PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between DaMatti Matikainen (ranked 38 p4p, 144 weight class) and Zabit Hussein (ranked 6 p4p, 22 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Matikainen
vs
Hussein

180 cm
30
155
21 - 7 - 0

184 cm
32
166
15 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Bondi MMA 🏝️
Brooklyn Apothecary

Conviction
Conquer

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 21 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, DaMatti Matikainen!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Zabit Hussein!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Kenichi Hosakawa and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hussein is looking to clinch but Matikainen is avoiding it.
Matikainen throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Matikainen throws a lazy right hand but Hussein sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Matikainen takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
A leg kick checked by Matikainen.
Hussein throws a solid leg kick but Matikainen takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Hussein.
Hussein connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Hussein, as that shot connected.
Hussein swinging wildly here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matikainen takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Hussein lands with an uppercut that bounces Matikainen off the cage and back into range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matikainen goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Hussein flicks out a counter leg kick but Matikainen steps away.
Matikainen is looking to clinch but Hussein is avoiding it.
Good leg kick by Hussein.
Hussein misses with a hook.
Hussein connects with a looping right hand.
Hussein throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Hussein throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Hussein throws a body kick that misses
and Matikainen counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Hussein misses with a looping right.
Matikainen thinks about countering with a body kick.
Hussein throws a shot from downtown. Matikainen moves away and avoids it.
Matikainen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A left lands for Hussein.
Zabit Hussein seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matikainen lands a really nice looking cross but Hussein seems unphased.
Hussein with a jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hussein connects with a good right hand that stumbles Matikainen. Matikainen circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Hussein throws a jab when Matikainen was well out of range.
Hussein will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Matikainen was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Hussein lands a nice leg kick that just misses Matikainen's sensitive parts.
Hussein scores with the left hand. Matikainen knows he should have avoided that one.
Hussein lands with a nice body kick.
Hussein misses with a kick to the body
and Matikainen counters with a two punch combo.
Hussein misses with a hook to the body
and Matikainen connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hussein is looking to clinch but Matikainen is avoiding it.
Matikainen slips under a jab from Hussein.
A shot to the liver by Hussein. Beautiful body shot.
Matikainen takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Hussein throws a looping overhand right but Matikainen ducks down to avoid it.
An attempted straight right counter from Matikainen misses the target.
Matikainen has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Matikainen there as he acknowledges the shot.
Hussein lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Hussein lands a leg kick that knocks Matikainen off balance momentarily.
Hussein tries to clinch but Matikainen moves out of range.
Matikainen throws a quick counter head kick but Hussein was just out of range.
Matikainen takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Hussein throws a poor cross that misses
and Matikainen counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matikainen takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Matikainen needs to keep his hands up - Hussein had a free shot at his head there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hussein misses with a leg kick
and Matikainen counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A telegraphed right hand from Matikainen misses the target.
Matikainen takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Hussein misses with a body shot.
Hussein has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Hussein motions for Matikainen to come forward. Hussein throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Hussein dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A low kick from Hussein misses
and Matikainen counters with a stiff right hand.
Hussein throws a shot from downtown. Matikainen moves away and avoids it.
Hussein throws a head kick that misses
and Matikainen connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Hussein is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Matikainen had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into mush.
Hussein ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Matikainen moves away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Zabit Hussein dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Hussein ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Hussein connects with a leg kick.
Hussein throws a looping overhand right but Matikainen ducks down to avoid it.
Matikainen throws a big counter combination but Hussein scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Hussein misses the shot to the body.
Matikainen is looking to counter punch.
A jab from Hussein does it's job there.
Hussein throws a jab when Matikainen was well out of range.
Hussein tries to clinch but Matikainen is having none of it.

Hussein clinches up with Matikainen and pushes him back against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A shot in the inside from Hussein.
Matikainen fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Matikainen blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Matikainen misses with some punches.

Matikainen breaks from the clinch.
Hussein misses with a double jab
letting Matikainen counter with a right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Hussein, as that shot connected.
Hussein throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Matikainen chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Hussein can pounce on him.
Hussein throws a lazy uppercut
and Matikainen counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Hussein connects with a body shot that sends Matikainen's belly button to the back.
Matikainen has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Hussein finds it's way round the side to connect with Matikainen's head.
Matikainen takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Hussein tries to land a front kick but Matikainen steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Hussein swings widly with a right hand
and Matikainen counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Zabit Hussein seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hussein tries to bum rush Matikainen with a series of wild strikes but Matikainen uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Matikainen throwing a counter right hand but Hussein manages to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hussein lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
A bone on bone clash there as Matikainen blocks the leg kick.
The crowd cheers as Hussein lands an impressive looking overhand right. Matikainen doesn't seem phased though.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hussein motions for Matikainen to come forward. Hussein throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Hussein throws a shot from downtown. Matikainen moves away and avoids it.
It appears Matikainen was looking to counter with a kick there.

