PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jallu Pesonen (ranked 63 p4p, 24 weight class) and Futoshi Matsunaga (ranked 8 p4p, 3 weight class). Pesonen comes into the arena with DJ Orkidea - Joutsenlaulu blaring out of the sound system. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Pesonen
vs
Matsunaga

165 cm
36
151
25 - 16 - 1

170 cm
34
145
32 - 14 - 2

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing
Urban Fighter

Aspire Clothing
SynCity Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 16 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jallu Pesonen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 32 - 14 - 2, fighting out of New York, Futoshi Matsunaga!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Phil Schofield and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matsunaga scores with a body shot.
Matsunaga slips under a jab.
A big right from Matsunaga misses.
Matsunaga misses with a low kick.
Pesonen fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
We've been hearing reports that Pesonen has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Pesonen throws a hook to the side of Matsunaga's head but Matsunaga sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Matsunaga lands a nice shot that snaps Pesonen's head back.
Matsunaga lands with a thumping leg kick.
Pesonen moves out of range as Matsunaga strikes.
Pesonen connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Matsunaga momentarily.
Matsunaga tries a head kick but it misses.
Matsunaga throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Matsunaga misses with an attempted mid kick.
Matsunaga shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Matsunaga walks into a straight right hand from Pesonen.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Matsunaga jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Pesonen throws a shot from downtown. Matsunaga moves away and avoids it.
A little jabbing left from Matsunaga on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Pesonen shoots in for a takedown but Matsunaga shows good takedown defense.
Pesonen works over Matsunaga's head and body with a nice combination.
Matsunaga connects with a single shot there.
A leg kick checked by Matsunaga.
Matsunaga lands a nice looking kick to the body. Pesonen takes a step back to recover.
Pesonen loads up on a big right hand but Matsunaga slips the punch.
Matsunaga throws out a counter right but Pesonen avoids it with no problem.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsunaga connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Matsunaga misses with a hook.
Matsunaga throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A little feinted left hand from Pesonen on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
A big left from Pesonen misses.
Matsunaga scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Pesonen has a takedown stuffed.

Pesonen shoots in and bounces Matsunaga off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Matsunaga utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Matsunaga looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Matsunaga tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Matsunaga is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Pesonen defends well.

Matsunaga is looking for a triangle but Pesonen pushes his legs off easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pesonen lands a couple of digs.
Matsunaga wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Pesonen manages to pass to side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Pesonen is trying to control. Matsunaga wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Matsunaga trying to control but Pesonen postures up.
Pesonen is trying to control the action in half guard but Matsunaga is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Matsunaga wants to control but Pesonen is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Pesonen lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Pesonen not doing much here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pesonen lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Pesonen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Matsunaga keeps working.
Matsunaga is looking to improve his position.
Pesonen scoring with strikes to the body and head.

