PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dan Daniels (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Elmeri Matikainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dan Daniels has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Daniels
vs
Matikainen

200 cm
25
280 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

195 cm
18
270 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Dan Daniels!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Elmeri Matikainen!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Marco Blurström and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matikainen misses with a wild body shot.
Daniels will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Some wild striking there from Daniels.
Daniels avoids the body shot from Matikainen.
Daniels takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Matikainen misses with a few strikes there.
Matikainen comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Matikainen looks to land a left hand but Daniels moved out of range nicely.
Matikainen thuds a left hand into Daniels's body.
Matikainen takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Matikainen lands a nice shot that snaps Daniels's head back.
Matikainen scores with a nice head shot.
Matikainen throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Daniels stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Matikainen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Daniels moves away.
Matikainen is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Daniels rather than just go for the knockout.
A swing and a miss from Matikainen.
Donk. Matikainen catches Daniels right on the button with a cross.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Daniels throws a hook to the side of Matikainen's head but Matikainen sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Matikainen throws the kick towards the body but Daniels avoids it.
Matikainen throws out a leg kick but Daniels moves out of range and Matikainen only half commits.
Matikainen lands with a good body shot.
Daniels misses with a double jab.
Matikainen's jab looks to have found its range, popping Daniels under the eye.
Matikainen looks for the body kick but Daniels saw that one coming.
Matikainen thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nice cross by Matikainen.
Daniels avoids the body shot from Matikainen.
Matikainen misses with a double jab.
Matikainen misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Daniels counters with a series of strikes. Matikainen will be more careful next time no doubt.
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!
Matikainen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Daniels.
Daniels on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Matikainen avoids a kick to the body.
Daniels misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Daniels swings for the body but Matikainen moves out of range.
Matikainen lands a jab.
Daniels tries a head kick but it misses.
Daniels misses with a body shot.
Daniels misses with a series of wild punches.
Matikainen scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Daniels doesn't seem bothered though.
Matikainen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Daniels fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Matikainen manages to avoid it.
Daniels doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Daniels throws a sloppy head kick and Matikainen moves out of range easily.
Good standup being displayed there by Matikainen as he connects with a hook.
Matikainen scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Daniels doesn't seem bothered though.
Matikainen scores with a hook.
Matikainen misses with a wild body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Daniels walks into a stiff left hand from Matikainen.
Matikainen avoids a punch combination nicely.
Elmeri Matikainen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Daniels throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Matikainen works Daniels's body with a nice hook.
Matikainen misses with a jab, cross combination.
Matikainen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Daniels.
Daniels swings for the body but Matikainen moves out of range.
Left hook, right uppercut from Matikainen.
Daniels throws a body punch but Matikainen moves out of range.
Daniels dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Matikainen lands a nice hook to Daniels's body. Daniels takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Matikainen lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Matikainen scores with a shot to the body.
Matikainen stuns Daniels with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Daniels misses the shot to the body.
Daniels swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Matikainen lands with a nice body punch.
Matikainen throws an overhand right that lands on Daniels's shoulder, as Daniels tries to avoid the shot.
Matikainen ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Good shot there by Daniels.
Matikainen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Daniels manages to avoid it.
A jab from Matikainen misses.
Matikainen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Daniels throws a right and a left that both miss.
Daniels drops his hands momentarily and Matikainen takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Matikainen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Daniels swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Matikainen misses the shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Elmeri Matikainen will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Matikainen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Daniels tries to bum rush Matikainen with a series of wild strikes but Matikainen uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Elmeri Matikainen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Matikainen stuns Daniels with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Daniels loads up on a big right hand but Matikainen slips the punch.
Daniels defending well as Matikainen loads up on a big left hand.
Daniels throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Matikainen scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Daniels slips under a jab from Matikainen.
Matikainen bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Matikainen scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Daniels closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Matikainen moves out of range as Daniels throws a body kick.
Matikainen connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Daniels keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Daniels throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A looping hook to the body misses from Matikainen. Daniels does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matikainen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Daniels manages to avoid it.
Daniels throws a series of strikes that have Matikainen backpedaling.
Daniels rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Matikainen moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Daniels tries to bum rush Matikainen with a series of wild strikes but Matikainen uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Daniels takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Daniels doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Daniels takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Matikainen throws a big shot that misses.
Matikainen looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Matikainen misses with a wild body shot.
Matikainen takes a swing at Daniels's ribcage but misses.
Daniels misses with a two punch combination.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Matikainen waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Daniels.
Dan Daniels is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Daniels throws a looping overhand right but Matikainen ducks down to avoid it.
Daniels pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matikainen fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Daniels looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Daniels fails to land with a series of punches.
Daniels throws a nice looking combination but Matikainen bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Daniels takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Matikainen jabs Daniels to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Matikainen scores with a punch to the head.
Matikainen connects with a right hand. Daniels shakes it off.
Daniels on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Matikainen scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Matikainen dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Matikainen ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Daniels takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

Daniels drops Matikainen with a beautiful combination! Matikainen stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Daniels is looking for the KO!

