PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Toshi Matoshin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vesa Sykk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Matoshin comes into the arena with Mortal Kombat theme blaring out of the sound system. Sykk comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Rage Against The Machine - Killing In The Name kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Vesa Sykk told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Matoshin
vs
Sykk

180 cm
40
158 lbs
39 - 21 - 1

172 cm
36
155 lbs
33 - 19 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Sully's Bar & Grill

Aspire Clothing
Conviction

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 39 - 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 33 - 19 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Vesa Sykk!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Colin Fotheringham and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sykk lands a nice shot to the body.
Matoshin swings away with a body shot that misses
enabling Sykk to counter with a crisp jab.
Matoshin is looking to score with low kicks.

Matoshin moves into the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Sykk.
Sykk lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Matoshin scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Matoshin misses with a hook to the ribs.
A shot in the inside from Matoshin.
Matoshin goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
With the fighters up against the cage, Sykk throws an elbow but misses.
Sykk softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Matoshin fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Sykk fails to land.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Matoshin.
Matoshin throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Sykks head.
Sykk throws a punch but it's blocked by Matoshin.
Sykk lands a hook to the side of the head.
Sykk creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Sykk prevents a body shot from Matoshin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sykk working some nice short punches in the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Matoshin.
Matoshin is working for takedown but Sykk is calmly controlling the position for now.
Sykk misses with the head strike.
A head punch on the inside from Matoshin fails to land.
Matoshin working aggressively here.

Matoshin's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Matoshin rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
enabling Sykk to counter with a crisp jab.
Sykk fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Matoshin manages to avoid it.
Matoshin thumps Sykk with a low kick.
Sykk will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Matoshin uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sykk.
Sykk misses with a straight left.
Sykk walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Sykk misses with an uppercut.
Matoshin has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Hangar 18 in the buildup to the fight.
Sykk has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Matoshin.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Sykk.
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!
Matoshin bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sykk slips under a jab from Matoshin.

Sykk moves into the clinch.
Matoshin has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Sykk is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
A shot in the inside from Matoshin.
Sykk misses with the head strike.
Matoshin swings wildly with an uppercut but Sykk uses good head movement to avoid it.
Sykk lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Matoshin wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Matoshin lands a left hand that snaps the head of Sykk backwards.
Sykk creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Matoshin's defenses.

It looks like Toshi Matoshin has been cut.
Matoshin tries to throw a body punch but Sykk avoids it by throwing Matoshin back against the cage.
Matoshin swings wildly with an uppercut but Sykk uses good head movement to avoid it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Matoshin.
A head punch on the inside from Matoshin fails to land.
Matoshin lands a hook to the side of the head.
Matoshin blocks an elbow strike from Sykk.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sykk misses with some punches.
Nice body punch from Matoshin - that landed with a thud.
Sykk comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Matoshin scores with a nice hook to the head.
Matoshin blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Matoshin pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Sykk moves into range and connects with a jab.
Sykk pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Matoshin throws a hook to the side of Sykk's head but Sykk sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Sykk throws a body shot but no joy.
Sykk checks a low kick from Matoshin.
Matoshin jabs at Sykk's body.
Sykk throws a lazy right hand but Matoshin sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Sykk tries to clinch there but Matoshin circles away.
Matoshin wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Toshi Matoshin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sykk shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Matoshin throws the kick towards the body but Sykk avoids it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sykk tries a low kick but Matoshin avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matoshin paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Matoshin thumps Sykk with a low kick.
Matoshin punishes Sykk's body with a nice straight punch.
Sykk cracks Matoshin with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Nice body punch from Sykk.
A lazy left from Sykk finds it's target.
Matoshin throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Sykk uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Matoshin.
Matoshin throws a leg kick
and Sykk counters with an inside leg kick.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Sykk.
It looked like Matoshin wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Matoshin works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Matoshin misses with a hook to the body
and Sykk counters with a nice uppercut.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Jab by Sykk.
Sykk throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
An attempted straight right counter from Matoshin misses the target.
Sykk digs a good body shot into Matoshin's ribs.
Matoshin throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Vesa Sykk will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Toshi Matoshin'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.

