PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Roko Matijevic (ranked 1775 p4p, 2208 weight class) and Magnus Larsen (ranked 197 p4p, 235 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Matijevic
vs
Larsen

175 cm
22
155
5 - 2 - 0

175 cm
22
157
2 - 2 - 1

Decent wrestler
World class MT
KO power

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Roko Matijevic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 1, fighting out of London, Magnus Larsen!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Alec Ball and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matijevic looks to land a right hand but Larsen moved out of range.
Roko Matijevic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Larsen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Matijevic.
Larsen looks like he wants to counter punch here.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Larsen crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Matijevic - the referee stops the clock and Larsen gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Matijevic. Larsen manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Larsen lands a jab-cross combination.
An inside leg kick lands from Larsen.
Larsen ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Larsen takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Larsen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Matijevic.
Larsen loads up on a big right hand but Matijevic slips the punch.
A decent looking cross lands there for Larsen.
Matijevic missing with a left hand there. Larsen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Larsen lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Matijevic throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Larsen slips under a jab.
Larsen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Matijevic.
Matijevic throwing a counter right hand but Larsen manages to avoid it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Larsen swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Matijevic swings away with a body shot that misses
and Larsen counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Larsen has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Matijevic takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Matijevic misses with a straight right.
Larsen lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Larsen ducks right into an uppercut from Matijevic.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Larsen moves out of range of the body kick.
Larsen now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Larsen ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Matijevic thows a left - swing and a miss!
Larsen throws a front kick aimed at Matijevic's knee but Matijevic avoids it well.
Some wild striking there from Larsen.
Matijevic is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Larsen scores with a leg kick.
Larsen tries to land a leg kick but Matijevic saw it coming and moves away.
Matijevic throws an overhand right that lands on Larsen's shoulder, as Larsen tries to avoid the shot.
Larsen moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Larsen looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
A telegraphed right hand from Larsen misses the target.
Matijevic misses with a looping right.
Larsen feints a counter leg kick.
Matijevic is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Larsen.
That kick from Larsen tenderised Matijevic's leg. Matijevic is trying to keep his angry face on.
Matijevic throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Larsen sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Larsen steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Matijevic.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Larsen avoids the body shot from Matijevic.
Matijevic misses with a body shot.
Matijevic swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Larsen fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
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!
Larsen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Larsen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Matijevic digs a good hook to Larsen's body.
Larsen misses with a straight right.
Larsen staying out of range there.
Larsen now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Nice jab there from Larsen.
Matijevic misses the shot to the body.
A swing and a miss from Matijevic.
Larsen scores with a punch to the head.
Matijevic clobbers Larsen with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Nice straight punches there by Matijevic. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Matijevic.
Larsen buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Larsen throws a right and a left that both miss.
Larsen scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Donk. Larsen catches Matijevic right on the button with a cross.
Larsen moves out of range of the strikes.
Larsen misses with a wild body shot.
Larsen connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
A telegraphed right hand from Larsen misses the target.
Matijevic was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Matijevic throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Matijevic swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A swing and a miss from Larsen.
Matijevic swings widly with a right hand
and Larsen counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Larsen moves out of range of the body kick.
Larsen is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Matijevic had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into mush.
Larsen avoids the body shot from Matijevic.
Larsen throws a solid leg kick but Matijevic takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Larsen.
Matijevic keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Matijevic throws a body punch but Larsen moves out of range.
Matijevic tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Larsen was well out of range. Poor timing from Matijevic.
Matijevic keeps Larsen at a distance using the push kick.
Nice body kick from Matijevic.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A head kick misses from Larsen.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Larsen misses.
A swing and a miss from Larsen.
Matijevic misses with a wild body shot.
Larsen closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Matijevic jabs at Larsen's body.
Larsen misses with a hook.
Donk. Matijevic catches Larsen right on the button with a cross.
Larsen throws a shot from downtown. Matijevic moves away and avoids it.
Matijevic tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Matijevic.
Larsen uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Matijevic.
Larsen blocks the body kick.
Larsen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Matijevic moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Larsen blocks a jab.