Matsunaga looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Matsunaga actively working from the bottom here.
Pesonen prevents Matsunaga from improving his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pesonen has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Matsunaga is looking to get to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Pesonen cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Pesonen raining down hammerfists from mount.
Matsunaga is wriggling around trying to escape.
Pesonen working Matsunaga over with strikes here.
Matsunaga tries to reverse the position but Pesonen maintains control.
Matsunaga sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Matsunaga is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Pesonen pulls his head out easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Pesonen shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Pesonen uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Matsunaga.
Matsunaga misses with an uppercut. Pesonen saw that one coming.
Matsunaga misses with a series of wild punches.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
A cross from Pesonen lands.
Matsunaga throws a looping overhand right but Pesonen ducks down to avoid it.
Pesonen stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Matsunaga.
Matsunaga throws a jab but it's blocked by Pesonen.
Matsunaga slips under a jab from Pesonen.
Pesonen throws the left hand but Matsunaga avoids the punch easily.
Matsunaga slips under a jab.
Matsunaga misses with an uppercut. Pesonen saw that one coming.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matsunaga scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Pesonen fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Pesonen ducks under a wild hook from Matsunaga.
A slow jab from Pesonen misses its intended target.
Matsunaga throws a lazy right hand but Pesonen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps 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!
Pesonen connects with a leg kick.
Matsunaga throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Pesonen appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsunaga fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Pesonen manages to avoid it.
Pesonen lands a jab to the nose.
Pesonen avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Matsunaga. Pesonen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Pesonen misses with an uppercut. Matsunaga saw that one coming.
Pesonen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Matsunaga.
Matsunaga only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Matsunaga dodges the punch combination from Pesonen.
Pesonen misses with an uppercut.
Pesonen moves into range and connects with a jab.
Pesonen lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Matsunaga staying out of range there.
Matsunaga misses with a hook.
Futoshi Matsunaga seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Pesonen jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Matsunaga misses with a body kick.
Pesonen throws a big shot that misses.
Matsunaga cracks Pesonen with an open hand slap.
Matsunaga throws a nice inside leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Pesonen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pesonen ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Pesonen was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Pesonen tries to bum rush Matsunaga with a series of wild strikes but Matsunaga uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A little jabbing left from Matsunaga on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Matsunaga misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Pesonen.
Matsunaga chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Matsunaga lands a body shot.
Pesonen on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Pesonen throws the left hand but Matsunaga avoids the punch easily.
Futoshi Matsunaga is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Matsunaga slips under a jab from Pesonen.
Pesonen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Matsunaga.
Matsunaga throws a poor cross that misses
and Pesonen counters with an outside leg kick.
A combination from Matsunaga does no damage.
Pesonen throws a hook to the side of Matsunaga's head but Matsunaga sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Matsunaga displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Pesonen throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
And Matsunaga responds with a good body kick, but Pesonen manages to step out the way in time.
Pesonen staying out of range there.
Matsunaga avoids the body shot from Pesonen.
Pesonen fails to land the takedown.
A jab from Matsunaga misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pesonen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Matsunaga manages to avoid it.
Pesonen misses with a hook. Matsunaga ducked under it nicely.
Pesonen thows a left - swing and a miss!
Pesonen looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Matsunaga just misses with a punch to the body.
Matsunaga throws a sloppy head kick and Pesonen moves out of range easily.
Matsunaga throws a hook but Pesonen avoids it easily.
Matsunaga uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Pesonen.
Matsunaga throws a hook but Pesonen blocks it.
Matsunaga bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Matsunaga throws a sloppy head kick and Pesonen moves out of range easily.
Matsunaga ducks under a wild hook from Pesonen.
Pesonen moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromMatsunaga.
Pesonen gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Pesonen misses with a two punch combination.
Pesonen works Matsunaga's body with a nice hook.
Matsunaga misses with a body shot.
Pesonen has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Pesonen there as he acknowledges the shot.
Pesonen lands a body shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Matsunaga with a nice cross.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Pesonen.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jallu Pesonen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pesonen throws a leg kick but Matsunaga moved away.
Matsunaga thinks about the counter body kick.
Pesonen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Pesonen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Pesonen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Matsunaga.
Pesonen scores with a shot to the body.
Pesonen checks a leg kick.
Pesonen fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Matsunaga has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Pesonen throws a front kick aimed at Matsunaga's knee but Matsunaga avoids it well.
Pesonen stuns Matsunaga with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Pesonen throws a right hand that Matsunaga ducks under and follows up with a left that Matsunaga also avoids with ease.
Pesonen misses with a looping left.
A big left from Pesonen misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Matsunaga looks to land a left hand but Pesonen moved out of range nicely.
Pesonen lands a jab to the head.
Pesonen fails with a takedown attempt.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Jallu Pesonen will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

A slow jab from Matsunaga misses its intended target.
Pesonen throws a push kick but Matsunaga slaps the foot to one side.
Matsunaga looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Nice body punch from Pesonen.
Pesonen blocks a head kick by Matsunaga.

Pesonen looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Matsunaga!

Matsunaga bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Matsunaga keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Pesonen gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Jab by Matsunaga.
Pesonen throws a right hand that Matsunaga ducks under and follows up with a left that Matsunaga also avoids with ease.
Nice defenses there by Pesonen.
Pesonen was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Matsunaga blocks a jab.
Pesonen throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Pesonen misses with a series of wild punches.
Matsunaga swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
A slow jab from Pesonen misses its intended target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsunaga scores with a body shot.
Pesonen looks to score with a jab to the body but Matsunaga is just out of range.
Nice straight punches there by Pesonen. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Pesonen.
Matsunaga lands a jab to Pesonen's midsection.
Matsunaga loads up on a big right hand but Pesonen slips the punch.

Pesonen looking to score a takedown here. Matsunaga is defending well but Pesonen drives through and ends up in Matsunaga's guard.

Matsunaga looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Pesonen working some strikes from top position.
Pesonen working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Matsunaga has momentary wrist control but Pesonen slips an elbow through the middle.
Jallu Pesonen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Pesonen avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Matsunaga has his foot on Pesonen's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Pesonen works his way back into a safe position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pesonen working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Matsunaga's head.
Pesonen distracts Matsunaga with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Matsunaga is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Pesonen makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Matsunaga looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Pesonen passes into half guard.
Matsunaga is staying active underneath Pesonen, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Pesonen lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

Matsunaga looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Matsunaga is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Pesonen pulls his head out easily.
Pesonen lands with a punch from half guard.
Matsunaga is trying to control but can't.
Pesonen with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Pesonen lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Matsunaga actively working from the bottom here.
Matsunaga slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Pesonen got a little sloppy there for a moment and Matsunaga has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Pesonen has managed to get both his arms back between Matsunaga's legs - danger averted.
Futoshi Matsunaga has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pesonen wants to control from the top but Matsunaga keeps moving.

Matsunaga is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Pesonen is aware though and is defending well.
Pesonen lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Pesonen working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Matsunaga's head.
Pesonen trying to control but Matsunaga is working from the bottom.
Pesonen working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Matsunaga being controlled here, momentarily.
Pesonen stopping the sweep attempt from Matsunaga.

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 Jallu Pesonen.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Pesonen, 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 James Glass scores the fight 30:27
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 30:27
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jallu Pesonen!
After the fight, Jallu Pesonen was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.