PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Atte Peltola (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Clay Matthews (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Peltola comes to the cage accompanied by Biggest & The Best. Clay Matthews will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Peltola
vs
Matthews

180 cm
43
168 lbs
31 - 22 - 2

194 cm
32
203 lbs
15 - 9 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

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 31 - 22 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Atte Peltola!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Clay Matthews!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A looping hook to the body misses from Peltola. Matthews does a little dance to reset his feet.
Peltola misses with a left hand
and Matthews finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Matthews slips a straight right by Peltola.

Matthews clinches up against the cage.
Peltola blocks an uppercut.
Peltola gets through Matthews's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Matthews swings wildly with an uppercut but Peltola uses good head movement to avoid it.
Matthews taking a breather.
Matthews lands with a left to the head.

Peltola pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Matthews ducks under a wild hook from Peltola.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matthews staying out of range there.
Matthews tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Peltola throws a lazy uppercut
and Peltola takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

It looks like Atte Peltola has been cut.
Matthews is looking to clinch.
Nice defenses there by Matthews.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Peltola throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Matthews uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Peltola.

Matthews has Peltola up against the cage in a clinch.
Matthews keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Peltola's efforts to push away.
Come on Matthews - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Peltola has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Peltola wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Matthews fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Peltola is trying to break the clinch but Matthews is controlling him.
Peltola lands with a left to the head.
Matthews tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Matthews has Peltola pressed against the cage, preventing Peltola from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Peltola escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Matthews throws a hook but Peltola blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matthews keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Peltola.
A cross from Peltola lands.
Peltola swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Matthews tries to counter by closing the distance.
Peltola takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Matthews doesn't manage to clinch there - Peltola circles away.
Peltola misses with a looping right.

Matthews clinches up against the cage.
Matthews scores with a shoulder strike.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Peltola pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Peltola swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Peltola is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Matthews's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Matthews uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Peltola.
Peltola lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Matthews looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Peltola throws a body punch but Matthews moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Peltola takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Peltola walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Matthews throws a jab when Peltola was well out of range.
Peltola throws a body punch but Matthews moves out of range.
Matthews fails in his attempt to clinch.
Peltola lands a jab.
Matthews has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Peltola finds it's way round the side to connect with Matthews's head.
Peltola lands the left hand.
Matthews is looking to clinch.
Atte Peltola seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Matthews misses with an uppercut. Peltola saw that one coming.
Peltola feinted with a counter takedown.
Donk. Peltola catches Matthews right on the button with a cross.
Peltola misses with a body punch
and Matthews cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A telegraphed right hand from Peltola misses the target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Peltola throws a body punch but Matthews moves out of range.
Peltola looks to score with a jab to the body but Matthews is just out of range.
Matthews takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Peltola misses with a straight left.
Matthews throws a sloppy head kick and Peltola moves out of range easily.
Peltola throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Matthews.
Peltola throws a left and a right that both miss

and Matthews holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Matthews lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Peltola backwards.

Peltola breaks the clinch.

Matthews has taken the fight to the clinch.
Peltola lands with a left to the head.
Matthews lands a shoulder strike.

Peltola escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Matthews steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Peltola.
Matthews throws a shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Clay Matthews will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Atte Peltola'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.

Peltola looks to land a left hand but Matthews moved out of range nicely.
Matthews uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Peltola.
Matthews tries to counter by closing the distance.
Peltola takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Matthews has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Matthews wants to clinch up but Peltola keeps it at a distance.
Peltola avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Matthews throws a lazy right hand but Peltola sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Peltola throws an overhand right that lands on Matthews's shoulder, as Matthews tries to avoid the shot.
Matthews uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Peltola.
Peltola takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Peltola misses with a hook. Matthews ducked under it nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matthews is looking to clinch but Peltola is avoiding it.
Peltola throws a looping overhand right but Matthews ducks down to avoid it.
Peltola swings widly with a right hand
and Matthews counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Peltola rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Matthews counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A chopping leg kick lands by Matthews.
Peltola avoids the head kick by Matthews.
Peltola gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Peltola throws a hook but Matthews avoids it easily.
Matthews connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Matthews keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Matthews wants to counter the offense by Peltola and move into the clinch position.
Matthews uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Peltola.
Matthews is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Peltola shoots and misses

and Matthews holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
A nice left hand lands by Matthews.
Matthews has a couple of punches blocked by Peltola.

