PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Paul Murhaa (ranked 831 p4p, 587 weight class) and Usko Matonen (ranked 45 p4p, 29 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Murhaa
vs
Matonen

169 cm
33
144
25 - 9 - 2

165 cm
33
140
16 - 10 - 2

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

KAISER
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Core Combat
Sydney Fight Gear (London Rebirth)

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 25 - 9 - 2, fighting out of New York, Paul Murhaa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 10 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Usko Matonen!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Yukihiro Shimada and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matonen lands a leg kick that knocks Murhaa off balance momentarily.
Murhaa blocks a leg kick.
A low kick from Matonen misses
and Murhaa counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Matonen scores with a nice head shot.
Murhaa has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Murhaa tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Murhaa swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Matonen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Matonen tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Murhaa tries a head kick but it misses.
Murhaa avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Murhaa throws a half hearted mid kick.
Murhaa tries a head kick but it misses.
Matonen's coach down at The Lab was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Matonen's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Matonen moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Murhaa throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Murhaa throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Matonen counters with a left to the body.
Matonen smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
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!
Matonen scoring well with a low kick there.
Matonen scores with a nice strike.
Murhaa throws a jab when Matonen was well out of range.
Matonen throws a counter combo.
A jab lands there for Murhaa.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matonen catches Murhaa with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Matonen pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Matonen misses with a lunging right hand
and Murhaa counters with a stiff right hand.
Murhaa moves out of range of the leg kick from Matonen.
Murhaa throws a counter high kick but Matonen was just alert enough to avoid it.
Matonen has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Murhaa.
Matonen pivots, looking for a leg kick but Murhaa is out of range and Matonen settles back down.
Murhaa throws a quick counter head kick but Matonen was just out of range.
Matonen looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
A punch lands to the side of Matonen 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Matonen getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Murhaa swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Murhaa tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Matonen is able to avoid easily.
Matonen scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Matonen throws a low kick but Murhaa avoids it.
Matonen moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Murhaa slips under a jab from Matonen.
Murhaa swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Matonen tries to work over Murhaa's front leg with a kick but Murhaa checks it.
Murhaa throws a lazy right hand but Matonen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nice cross by Murhaa.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matonen fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Murhaa checks it well.
Murhaa has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Matonen.
Murhaa tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Matonen was well out of range. Poor timing from Murhaa.
Matonen misses with a straight left.
Murhaa on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Matonen. Matonen obviously looking to wear him down.
Murhaa swings for the body but Matonen moves out of range.
Murhaa lands a nice leg kick that just misses Matonen's sensitive parts.
Good standup being displayed there by Murhaa as he connects with a hook.
Matonen will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Murhaa throws a low kick but it's checked well by Matonen.
Matonen tries a quick counter leg kick but Murhaa is wise to it.
Matonen lands a jab to the nose.
Murhaa throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
A solid leg kick lands there for Murhaa.
Murhaa throws a low kick, looking for Matonen's leg but Matonen calmly moves out of range.
Murhaa throws a low kick, looking for Matonen's leg but Matonen calmly moves out of range.
Matonen connects with a leg kick.
Matonen connects with a leg kick.
Murhaa paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matonen has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Murhaa.
Matonen needs to keep his hands up - Murhaa had a free shot at his head there.
Matonen tries to score with a low kick but Murhaa moves his leg out of the way.
Matonen dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Murhaa. That did some damage!
A big left from Matonen misses.
Matonen goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Usko Matonen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Matonen scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Matonen throws a nice outside leg kick.
Murhaa is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Matonen misses with a low kick as Murhaa jumps back.
Matonen throws a hook to the side of Murhaa's head but Murhaa sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Murhaa half committed to a counter leg kick.
Matonen throws a leg kick
and Murhaa counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Matonen lands a nice leg kick that just misses Murhaa's sensitive parts.
Murhaa throws a leg kick but Matonen sees it coming and moves out of range.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Matonen on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Matonen tries a low kick but Murhaa avoids it.
Matonen throws a good cross that connects.
Murhaa comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murhaa lands a jab to the head.
Matonen throws a leg kick
and Murhaa counters with a nice leg kick.
Murhaa lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Murhaa with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Matonen lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
A left lands for Matonen.
Murhaa misses with a hook to the body
and Matonen counters with a stiff right hand.
Murhaa throws a wild body kick that Matonen sees coming a mile off.
A punch lands to the side of Matonen 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Matonen connects with a solid leg kick.
A clash of legs there as Murhaa blocks the low kick.
Matonen throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Matonen pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Murhaa uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Matonen tried to score with a low kick but Murhaa checks it.
Matonen throws a nice inside leg kick.
Matonen scores with a spinning back kick!
Matonen misses with a low kick as Murhaa jumps back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Usko Matonen will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Matonen throws a lazy right hand but Murhaa sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Matonen throws a lazy right hand but Murhaa sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Matonen misses with a lunging right hand
and Murhaa counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A slow jab from Matonen misses its intended target.
Matonen gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Matonen fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Murhaa checks it well.
Matonen blocks a jab.
Matonen misses with the combination.
Danga de danga de dang - Murhaa scores with a four punch combination!
Murhaa misses with a body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murhaa tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Matonen is able to avoid easily.
Matonen shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Matonen walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Matonen misses with a body shot.
A low kick from Matonen misses
and Murhaa counters with a body kick that stops Matonen in his tracks momentarily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Matonen misses with a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matonen throws a poor cross that misses
and Murhaa counters with an inside leg kick.
Matonen misses with a double jab.
Murhaa swings for the body but Matonen moves out of range.
Murhaa ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Matonen moves away.
Murhaa catches Matonen with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Nice straight punches there by Matonen. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Matonen.
A big right from Murhaa misses.
Matonen throws a nice outside leg kick.
Nice defenses there by Murhaa.
Matonen ducks right into an uppercut from Murhaa.
Matonen takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Murhaa throws a half hearted mid kick.
