PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Paavo Matinheimo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Keijo Kanki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Keijo Kanki has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Matinheimo
vs
Kanki

177 cm
19
186 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

188 cm
22
192 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Takomo

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Paavo Matinheimo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Keijo Kanki!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Matti Vanhoillinen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matinheimo moves out of range of the body kick from Kanki.
A big right from Matinheimo misses.
Kanki fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Matinheimo lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Matinheimo.

It looks like Keijo Kanki has been cut.
Matinheimo throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Kanki scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Kanki wants to get back to his feet.
Kanki is thwarting Matinheimo's attempts to control the position.
Matinheimo gets full guard.
Matinheimo keeping full guard, as Kanki tries to pass.
Matinheimo looking for a sweep. Not yet Matinheimo, not yet.

Matinheimo working for a triangle but Kanki defends it easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kanki preventing the sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Matinheimo had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Kanki is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Matinheimo Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Kanki's back instead.
Oooh a big shot gets through from Matinheimo. Many more shots like that and the referee will have to think about stepping in!
Matinheimo doesn't have the hooks in and Kanki manages to turn into his guard.
Matinheimo not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Kanki preventing the sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Kanki is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Kanki has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Matinheimo is proving hard to escape from.
Matinheimo not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Matinheimo keeping full guard, as Kanki tries to pass.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Matinheimo looks to land a right hand but Kanki moved out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Matinheimo will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kanki rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Matinheimo moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Matinheimo throws a combination that misses

and Kanki counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Matinheimo!
Matinheimo might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Matinheimo is breathing heavily.

Kanki is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Matinheimo looks to land a combination but Kanki avoids it well.
Nice cross by Matinheimo.

Kanki changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Matinheimo looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Kanki is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Matinheimo knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Kanki working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Matinheimo manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Kanki avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Matinheimo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kanki has hold of Matinheimo's hands but Matinheimo slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Kanki keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Matinheimo seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Matinheimo trying to control from half guard but Kanki is working away.

Matinheimo is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Kanki looking for submissions off his back.
Kanki slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Kanki working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Matinheimo.

Kanki had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Matinheimo is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Kanki Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Matinheimo's back instead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Kanki is not going to allow Matinheimo to sit and survive in this position.
Kanki is trying to stick to Matinheimo's back but Matinheimo is turning into Kanki. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Kanki's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Matinheimo.
Kanki keeping moving, preventing Matinheimo from controlling successfully.

Kanki working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Matinheimo doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Matinheimo manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Matinheimo throws a big right hand that misses.

Kanki is looking for a triangle but Matinheimo pushes his legs off easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Matinheimo controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Matinheimo with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Keijo Kanki dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Keijo Kanki's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kanki takes one to the chin there.
Matinheimo scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
A punch combination from Matinheimo misses.

Kanki decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Matinheimo trying to control from the bottom.
Matinheimo makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Matinheimo.
Kanki sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Matinheimo's guard.
Matinheimo trying to control from the bottom.
Matinheimo wants to improve his position but Kanki is controlling well.
Matinheimo makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Matinheimo.
Kanki preventing the sweep.
Kanki trying to control the position from guard on top but Matinheimo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Kanki drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Kanki jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kanki stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Matinheimo swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Kanki moves out of range of the strikes.
Matinheimo misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kanki has a takedown stuffed.
Matinheimo misses with a straight left.
Matinheimo swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kanki tries for a takedown but Matinheimo sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Kanki misses with a body kick.
Matinheimo thows a body shot but no joy.

Kanki darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Kanki is working for a submission of some sort.
Matinheimo moves into full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matinheimo has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

Kanki drops back looking for a leg! Matinheimo is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Matinheimo manages to kick Kanki off! Kanki jumps back into Matinheimo's guard.

Matinheimo looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Matinheimo thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Matinheimo can't keep his opponent in guard - Kanki advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Kanki is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matinheimo flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.

Kanki seems to be working for a kimura but Matinheimo defends the submission attempt.
Matinheimo controlling the position well.
Matinheimo wants to get back to his feet.
Matinheimo wants to get back to full guard.
Kanki wants to free his trapped foot but Matinheimo is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Matinheimo flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Matinheimo thuds his right hand into Kanki's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Matinheimo swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

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.
Kanki avoids a punch combination nicely.
Matinheimo pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

Kanki moves into the clinch.
Kanki jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Matinheimo walks away with a smile on his face. Kanki gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Paavo Matinheimo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Keijo Kanki.
Kanki works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Matinheimo throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Kanki rushes Matinheimo and presses him up against the cage.
Matinheimo is pressed up against the cage. Kanki has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Matinheimo down to the mat. Matinheimo avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Matinheimo blocks a head kick by Kanki.

Kanki looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Matinheimo can't keep his opponent in guard - Kanki advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Kanki is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Kanki looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Keijo Kanki showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Keijo Kanki's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! 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.

Jab by Matinheimo.
Matinheimo thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kanki shoots in but Matinheimo avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Paavo Matinheimo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A punch combination from Matinheimo misses.
Matinheimo misses with an uppercut. Kanki saw that one coming.
Kanki on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

Kanki looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Matinheimo is defending against the submission attempts here by Kanki.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kanki blocks the strikes from Matinheimo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kanki trying to mount his opponent but Matinheimo defends it.
Matinheimo moves into full guard.

Kanki is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Matinheimo is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Matinheimo has escaped and now he's on top!
Matinheimo distracts Kanki with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Matinheimo trying to control but Kanki is working from the bottom.
Kanki avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Matinheimo advances position into side control!
Kanki tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Matinheimo presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Matinheimo cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matinheimo lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Kanki hang on?
Matinheimo lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Matinheimo wants to control the pace but Kanki is squirming around nicely.
Matinheimo scoring with strikes but Kanki is staying in there.
Matinheimo prevents Kanki from getting the reversal.
Kanki is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Keijo Kanki has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kanki tries to buck Matinheimo off but he can't manage it.
Matinheimo landing punches.
A nice elbow there by Matinheimo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matinheimo punishing his opponent with strikes.
Kanki wants to hold on but Matinheimo pushes him away.
Matinheimo looking to finish Kanki with some ground and pound. This is bad for Kanki!
Kanki is squirming around, avoiding Matinheimo's attempts to control the action.
Matinheimo landing strikes from the mount.
Matinheimo has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Kanki's face.
Matinheimo has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Kanki's face.
Matinheimo fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
You get the feeling that Kanki really doesn't like being in this position too much.
The referee warns Kanki that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Matinheimo scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Kanki?
Matinheimo looking to finish Kanki with some ground and pound. This is bad for Kanki!
Matinheimo prevents Kanki from getting the reversal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matinheimo sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Matinheimo lands a big elbow.
Kanki keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Paavo Matinheimo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Matinheimo unloading with bombs!
Kanki is working to get back to half guard.
Keijo Kanki is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kanki is trying to get back to his feet but can't.

And that's the end of the fight!
Paavo Matinheimo showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kanki has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 28:29
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Keijo Kanki!