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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between JoJo Diaz (ranked 225 p4p, 442 weight class) and Usko Matonen (ranked 16 p4p, 27 weight class). Usko Matonen has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?
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| 177 cm
28
142
15 - 7 - 1 |
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165 cm
34
140
17 - 10 - 2 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, JoJo Diaz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 10 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Usko Matonen!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Colin Fotheringham and Chris Edwards.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Diaz scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Diaz throws a jab but it's blocked by Matonen.
Diaz displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Matonen throws out the jab.
Matonen on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Diaz lands with a straight right. Matonen didn't see that one coming.
Diaz connects with a solid leg kick.
Matonen moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
A punch lands to the side of Matonen 's head but he takes it in his stride.
A lazy body kick from Diaz
and Matonen cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
We've been informed that Matonen has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Diaz ducks under a wild hook from Matonen.
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!
Diaz throws out a powerful jab.
Matonen looks to throw the jab but Diaz is out of range.
Matonen cracks Diaz with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Diaz throws out a loose jab but Matonen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Diaz misses with a hook.
Matonen feints a counter leg kick.
Matonen throws a nice outside leg kick.
Diaz looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Matonen tries a low kick but Diaz avoids it.
The fighters circling - Diaz throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Matonen appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Matonen throws a right and a left that Diaz avoids nicely.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Matonen throws a quick inside leg kick.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Diaz 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 Matonen has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Matonen and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Diaz ducks under a wild hook from Matonen.
Diaz darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Matonen doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Diaz is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Diaz slips under a jab.
Diaz misses with an attempted mid kick.
Matonen throws a big counter head kick but Diaz avoids it with no problem.
Diaz ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Matonen moves away.
Diaz looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Diaz thumps Matonen with a low kick.
Diaz is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Matonen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Diaz.
Diaz connects with the punch.
Matonen ducks under a wild hook from Diaz.
Matonen on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Matonen fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Matonen throws a looping overhand right but Diaz ducks down to avoid it.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diaz ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Diaz lands the left hand.
Diaz is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Diaz fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Diaz throws a leg kick but Matonen checks it.
Diaz misses with a body shot.
Matonen blocks a leg kick.
Matonen gets a clinch.
Diaz jumps guard.
Diaz wants to sweep here but Matonen controlling him for the moment.
Matonen passes into half guard.
Diaz trying to get back to full guard but Matonen takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Matonen controlling from the full mount.
Diaz is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matonen takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Diaz wants to hold on but Matonen pushes him away.
Diaz tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Diaz slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Matonen prevents Diaz from improving his position.
Diaz is working hard here to advance position.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well, if Matonen is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Diaz is looking for a sweep. Matonen is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Matonen trying to mount his opponent but Diaz defends it.
Diaz trying to hold on to Matonen's head to control him but Matonen postures up.
Matonen perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Matonen prevents Diaz from improving his position.
Diaz trying to control from the bottom.
Matonen is controlling the pace.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
JoJo Diaz dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.
Diaz cracks Matonen with an open hand slap.
A low kick from Matonen misses
and Diaz counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Diaz checks the leg kick.
Matonen tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Diaz lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Matonen has taken the fight to the clinch.
Matonen misses with a body punch.
Diaz blocking some punches.
Diaz tries to pull guard but Matonen holds him up against the cage and eventually Diaz drops back down to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matonen's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Diaz checks a leg kick.
Matonen thows a left - swing and a miss!
Matonen blocks a low kick nicely.
Diaz buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Diaz loads up on a big right hand but Matonen slips the punch.
Diaz throws a head kick that Matonen semi-blocks.
JoJo Diaz is winning the standup battle so far.
Diaz is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Diaz misses with a looping left.
A left lands for Matonen.
A leg kick checked by Diaz.
Diaz throws a chopping leg kick but Matonen manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Diaz lands a leg kick that knocks Matonen off balance momentarily.
Diaz throws a leg kick that is checked
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
An inside leg kick from Diaz misses.
Diaz is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Matonen.
Matonen unleashes a big counter combination but Diaz bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Diaz scores with a nice head shot.
Diaz lands a really nice looking cross but Matonen seems unphased.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Diaz dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Diaz throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matonen avoids the body shot from Diaz.
Diaz looks to throw the jab but Matonen is out of range.
A jab from Diaz does it's job there.
Diaz swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Matonen darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Matonen on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Diaz. Diaz obviously looking to wear him down.
Diaz throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Diaz throws a quick inside leg kick.
Decent striking displayed by Diaz there.
JoJo Diaz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A telegraphed right hand from Diaz misses the target.
Matonen takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Matonen bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Diaz's head.
