PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Antonio Bellavia (ranked 2205 p4p, 3454 weight class) and Mateo Embry (ranked 160 p4p, 223 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Bellavia
vs
Embry

170 cm
28
134
9 - 3 - 0

178 cm
29
140
5 - 5 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Antonio Bellavia!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Mateo Embry!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Reed Andrews and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Decent striking displayed by Bellavia there.
Embry is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Bellavia throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Embry stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Bellavia throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bellavia connects with a body shot that sends Embry's belly button to the back.
Bellavia paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Bellavia lands with a cross.
Mateo Embry seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Embry scores with a jab to the body.
Bellavia throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

Bellavia closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Bellavia lands in his opponent's guard.

Embry is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Bellavia presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Embry escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Bellavia scores with a crisp jab that stopped Embry in his tracks.
Embry misses with a wild body shot.
A punch combination from Embry misses.
Bellavia tries to score a power double leg takedown but Embry sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Bellavia somewhat.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bellavia scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Embry really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Bellavia. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Embry is staying active underneath Bellavia, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Still in half guard, Bellavia seems content to control.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Embry can do anything to dispel that myth.

Bellavia is working for a kimura but Embry is defending it quite comfortably.
Embry looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Embry looks winded!
Bellavia is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Bellavia looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Bellavia has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bellavia throws some shoulder strikes here and then postures up. Oh, he's gone for an armbar! Embry has his hands clasped together but Bellavia breaks the hold and Embry is forced to tap! This one is aaaaaaaaaaall over! That was lightning fast by Bellavia!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:27 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Antonio Bellavia!