PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Matti Meikalainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marcus Fenix (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.

Meikalainen
vs
Fenix

197 cm
35
250 lbs
26 - 18 - 0

197 cm
37
248 lbs
34 - 26 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Powerful

Perkele!

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 26 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Matti Meikalainen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 34 - 26 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Marcus Fenix!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fenix loads up on a big right hand but Meikalainen slips the punch.
Meikalainen seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Fenix throws out a loose jab but Meikalainen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Fenix throws a body shot but no joy.
Meikalainen has been working on his boxing with his coaches at The Coffee Shop in the buildup to the fight.
Fenix avoids the head kick by Meikalainen.
Fenix checks a leg kick.
Matti Meikalainen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Meikalainen misses with a body shot
and Fenix counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A head kick by Meikalainen misses

and Fenix counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Meikalainen!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Meikalainen is trying to get back to half guard.
Fenix landing strikes.
Meikalainen is looking for a sweep.
Meikalainen defending against the ground and pound.
Check out the look on Fenix's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Meikalainen is trying to control Fenix's posture but Fenix avoids it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fenix working the head with strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Meikalainen is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Fenix tries to score with some ground and pound. Meikalainen controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Fenix tries to score with some ground and pound. Meikalainen controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Fenix landing strikes.
Meikalainen dodges the ground and pound from Fenix.
Fenix landing strikes.
Meikalainen tries to bench press Fenix off him but Fenix keeps the position.
Meikalainen is working hard here to advance position.
Who's going to make the next move?
Meikalainen struggling a bit here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fenix cracks Meikalainen with a big elbow.
Fenix lands a few punches from side control.
Meikalainen takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Meikalainen is pushing Fenix's head away, looking to escape. Fenix manages to hold on to the position though.
Fenix lands a nice forearm strike.
Who's going to make the next move?
Meikalainen manages to get back to half guard.

Fenix is working for a kimura but Meikalainen is defending it quite comfortably.
Meikalainen tries to roll over but Fenix keeps him under control.
Meikalainen blocking the ground and pound attempt from Fenix.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Meikalainen is trying to maintain the position but Fenix is very close to passing his half guard.
Meikalainen is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Meikalainen gets full guard.
Meikalainen looking to control.
Meikalainen working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Fenix.
Fenix chips away with some ground and pound.
Meikalainen working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Fenix.
Fenix lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Fenix trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Fenix trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Meikalainen seems keen to control Fenix's posture.
Fenix trying to control the position from guard on top but Meikalainen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Meikalainen looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Meikalainen looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Fenix stopping the sweep attempt from Meikalainen.
Fenix has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Fenix is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Fenix stopping the sweep attempt from Meikalainen.
Fenix postures up.
Fenix not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Meikalainen thows a leg kick but Fenix checks it
and Fenix cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Meikalainen takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Meikalainen tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Fenix paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Fenix wants to counter with a clinch but Meikalainen pushes him away.
Fenix lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcus Fenix dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Meikalainen throws an overhand right that lands on Fenix's shoulder, as Fenix tries to avoid the shot.
Meikalainen scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Fenix doesn't seem bothered though.
Meikalainen tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Fenix counters with a shoot takedown. Meikalainen fights it but they end up in guard.
Fenix postures up.
Meikalainen is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Fenix wants to control from the top but Meikalainen keeps moving.
Meikalainen manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Fenix manages to get himself to full guard.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fenix being controlled here, momentarily.
Marcus Fenix has got the better of the ground game so far.
Fenix looking to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Meikalainen looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Meikalainen slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Meikalainen tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Meikalainen trying to control the position but Fenix is working away.
Fenix has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Meikalainen wants to control for a moment but Fenix uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Fenix looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Fenix trying to control from the bottom.
Meikalainen is pressing down on Fenix's thigh, looking to free his foot. Fenix is holding on for now.
Meikalainen content to control rather than advance.
Fenix controlling the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Meikalainen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Fenix keeps working.
Meikalainen performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Meikalainen swings for the body but Fenix moves out of range.
Meikalainen misses with a low kick.
Fenix swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Meikalainen finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Meikalainen tries to close the distance and clinch up but Fenix swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Fenix looks for a takedown but Meikalainen sprawls well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Meikalainen throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Meikalainen scores with a three punch combo!
Fenix keeps the fight on the outside.

Meikalainen closes the distance and clinches.
Fenix blocks a body shot from Meikalainen.
Meikalainen taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Fenix tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Meikalainen's elbow.
Meikalainen lands a right hand.
A frustrated look appears on Fenix's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Fenix misses with a body punch.
Meikalainen is trying to stall.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Fenix blocks a body shot from Meikalainen.
Fenix blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Fenix goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matti Meikalainen dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Meikalainen throws a front kick aimed at Fenix's knee but Fenix avoids it well.
Fenix 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.
Meikalainen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Fenix ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Fenix throws a head kick but Meikalainen moves out of range.
Fenix misses with a head kick.
Meikalainen throws a nice inside leg kick.
Fenix keeps the fight on the outside.
Meikalainen is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Meikalainen throws a body punch but Fenix moves out of range.
Meikalainen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Fenix fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
A big right from Meikalainen misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Meikalainen misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Fenix connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Fenix wants to clinch.
Fenix lands with a straight right. Meikalainen didn't see that one coming.
Fenix avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Marcus Fenix seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Meikalainen works over Fenix's head and body with a nice combination.

It looks like Marcus Fenix has been cut.
Meikalainen connects with a leg kick. Fenix looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

Meikalainen rushes Fenix and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Fenix stalling the fight.
Meikalainen stalling.
Meikalainen lands a left hand.
Fenix has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Meikalainen seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Fenix can turn it around.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A body shot lands from Fenix.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A right handed body shot lands from Fenix.
Fenix just leaning against Meikalainen, taking a breather.
Meikalainen misses with the head strike.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Fenix escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Good leg kick by Meikalainen there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Meikalainen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Fenix manages to avoid it.
Meikalainen tries to clinch
and Fenix counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Meikalainen thinking.
A big right from Fenix misses.
Meikalainen blocks a jab.
Meikalainen connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Fenix feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Meikalainens jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Meikalainen swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Fenix counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Fenix moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fenix keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Meikalainen tries to clinch there but Fenix circles away.
Fenix takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Meikalainen cracks a nice hook into Fenix's ribs.
Fenix swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Fenix just misses with a punch to the body.
Meikalainen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Fenix doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Good shot there by Fenix.
Fenix keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Meikalainen takes the fight into the clinch.
Meikalainen blocks an uppercut.
Meikalainen's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fenix swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Fenix leaning his opponent against the cage.
Fenix fails to pull guard.
Meikalainen taking a breather.
Fenix working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Meikalainen has Fenix pushed against the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Meikalainen.
Meikalainen is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Meikalainen stalling the fight.
Meikalainen pressing his opponent against the cage.
Meikalainen seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.

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 Matti Meikalainen.
I think Meikalainen has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Matti Meikalainen!
Matti Meikalainen decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.