PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Matti Tolonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ram Man Rijal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Tolonen
vs
Man Rijal

193 cm
20
225 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

193 cm
20
205 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Matti Tolonen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ram Man Rijal!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Timothy Bukovac and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tolonen keeps the fight on the outside.
Rijal fails with an attempt to clinch.
Rijal gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Rijal shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Rijal uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Tolonen.
Rijal fails with a takedown attempt.
Rijal fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Matti Tolonen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ram Man Rijal.
Rijal avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Rijal slips a jab from Tolonen.
Tolonen scores with a sloppy right hand. Rijal should have avoided that one.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tolonen throws a big shot that misses.
Rijal drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Tolonen defends it well.
Rijal tries to clinch up.
The fighters circling - Tolonen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Tolonen throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Rijal.

Tolonen gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tolonen pulls Rijal in close to prevent any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rijal trying to control but Tolonen is working from the bottom.

Rijal drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Tolonen manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Rijal has Tolonen in his guard.

Tolonen knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Rijal on the ground.

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.
Rijal is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Rijal has his foot on Tolonen's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Tolonen works his way back into a safe position though.
Tolonen wants to get up but he can't break Rijal's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Rijal is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Tolonen is aware though and is defending well.
Rijal trying to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rijal is looking to sweep but instead, Tolonen has passed into half guard.
Rijal felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Tolonen passes into side control, despite Rijal's attempt to control the position.
Rijal manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Tolonen trying to hold on to Rijal's head to control him but Rijal postures up.
Rijal wants to control but Tolonen is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tolonen trying to control but Rijal postures up.
Tolonen controlling the position well.
Rijal is looking to take a break and control but Tolonen is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rijal is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matti Tolonen dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Tolonen sizes up Rijal with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Tolonen connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Tolonen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rijal moves away.
Tolonen looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.

Rijal moves into the clinch.
Tolonen blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Rijal misses with a hook to the ribs.
Rijal misses with an elbow over the top.

Tolonen's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Matti Tolonen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tolonen throws a hook but Rijal blocks it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rijal shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Tolonen sprawls well. Tolonen wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Rijal gets slowly back to his feet.
Tolonen misses with a looping left.
Tolonen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rijal moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rijal tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A slow jab from Tolonen misses its intended target.
Rijal tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Rijal goes for a double leg but Tolonen avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Tolonen continues to drive forward.
Rijal tries to clinch
and Tolonen counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Tolonen swats away the attempt to clinch by Rijal.
Rijal is trying hard to land a takedown here. Tolonen sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Matti Tolonen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ram Man Rijal.
A swing and a miss from Tolonen.
Rijal slips under a jab from Tolonen.
A looping hook to the body misses from Tolonen. Rijal does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tolonen throws a body shot but no joy.
Rijal changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Tolonen tries to avoid it but Rijal manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Tolonen to the ground. Tolonen escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Tolonen looks to throw the jab but Rijal is out of range.
Tolonen lands a jab.
Tolonen looks to throw the jab but Rijal is out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tolonen throws a right hand that misses

and Rijal counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Rijal.
Tolonen avoiding damage as Rijal throws knees to the body.
Come on Rijal - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Rijal is trying to drag Tolonen to the mat but Tolonen just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Tolonen taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Tolonen is pressed up against the cage. Rijal has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Tolonen down to the mat. Tolonen avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Rijal shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Tolonen sprawls well. Tolonen wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Rijal gets slowly back to his feet.
Tolonen stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Tolonen wants it to stay on the feet.
Tolonen is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rijal can do to turn this around?
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tolonen scores with a jab. Rijal acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tolonen scores with a sloppy right hand. Rijal should have avoided that one.
Rijal avoids the body shot from Tolonen.
Rijal tries to counter by closing the distance.
Tolonen leaves Rijal with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Rijal tries to clinch
letting Tolonen counter with a right hand.
Tolonen looks to land a right hand but Rijal moved out of range.
Rijal looks to clinch
and Tolonen counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Rijal takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Rijal ducks under a wild hook from Tolonen.
Rijal drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Tolonen defends it well.
Tolonen throws a lazy right hand but Rijal sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Rijal moves out of range of the strikes.
Rijal lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Rijal shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Tolonen but Tolonen pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Rijal ducks under a wild hook from Tolonen.
And Rijal responds with a good body kick, but Tolonen manages to step out the way in time.
Tolonen fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Rijal looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rijal looking to score a takedown here. Tolonen is defending well but Rijal drives through and ends up in Tolonen's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Rijal is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Tolonen is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Tolonen has escaped and now he's on top!

Rijal not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Rijal is looking for a triangle but Tolonen pushes his legs off easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matti Tolonen dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Tolonen thows a left - swing and a miss!
Rijal tries to clinch but Tolonen is having none of it.
Tolonen swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Tolonen misses with an uppercut. Rijal saw that one coming.
Rijal tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A little feinted left hand from Tolonen on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Tolonen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Rijal wants to counter with a clinch but Tolonen pushes him away.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Tolonen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rijal looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tolonen jabs Rijal to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Tolonen looks to land a right hand but Rijal moved out of range.
Tolonen misses with a straight right.
Rijal is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rijal moves out of range of the strikes.

Rijal shoots in and bounces Tolonen off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Tolonen keeping moving, preventing Rijal from controlling successfully.
Tolonen wants to stand and escape but Rijal is having none of it.
Rijal trying to control the position from guard on top but Tolonen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ram Man Rijal has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tolonen wants to stand and escape but Rijal is having none of it.
Tolonen managing to control the position.
Rijal trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Tolonen stuns Rijal with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Matti Tolonen is winning the standup battle so far.
Tolonen circles away from the clinch attempt.
Tolonen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rijal is looking to clinch but Tolonen is avoiding it.
Rijal tries to clinch up.
Tolonen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Rijal changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Rijal tries to clinch
and Tolonen counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Rijal thinking.
Rijal doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Tolonen counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Rijal uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tolonen.
Tolonen just misses with a punch to the body.
Rijal throws a counter combo.
Tolonen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Rijal is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Tolonen with a body shot.
Rijal tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Tolonen defends well and Rijal ends up having to push Tolonen into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Tolonen with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Rijal moves in looking to clinch but Tolonen pushes him off.
Tolonen lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Tolonen avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Matti Tolonen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rijal tries to clinch
enabling Tolonen to counter with a crisp jab.
Tolonen connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
A big left from Tolonen misses.
Rijal is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Rijal shoots in for a takedown but Tolonen shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Matti Tolonen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ram Man Rijal.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rijal blocks a jab.
Rijal wants to clinch up but Tolonen keeps it at a distance.
An attempted straight right counter from Tolonen misses the target.
Rijal tries to clinch but Tolonen moves out of range.
Tolonen is looking to counter punch.
Tolonen throws a lazy right hand but Rijal sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Rijal keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tolonen looks to score with a jab to the body but Rijal is just out of range.
Rijal tries to clinch but Tolonen is having none of it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
No luck for Rijal with that takedown attempt.
Ram Man Rijal has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rijal tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Tolonen manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matti Tolonen showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Tolonen, 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matti Tolonen!
Matti Tolonen made sure to give a little speech post fight, saying 'I had better pills this morning! '.