PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Usko Matonen (ranked 653 p4p, 1180 weight class) and Tom Thomas (ranked 34 p4p, 62 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Matonen
vs
Thomas

165 cm
35
140
19 - 14 - 2

160 cm
38
140
28 - 24 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Core Combat

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 19 - 14 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Usko Matonen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 24 - 1, fighting out of London, Tom Thomas!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Richard Clark and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thomas stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Matonen uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Thomas.
Matonen slips a straight right by Thomas.

Matonen clinches up against the cage.
Thomas wants to break free but Matonen has control.

Matonen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Thomas lands a right hook to the body.
Matonen takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Matonen tries to land a leg kick but Thomas saw it coming and moves away.
Usko Matonen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Matonen blocks a jab.
Matonen scores with a jab to the body.
Matonen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Matonen rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Thomas counters with a left to the body.
Matonen ducks under a wild hook from Thomas.
Matonen misses with a straight right.
Matonen has been working on his boxing with his coaches at The Lab in the buildup to the fight.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Thomas with a hook.
Thomas misses with a leg kick.
Matonen tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Thomas paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Thomas doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Matonen keeps the fight on the outside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matonen scores with a jab to the body.
Matonen tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Thomas manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A head kick misses from Matonen.
Thomas scores with a kick to the midsection.
Matonen throws a lazy right hand but Thomas sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Matonen throws a sloppy head kick and Thomas moves out of range easily.
Thomas cracks Matonen with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Matonen slips a jab and a cross from Thomas.
Thomas tries to bum rush Matonen with a series of wild strikes but Matonen uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A looping hook to the body misses from Thomas. Matonen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Thomas lands an overhand right.
Thomas throws a shot to the body.
Nice jab there from Matonen.
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 lazy right hand but Thomas sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Matonen swats away the attempt to clinch by Thomas.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matonen tries to bum rush Thomas with a series of wild strikes but Thomas uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Thomas dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Matonen jabs Thomas right on the nose. Thomas blinks but takes it well.
Matonen misses the shot to the body.
Matonen misses with a jab to the body
and Matonen takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Thomas pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A head kick misses from Matonen.
Thomas swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Matonen misses with a right hand
and Thomas counters with a nice uppercut.
Matonen avoids the body shot from Thomas.
Matonen attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Thomas blocks a head kick by Matonen.
Thomas misses with the combination.
Matonen tried to counter with a leg kick but Thomas avoided it.
Matonen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Matonen uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Thomas.
That kick from Matonen tenderised Thomas's leg. Thomas is trying to keep his angry face on.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matonen misses with a straight right.
Jab by Matonen.
Matonen misses with a left hand
and Thomas cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Thomas is looking to clinch.
Nice body punch from Thomas.
Matonen tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A swing and a miss from Matonen.
Thomas looks to land a right hand but Matonen moved out of range.
Matonen just misses with a punch to the body.
Matonen throws a hook but Thomas avoids it easily.
Thomas on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Thomas missing with a left hand there. Matonen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Matonen went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.

Thomas has taken the fight to the clinch.
Matonen looking to slow down the pace here.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Thomas.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas prevents a body shot from Matonen.

Thomas pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A big right from Thomas misses.
Thomas ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Matonen missing with a left hand there. Thomas was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Matonen moves away from the strike by Thomas.
Thomas just misses with a punch to the body.
Matonen looks to land a left hand but Thomas moved out of range nicely.
Matonen uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Thomas.
Matonen throws an off balance right hand
and Thomas counters with an outside leg kick.

