PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ali Basra (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Toshi Matoshin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tired and clearly flustered, he entered the arena late and after a little discussion it was decided that the bout should take place.
Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ali Basra and Toshi Matoshin. Matoshin comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Mortal Kombat theme kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Basra
vs
Matoshin

180 cm
28
163 lbs
12 - 6 - 1

180 cm
29
158 lbs
20 - 12 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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Fury Nutrition Inc.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Ali Basra!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Toshi Matoshin!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Fedor Mirinova and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matoshin looks to land a left hand but Basra moved out of range nicely.
Matoshin throws a leg kick
and Basra counters with a two punch combo.
Matoshin slips a jab from Basra.
Matoshin lands with an uppercut that bounces Basra off the cage and back into range.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Basra.
Toshi Matoshin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Matoshin has closed the distance and engaged Basra in a clinch.
Matoshin is working for takedown but Basra is calmly controlling the position for now.
Basra wants to stall.

Matoshin manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Basra throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Matoshin works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Basra lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Matoshin keeping moving, preventing Basra from controlling successfully.
Basra stopping the sweep attempt from Matoshin.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matoshin is pulling down on Basra's head. It's preventing any offense from Basra, at least for the moment.
Matoshin looking to control.
Matoshin might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Basra haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
We've been hearing reports that Basra has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Basra has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Matoshin.
Ali Basra is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Matoshin lands with a cross.
Basra tries to bum rush Matoshin with a series of wild strikes but Matoshin uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Basra takes a swing at Matoshin's ribcage but misses.
Matoshin keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Matoshin connects with a good right hand that stumbles Basra. Basra circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Matoshin scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

Basra is rocked!
Matoshin tried to score with a low kick but Basra checks it.
Oh Basra is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Basra shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Basra scores with a jab to the head.
Basra seems to have got his legs back now.
Matoshin is looking to score with low kicks.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Matoshin has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Basra.
Basra slips a straight right by Matoshin.
Matoshin swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Basra takes a swing at Matoshin's ribcage but misses.
A slow jab from Basra misses its intended target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matoshin misses with a hook
and Basra counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.

Matoshin looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Matoshin tries to free his leg and advance position but Basra is retaining full guard.
Matoshin wants to control from the top but Basra keeps moving.
Matoshin wants to get up but he can't break Basra's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Basra keeping full guard, as Matoshin tries to pass.
Matoshin pushes down on Basra's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Matoshin is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Basra is just riding it out for now. Matoshin eventually gives up the hold.
Basra trying to hold on to Matoshin's head to control him but Matoshin postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Matoshin is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Basra reverses the position - he's now on top in Matoshin's guard.
Matoshin not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Toshi Matoshin will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Matoshin avoids the body shot from Basra.
Matoshin stuns Basra with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Matoshin throws a leg kick but Basra checks it.
Basra will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Basra walks into a left hand.
Matoshin keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Matoshin checks a leg kick nicely.
Matoshin misses the jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matoshin connects with a single shot there.
Matoshin jabs at Basra's body.
A telegraphed right hand from Matoshin misses the target.
Matoshin scores with a nice strike.
Basra moves away from the strike by Matoshin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Basra swings for the body but Matoshin moves out of range.
Matoshin dips to his left and cracks Basra with an uppercut!
Basra takes one on the button.
Basra lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Basra scores with a hook.

Matoshin clinches.
Matoshin jumps guard but Basra turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Matoshin is trying to break the clinch but Basra has him pressed against the cage.
Matoshin is looking for a takedown.
Basra misses with a punch on the inside.
Basra lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

It looks like Toshi Matoshin has been cut.
Basra digs a right hand underneath Matoshin's ribcage. Matoshin let out a lung full of air as it connected.

