PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Usko Matonen (ranked 1735 p4p, 1278 weight class) and Gemellus Axius (ranked 88 p4p, 68 weight class). Axius has chosen Feed the Machine as his entrance music. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Matonen
vs
Axius

165 cm
35
140
17 - 14 - 2

175 cm
31
142
18 - 14 - 2

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Core Combat

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

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 17 - 14 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Usko Matonen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 14 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, Gemellus Axius!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Shirou Masuda and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matonen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Matonen scores with a leg kick.
Matonen tries to land a front kick but Axius steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
A low kick lands for Matonen.
Matonen throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Axius misses with an uppercut. Matonen saw that one coming.
Matonen lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Axius at a distance.
Matonen takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
A big left from Axius misses.
Matonen was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Good exchange - Matonen coming out on top.
Axius cracks a nice hook into Matonen's ribs.
Matonen blocks a jab.
Matonen slips a straight right by Axius.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Matonen.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Matonen connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Axius throws a lazy right hand but Matonen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Axius jabs Matonen right on the nose. Matonen blinks but takes it well.
Axius ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Matonen moves away.
Matonen has been working on his boxing with his coaches at The Lab in the buildup to the fight.
Matonen tries to clinch up but Axius circles away and keeps his distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good shot there by Matonen.
Axius checks a low kick from Matonen.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Matonen has a couple of punches blocked by Axius.
Axius blocks a body shot from Matonen.
Matonen prevents a body shot from Axius.
Matonen lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Matonen misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Matonen can't find room to land a body shot as Axius controls the action.
Matonen working aggressively here.
A right hook to the body lands for Axius.
Axius lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Matonen backwards.
Matonen tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Axius tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Axius doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Axius goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Axius pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Axius misses with an uppercut.
Matonen tries to score with a low kick but Axius moves his leg out of the way.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matonen scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Matonen digs a good body shot into Axius's ribs.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Matonen lands a body shot.
Axius looks to land a left hand but Matonen moved out of range nicely.
Axius is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Axius misses with a straight left.
Axius might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Axius throws a head kick but Matonen moves out of range.
Matonen throws out a powerful jab.
Matonen moves into range and lands a nice body kick.

Axius clinches with his opponent.
Axius lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Matonen takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Matonen lands with a light punch inside.
Axius pushes Matonen back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Matonen blocks an uppercut.
Matonen has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Axius tries to throw a body punch but Matonen avoids it by throwing Axius back against the cage.
A short uppercut from Matonen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Axius is working Matonen over against the cage.
Matonen tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Matonen can't find room to land a body shot as Axius controls the action.
Axius digs a right hand underneath Matonen's ribcage. Matonen let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Matonen trying to stall but Axius improves his position.
Axius can't find room to land a body shot as Matonen controls the action.
Axius lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Axius misses with the head strike.
Matonen digs a right hand underneath Axius's ribcage. Axius let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Axius can't find room to land a body shot as Matonen controls the action.
Axius can't find room to land a body shot as Matonen controls the action.
Matonen lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Matonen lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Matonen lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A hook to the body from Axius.
Axius lands a hook to the side of the head.
Axius misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Axius struggles to land a body shot inside as Matonen controls his hands.
Matonen prevents a body shot from Axius.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Matonen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Axius swings for the body but Matonen moves out of range.
Usko Matonen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Matonen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Axius.

Matonen rushes Axius and presses him up against the cage.
Matonen lands a nice shot to the body.
Axius being controlled against the cage.
Matonen scores with a shoulder strike.
Matonen tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Matonen swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Matonen swings wildly with an uppercut but Axius uses good head movement to avoid it.
Axius tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A left hand lands to the body for Axius.
Come on Matonen - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Axius blocks a body shot from Matonen.
Matonen tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Usko Matonen will probably get the nod.
That's time! Matonen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Matonen lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Axius misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A lazy left from Axius finds it's target.
Matonen tries to land a body kick
and Axius counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Matonen tries to clinch but Axius is having none of it.
Matonen sets himself, and Axius steps forward looking for the clinch! Matonen avoids it this time.
Axius steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Matonen.
A cross from Matonen lands.
Matonen moves away from the strike by Axius.
Matonen misses with a looping right.
Axius ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Axius throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Axius on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Matonen takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Usko Matonen is winning the standup battle so far.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Matonen connects with a single shot there.
Matonen defending well as Axius loads up on a big left hand.
Axius is looking to slow Matonen down with leg kicks.
Matonen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Axius moves away.
Axius is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Matonen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matonen lands with a right hand.
Axius throws a hook to the side of Matonen's head but Matonen sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Axius throws a jab when Matonen was well out of range.
Axius misses with a straight right.
Sloppy strikes from Axius. Those never looked like landing.
Matonen throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Matonen swinging wildly here.
A little jabbing left from Axius on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Matonen swings widly with a right hand
and Axius connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Matonen throws a good cross that connects.
Axius slips under a jab.
Axius tries to counter with a clinch but Matonen shakes him off and moves away.
Matonen throws a half hearted mid kick.
Matonen takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Matonen misses with an uppercut
and Matonen takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Matonen throws a leg kick that is checked
and Axius counters with a leg kick.
Axius avoids the body shot from Matonen.
Matonen with a nice cross.
Axius slips a straight right by Matonen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Axius gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Matonen lands a nice uppercut.
Axius misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Axius's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Axius throws a body shot but no joy.
Axius misses with a looping right.
Axius takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Axius ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Axius fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Matonen manages to avoid it.