Matijevic takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Matijevic throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Larsen, as that shot connected.
Matijevic throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Larsen sees it coming and avoids it easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Magnus Larsen will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Matijevic moves out of range as Larsen strikes.
Matijevic throws a shot from downtown. Larsen moves away and avoids it.
Larsen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Matijevic manages to avoid it.
Matijevic jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Matijevic scores with a nice strike.
Matijevic fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Larsen manages to avoid it.
Larsen is trying to counter with his kicks.
Larsen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Matijevic throws out the jab.
Nice straight punches there by Matijevic. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Matijevic.
Matijevic misses the jab.
Larsen with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Matijevic to score with a decent uppercut.
Larsen scores with a jab. Matijevic acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Matijevic moves out of range of the body kick from Larsen.
Larsen just misses with a punch to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Larsen feints and then cracks Matijevic's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Matijevic down.
The fighters circle momentarily. Larsen darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Matijevic throws a body shot but no joy.
Larsen throws out a counter right but Matijevic avoids it with no problem.
Matijevic takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Larsen swings for the body but Matijevic moves out of range.
Matijevic misses with a wild body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matijevic checks a leg kick.
A counter left hand to the body from Matijevic misses its target.
Matijevic throws a hook but Larsen avoids it easily.
Matijevic ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Matijevic displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Larsen throws out the jab.
Matijevic throws a body shot but no joy.
Matijevic scores with a nice body kick.
Larsen fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Matijevic throws an overhand right that lands on Larsen's shoulder, as Larsen tries to avoid the shot.
Larsen staying out of range there.
Matijevic throws a big shot that misses.
Matijevic throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Larsen stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Larsen crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Matijevic - the referee stops the clock and Larsen gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Matijevic. Larsen manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Larsen has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Matijevic.
Matijevic stuns Larsen with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Matijevic loads up on a big right hand but Larsen slips the punch.
Matijevic waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Larsen.
Larsen slips under a jab from Matijevic.
Larsen jabs Matijevic to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Larsen catches Matijevic with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Matijevic ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Larsen moves away.
Larsen throws out a loose jab but Matijevic uses good head movement to avoid it.
Matijevic looks for the body kick but Larsen saw that one coming.
Matijevic showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Larsen.
Nice uppercut lands for Matijevic. That snapped Larsen's head back.
Larsen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Matijevic manages to avoid it.
Larsen scoring well with a low kick there.
Larsen looks to land a combination but Matijevic avoids it well.
Larsen bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Matijevic's head backwards.
Larsen moves out of range of the body kick from Matijevic.
A nice side step and Larsen releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Matijevic just misses with a punch to the body.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Larsen! But no joy.
Larsen throws a hook but Matijevic avoids it easily.
Larsen lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Larsen looks to throw the jab but Matijevic is out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Matijevic. Larsen does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matijevic throws an overhand right that lands on Larsen's shoulder, as Larsen tries to avoid the shot.
Larsen blocks the body kick.
Matijevic misses with a body shot.
Matijevic scores with a head kick.
Larsen throws out a powerful jab.
Matijevic swings widly with a right hand
and Larsen counters with a slapping leg kick.
Matijevic throws a push kick but Larsen slaps the foot to one side.
Matijevic misses with a head kick.
A little jabbing left from Larsen on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Matijevic throws a shot from downtown. Larsen moves away and avoids it.
A jab from Matijevic misses.
Matijevic ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Larsen tests Matijevic's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Larsen throws a leg kick but Matijevic checks it.
Matijevic uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Larsen.
Matijevic uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Larsen.
Matijevic throws a shot from downtown. Larsen moves away and avoids it.
Matijevic looks to land a right hand but Larsen moved out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Larsen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Matijevic manages to avoid it.
Matijevic misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
No joy there for Larsen, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Matijevic keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Larsen.
Matijevic appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Larsen wants to slow Matijevic down by chopping away at his legs.
Larsen wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Larsen throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Matijevic.
Matijevic throws a big shot that misses.
A little jabbing left from Larsen on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Larsen misses with an uppercut
and Matijevic counters with a left to the body.
