PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Thomas Hammer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Markus Mattila (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Hammer
vs
Mattila

185 cm
18
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
24
190 lbs
3 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Thomas Hammer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Markus Mattila!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Tarja Halkonen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hammer shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Mattila manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Mattila is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Hammer working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hammer looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Hammer keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Mattila's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mattila looking for a guillotine here but Hammer defends easily.

Hammer drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Mattila manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Hammer has Mattila in his guard.
Hammer wants to hit a switch here but Mattila passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Hammer there!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Mattila stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
Mattila looks gassed!
Mattila fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Hammer avoids it really well and circles away.
Hammer fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Hammer swats away the attempt to clinch by Mattila.
Hammer tries a head kick but it misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hammer looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Mattila is looking to clinch.
Hammer tries a head kick but it misses.
Hammer is looking to clinch.
Hammer changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Mattila tries to avoid it but Hammer manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Mattila to the ground. Mattila escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thomas Hammer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hammer scores with a head kick.

Mattila takes the fight into the clinch.
Mattila comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Hammer is trying to break the clinch but Mattila is controlling him.

Mattila pulls Hammer into guard.

Hammer avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hammer trying to control but Mattila is working from the bottom.
Mattila wants to sweep but no luck.
Hammer forces his way into half guard.
Hammer is looking to take a break and control but Mattila is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Markus Mattila will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Mattila slaps away a takedown attempt from Hammer, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Mattila looks for the body kick but Hammer saw that one coming.
Mattila fails with the takedown.
Mattila avoids the body shot from Hammer.
Mattila tries to close the distance and clinch up but Hammer swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hammer is defended easily by Mattila.
Mattila is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Thomas Hammer is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mattila leaves Hammer with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thomas Hammer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mattila tries to clinch but Hammer moves away

and Hammer moves into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hammer can't get the takedown.
Hammer tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Mattila smiles and moves away.
Hammer fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Markus Mattila seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mattila moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Mattila tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Hammer counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Hammer looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Hammer shoots in for a double leg but Mattila sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Mattila fails in his attempt to clinch.
Mattila doesn't manage to clinch there - Hammer circles away.
Hammer wants to clinch up but Mattila keeps it at a distance.

Hammer shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Mattila looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hammer wants to take a breather but Mattila is having none of it.
Mattila pushes Hammer off looking to stand but Hammer dives back in and keeps control.
Hammer missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mattila is staying active underneath Hammer, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Mattila is trying to get back to full guard.
Hammer is stalling here. Mattila is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Hammer seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Mattila has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Hammer shoots in but no luck this time.

Mattila pushes Hammer up against the cage in a clinch.
Mattila lands a nice elbow.
Hammer looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Mattila throws a knee to the head but misses.
Mattila scores with a knee to the head.
Hammer tries to pull guard but Mattila won't allow it.
Hammer effectively controlling the action here.
Hammer has Mattila pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Mattila manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Hammer tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Hammer can't get the takedown.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mattila scores a nice knee to the body.
Hammer is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Mattila is defending well for now.
Hammer tries to pull guard but Mattila holds him up against the cage and eventually Hammer drops back down to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Markus Mattila will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Mattila darts in and clinches Hammer up against the cage.
Hammer is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Mattila pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Mattila keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Hammer's efforts to push away.
Hammer tries for a takedown but Mattila manages to get underhooks.
Hammer tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thomas Hammer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mattila goes for a takedown attempt but Hammer pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Hammer wants to clinch

and Mattila counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Mattila ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Mattila no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hammer working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mattila looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hammer is one step ahead there.
Mattila is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Hammer is pushing down on Mattila's leg trying to pass to half guard. Mattila is fighting to maintain full guard but Hammer has managed to sneak the leg through.

Hammer looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Mattila wants to get back to his feet.

Mattila manages to escape and get back to his feet!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mattila slips a jab and a cross from Hammer.
Hammer scores with a three punch combo!
Hammer fails with the takedown
and Mattila counters with a nice uppercut.
Hammer doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Mattila counters by moving into the clinch.
Mattila scores with a knee to the head.
Hammer throws a knee to the head but misses.
Hammer jumps guard but Mattila stands there with Hammer around his waist. Hammer gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Hammer wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Nice elbow from Mattila.
Hammer is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Hammer has had enough of the clinch but Mattila keeps him there for the moment.
Hammer tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Hammer drops down looking for an ankle pick but Mattila pulls his leg out and moves away.

Mattila drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Mattila working away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mattila throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Thomas Hammer has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Markus Mattila is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Mattila decides to stand back up. Mattila steps back and let's Hammer get back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Markus Mattila comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Mattila 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Markus Mattila!