PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Mamed Khalidovic (ranked 317 p4p, 977 weight class) and Roko Matijevic (ranked 29 p4p, 86 weight class). Khalidovic comes to the cage accompanied by Зима-мама 25/17. Roko Matijevic has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Mamed Khalidovic's chin.

Khalidovic
vs
Matijevic

183 cm
30
146
18 - 8 - 1

175 cm
29
155
14 - 9 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Heavy handed

Shadow Realm Apparel
The Pharmacy Phuket

Conviction

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 18 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Mamed Khalidovic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Roko Matijevic!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Taro Takaoka and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Khalidovic checks a leg kick.
Khalidovic with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Khalidovic digs a good body shot into Matijevic's ribs.
A punch lands to the side of Matijevic 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Khalidovic feints and then cracks Matijevic's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Matijevic down.
Khalidovic connects with a jab.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Khalidovic. Matijevic shrugs it off though.
Matijevic lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Matijevic connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Khalidovic's hands.

It looks like Mamed Khalidovic has been cut.
Khalidovic moves out of range of the leg kick from Matijevic.
Khalidovic blocks a leg kick.
Matijevic takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
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. Khalidovic sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Matijevic pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Khalidovic swings for the body but Matijevic moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khalidovic misses with a body shot.
Khalidovic really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Khalidovic throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Khalidovic connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
A nice leg kick lands there from Khalidovic.
Khalidovic with a hook.
Khalidovic with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Khalidovic misses with a kick to the body.
Matijevic flicks out a counter leg kick but Khalidovic steps away.
Khalidovic cracks a nice hook into Matijevic's ribs.
Khalidovic throws the left hand but Matijevic avoids the punch easily.
Matijevic feints a counter leg kick.
Khalidovic lands a nice leg kick that just misses Matijevic's sensitive parts.
Matijevic is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Khalidovic.
Khalidovic looks to land a body kick but Matijevic moved away.
Matijevic is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Matijevic keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Khalidovic fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Matijevic to the ground. Khalidovic is now in Matijevic's guard.
Matijevic keeping full guard, as Khalidovic tries to pass.
Khalidovic is working hard here to advance position.
Khalidovic trying to control but Matijevic is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Khalidovic pushing down on Matijevic's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Matijevic is not content to let Khalidovic control the position.
Matijevic won't allow Khalidovic to pass to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khalidovic works his foot free and advances to mount.
Khalidovic pushing the pace here, looking to move to his opponents back and work for a finish.
Khalidovic controlling his opponent.
Matijevic tries to hold on but Khalidovic postures up.
Khalidovic tries to control but Matijevic wriggling away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Khalidovic controlling the position easily from mount.
Khalidovic can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Matijevic is looking to escape.

Matijevic defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Khalidovic.
Matijevic tries to hold on but Khalidovic pushes him away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mamed Khalidovic dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mamed Khalidovic's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Matijevic throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Khalidovic throws a jab when Matijevic was well out of range.
Khalidovic's corner calls for a 1-2. Khalidovic obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Khalidovic moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Matijevic throws a solid leg kick but Khalidovic takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Matijevic.
A big right from Matijevic misses.
Khalidovic throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Khalidovic is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Matijevic can do to turn this around?
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Khalidovic, as that shot connected.
Khalidovic throws a body kick that misses
and Matijevic cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Matijevic on the wrong end of a nice jab.
It looks like Khalidovic has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matijevic throws a looping overhand right but Khalidovic ducks down to avoid it.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Khalidovic fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Matijevic manages to avoid it.
Khalidovic is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Khalidovic moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Matijevic moves out of range as Khalidovic throws a body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matijevic misses the jab.
Matijevic throws the kick towards the body but Khalidovic avoids it.
Khalidovic takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Matijevic uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Khalidovic.
Khalidovic moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromMatijevic.
Khalidovic with the inside leg kick.
Khalidovic looks to land a body kick but Matijevic moved away.
Matijevic looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Good exchange - Khalidovic coming out on top.
Khalidovic jabs Matijevic right on the nose. Matijevic blinks but takes it well.
Matijevic walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Khalidovic throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Khalidovic cracks Matijevic with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Khalidovic lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

Khalidovic closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Matijevic did well to prevent Khalidovic getting side control.