Larsen throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Larsen throws a lazy right hand but Matijevic sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Matijevic misses with a head kick.
A lazy body kick from Matijevic
and Larsen counters with a nice low kick that buckles Matijevic's knee momentarily.
Larsen avoids the body shot from Matijevic.
Matijevic throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Larsen now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Larsen misses with a left hand
and Matijevic counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Larsen just misses with a punch to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Magnus Larsen will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Larsen scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Matijevic doesn't seem bothered though.
Matijevic scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Larsen doesn't seem bothered though.
Matijevic throws a half hearted mid kick.
Larsen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Matijevic.
Matijevic throws a jab but it's blocked by Larsen.
Larsen lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Matijevic at a distance.
A swing and a miss from Matijevic.
Matijevic fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Larsen looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Matijevic moves out of range of the body kick.
Larsen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Matijevic throws out the jab.
Larsen ducks under a wild hook from Matijevic.
Matijevic bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Larsen tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Matijevic looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
A jab from Matijevic finds it's way through Larsen's defenses.
Matijevic fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Matijevic looks to land a right hand but Larsen moved out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Larsen defending well as Matijevic loads up on a big left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Larsen takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Nice uppercut there from Larsen.
Matijevic misses with a body kick.
Matijevic throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Matijevic looks to land a body kick but Larsen moved away.
Larsen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Matijevic thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Larsen if he has to take too many more of those.
Larsen throws a low kick but it's checked well by Matijevic.
Larsen scores with a three punch combo!
Larsen uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Matijevic has time to react.
Larsen throws a body punch but Matijevic moves out of range.
Matijevic throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Larsen on the side of the head.
Larsen lands a body shot.
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!
Matijevic throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Larsen sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Matijevic is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
A punch lands to the side of Matijevic 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Matijevic throws a half hearted mid kick.
Matijevic lands with a good body shot.
Roko Matijevic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matijevic connects with a crisp jab.
Matijevic walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Matijevic looks to land a left hand but Larsen moved out of range nicely.
Larsen throws out a counter right but Matijevic avoids it with no problem.
Larsen throws a nice looking combination but Matijevic bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Matijevic throws a push kick but Larsen slaps the foot to one side.
Larsen steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Matijevic.
Larsen doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Matijevic misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Matijevic misses with a looping left.
Matijevic pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Larsen lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Larsen lands with an overhand left.
Larsen getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Matijevic throws a hook but Larsen blocks it.
Matijevic takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Larsen throws the kick towards the body but Matijevic avoids it.
Larsen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Matijevic manages to avoid it.
Larsen moves into range and connects with a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Larsen scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Matijevic doesn't seem bothered though.
Matijevic swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Magnus Larsen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Matijevic misses with a straight right.
Larsen lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Larsen.
A looping hook to the body misses from Larsen. Matijevic does a little dance to reset his feet.
Matijevic throws a big shot that misses.
Matijevic ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Larsen moves away.
Matijevic closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Matijevic misses with a wild body shot.
Matijevic misses with a hook. Larsen ducked under it nicely.
Matijevic misses with a right hand
and Larsen counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Matijevic throws a jab when Larsen was well out of range.
Larsen throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Matijevic swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Matijevic throws a half hearted mid kick.
Larsen lands with a hook. Matijevic tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Larsen lands a nice looking body kick.
Matijevic swings for the body but Larsen moves out of range.
Larsen takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Larsen lands with a hook. Matijevic tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Matijevic takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Matijevic throws a head kick but Larsen moves out of range.
Larsen feints a jab promting Matijevic to slip. Larsen then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Matijevic slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Larsen lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Matijevic throws a wild body kick that Larsen sees coming a mile off.
Magnus Larsen is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Larsen cracks Matijevic with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Matijevic bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Larsen's head backwards.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Matijevic looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Larsen lands a slapping body shot.
Matijevic misses with a leg kick
and Larsen counters with a one-two to the body.
Matijevic swings and misses with a hook to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Magnus Larsen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Larsen has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Ian Loll scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Magnus Larsen!
After winning the bout, Magnus Larsen thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.