Matonen rushes Axius and presses him up against the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Matonen.
Axius struggles to land a body shot inside as Matonen controls his hands.
Matonen can't find room to land a body shot as Axius controls the action.
Axius tries to throw a body punch but Matonen avoids it by throwing Axius back against the cage.
Axius gets through Matonen's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

Matonen manages to break the clinch.
Axius misses with a looping left.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Axius misses with a looping right.
Matonen throws a series of punches but Axius moves out of range.
Axius misses with a left hand
and Matonen connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A left lands for Matonen.
Axius throws a big shot that misses.
Axius scores with a jab to the jaw.
Axius is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Matonen.
Axius tries to clinch up.
Matonen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Axius throws out the jab.
An attempted straight right counter from Matonen misses the target.
Matonen slips a straight right by Axius.
A jab from Axius finds it's way through Matonen's defenses.
Axius ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Matonen moves away.
Axius throws a head kick that misses.
Matonen throws a looping overhand right but Axius ducks down to avoid it.
Matonen looks to land a combination. Axius sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A solid leg kick lands there for Matonen.
Axius scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Matonen doesn't seem bothered though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Axius pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Matonen misses with a lunging right hand
and Axius makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Matonen throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Axius avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Matonen moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Matonen lands a two punch combo.
Matonen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Matonen connects with a body shot.
A big left from Axius misses.
Good work by Axius as he checks the leg kick.
Matonen misses with a leg kick.
Matonen moves in looking to clinch but Axius pushes him off.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Matonen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Matonen throws a hook but Axius blocks it.
Axius scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Matonen doesn't seem bothered though.
A swing and a miss from Axius.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Usko Matonen will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Matonen scores with a nice right hand.
Matonen throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Axius sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Axius uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Matonen.
Matonen ducks under a wild hook from Axius.
Axius's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Matonen connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Axius scrambles back to his feet.
Axius scores with a nice head shot.
Axius tries to clinch but Matonen moves out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from Axius misses the target.
Matonen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Axius.
Matonen moves out of range of the strikes.
Axius walks into a left hand.
Axius misses with a leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matonen fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Axius.
Axius with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Matonen to score with a decent uppercut.
Matonen chopping away at his opponent's legs.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Matonen fails in his attempt to clinch.
A punch combination from Matonen misses.
A slapping leg kick lands for Axius.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Axius misses with a looping right.
Axius walks into a jab.
Matonen tries to close the distance and clinch up but Axius swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Matonen tries to close the distance and clinch up but Axius swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Matonen scores with a body shot.
A lazy left from Axius finds it's target.
Axius misses with a hook. Matonen ducked under it nicely.
Axius scores with a nice head shot.
Matonen catches Axius with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Axius fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Matonen is out of range.
Matonen moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

Axius gets in close and instigates a clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Matonen cracks Axius with a nice body shot.
Matonen struggles to land a body shot inside as Axius controls his hands.
Matonen has a couple of punches blocked by Axius.
Axius blocking some punches.
Matonen is trying to break free.
Gemellus Axius has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Axius.
Axius misses with some punches.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Matonen.
Matonen takes a shot to the head.
Axius keeps control of Matonen as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Axius can't find room to land a body shot as Matonen controls the action.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Axius.
Axius lands a hook to the side of the head.

Matonen manages to break the clinch.
Axius connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Matonen momentarily.
Axius lands with a straight right. Matonen didn't see that one coming.
Axius throws a push kick but Matonen slaps the foot to one side.
Matonen slips under a jab from Axius.
Matonen stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Axius throws a right and a left that both miss.
Axius scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Matonen lands a glancing blow to the side of Axius's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Axius steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Matonen.
A leg kick checked by Matonen.
Axius misses with a straight right.
A solid leg kick lands there for Matonen.
Matonen takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Axius throws a leg kick that misses.

Matonen gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Matonen makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Matonen swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Matonen lands an uppercut.
Matonen prevents a body shot from Axius.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Matonen.
Matonen throws a punch but it's blocked by Axius.
Matonen throws a punch but it's blocked by Axius.
Axius working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Matonen misses with a short punch on the inside.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Matonen prevents a body shot from Axius.
A nice right hand lands inside from Axius.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matonen working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Axius tries to work over Matonen's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Still in the clinch, Matonen scores with a nice short uppercut.
Matonen lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Axius creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Matonen has a couple of punches blocked by Axius.
Axius scores with a nice hook to the head.
Matonen blocking some punches.
Matonen blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Matonen is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Matonen lands a right hand that snaps the head of Axius backwards.
Axius tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A right hook to the body lands for Axius.
Axius goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Axius misses with the head strike.
Usko Matonen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Axius misses with the head strike.
Axius throws a head punch that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Usko Matonen.
Well Matonen has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 28:29
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Usko Matonen!
A victorious Usko Matonen thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.