PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Sam Nut (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paavo Matinheimo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sam Nut could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Paavo Matinheimo's chin.

Nut
vs
Matinheimo

190 cm
24
197 lbs
13 - 6 - 0

177 cm
24
197 lbs
11 - 6 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Very strong

Dangerous GnP
Excellent boxer
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 13 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Sam Nut!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Paavo Matinheimo!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Vladimir Khabensky and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matinheimo has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Nut.
Matinheimo doesn't manage to clinch there - Nut circles away.
Nut buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
A leg kick checked by Matinheimo.
Matinheimo wants to clinch up but Nut keeps it at a distance.
Matinheimo moves in looking to clinch but Nut pushes him off.
Matinheimo shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Nut as he avoids it easily.
Matinheimo checks the leg kick.
Matinheimo tries for a takedown but Nut sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Matinheimo takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Matinheimo keeps the fight on the outside.
Matinheimo misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Sam Nut has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Paavo Matinheimo.

Nut clinches with his opponent.
Nut is pressed up against the cage. Matinheimo has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Nut down to the mat. Nut avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Matinheimo walks into a jab.
Matinheimo fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Nut fakes the leg kick and cracks Matinheimo in the body.
Matinheimo looks gassed!

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Nut.
Nut is looking to slow Matinheimo down with leg kicks.
Sam Nut is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nut lands a nice leg kick that just misses Matinheimo's sensitive parts.
Nut plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

Nut closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Matinheimo blocks an elbow strike.
Nut with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Matinheimo drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nut using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Matinheimo is trying desperately to land a takedown but Nut is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Matinheimo.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nut lands an elbow that stopped Matinheimo in his tracks for a moment.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Nut.
Nut gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

It looks like Paavo Matinheimo has been cut.
Nut lands a damaging elbow.
Nut lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Nut working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Nut using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nut creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Matinheimo's defenses.
Nut gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Nut lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Matinheimo backwards.
Matinheimo blocks an elbow strike.
Matinheimo takes an elbow to the temple.
Knees to the body from Nut.
Nut lands an elbow inside.
Matinheimo's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Nice elbow from Nut.
Nut lands a knee to the head.

Matinheimo is rocked!
Nut lands an elbow inside.
Matinheimo is still on wobbly legs! Can Nut finish him?
Nut lands an elbow inside that Matinheimo shrugs off.
Nut with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Knees to the body from Nut.
Nut crunches a lovely knee into Matinheimo's ribcage.
Nut comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Nut with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Nice elbow from Nut.
Matinheimo takes an elbow to the forehead.
Nut gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Nut landing some nice looking knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nut creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Matinheimo's defenses.
Nut lands a right hand that snaps the head of Matinheimo backwards.
Matinheimo takes an elbow to the temple.
Matinheimo can't break the clinch.
Nut lands an elbow inside.
Matinheimo seems to have recovered his senses.
Nut looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Matinheimo on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Matinheimo jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Nut walks away with a smile on his face. Matinheimo gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Nut darts in and clinches Matinheimo up against the cage.
Nut missing with knees to the body.
Nut throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Nut putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Matinheimo in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Nut looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Nut tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Matinheimo avoids it.
Nut gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Nut misses with a knee strike.
Nut comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Matinheimo jumps guard but Nut stands there with Matinheimo around his waist. Matinheimo gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Nut lands an elbow inside that Matinheimo shrugs off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matinheimo blocks an elbow strike from Nut.
Matinheimo is working for takedown but Nut is calmly controlling the position for now.

Matinheimo manages to break the clinch.
Nut moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Matinheimo takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

Nut forces Matinheimo back against the cage and clinches.
Nut landing knees to the body.
Nut is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Nut crunches a lovely knee into Matinheimo's ribcage.
Nut throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Matinheimo blocks it with crossed arms.
Nut misses with an elbow strike.
Matinheimo tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Nut smiles and moves away.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Matinheimo tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Nut swivels and escapes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sam Nut dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Paavo Matinheimo's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Nut scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Matinheimo takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Nut feints and then cracks Matinheimo's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Matinheimo down.
Matinheimo throws a leg kick
and Nut counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Matinheimo's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

Nut closes the distance and pushes Matinheimo back into the cage.
Matinheimo blocks the elbow strike.
Nut creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Nut creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Matinheimo drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Nut gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Nut missing with knees to the body.
Matinheimo avoids the elbow strike from Nut, against the cage.
Sam Nut has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Nut tries to land knees in the clinch but Matinheimo avoids the damage to the body.
Nut lands an elbow that stopped Matinheimo in his tracks for a moment.
Matinheimo has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Nut avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Matinheimo is breathing heavily.
Matinheimo takes an elbow to the temple.
Matinheimo stalling in the clinch but Nut improves position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matinheimo takes an elbow to the temple.
Nut tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Matinheimo avoids it.
Nut has Matinheimo pressed against the cage, preventing Matinheimo from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
With the fighters up against the cage, Nut throws an elbow but misses.
Nut putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Matinheimo in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Nut lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Matinheimo takes an elbow to the forehead.
Nut putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Matinheimo in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Nut lands a damaging elbow.
Nut lands an elbow just above Matinheimo 's eye.
Nut lands an elbow inside that Matinheimo shrugs off.
Nut lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Nut throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Nut missing with knees to the body.
Nut comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Matinheimo tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Nut smiles and moves away.
Sam Nut has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Paavo Matinheimo.