Diaz drops his hands momentarily and Matonen takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Good leg kick by Matonen.
Diaz moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Diaz lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz throws a big shot that misses.
A low kick lands for Matonen.
Matonen throws a head kick but Diaz moves out of range.
Matonen's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
A slow jab from Diaz misses its intended target.
Matonen closes the distance and clinches.
Diaz is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Matonen to keep the fight standing.
Matonen lands a shoulder strike.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Diaz.
Matonen leaning his opponent against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Matonen.
Matonen throws a punch but it's blocked by Diaz.
Diaz scores with a shoulder strike.
Matonen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Matonen goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Matonen lands a head kick!
Diaz connects with an inside leg kick.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Diaz 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 Matonen has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Matonen and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Matonen tries a head kick but it misses.
A big left from Diaz misses.
A low kick lands for Diaz.
Matonen takes one to the chin there.
Diaz lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Matonen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Diaz moves away.
A low kick lands for Diaz.
Diaz thumps Matonen with a low kick.
A good leg kick by Diaz.
Diaz lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Matonen attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
A chopping leg kick lands by Diaz.
Diaz lands with a thumping leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
JoJo Diaz dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!
Diaz thumps Matonen with a low kick.
Diaz throws a lazy uppercut
and Matonen counters with a leg kick.
Diaz moves out of range of the strikes.
Diaz scores with a sloppy right hand. Matonen should have avoided that one.
A nice leg kick from Diaz, right into the meat of the thigh.
Matonen staying out of range there.
Matonen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Diaz misses with a hook. Matonen ducked under it nicely.
An inside leg kick from Diaz misses.
Matonen checks a leg kick.
Matonen waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Diaz.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Decent striking displayed by Diaz there.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Diaz, as that shot connected.
Matonen throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Diaz throws a low kick, looking for Matonen's leg but Matonen calmly moves out of range.
Diaz finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz's corner calls for a 1-2. Diaz obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Diaz ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Diaz is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Matonen can do to turn this around?
Diaz connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Matonen's hands.
Matonen showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Diaz.
Diaz connects with the punch.
A bone on bone clash there as Matonen blocks the leg kick.
Diaz with a nice calf kick.
Diaz throws a hook but Matonen blocks it.
Matonen counters with a body kick.
A punch lands to the side of Matonen 's head but he takes it in his stride.
A swing and a miss from Diaz.
Matonen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Diaz throws out the jab.
Matonen uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Matonen scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Diaz is rocked!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Diaz with the inside leg kick.
Oh Diaz is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matonen takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Diaz seems to have got his legs back now.
Matonen steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Diaz.
Matonen misses with a head kick.
Diaz swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Diaz looks to land a right hand but Matonen moved out of range.
Diaz swings for the body but Matonen moves out of range.
Matonen shapes to counter with a head kick.
A big right from Matonen misses.
Diaz lands a nice shot that snaps Matonen's head back.
Matonen is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Usko Matonen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Diaz misses with a wild body shot.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Matonen! But no joy.
Diaz on the wrong end of a nice hook.
A slapping leg kick lands for Diaz.
Matonen has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Diaz throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Diaz connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
A solid leg kick lands there for Diaz.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matonen looks to land a left hand but Diaz moved out of range nicely.
Matonen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Diaz.
Matonen is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Diaz scores with a one two! Matonen had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Good leg kick by Matonen.
Diaz moves away from the strike by Matonen.
Diaz fires out a quick counter leg kick but Matonen just manages to avoid it.
Matonen with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Diaz lands an overhand right.
Diaz looks to throw the jab but Matonen is out of range.
Matonen on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Diaz fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Diaz fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Matonen is out of range.
Diaz motions for Matonen to come forward. Diaz throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Matonen walks into a jab.
Diaz listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Matonen avoids the head kick by Diaz.
Matonen lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matonen lands a nice shot that snaps Diaz's head back.
Diaz scores with a hook to the body. Matonen takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Matonen lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Diaz lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Diaz lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Diaz tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Diaz scores with a nice right hand.
Matonen's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Diaz connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Matonen scrambles back to his feet.
Diaz takes a jab right on the kisser.
Diaz fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Matonen manages to avoid it.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Matonen! But no joy.
Matonen stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Diaz.
Matonen looks to throw the jab but Diaz is out of range.
It looked like Diaz wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Matonen attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Diaz feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Matonen ducks right into an uppercut from Diaz.
A low kick lands for Diaz.
Diaz tries to land a leg kick but Matonen saw it coming and moves away.
And that's the end of the fight!
JoJo Diaz showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Diaz, 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 30:27
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 30:27
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... JoJo Diaz!
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
73% |
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