A combination from Sykk does no damage.
Matoshin pivots, looking for a leg kick but Sykk is out of range and Matoshin settles back down.
Matoshin blocks a jab.
Sykk checks a low kick from Matoshin.
Matoshin throws an overhand right that lands on Sykk's shoulder, as Sykk tries to avoid the shot.
Sykk connects with a looping right hand.
Sykk needs to keep his hands up - Matoshin had a free shot at his head there.
Matoshin connects with a good right hand that stumbles Sykk. Sykk circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Matoshin scores with a hook.
Sykk lands with a thumping leg kick.
Sykk tries to clinch but Matoshin moves out of range.
Sykk fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Matoshin.
Matoshin lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sykk scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Matoshin doesn't seem bothered though.
Sykk takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

Sykk is rocked!
Matoshin throws out a powerful jab.
Sykk is still on wobbly legs! Can Matoshin finish him?

Sykk rushes Matoshin and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Matoshin is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sykk misses with a short punch on the inside.
Sykk prevents a body shot from Matoshin.
Matoshin doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Sykk tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Matoshin's elbow.
Sykk fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Sykk seems to have recovered his senses.
Sykk blocking some punches.
Sykk misses with a hook to the ribs.
Sykk swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Matoshin breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Sykk just misses with a punch to the body.
Sykk has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Matoshin tries to clinch there but Sykk circles away.
Matoshin throws a jab when Sykk was well out of range.
Matoshin is looking to score with low kicks.
Sykk throws a low kick but it's checked well by Matoshin.
Matoshin throws a body shot but no joy.
Matoshin just misses with a punch to the body.
Matoshin avoids a kick to the body.
Matoshin was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Matoshin 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sykk takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Nice jab there from Sykk.
Sykk comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Sykk throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Matoshin sees it coming and avoids it easily.
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!
Matoshin ducks under a wild hook from Sykk.
Sykk with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Sykk keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Matoshin tries to clinch but Sykk is having none of it.
Matoshin walks forward, straight into a front kick from Sykk.
Matoshin looks to score with a jab to the body but Sykk is just out of range.
That kick from Sykk tenderised Matoshin's leg. Matoshin is trying to keep his angry face on.
Matoshin looks to land a left hand but Sykk moved out of range nicely.
Sykk throws out a powerful jab.
Matoshin takes a body punch but keeps moving.
A big left from Matoshin misses.
Sykk lands a right hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sykk goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Matoshin gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Sykk keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Matoshin throws a hook but Sykk blocks it.
Matoshin connects with a body shot that sends Sykk's belly button to the back.
Sykk misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Matoshin.
Sykk lands a jab to Matoshin's midsection.
Matoshin lands a body shot.
A left lands for Sykk.
Sykk walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Matoshin checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Matoshin takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Sykk takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Matoshin staying out of range there.
Matoshin takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Sykk takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Matoshin lunges at Sykk with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Sykk's hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matoshin jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Matoshin thows a left - swing and a miss!
Matoshin checks a low kick from Sykk.
Matoshin swinging wildly here.
Matoshin slips a jab from Sykk.
Sykk misses the jab.
Vesa Sykk seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sykk avoids the body shot from Matoshin.
Sykk looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Matoshin throwing a counter right hand but Sykk manages to avoid it.
Sykk lands a nice looking body shot.
Matoshin slips a jab from Sykk.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sykk throws out a loose jab but Matoshin uses good head movement to avoid it.
Sykk looks to land a body kick but Matoshin moved away.
Matoshin throwing a counter right hand but Sykk manages to avoid it.
Nice defenses there by Matoshin.
Matoshin throws a body punch but Sykk moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vesa Sykk showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Toshi Matoshin's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Sykk gets a clinch.