Murhaa looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Matonen needs to keep his hands up - Murhaa had a free shot at his head there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Matonen bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Murhaa's head.
Usko Matonen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Matonen scores with a hook to the body. Murhaa takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Matonen is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murhaa pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Matonen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Murhaa.
Matonen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Matonen swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Murhaa.
Some bone on bone action there as Murhaa checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Matonen fails to land with a series of punches.
Sloppy strikes from Matonen. Those never looked like landing.
Murhaa lands a head kick!
Murhaa dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Matonen checks a low kick from Murhaa.
Murhaa misses with a body shot.
Murhaa lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Murhaa scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Matonen defending well as Murhaa loads up on a big left hand.
Matonen lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Murhaa at a distance.
Murhaa just misses with a punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matonen will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Murhaa misses with a leg kick
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Matonen thows a left - swing and a miss!
Murhaa is looking to score with low kicks.
Matonen has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Matonen misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A looping hook to the body misses from Murhaa. Matonen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Matonen throws a counter combo.
Murhaa misses with a low kick.
Matonen connects with a body shot.
Murhaa gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Matonen.
Matonen chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Murhaa can pounce on him.
Matonen tries a low kick but Murhaa avoids it.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Murhaa. Matonen shrugs it off though.
Murhaa walks into a jab.
Matonen cracks Murhaa with a right hand to the side of the head.
Murhaa thumps Matonen with a low kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nice straight punches there by Matonen. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Matonen.
Murhaa moves out of range as Matonen throws a body kick.
Murhaa seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Murhaa lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Matonen at a distance.
Matonen throws a right hand that misses
and Murhaa counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A shot to the liver by Matonen. Beautiful body shot.
Matonen attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Matonen lands a two punch combo.
Murhaa scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Matonen doesn't seem bothered though.
Matonen scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Murhaa takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Matonen misses with a right hand
and Murhaa counters with a low kick, right behind Matonen 's knee.
Matonen misses with a leg kick
and Murhaa counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Murhaa with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Murhaa connects with a crisp jab.
Murhaa swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Murhaa throws a lazy body kick
and Matonen counters with a big head kick but Murhaa shrugs it off.
A nice combination there by Murhaa.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Murhaa dominated that second round.
That's time! Murhaa's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Matonen wants to slow Murhaa down by chopping away at his legs.
A head kick misses from Murhaa.
Murhaa throws a hook to the side of Matonen's head but Matonen sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Matonen thows a left - swing and a miss!
Matonen attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Murhaa feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Matonen feints and then cracks Murhaa's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Murhaa down.
Murhaa shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Matonen throws a chopping leg kick but Murhaa manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Matonen takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Murhaa avoids the head kick by Matonen.
Matonen buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murhaa lands a lovely overhand right.
Matonen lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Matonen misses with a left hand
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Murhaa misses with a low kick.
Murhaa takes one on the button.
Murhaa throws a leg kick which misses Matonen's front leg but catches the back leg as Matonen tries to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matonen rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
letting Murhaa counter with a right hand.
Matonen swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Matonen misses with a looping left.
Murhaa slips under a jab.
Murhaa gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Matonen swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Murhaa counters with a nice body shot.
Matonen connects with a crisp jab.
Murhaa looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Murhaa blocks a leg kick.
Murhaa appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Matonen comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Murhaa takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Matonen finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Murhaa feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Matonens jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Matonen throws a hook but Murhaa avoids it easily.
A nice leg kick lands there from Murhaa.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Murhaa checks a leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A nice leg kick from Matonen, right into the meat of the thigh.
Matonen throws a leg kick
and Murhaa counters with a straight right hand.
Matonen uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Murhaa.
Murhaa misses with a straight right.
Matonen misses with a leg kick
and Murhaa counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Murhaa on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Jab by Matonen.
Murhaa swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Matonen turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Murhaa misses the shot to the body.
Matonen avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Matonen thows a leg kick but Murhaa checks it
and Matonen takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Murhaa scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Matonen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Murhaa looks to throw the jab but Matonen is out of range.
Murhaa misses with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
That kick from Matonen tenderised Murhaa's leg. Murhaa is trying to keep his angry face on.
Matonen lands with a kick to the ribs.
Matonen misses with a wild combination.
A shot to the body from Murhaa misses
and Matonen counters with a two punch combo.
Matonen buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Matonen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Matonen misses with a straight left.
Murhaa tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Matonen is able to avoid easily.
Nice uppercut lands for Matonen. That snapped Murhaa's head back.
Murhaa scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Murhaa checks a leg kick nicely.
Murhaa misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Matonen.
Matonen thows a left - swing and a miss!
Matonen checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Murhaa scores with a sloppy right hand. Matonen should have avoided that one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Murhaa checks the leg kick.
As Matonen backs away, Murhaa returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Matonen takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Matonen doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Murhaa lands an overhand right.
Murhaa throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Murhaa swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Matonen swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Matonen takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Matonen throws a low kick but Murhaa moves out of range easily.
Murhaa slips under a jab.
Murhaa fails with an attempt to clinch.
Matonen throws a counter combo.
Matonen cracks Murhaa with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Murhaa blocks a jab.
Matonen tried to score with a low kick but Murhaa checks it.
An inside leg kick lands from Matonen.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Murhaa lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Matonen slips under a jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Usko Matonen.
I think Matonen 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 Shirou Masuda scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Usko Matonen!
In his post fight interview, Usko Matonen started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.