PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Toshi Matoshin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexandr Nikitin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Matoshin comes to the cage accompanied by Mortal Kombat theme. Nikitin has chosen Smack My Bitch Up as his entrance music. Alexandr Nikitin has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Toshi Matoshin's chin.

Matoshin
vs
Nikitin

180 cm
39
158 lbs
38 - 21 - 1

170 cm
32
168 lbs
20 - 19 - 5

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

MayheM sportswear
Sully's Bar & Grill

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 38 - 21 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Toshi Matoshin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 19 - 5, fighting out of Hilo, Alexandr Nikitin!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Daniel Bishop and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matoshin with a jab.
Nikitin has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Nikitin connects with a body shot.
Nikitin fails with a takedown attempt.
Matoshin fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Nikitin has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Matoshin scores with a decent looking hook.
Matoshin attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Nikitin replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Matoshin blocks it well.
Matoshin avoids the body shot from Nikitin.
Matoshin is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Nikitin.
A nice side step and Nikitin releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Nikitin with a poor takedown
and Matoshin cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Nikitin swings for the body but Matoshin moves out of range.
Matoshin looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Matoshin fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Nikitin throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nikitin throws a body shot but no joy.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Matoshin.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Matoshin catches Nikitin with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matoshin throws a jab when Nikitin was well out of range.
Nikitin now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Matoshin wants to clinch.
Nikitin ducks under a wild hook from Matoshin.
Matoshin has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Hangar 18 in the buildup to the fight.
Nikitin bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A head kick misses from Matoshin.
Matoshin uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Nikitin has time to react.
Matoshin throws a chopping leg kick but Nikitin manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Matoshin looks to land a left hand but Nikitin moved out of range nicely.
Matoshin uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Nikitin.
Nikitin lands a nice shot to the body.
Matoshin throws a leg kick that is checked
and Nikitin counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Matoshin throws a hook but Nikitin blocks it.
Nikitin misses with a body shot.
Matoshin avoids the body shot from Nikitin.
An inside leg kick lands from Matoshin.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nikitin slips a jab from Matoshin.
Nikitin thuds his right hand into Matoshin's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Matoshin lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Nikitin with a poor takedown
and Matoshin counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Toshi Matoshin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexandr Nikitin.
Matoshin misses with a looping right.
Matoshin doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Nikitin takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Matoshin swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Nikitin.
Matoshin misses with a right hand
and Nikitin counters with a right hand to the body.
Nikitin shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Toshi Matoshin is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Matoshin comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Nikitin misses with a body shot.
Nikitin scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Matoshin misses with a hook.

Matoshin gets a clinch.
Nikitin lands a body shot in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikitin trying to control the position but instead, Matoshin has worked for underhooks and has pushed Nikitin into the cage.
Matoshin softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Matoshin lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Nikitin backwards.
Matoshin tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Matoshin lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Nikitin or not.
Matoshin blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Nikitin misses with a short punch on the inside.
Nikitin will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Matoshin up against the cage.
Matoshin pushes Nikitin back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Nikitin tries to work over Matoshin's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Matoshin swings wildly with an uppercut but Nikitin uses good head movement to avoid it.
Matoshin drops down looking for an ankle pick but Nikitin pulls his leg out and moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikitin lands a right hook to the body.
Nice takedown defense from Matoshin. No joy for Nikitin on that attempt.
Nikitin circles away from the clinch attempt

and Nikitin counters with a shoot takedown. Matoshin fights it but they end up in guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Matoshin controlling Nikitin's posture.
Nikitin trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Matoshin manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Nikitin manages to get himself to full guard.