The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Matinheimo moves into range and clinches up with Nut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nut tries to land knees in the clinch but Matinheimo avoids the damage to the body.
Matinheimo wants to stall.
Matinheimo tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Nut just stands there and leans against the cage.
Nut throws a knee to the head but misses.
Matinheimo blocks an elbow strike from Nut.
Nut creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Matinheimo's defenses.
Nut throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Nut lands an elbow inside that Matinheimo shrugs off.
Nut misses with an elbow strike.
Nut lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Matinheimo avoiding damage as Nut throws knees to the body.
Nut looking to throw knees to the head but Matinheimo is blocking nicely.
Matinheimo dodges an elbow strike from Nut.
Still in the clinch, Nut scores with a nice short uppercut.
Nut looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Nut throws an elbow but it misses.
Nut looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Nut is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Matinheimo can do to turn this around?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matinheimo avoids a wild elbow strike from Nut.
Nut trying to land knees to the body.
Matinheimo tries to pull guard but Nut won't allow it.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Matinheimo avoids the elbow strike from Nut, against the cage.
Nut throws an elbow that misses.
Matinheimo wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Nut has him pressed against the cage.
Nut pushes off an throws an elbow but Matinheimo leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Matinheimo tries to break the clinch but Nut is controlling the position.
Nut tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Matinheimo avoids it.
Matinheimo is trying to break free.
Nut gets underhooks to prevent Matinheimo's takedown attempt.
Nut avoids a wild elbow strike from Matinheimo.
Nut creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Matinheimo's defenses.
Nut using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Matinheimo has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Nut tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Nut misses with an elbow over the top.
Matinheimo blocks an elbow strike from Nut.
A right hand to the body from Nut.
Nut tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Matinheimo avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Matinheimo working hard to break the clinch.
Matinheimo stalling in the clinch.
Nut lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Nut lands an elbow just above Matinheimo 's eye.
Nut misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Matinheimo.
Matinheimo blocks an elbow strike.
Matinheimo has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Nut is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Nut comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Nut lands a knee to the body.
Nut tries to land knees in the clinch but Matinheimo avoids the damage to the body.
Matinheimo tries to pull guard but Nut won't allow it.
Matinheimo trying to control the position but instead, Nut has worked for underhooks and has pushed Matinheimo into the cage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Nut.
Nut misses with an elbow strike.
Matinheimo blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Nut comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sam Nut dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Paavo Matinheimo's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Matinheimo scores a takedown into full mount!
Nut looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
Matinheimo slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
Nut breaks Matinheimo's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nut sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Nut looking to sit in guard and control but Matinheimo gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matinheimo wants to control from the top but Nut keeps moving.
Nut seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Matinheimo preventing the sweep.
Matinheimo trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Matinheimo is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Nut will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Nut trying to control the position.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Paavo Matinheimo wasn't active enough on the ground.
A head kick from Nut lands but Matinheimo takes it in his stride.
Nice takedown defense from Nut. No joy for Matinheimo on that attempt.
Matinheimo misses with a wild body shot.
Matinheimo shoots for a double leg takedown but Nut sprawls well. He's pushed Matinheimo's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Sam Nut seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Matinheimo avoids a punch combination nicely.
Matinheimo avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice uppercut lands for Nut. That snapped Matinheimo's head back.
Nut throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Nut lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Nut displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Matinheimo.
Paavo Matinheimo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sam Nut has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Paavo Matinheimo.
Matinheimo fails to land the takedown.
Nut throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Matinheimo's head.
Sam Nut is winning the standup battle so far.
Nut punishes Matinheimo's body with a nice straight punch.
Nut defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Matinheimo.
Matinheimo takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Matinheimo tries to move into range but Nut moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Nut is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.

Nut darts in and clinches Matinheimo up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nut with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Nut putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Matinheimo in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Nut lands an elbow just above Matinheimo 's eye.
Matinheimo takes an elbow to the forehead.
With the fighters up against the cage, Nut throws an elbow but misses.
Nut looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Nut lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Sam Nut is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Matinheimo managing to block the knees to the body from Nut.
Nut lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
With the fighters up against the cage, Nut throws an elbow but misses.
Matinheimo tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Nut just stands there and leans against the cage.
Nut with a knee to the head.
Nice elbow from Nut.
Nut throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Matinheimo using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Nut has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Nut.
Matinheimo blocks the elbow strike.
Nut lands an elbow that stopped Matinheimo in his tracks for a moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sam Nut showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Nut, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 30:26
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 30:26
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sam Nut!