic sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Classic is looking to counter the offense by Tauati and move into the clinch.
Tauati closes the distance and clinches up with Classic, looking for a takedown. Tauati pushes Classic against the cage but Classic circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Matt Classic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tamati Tauati.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Classic shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Classic showed some decent athleticism there.
Tauati strikes from the bottom but Classic uses the opportunity to move to side control.
Tauati is looking for a sweep.
Tauati really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Classic. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Classic tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Tauati is looking for a sweep.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Classic dominated that round.
That's time! Classic's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Classic bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Classic trying to control the action but Tauati is working from the bottom.
Tauati is looking for a sweep.
Classic moves into full mount!
A nice elbow there by Classic.
Classic controlling his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tauati is in all sorts of trouble here.
Classic looking to control and managing it successfully.
Tauati is squirming around, avoiding Classic's attempts to control the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tauati can't escape the position.
Classic controlling from mount.
Tauati tries to reverse the position but Classic maintains control.

Classic working for a guillotine from mount but Tauati is in no mood to give up.
Classic looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Classic is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Tauati can do to turn this around?
Classic has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Tauati's face.
Classic looking to control and managing it successfully.
Tauati keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Classic takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Tauati working to try and regain half guard.
Tauati swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Tauati is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tauati wants to hold on but Classic pushes him away.
Classic can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Tauati is looking to escape.
Tauati is bucking up trying to escape but Classic cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Classic controlling the pace for now.
Classic has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Matt Classic overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Further stalling from Classic.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Classic raining down hammerfists from mount.
Tauati tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Classic looking to control and managing it successfully.
Tauati is trying to escape the mount.
Classic dominating with strikes here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tauati tries to lock up and control but Classic gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

Tauati throws a strike from the bottom but Classic holds onto the arm and goes for an armbar! He's got it! Fantastic submission from Classic!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Matt Classic!
After winning the bout, Matt Classic thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.