Matoshin escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Matoshin missing with a left hand there. Sykk was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Sykk chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Matoshin can pounce on him.
Matoshin wants to slow Sykk down by chopping away at his legs.
Matoshin gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Sykk blocks a jab.
Sykk fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Matoshin manages to avoid it.
Matoshin throws a lazy uppercut
and Sykk counters with a straight right hand.
Sykk tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A big left from Matoshin misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matoshin needs to keep his hands up - Sykk had a free shot at his head there.
Sykk lands a nice shot that snaps Matoshin's head back.
Sykk checks the leg kick nicely there.
Sykk keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Matoshin misses with a wild body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Matoshin moves forwards but Sykk connects with a nice, crisp jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matoshin motions for Sykk to come forward. Matoshin throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Sykk counters with a body kick.
Sykk throws a jab when Matoshin was well out of range.
Matoshin cracks a nice hook into Sykk's ribs.
A low kick from Matoshin is predictable there
and Sykk counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Sykk throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Matoshin sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Matoshin tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sykk was well out of range. Poor timing from Matoshin.
Matoshin blocks a jab.
Sykk thows a left - swing and a miss!
Sykk checks the leg kick nicely there.
Matoshin will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Sykk moves out of range as Matoshin strikes.
Matoshin takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
A chopping leg kick lands by Matoshin.
Sykk scores with a shot to the body.
Matoshin throws a hook but Sykk avoids it easily.
Sykk swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Toshi Matoshin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matoshin uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sykk.
Matoshin throws a hook to the side of Sykk's head but Sykk sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Matoshin loads up on a big right hand but Sykk slips the punch.
Matoshin looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Matoshin wants to clinch up but Sykk keeps it at a distance.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Matoshin misses the shot to the body.
Matoshin connects with a solid leg kick.
Matoshin misses with a straight right.
Matoshin thows a leg kick but Sykk checks it
and Sykk counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Sykk avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
And Sykk responds with a good body kick, but Matoshin manages to step out the way in time.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sykk. Matoshin does a little dance to reset his feet.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Matoshin 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 Sykk has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Sykk and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Sykk jabs Matoshin to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Matoshin has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Sykk.
Matoshin fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Sykk is out of range.
Good standup being displayed there by Matoshin as he connects with a hook.
Matoshin takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A solid leg kick lands there for Matoshin.
That kick from Sykk tenderised Matoshin's leg. Matoshin is trying to keep his angry face on.
Sykk misses with a body kick.
Matoshin swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Sykk throws a half hearted mid kick.
Matoshin takes a swing at Sykk's ribcage but misses.
Sykk works Matoshin's body with a nice hook.
Sykk displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Matoshin throws out the jab.
Sykk stalks Matoshin and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Matoshin's face. Matoshin staggers backwards, shaken.
Vesa Sykk is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Matoshin is rocked!
Matoshin tries to clinch but Sykk is having none of it.
Matoshin stuns Sykk with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Matoshin changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
The fighters circling - Matoshin throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A big left from Matoshin misses.
Sykk steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Sykk lands a jab to Matoshin's midsection.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Matoshin dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matoshin scoring well with a low kick there.
Matoshin throws the left hand but Sykk avoids the punch easily.
Sykk throws a body punch but Matoshin moves out of range.
Sykk connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Sykk misses with an attempted mid kick.
Good shot there by Sykk.
Sykk lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
An inside leg kick lands from Sykk.
Matoshin throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Sykk.
Sykk scores with a shot to the body.
Sykk lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Matoshin at a distance.
Matoshin fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Matoshin misses with an uppercut.
Sykk tries a quick counter leg kick but Matoshin is wise to it.
Matoshin lands a nice looking body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vesa Sykk comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Sykk has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Donald Grub scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vesa Sykk!
Vesa Sykk bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.