Nikitin is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Nikitin is controlling Matoshin's posture.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Toshi Matoshin dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Nikitin swings for the body but Matoshin moves out of range.
Nikitin tries to move into range but Matoshin moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Nikitin swings for the body but Matoshin moves out of range.
Nikitin tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Nikitin fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Matoshin manages to avoid it.
Nikitin stuns Matoshin with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Matoshin lands a nice shot to the body.
Nikitin moves out of range of the body kick from Matoshin.
Matoshin just misses with a punch to the body.
Nikitin throws a right and a left that Matoshin avoids nicely.
Matoshin fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matoshin just misses with a punch to the body.
Nice body punch from Nikitin.
Matoshin works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Matoshin is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
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!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Nikitin is defended easily by Matoshin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikitin walks into a jab.
Nikitin is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Matoshin rather than just go for the knockout.
A slapping leg kick lands for Matoshin.
Matoshin takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Nikitin lands a jab.
Matoshin scores with a jab to the jaw.
Matoshin misses with a low kick as Nikitin jumps back.
Nice straight punches there by Matoshin. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Matoshin.
Matoshin connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Nikitin momentarily.
Matoshin throws a low kick, looking for Nikitin's leg but Nikitin calmly moves out of range.
Matoshin jabs Nikitin to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Matoshin misses with a hook.
Matoshin throws a looping overhand right but Nikitin ducks down to avoid it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Matoshin throws a jab but it's blocked by Nikitin.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nikitin has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Matoshin.
Nikitin stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Nikitin looks to score with a jab to the body but Matoshin is just out of range.
Matoshin with a hook.
Nikitin wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Matoshin takes a swing at Nikitin's ribcage but misses.
Nikitin fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Matoshin looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
A low kick from Matoshin misses
and Nikitin counters with a nice low kick that buckles Matoshin's knee momentarily.
Matoshin lands with a nice body punch.
Matoshin misses with a hook. Nikitin ducked under it nicely.
Matoshin closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Nice uppercut lands for Matoshin. That snapped Nikitin's head back.
Nikitin misses the shot to the body.
Toshi Matoshin is winning the standup battle so far.
Matoshin avoids the body shot from Nikitin.
Matoshin misses with a straight right.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matoshin swings away with a body shot that misses
and Nikitin cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Matoshin misses with an uppercut. Nikitin saw that one coming.
Nikitin lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Matoshin looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Nikitin waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Matoshin.
Matoshin fires out a quick counter leg kick but Nikitin just manages to avoid it.
Matoshin throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nikitin throws a hook but Matoshin avoids it easily.
It looked like Matoshin wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
A bone on bone clash there as Matoshin blocks the leg kick.
Matoshin closes the distance and lands a one-two.
A looping hook to the body misses from Matoshin. Nikitin does a little dance to reset his feet.
A shot to the body from Nikitin misses
and Matoshin counters with a nice uppercut.
Matoshin is looking to clinch.
Matoshin misses the body punch
and Nikitin counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nikitin gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
letting Matoshin counter with a right hand.
Matoshin fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nikitin manages to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Matoshin throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nikitin let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Matoshin jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nikitin dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Nikitin shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Nikitin is looking to take a break and control but Matoshin is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Matoshin trying to control here.
Nikitin is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Matoshin trying to hold on to Nikitin's head to control him but Nikitin postures up.
Nikitin wants to lay and pray for a moment but Matoshin keeps working.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Toshi Matoshin 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. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Matoshin misses with a hook. Nikitin ducked under it nicely.
Nikitin defending well as Matoshin loads up on a big left hand.
Nikitin now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Nikitin wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Nikitin shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Matoshin connects with an inside leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nikitin. Matoshin does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nikitin's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Matoshin moves into range and connects with a jab.
Nikitin misses the body punch
and Matoshin counters with a nice uppercut.
Nikitin lands a body shot.
Nikitin swings for the body but Matoshin moves out of range.
Nikitin misses the shot to the body.
Matoshin throws a big counter combination but Nikitin scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Nikitin circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nikitin appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Toshi Matoshin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nikitin keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nikitin explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Nikitin misses with a looping right.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Nikitin decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikitin with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Matoshin is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Nikitin trying to control the action but Matoshin is working from the bottom.
Matoshin wants to control but Nikitin is keeping busy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Matoshin tries to roll over but Nikitin keeps him under control.
Alexandr Nikitin has got the better of the ground game so far.
Nikitin is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Nikitin thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Matoshin trying to control from the bottom.
Matoshin keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Matoshin trying to hold on to Nikitin's head to control him but Nikitin postures up.

That's two 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.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Nikitin lands a nice short elbow.
Matoshin is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Nikitin's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Nikitin's back!
Matoshin has the hooks in. Nikitin is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Matoshin is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
Nikitin rolls, trying to escape but Matoshin keeps control of the position.
Nikitin is still trying to improve position.
Matoshin throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.
Matoshin has good solid back control here.
Alexandr Nikitin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Matoshin struggling to keep hold of the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikitin is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Nikitin trying to control the position but Matoshin manages to sink in the hooks.
Matoshin tries to get the hooks in deep but Nikitin pushed the leg off.
Matoshin is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Nikitin's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Matoshin tries to get the hooks in deep but Nikitin pushed the leg off.
Matoshin keeps control of the position easily here as Nikitin tries to buck him off.
Nikitin controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad spot.
Nikitin trying to control but not successfully.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
A lull in the action here.

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 Toshi Matoshin.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Matoshin, 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 William Gold scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 30:27
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Toshi Matoshin!
Toshi Matoshin took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, Pearson Specter Litt for their support in the buildup to the fight.