That's two 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!
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Khalidovic in particular looking to stall.
Matijevic is looking to control Khalidovic's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Matijevic avoid being mounted?

Khalidovic is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Matijevic sees it coming and defends easily.

Khalidovic is looking for a kimura but Matijevic is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Khalidovic to get the leverage.
Khalidovic is trying to control the action in half guard but Matijevic is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matijevic is looking to control Khalidovic's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Matijevic avoid being mounted?
Khalidovic is looking to take a break and control but Matijevic is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Khalidovic is controlling the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Khalidovic scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matijevic misses with a body kick.
Khalidovic shoots in but no luck this time.
Khalidovic dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Matijevic. That did some damage!
Khalidovic connects with a good right hand that stumbles Matijevic. Matijevic circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
A chopping leg kick lands by Khalidovic.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Khalidovic.
No joy there for Khalidovic, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Matijevic counters with a body kick.
Khalidovic scores with a nice right hand.
Roko Matijevic is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Matijevic misses with a looping right.
A swing and a miss from Khalidovic.
Khalidovic tests Matijevic's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Matijevic missing with a left hand there. Khalidovic was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Khalidovic takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mamed Khalidovic dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Mamed Khalidovic's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Khalidovic cracks Matijevic with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Khalidovic throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Mamed Khalidovic is winning the standup battle so far.
Nice jab there from Khalidovic.
Khalidovic misses with a low kick.
A low kick lands for Khalidovic.
Mamed Khalidovic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Matijevic avoids the body shot from Khalidovic.
Matijevic tries a quick counter leg kick but Khalidovic is wise to it.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Khalidovic.
Matijevic's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Khalidovic fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Matijevic.
Khalidovic's corner calls for a 1-2. Khalidovic obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matijevic avoids the body shot from Khalidovic.
Khalidovic throws a shot to the body.
Jab by Khalidovic.
Khalidovic lands with an overhand left.
Matijevic ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Khalidovic moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A lazy body kick from Khalidovic
and Matijevic counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Khalidovic throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Khalidovic lands the left hand.
Khalidovic lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Khalidovic.
Khalidovic fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Matijevic avoids it really well and circles away.
Khalidovic checks a low kick from Matijevic.
Khalidovic misses the shot to the body.
Matijevic lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Matijevic throws a leg kick but Khalidovic checks it.
Khalidovic throws a body shot but no joy.
Khalidovic backing away here, and Matijevic unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Khalidovic rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Matijevic counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Roko Matijevic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mamed Khalidovic is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matijevic gets cracked there but stands up to it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Khalidovic lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Khalidovic. Matijevic does a little dance to reset his feet.
Khalidovic missing with a left hand there. Matijevic was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Matijevic ducks under a wild hook from Khalidovic.
Matijevic has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Khalidovic swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Matijevic.
Matijevic takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Matijevic throws a chopping leg kick but Khalidovic manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Khalidovic swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Matijevic doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Khalidovic throws a hook to the side of Matijevic's head but Matijevic sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Khalidovic scores with a sloppy right hand. Matijevic should have avoided that one.
Khalidovic scores with a nice strike.
Matijevic 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 three minutes gone in the round.
Khalidovic scoring well with a low kick there.
Khalidovic misses with a kick to the body
and Matijevic counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Khalidovic thinking.
Khalidovic throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Despite the aggression on Matijevic's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Khalidovic throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Matijevic sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Matijevic throws out a counter right but Khalidovic avoids it with no problem.
Khalidovic throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Matijevic connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Matijevic throws a right hand that misses
and Khalidovic counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Khalidovic lands a slapping body shot.

Khalidovic shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Khalidovic controlling the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Khalidovic works his way into side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mamed Khalidovic showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Khalidovic 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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 30:27
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 30:27
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mamed Khalidovic!
During a confident post fight interview, Mamed Khalidovic thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.