Hussein gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Matikainen breaks the clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hussein looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Matikainen is looking to counter with a body kick.
Hussein throws a lazy right hand but Matikainen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Matikainen was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Hussein throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Hussein takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Hussein takes the fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hussein jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Matikainen walks away with a smile on his face. Hussein gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Hussein punishes Matikainen's body with a nice straight punch.
Hussein throws a body shot but no joy.
Hussein throws a nice outside leg kick.
Hussein scores with a hook to the body. Matikainen takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Matikainen slips a straight right by Hussein.
Hussein on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Matikainen takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Hussein misses with a looping right.
A little feinted left hand from Matikainen on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Hussein throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Hussein takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Matikainen scores with a punch to the head.

It looks like Zabit Hussein has been cut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hussein cracks Matikainen with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Nice uppercut there from Hussein.
Hussein has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Matikainen takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Hussein tries to score with a low kick but Matikainen moves his leg out of the way.
An attempted straight right counter from Matikainen misses the target.
Nice straight punches there by Hussein. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Hussein.
Matikainen scores with a shot to the body.
Hussein looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Matikainen was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.

Matikainen gets a clinch.
Matikainen misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hussein is trying to pull guard but Matikainen has him pressed against the cage.
Hussein lands a nice uppercut.
Hussein tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Matikainen tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Zabit Hussein showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Zabit Hussein's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Hussein cracks Matikainen with an open hand slap.
Hussein throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Matikainen stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

Hussein clinches with his opponent.
Matikainen scores with a shoulder strike.
Matikainen lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Hussein backwards.
Hussein lands with a right to the head.
Matikainen tries to break free but Hussein pushes him back against the cage.
Matikainen has a couple of punches blocked by Hussein.
Matikainen tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hussein's elbow.
Hussein working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hussein tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Matikainen tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hussein misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hussein misses with the head strike.
Hussein lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Matikainen lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hussein is trying to pull guard but Matikainen has him pressed against the cage.
A short right from Matikainen on the inside.
Matikainen tries to break free but Hussein pushes him back against the cage.
Matikainen lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Matikainen looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Matikainen misses with a body punch.
Hussein blocking some punches.
Hussein working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Hussein blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hussein scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Matikainen scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Matikainen misses with a hook from the clinch.
Matikainen blocking some punches.
Matikainen is trying to force a seperation but Hussein has the dominant position.
Matikainen misses with the head strike.
Hussein scores with a shoulder strike.
Hussein keeps control of Matikainen as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hussein blocks an uppercut.
Matikainen scores with a shot to the side of Hussein's head.
Matikainen misses with a hook from the clinch.
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!
Hussein throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Matikainens head.
Matikainen lands an uppercut.
Hussein lands with a light punch inside.
Matikainen blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Matikainen lands a right hand that snaps the head of Hussein backwards.
Matikainen throws a punch but it's blocked by Hussein.
Matikainen swings wildly with an uppercut but Hussein uses good head movement to avoid it.
DaMatti Matikainen has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Matikainen tries a body shot but Hussein blocks it.
Hussein keeps control of Matikainen as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Matikainen misses with a body punch.
Hussein blocks a body shot from Matikainen.
Matikainen cracks Hussein with a nice body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matikainen swings wildly with an uppercut but Hussein uses good head movement to avoid it.
Matikainen goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hussein.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Matikainen.
Matikainen blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Matikainen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hussein misses with a straight left.
Matikainen appears to be looking for a big counter.
Matikainen needs to keep his hands up - Hussein had a free shot at his head there.
Hussein takes a swing at Matikainen's ribcage but misses.
Matikainen fires out a quick counter leg kick but Hussein just manages to avoid it.
Good exchange - Hussein coming out on top.
Matikainen slips a straight right by Hussein.
Hussein does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hussein connects with the punch.
A shot to the liver by Hussein. Beautiful body shot.
That kick from Hussein tenderised Matikainen's leg. Matikainen is trying to keep his angry face on.
Hussein throws a leg kick but Matikainen checks it.
Matikainen swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Matikainen is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Hussein throws a leg kick that misses.
Hussein fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hussein cracks Matikainen with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Good exchange - Matikainen coming out on top.
Hussein throws out a leg kick but Matikainen moves out of range and Hussein only half commits.
A quick step to the side and Matikainen tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hussein misses with a right hand
and Matikainen counters with a stiff right hand.
Hussein with a hook.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Zabit Hussein just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Zabit Hussein's cut.
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.

