PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Iwan Matwijenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Miyamoto Musashi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Matwijenko's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, RANDORI!. Iwan Matwijenko has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Matwijenko
vs
Musashi

192 cm
40
218 lbs
27 - 8 - 0

178 cm
38
205 lbs
22 - 23 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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 27 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Iwan Matwijenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 23 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Miyamoto Musashi!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A left and a right from Musashi both land. Nice combination.
Matwijenko lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

Musashi darts in and clinches Matwijenko up against the cage.
Musashi drops down looking for an ankle pick but Matwijenko pulls his leg out and moves away.
A big left from Matwijenko misses.

Musashi gets a double leg takedown into Matwijenko's guard.
Musashi slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Musashi tries for a kimura but Matwijenko is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Musashi trying to control the action but Matwijenko is working from the bottom.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Matwijenko wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Musashi throwing strikes but Matwijenko manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Musashi tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Matwijenko wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Musashi wants to control but Matwijenko postures up.
Matwijenko will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Matwijenko trying to control the position but Musashi is working away.
Musashi can't do much from the bottom here.
Musashi keeps Matwijenko under control for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Matwijenko tries to move to mount but Musashi blocks the move with his legs.
Musashi tries to improve position but can't.
Matwijenko trying to control the position but Musashi is working away.
Matwijenko lands a few punches from side control.
Matwijenko wants to lay and pray for a moment but Musashi keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matwijenko working away.
Musashi tries to improve position but can't.
Matwijenko trying to control the action but Musashi is working from the bottom.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Musashi is trying to get back to half guard.
Matwijenko controlling the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Musashi scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Musashi throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Musashi not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Musashi throws a strike but Matwijenko avoids it easily and moves to full guard.

Matwijenko has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Musashi has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Musashi wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Matwijenko fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Matwijenko is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Musashi is defending well for now.
Musashi is looking for a takedown.
Musashi has Matwijenko pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Matwijenko manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Iwan Matwijenko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Miyamoto Musashi.
Musashi jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Matwijenko walks away with a smile on his face. Musashi gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Matwijenko looks to land a left hand but Musashi moved out of range nicely.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Matwijenko lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Musashi has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Musashi and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Musashi lands a two punch combo.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Musashi gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Matwijenko counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Iwan Matwijenko will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Musashi looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Musashi misses with the combination.
Matwijenko motions for Musashi to come forward. Matwijenko throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Musashi is trying hard to land a takedown here. Matwijenko sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Musashi gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Matwijenko just misses with a elbow thrown towards Musashi's brow.
Matwijenko is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Musashi is defending well for now.
Matwijenko stops a takedown attempt from Musashi.
Iwan Matwijenko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Miyamoto Musashi.
Musashi is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Matwijenko pulls him back up using the underhooks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matwijenko misses with a knee strike.
Matwijenko scores with a shot to the side of Musashi's head.
Matwijenko is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Matwijenko breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Musashi closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Musashi is trying to control the action in half guard but Matwijenko is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Musashi throws a strike but Matwijenko avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Musashi throws an elbow that misses. Matwijenko uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Musashi's guard. Nice move by Matwijenko!

Matwijenko slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Musashi is trying to control the position but Matwijenko postures up.
Iwan Matwijenko overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Matwijenko's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matwijenko is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Musashi wants to sweep but no luck.
Musashi pulls Matwijenko in to control the position.
Matwijenko throwing strikes but missing.
Matwijenko content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Matwijenko seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Matwijenko is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Musashi can do to turn this around?
Musashi bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Matwijenko's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Musashi is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Musashi trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Musashi has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Matwijenko is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Musashi is controlling him.
Musashi pushing down on Matwijenko's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Musashi missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Musashi is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Musashi thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Matwijenko's head.
Musashi not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Musashi throws a strike but Matwijenko avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Matwijenko preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Musashi throws a big right hand that misses.
Musashi trying to control but Matwijenko is working from the bottom.
Matwijenko wants to get back to his feet but Musashi is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Musashi scores with a takedown into Matwijenko's guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Musashi wants to control from the top but Matwijenko keeps moving.
Musashi throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Matwijenko works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Miyamoto Musashi will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Musashi is trying hard to land a takedown here. Matwijenko sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Musashi avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Musashi wants to clinch
enabling Matwijenko to counter with a crisp jab.
Musashi staying out of range there.
Musashi fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
As Musashi looks to move away, Matwijenko throws a big counter combo but Musashi just gets out of the way.
Matwijenko is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
A left lands for Matwijenko.

It looks like Miyamoto Musashi has been cut.
Musashi tries to clinch there but Matwijenko circles away.
Matwijenko throws a body punch but Musashi moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Musashi looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Matwijenko is fending him off so far but Musashi persists. Nope, Matwijenko circles away and we're back to standing.
Iwan Matwijenko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Miyamoto Musashi.
Musashi changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Matwijenko tries to avoid it but Musashi manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Matwijenko to the ground. Matwijenko escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Musashi tries to clinch but Matwijenko is having none of it.
Matwijenko swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
A big right from Matwijenko misses.
Musashi misses with a takedown attempt
and Matwijenko counters with a lovely shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Musashi ducks under a wild hook from Matwijenko.
Matwijenko stuffs the takedown.
Musashi takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Musashi is defended easily by Matwijenko.
Musashi blocks a jab.
Musashi changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Iwan Matwijenko is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Matwijenko will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Matwijenko throws a hook to the side of Musashi's head but Musashi sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Matwijenko sets himself, and Musashi steps forward looking for the clinch! Matwijenko avoids it this time.
Musashi tries to score a power double leg takedown but Matwijenko sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Musashi somewhat.
Matwijenko thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Musashi if he has to take too many more of those.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Matwijenko. No joy for Musashi on that attempt.
Musashi shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Matwijenko counters with a two punch combo.
Matwijenko cracks Musashi with a nasty uppercut that draws ooohs from the crowd and sends Musashi tumbling backwards onto the mat. He tries to recover but Matwijenko pounces and lands a hail of unanswered strikes that forces the referee to step in to end the fight! Musashi is not happy but he gave the referee no choice!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:23 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Iwan Matwijenko!
Iwan Matwijenko was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.