PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Devonte Michaels (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matti Lykke (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Matti Lykke will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Michaels
vs
Lykke

175 cm
22
170 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

215 cm
21
260 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Devonte Michaels!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Matti Lykke!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Shigeki Fujiwara and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lykke missing with a left hand there. Michaels was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Lykke tries to clinch but Michaels moves out of range.
Lykke looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Lykke wants to clinch.
Lykke moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Lykke digs a good body shot into Michaels's ribs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lykke takes a swing at Michaels's ribcage but misses.
Lykke fails in his attempt to clinch.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Lykke scores with a jab to the head.
Lykke works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Lykke shoots for a double leg takedown but Michaels sprawls well. He's pushed Lykke's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Lykke fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Michaels looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Michaels has a takedown stuffed.
Devonte Michaels seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lykke looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Michaels!
Michaels working to try and regain half guard.
Michaels is squirming around, avoiding Lykke's attempts to control the action.

Lykke looking to secure an arm triangle but Michaels defends it well.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Michaels is trying desperately to improve position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Michaels tries to hold on but Lykke pushes him away.
Michaels is trying to escape the mount but Lykke keeps good control and instead manages to take Michaels's back.
Lykke is looking to control Michaels but Michaels is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Lykke is trying to stick to Michaels's back but Michaels is turning into Lykke. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Lykke's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Michaels.
Lykke not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Michaels throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Lykke works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Michaels trying to control the position from guard on top but Lykke is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Michaels passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Lykke is trying to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lykke is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Michaels off and has taken his back!
Michaels trying to control the hands but Lykke breaks the grip.
Lykke controlling well, preventing Michaels from escaping the position.

Lykke looking for the choke from the back.
Michaels might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Michaels defends a prolonged rear naked choke attempt and turns nicely into his opponent's guard.
Lykke is trying to keep Michaels in close.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Michaels scoring with some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matti Lykke dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Michaels changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Lykke tries to avoid it but Michaels manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Lykke to the ground. Lykke escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Michaels misses with a takedown attempt
and Lykke cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Michaels shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Lykke as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Devonte Michaels. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Michaels fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Michaels stuffs the takedown attempt from Lykke. Lykke gets slowly back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Michaels fails with the takedown.
Lykke scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Michaels gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Lykke counters with a left to the body.

Michaels throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Lykke was covering up waiting for the punch and Michaels finishes the takedown easily into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Michaels stopping the sweep attempt from Lykke.

Michaels got a little sloppy there for a moment and Lykke has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Michaels has managed to get both his arms back between Lykke's legs - danger averted.
Lykke wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Lykke trying to keep a closed guard but Michaels is proving a slippery customer.
Lykke working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Michaels.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lykke keeping full guard, as Michaels tries to pass.
Michaels missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Michaels trying to control but Lykke is working from the bottom.
Michaels postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Lykke not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Michaels trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Michaels with a nice head shot there.
Lykke is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Michaels works over Lykke with some ground and pound from guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Lykke is on top in guard.
Lykke wants to control from the top but Michaels keeps moving.
Lykke trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Michaels wants to sweep but no luck.
Lykke wants to pass the guard but Michaels is keeping the position.
Lykke is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Michaels managing to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Devonte Michaels will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Michaels misses with a takedown
and Lykke counters with a left to the body.
Lykke throws a one two combo.
Good standup being displayed there by Lykke as he connects with a hook.

Michaels fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Lykke sprawls well initially but Michaels persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Lykke wants to control but Michaels is keeping busy.
Michaels lands with a punch from half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lykke trying to control here.
Lykke is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Michaels's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Michaels's back!
Michaels tries to roll but Lykke sticks to his back.

Lykke is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Michaels knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Michaels for a finish.

Lykke tightening his grip on Michaels, looking for the choke.
Michaels knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Lykke on the ground.
Michaels rolls, trying to escape but Lykke keeps control of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Michaels trying to control the action but Lykke just sinks the hooks in.

Lykke is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
You can see the frustration on Michaels's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

Lykke is persistently looking for the submission but Michaels is defending it well.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Lykke looking for the choke but no joy.
Lykke takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Michaels trying to control the action but Lykke just sinks the hooks in.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Michaels rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Michaels is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Michaels keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Michaels is in trouble now - Lykke has advanced to mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Michaels is squirming around, avoiding Lykke's attempts to control the action.
Michaels is trying to escape the mount but Lykke keeps good control and instead manages to take Michaels's back.

Lykke is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Michaels knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Michaels for a finish.
Michaels looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Michaels tries to escape but Lykke has the hooks in and won't let him break free.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matti Lykke comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Lykke 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 Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight for Matti Lykke!
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight for Matti Lykke!
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight for Matti Lykke!

Matti Lykke wins by unanimous decision!
An out of breath Matti Lykke thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.