Hussein lands a jab to Matikainen's midsection.
Matikainen ducks under a wild hook from Hussein.
Matikainen throws a lazy right hand but Hussein sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Hussein throws a jab when Matikainen was well out of range.
Hussein throws a leg kick which misses Matikainen's front leg but catches the back leg as Matikainen tries to avoid it.
Matikainen walks forward, straight into a front kick from Hussein.
Hussein misses with a lunging right hand
and Matikainen counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Matikainen lands a head shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hussein's corner calls for a 1-2. Hussein obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Hussein fails with an attempt to clinch.

Hussein closes the distance and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hussein is trying to pull guard but Matikainen turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Matikainen has a couple of punches blocked by Hussein.
Matikainen tries to break free but Hussein pushes him back against the cage.

Matikainen's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Matikainen blocks a low kick nicely.
An attempted straight right counter from Matikainen misses the target.
Matikainen on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Hussein buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Hussein swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Matikainen takes one to the chin there.
Hussein throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Matikainen sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Hussein missing with a left hand there. Matikainen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hussein ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Matikainen moves away.
Hussein looks to score with a jab to the body but Matikainen is just out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Donk. Hussein catches Matikainen right on the button with a cross.
Matikainen takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Matikainen moves out of range as Hussein strikes.
Hussein cracks Matikainen with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Hussein works Matikainen's body with a nice hook.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hussein is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Matikainen has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Matikainen there as he acknowledges the shot.
Matikainen steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hussein.
Hussein keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hussein tries to clinch but Matikainen is having none of it.
Hussein scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Hussein fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Hussein wants to clinch up but Matikainen keeps it at a distance.
Hussein is looking to land body kicks.
Matikainen lands a jab.
Matikainen swats away the attempt to clinch by Hussein.
A jab from Hussein misses.
Hussein connects with an inside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hussein lands a jab to the head.
Hussein just misses with a punch to the body.
Matikainen avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Matikainen appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Hussein lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
A low kick from Hussein is predictable there
and Matikainen connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Matikainen misses with a body shot.
Hussein just misses with a punch to the body.
Hussein uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Matikainen sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Hussein connects with a good right hand that stumbles Matikainen. Matikainen circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Good exchange - Hussein coming out on top.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Zabit Hussein dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Zabit Hussein's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Matikainen uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hussein.
Matikainen appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
DaMatti Matikainen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A cross from Hussein lands.
Matikainen blocks a jab.
Hussein missing with a left hand there. Matikainen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hussein is looking to clinch but Matikainen is avoiding it.
Hussein lands with a good body shot.
Matikainen drops his hands momentarily and Hussein takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Matikainen tries to close the distance and clinch but Hussein swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hussein drives through and clinches with Matikainen against the cage.
Hussein blocks an uppercut.
Matikainen working aggressively here.
Hussein tries to throw a body punch but Matikainen avoids it by throwing Hussein back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matikainen misses with some punches.
Matikainen's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Matikainen scores with a shot to the side of Hussein's head.
Matikainen lands with a right to the head.
Hussein tries to pull guard but Matikainen holds him up against the cage and eventually Hussein drops back down to his feet.
Matikainen swings wildly with an uppercut but Hussein uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hussein lands a body punch in the clinch.
Matikainen can't find room to land a body shot as Hussein controls the action.
Matikainen lands a shot to the body.
Matikainen fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Matikainen tries to throw a body punch but Hussein avoids it by throwing Matikainen back against the cage.
Hussein swings wildly with an uppercut but Matikainen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Matikainen misses with some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matikainen misses with a body punch.
Matikainen misses with a punch to the body.
Matikainen working aggressively here.
Hussein working aggressively here.

Matikainen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hussein throws a front kick aimed at Matikainen's knee but Matikainen avoids it well.
Hussein feints and then cracks Matikainen's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Matikainen down.
Hussein with the inside leg kick.
Hussein thuds a left hand into Matikainen's body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Matikainen blocks a jab.
Matikainen throws a jab when Hussein was well out of range.
Hussein turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Matikainen misses with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matikainen tries to move into range but Hussein moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Decent striking displayed by Hussein there.
Hussein buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Hussein throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Matikainen sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Matikainen swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Hussein chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Hussein misses with an uppercut. Matikainen saw that one coming.
It looked like Matikainen wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Hussein looks to throw the jab but Matikainen is out of range.
Matikainen was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Hussein misses the shot to the body.
Matikainen is looking to counter punch.
Matikainen walks into a left hand.
Hussein throws the left hand but Matikainen avoids the punch easily.
Matikainen is looking for a counter combo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hussein misses with a body punch
and Matikainen counters with a straight right hand.
A shot to the liver by Hussein. Beautiful body shot.
Hussein scores with a jab.
Matikainen swats away the attempt to clinch by Hussein.
An inside leg kick lands from Hussein.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hussein goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Hussein throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Matikainen stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Hussein chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Matikainen swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zabit Hussein comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Hussein winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 45:50
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 45:50
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zabit Hussein!
Zabit Hussein is the new lightweight champion!
Zabit Hussein bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.