It looks like Elmeri Matikainen has been cut.
Daniels misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Daniels has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Daniels tries to bum rush Matikainen with a series of wild strikes but Matikainen uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Matikainen walks into a jab.
Daniels throws a nice looking combination but Matikainen bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Matikainen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Daniels was well out of range. Poor timing from Matikainen.
Daniels fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Matikainen jabs Daniels to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Matikainen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Daniels.
Matikainen changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Matikainen attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Daniels misses with a body shot.
Daniels walks into a straight right hand from Matikainen.
Daniels takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Daniels throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matikainen lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Daniels misses with the combination.
Nice body punch from Matikainen.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Daniels has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Daniels there as he acknowledges the shot.
Daniels throws a right hand that Matikainen ducks under and follows up with a left that Matikainen also avoids with ease.
Daniels misses with a hook.
A right-left combo lands from Matikainen.
Daniels avoids a punch combination nicely.
Daniels takes a shot to the body in his stride.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Matikainen blocks the body kick.
Matikainen connects with a single shot there.
Daniels misses with a body shot.
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 Dan Daniels will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Elmeri Matikainen's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Matikainen takes a swing at Daniels's ribcage but misses.
Matikainen tries to bum rush Daniels with a series of wild strikes but Daniels uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Matikainen scores with a sloppy right hand. Daniels should have avoided that one.
Daniels walks into a left hand.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Daniels checks a leg kick.
Matikainen stuns Daniels with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Nice shot lands for Matikainen.
A looping hook to the body misses from Matikainen. Daniels does a little dance to reset his feet.
Matikainen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Daniels moves away.
Daniels takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Matikainen takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Daniels misses the shot to the body.
Matikainen looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Matikainen misses with a body shot.
Matikainen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Daniels.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matikainen scores with the left hand. Daniels knows he should have avoided that one.
Matikainen missing with a left hand there. Daniels was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Matikainen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Daniels.
Matikainen digs a good hook to Daniels's body.
Daniels misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Matikainen connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Daniels's hands.
Daniels uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Matikainen.
Daniels rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Matikainen moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Matikainen connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Daniels bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Matikainen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Matikainen throws a right and a left that both miss.
Donk. Daniels catches Matikainen right on the button with a cross.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Matikainen misses with a hook.
Daniels uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Matikainen.
A solid leg kick lands there for Daniels.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matikainen misses the jab.
Daniels lands a nice shot to the body.

Daniels feints and then winds up with a huge right hand that connects perfectly and sends Matikainen sprawling to the canvas! Matikainen rolls over backwards and springs off the cage and manages to regain his footing - how acrobatic! Oh, he's still wobbly - can Daniels finish him?!
Sloppy strikes from Daniels. Those never looked like landing.
Matikainen misses with a few strikes there.
Matikainen avoids the head kick by Daniels.
Matikainen ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Matikainen misses with a hook.
Daniels lands a nice leg kick that just misses Matikainen's sensitive parts.
Matikainen avoids a punch combination nicely.
Daniels will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Matikainen swings for the body but Daniels moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matikainen throws a body punch but Daniels moves out of range.
Daniels misses with a jab, cross combination.
Matikainen throws a jab but it's blocked by Daniels.
Daniels keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Matikainen lands a slapping body shot.
Matikainen throws a right hand that misses
and Daniels counters with a one-two to the body.
Matikainen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Daniels moves away from the strike by Matikainen.
Matikainen misses with a wild body shot.
Daniels misses with a straight right.
Matikainen throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Daniels misses with a looping right.
Daniels throws a body kick that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Daniels fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Daniels throws a series of punches but Matikainen avoids them all with ease.
Daniels motions for Matikainen to come forward. Daniels throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Daniels throws a nice looking combination but Matikainen bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Daniels throws a nice looking combination but Matikainen bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Matikainen takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Daniels lands a nice shot that snaps Matikainen's head back.
Matikainen misses with a straight left.
Matikainen wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Daniels rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Matikainen moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Daniels looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Matikainen dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Daniels looks to land a combination but Matikainen avoids it well.
Matikainen swinging wildly here.
Daniels has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dan Daniels showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Daniels 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight for Dan Daniels!
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight for Dan Daniels!
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight for Dan Daniels!

Dan Daniels wins by unanimous decision!