PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Miquel Costas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ryuu Matsumoto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Miquel Costas has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Costas
vs
Matsumoto

184 cm
29
160 lbs
7 - 9 - 0

175 cm
39
159 lbs
23 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Experienced

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Miquel Costas!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ryuu Matsumoto!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Costas misses with a hook. Matsumoto ducked under it nicely.

Matsumoto drives through with a takedown into guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Costas is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Matsumoto scoring with some ground and pound.
Matsumoto has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Matsumoto throws a big right hand that misses.
Costas trying to keep a closed guard but Matsumoto is proving a slippery customer.
Matsumoto is working Costas over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Matsumoto wants to control from the top but Costas keeps moving.
Matsumoto connects with a couple of short punches.
Costas trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Costas keeping moving, preventing Matsumoto from controlling successfully.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Matsumoto throws a big elbow that misses.
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!
Matsumoto stands and throws Costas's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Costas takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Matsumoto working away.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Costas takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Matsumoto trying to control the position but Costas is working away.
Matsumoto working away.
Costas taking a bit of punishment here - Matsumoto scoring with strikes.

Matsumoto is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Costas knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Matsumoto lands some shots froms side control.
Matsumoto takes a little break here. Costas wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Costas can't do much from the bottom here.
Matsumoto working the ground and pound from side control.
Matsumoto creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Matsumoto scoring with punches from side control.

Costas is rocked!
Costas taking a bit of punishment here - Matsumoto scoring with strikes.
Oh Costas is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Matsumoto slows the pace down.

Matsumoto goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Costas has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Matsumoto but great work by Costas.
Costas seems to have got his legs back now.
Matsumoto has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Matsumoto manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Costas missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Matsumoto is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Costas pulls his head out easily.
Matsumoto regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsumoto tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Costas wants to control from the top but Matsumoto keeps moving.
Costas preventing the sweep.

Costas is trying to tuck his arms in to keep them safe but Matsumoto has managed to isolate one of them and has got a loose triangle. Costas is looking to defend but Matsumoto has done well to lock his legs together - this could be big trouble for Costas! Matsumoto pulls down on the head and a little smile comes across his face - he knows he's got it. Yep, Costas taps out and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Ryuu Matsumoto!
Ryuu Matsumoto is the new lightweight champion!