Matoshin breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Basra tries a low kick but Matoshin avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Basra uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Matoshin.
Matoshin keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Basra tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Matoshin was well out of range. Poor timing from Basra.
Matoshin shoots in for a takedown but Basra shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Ali Basra has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Toshi Matoshin.
That kick from Basra tenderised Matoshin's leg. Matoshin is trying to keep his angry face on.
Basra ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Matoshin moves away.
Matoshin on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Toshi Matoshin seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Basra takes a swing at Matoshin's ribcage but misses.
Matoshin misses with a leg kick.
Matoshin throws a low kick, looking for Basra's leg but Basra calmly moves out of range.
Basra misses with a few strikes there.
Nice defenses there by Basra.
Matoshin will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Basra misses with a straight right.
Basra on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Basra looks to throw the jab but Matoshin is out of range.
Matoshin connects with a solid leg kick.
Matoshin shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Basra eats them both and turns towards Matoshin to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Matoshin fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Basra avoids it really well and circles away.
Matoshin fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Sloppy strikes from Matoshin. Those never looked like landing.
Basra moves away from the strike by Matoshin.
Matoshin throws a leg kick but Basra sees it coming and checks it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice uppercut lands for Basra. That snapped Matoshin's head back.
Basra slips under a jab from Matoshin.
Basra slips a jab from Matoshin.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Basra misses with the combination.
Matoshin swings widly with a right hand
and Basra counters with a stiff right hand.
Basra jabs Matoshin to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Basra gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Matoshin.
The fighters circling - Matoshin throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Matoshin jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Matoshin throws a hook but Basra blocks it.
Matoshin is looking to slow Basra down with leg kicks.
Basra misses with a two punch combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Toshi Matoshin showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Toshi Matoshin's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Basra displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Matoshin throws out the jab.
Basra connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Matoshin blocks a leg kick.
Basra misses with a body shot
and Matoshin counters with an inside leg kick.
Matoshin takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Matoshin throws a low kick but it's checked well by Basra.
Matoshin keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
A swing and a miss from Matoshin.
A telegraphed right hand from Matoshin misses the target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matoshin goes for a double leg but Basra avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Basra continues to drive forward.
Basra makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

Basra breaks the clinch.
Matoshin loads up on a big right hand but Basra slips the punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Basra scores with a jab to the jaw.
Basra takes a swing at Matoshin's ribcage but misses.
Matoshin with a hook.
No joy there for Matoshin, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A jab from Matoshin misses.
Matoshin gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Matoshin tests Basra's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Matoshin slips a jab and a cross from Basra.
Basra is looking to wear down Matoshin with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Matoshin lands with a shot to the body.
Basra just misses with a punch to the body.
Ali Basra has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Toshi Matoshin is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Basra checks the leg kick.
Matoshin cracks Basra with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Basra ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Matoshin throws a leg kick but Basra checks it.
Matoshin scores with a jab.
Basra connects with a body shot that sends Matoshin's belly button to the back.
Basra on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Basra misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Matoshin.
Matoshin does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Matoshin misses with a body shot
and Basra counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Basra throws a series of strikes that have Matoshin backpedaling.
Matoshin keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Basra moves out of range of the strikes.
Basra stuffs the takedown.
Basra walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Matoshin checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Basra tries to land a front kick but Matoshin steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
A looping hook to the body misses from Basra. Matoshin does a little dance to reset his feet.
Matoshin feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Basra's calf.
Matoshin connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Matoshin scoring well with a low kick there.
Basra tries to land a front kick but Matoshin steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Good leg kick by Matoshin there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Matoshin blocks a head kick by Basra.
Matoshin bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Basra throws a looping overhand right but Matoshin ducks down to avoid it.
Basra uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Matoshin.
Basra tries to move into range but Matoshin moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Basra attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Matoshin throws a body shot but no joy.
The fighters circling - Matoshin throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Basra keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Basra throws a front kick aimed at Matoshin's knee but Matoshin avoids it well.
Matoshin uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Basra.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Matoshin steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Basra.
Basra throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Matoshin.
Basra misses with a body shot
and Matoshin counters with a low kick, right behind Basra 's knee.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Ali Basra.
I think Matoshin has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 28:29
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Toshi Matoshin!
A relieved looking Toshi Matoshin thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.
The defeated Ali Basra had this to say: 'You can all fuck off, I'm out of here!'.