Peltola manages to break the clinch.
Peltola with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Matthews throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Matthews dodges the punch combination from Peltola.
Peltola sets himself, and Matthews steps forward looking for the clinch! Peltola avoids it this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Matthews uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Peltola.
Matthews takes a swing at Peltola's ribcage but misses.
Peltola throws a shot to the body.
Peltola will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Matthews swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Peltola swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Peltola shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Matthews counters with a big head kick but Peltola shrugs it off.
Matthews ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Peltola tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Matthews was well out of range. Poor timing from Peltola.
Matthews slips under a jab from Peltola.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matthews avoids the body shot from Peltola.
Peltola takes a swing at Matthews's ribcage but misses.
Matthews steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Peltola.
Matthews keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Peltola misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Matthews counters with a slapping leg kick.
Matthews slips a straight right by Peltola.
Matthews avoids the body shot from Peltola.
Peltola throws a shot from downtown. Matthews moves away and avoids it.
Matthews keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Peltola just misses with a punch to the body.
Peltola throws a big shot that misses.
Peltola just misses with a punch to the body.
Matthews swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Matthews slips a straight right by Peltola.
Matthews lands a really nice looking cross but Peltola seems unphased.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Peltola swings away with a body shot that misses

and Matthews counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Peltola wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Matthews.
Matthews is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Matthews tries to throw a body punch but Peltola avoids it by throwing Matthews back against the cage.
Matthews is stalling here.
Matthews blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Peltola blocks an uppercut.
Matthews has a couple of punches blocked by Peltola.
Peltola wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Matthews has him pressed against the cage.
Peltola misses with some punches.
Matthews lands with a short shot to the head.
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!
Matthews misses with the head strike.
Peltola is trying to break free.

Peltola breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Matthews throws a hook but Peltola blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Clay Matthews showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Atte Peltola's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Matthews throws a lazy right hand but Peltola sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Matthews throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Peltola pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Matthews throws a sloppy head kick and Peltola moves out of range easily.
Peltola changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Peltola misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Matthews.
Peltola is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Matthews.
Matthews misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Matthews slips under a jab.
Peltola throws a big shot that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Peltola throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Peltola looks to land a left hand but Matthews moved out of range nicely.
Matthews appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Peltola throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Matthews is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Matthews connects with a good right hand that stumbles Peltola. Peltola circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Peltola throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Peltola lunges at Matthews with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Matthews's hand.
Peltola scores with a crisp jab that stopped Matthews in his tracks.
Peltola misses with a left hand
and Matthews makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Peltola really felt that one!
Matthews slips a straight right by Peltola.
Peltola misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Matthews counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Atte Peltola is winning the standup battle so far.
Peltola thows a left - swing and a miss!
Peltola throws out a loose jab but Matthews uses good head movement to avoid it.
Peltola waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Matthews.
Matthews staying out of range there.
Peltola just misses with a punch to the body.
Peltola sets himself, and Matthews steps forward looking for the clinch! Peltola avoids it this time.
Peltola throws the left hand but Matthews avoids the punch easily.
Matthews lands with a nice body kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Matthews ducks under a wild hook from Peltola.
Atte Peltola has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matthews lands with a kick to the ribs.
Matthews tries to clinch there but Peltola circles away.
Matthews blocks a jab.
It seemed like Matthews was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Matthews bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Peltola swings widly with a right hand
and Matthews counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Peltola takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Matthews pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Matthews feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Peltola's calf.
Matthews lands with a slapping head kick.

Peltola is rocked!

Atte Peltola's cut is getting worse.
Matthews defending well as Peltola loads up on a big left hand.
Oh Peltola is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Peltola avoids the head kick by Matthews.
Peltola seems to have got his legs back now.
Peltola throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Peltola is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Peltola throws a hook but Matthews avoids it easily.
Matthews throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Matthews lands with a kick to the ribs.
Matthews tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Peltola manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Peltola swings for the body but Matthews moves out of range.
Clay Matthews is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Peltola takes a swing at Matthews's ribcage but misses.
Matthews is trying to counter with his kicks.
Peltola throws a jab but it's blocked by Matthews.
Peltola looks to score with a jab to the body but Matthews is just out of range.
Peltola throws a hook to the side of Matthews's head but Matthews sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Matthews avoids the body shot from Peltola.

Matthews drives through and clinches with Peltola against the cage.
Peltola wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matthews keeps control of Peltola as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Peltola is trying to break the clinch but Matthews has him pressed against the cage.
Peltola wants to break the clinch but can't.
Peltola looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Matthews throws a punch but it's blocked by Peltola.
Peltola is trying to break the clinch but Matthews has him pressed against the cage.
Peltola lands a nice shot to the body.
Peltola lands a right hand that snaps the head of Matthews backwards.
Peltola is trying to break the clinch but Matthews has him pressed against the cage.
Peltola has a couple of punches blocked by Matthews.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Clay Matthews.
I've got Matthews winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Clay Matthews!
Our winner, Clay Matthews, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.