Matonen has taken the fight to the clinch.
Matonen blocking some punches.
Matonen blocks an uppercut.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Thomas throws a head punch that misses.
Thomas misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Matonen misses with a shot to the kidneys.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tom Thomas dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Matonen tries a low kick but Thomas avoids it.
A little jabbing left from Thomas on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Thomas misses with a series of wild punches.
Matonen was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Thomas slips under a jab from Matonen.
A jab from Thomas misses.
Matonen lunges at Thomas with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Thomas's hand.
Matonen moves out of range as Thomas strikes.
Thomas misses the shot to the body.
A big right from Matonen misses.
Thomas throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Matonen misses with a left hand
and Thomas counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thomas blocks a jab.
Thomas just misses with a punch to the body.
Thomas uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Matonen.
Matonen moves away from the strike by Thomas.
Thomas pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas avoids the head kick by Matonen.
Thomas looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Matonen throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Thomas is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Matonen.
Good shot there by Thomas.
Thomas throws a quick inside leg kick.
Matonen misses with a body punch
and Thomas counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Matonen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Thomas.
Matonen throws a jab but it's blocked by Thomas.
Tom Thomas seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Matonen avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Thomas cracks Matonen with a right hand to the side of the head.
Good shot there by Thomas.
Matonen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Matonen moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Thomas connects with a crisp jab.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Matonen scores with a crisp jab that stopped Thomas in his tracks.
Matonen with a body punch. A glancing blow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matonen lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Matonen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Thomas.
A big right from Thomas misses.
Thomas lands with an uppercut that bounces Matonen off the cage and back into range.
Matonen moves out of range as Thomas strikes.
Thomas loads up on a big right hand but Matonen slips the punch.
Thomas lands with a nice body punch.
Matonen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Thomas checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Thomas misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Matonen.
Thomas misses the jab.
Matonen throws a right hand that misses
and Thomas counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Matonen blocks a jab.
Thomas looks to land a right hand but Matonen moved out of range.
Thomas throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Matonen sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas cracks Matonen with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Thomas avoids a punch combination nicely.
Matonen tries to close the distance and clinch up but Thomas swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Matonen sets himself, and Thomas steps forward looking for the clinch! Matonen avoids it this time.
Matonen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A jab lands there for Thomas.
Thomas checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Thomas avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Thomas looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Matonen will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Matonen lands with a thumping leg kick.
Thomas cracks Matonen with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Thomas keeps the fight on the outside.
A swing and a miss from Matonen.
Matonen just misses with a punch to the body.
Matonen throws out a loose jab but Thomas uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matonen throws a series of punches but Thomas moves out of range.
Matonen throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Thomas now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Thomas keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Matonen.
Thomas looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Matonen looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Matonen takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Thomas missing with a left hand there. Matonen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Thomas takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Thomas misses with an uppercut. Matonen saw that one coming.
Thomas jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Thomas lands a lovely overhand right.

Thomas has closed the distance and engaged Matonen in a clinch.
Still in the clinch, Thomas scores with a nice short uppercut.
Thomas working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Matonen prevents a body shot from Thomas.

Thomas breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Thomas blocks a head kick by Matonen.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tom Thomas showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Thomas scores with a jab to the body.
The fighters circling - Thomas throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Matonen throws a counter high kick but Thomas was just alert enough to avoid it.
Thomas avoids the head kick by Matonen.
A big left from Thomas misses.
Matonen takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Thomas throws a body shot but no joy.
Matonen slips under a jab.
Thomas takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Thomas takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Matonen misses with a looping right.
Thomas looks to land a right hand but Matonen moved out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matonen tries to score with a low kick but Thomas moves his leg out of the way.
Matonen throws a leg kick but Thomas moved away.
Thomas takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Matonen keeps the fight on the outside.
Matonen misses with a wild combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas sizes up Matonen with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Thomas throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Matonen scores with a decent looking hook.
Thomas with a hook.
Matonen with a nice calf kick.
Thomas looks to throw the jab but Matonen is out of range.
Thomas's corner calls for a 1-2. Thomas obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Thomas blocks a head kick by Matonen.
Matonen tries to clinch but Thomas moves out of range.
Thomas fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Matonen has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Thomas scores with a jab.
Matonen takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Thomas has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matonen closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
An inside leg kick lands from Matonen.
Thomas has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Matonen finds it's way round the side to connect with Thomas's head.

Thomas is rocked!
Thomas scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Thomas is still on wobbly legs! Can Matonen finish him?
Matonen shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
A jab from Thomas misses.
Thomas seems to have recovered his senses.
Thomas takes a jab right on the kisser.
Matonen misses with a straight left.
Usko Matonen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Thomas fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Matonen manages to avoid it.
Thomas avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A swing and a miss from Thomas.
Matonen looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Thomas stuns Matonen with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Matonen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Thomas manages to avoid it.
Thomas with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Matonen to score with a decent uppercut.
Thomas misses the jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matonen throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Matonen looks to land a left hand but Thomas moved out of range nicely.
Thomas scores with a body shot.
Matonen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Thomas jabs Matonen to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Thomas stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Matonen.
Thomas pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Matonen misses the jab.
Thomas fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Matonen on the side of the head.
Thomas punishes Matonen's body with a nice straight punch.
Thomas lands with a shot to the body.
Thomas takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Matonen scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Thomas avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Matonen scores with a shot to the body.
Tom Thomas is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matonen throws a right and a left that both miss.
Matonen throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Thomas.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Matonen takes one to the chin there.
Thomas moves out of range as Matonen strikes.
Matonen cracks Thomas with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Matonen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Thomas.
Thomas checks a low kick from Matonen.
Thomas appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Thomas bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Matonen's head.

Matonen gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Matonen softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Matonen working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Thomas blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Matonen throws a head punch that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Usko Matonen showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Thomas 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 Daniel Bishop scores the fight 28:29
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 28:29
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tom Thomas!
Tom Thomas seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
The defeated Usko Matonen had this to say: 'Another decision lost?'.