PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Keisuke Matsuzaka (ranked 117 p4p, 534 weight class) and Nova Lankinen (ranked 20 p4p, 85 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Matsuzaka
vs
Lankinen

179 cm
28
181
18 - 7 - 1

180 cm
27
177
5 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Brooklyn Threads
Brooklyn Apothecary

Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)
FF Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Keisuke Matsuzaka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Nova Lankinen!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matsuzaka rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Lankinen counters with a straight right hand.
Matsuzaka moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Lankinen lunges at Matsuzaka with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Matsuzaka's hand.
Lankinen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Lankinen looks to land a left hand but Matsuzaka moved out of range nicely.
Matsuzaka swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Matsuzaka has been working on his boxing with his coaches at GWad's Playpen in the buildup to the fight.
Lankinen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Matsuzaka slips under a jab from Lankinen.
Matsuzaka throws an overhand right that lands on Lankinen's shoulder, as Lankinen tries to avoid the shot.
Lankinen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Matsuzaka.
Lankinen misses with a straight left.
Matsuzaka slips a straight right by Lankinen.
Jab, jab by Matsuzaka - just one landing.
Matsuzaka misses with a low kick.
Matsuzaka with a hook.
Lankinen jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Lankinen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Matsuzaka with a jab.
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!
Lankinen loads up on a big right hand but Matsuzaka slips the punch.
Matsuzaka finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Lankinen! But no joy.
Lankinen goes for a double leg but Matsuzaka avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Matsuzaka continues to drive forward.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lankinen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Matsuzaka.
Lankinen takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Matsuzaka swinging wildly here.
Keisuke Matsuzaka is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Matsuzaka lands a leg kick that knocks Lankinen off balance momentarily.
Lankinen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Matsuzaka misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lankinen.
Lankinen with a jab.
Lankinen throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Matsuzaka stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Lankinen throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Matsuzaka sees it coming and avoids it easily.
An attempted straight right counter from Matsuzaka misses the target.
Matsuzaka moves out of range as Lankinen strikes.
Lankinen cracks Matsuzaka with an open hand slap.
Nice jab there from Lankinen.
Matsuzaka looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Matsuzaka, as that shot connected.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lankinen wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Lankinen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Lankinen misses its intended target.
Lankinen takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Matsuzaka lands with an uppercut that bounces Lankinen off the cage and back into range.
Lankinen takes one to the chin there.
Lankinen blocks the body kick.
Matsuzaka takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Matsuzaka 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.
Matsuzaka jabs Lankinen to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Matsuzaka throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Lankinen sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Matsuzaka bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Lankinen lands with a cross.
Lankinen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Lankinen moves out of range of the body kick from Matsuzaka.
Matsuzaka scores with a jab to the head.
Matsuzaka tries to work over Lankinen's front leg with a kick but Lankinen checks it.
Lankinen throws a body punch but Matsuzaka moves out of range.

Matsuzaka has taken the fight to the clinch.
Matsuzaka scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Matsuzaka pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lankinen gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Lankinen not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Lankinen lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Lankinen missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Lankinen is looking for a kimura here.
Lankinen has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Lankinen throwing shots but Matsuzaka is blocking nicely.
Lankinen throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Matsuzaka is trying to maintain the position but Lankinen is very close to passing his half guard.
Lankinen sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Matsuzaka defending well though.
Ground and pound from Lankinen.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lankinen thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Matsuzaka's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lankinen thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Lankinen throwing shots but Matsuzaka is blocking nicely.
Matsuzaka trying to hold on to Lankinen's head to control him but Lankinen postures up.
Lankinen thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Lankinen lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Lankinen thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Matsuzaka's head.
Lankinen scoring with strikes to the body and head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lankinen thows a huge punch but Matsuzaka dodges it nicely.
Lankinen thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Lankinen throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Matsuzaka is looking to improve his position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Nova Lankinen will probably get the nod.
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.

Matsuzaka thuds his right hand into Lankinen's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Matsuzaka pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Matsuzaka tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Matsuzaka lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Matsuzaka uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Lankinen.
Matsuzaka looks to score with a jab to the body but Lankinen is just out of range.
Matsuzaka with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Lankinen tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Matsuzaka defends well and Lankinen ends up having to push Matsuzaka into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Lankinen gets a double leg takedown into Matsuzaka's guard.
Lankinen scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Matsuzaka wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Lankinen is looking to work some ground and pound but Matsuzaka has wrist control.
Lankinen throws a big right hand that misses.
Lankinen is looking to work some ground and pound but Matsuzaka has wrist control.
Lankinen with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsuzaka preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Matsuzaka wants to sweep but no luck.
Lankinen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Lankinen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Lankinen with a flurry of punches that miss.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Lankinen accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Lankinen working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Lankinen working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Matsuzaka's head.
Lankinen throws a big elbow that misses.
Matsuzaka is adopting a defensive guard.
Lankinen won't allow Matsuzaka to get back to his feet.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Lankinen accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lankinen with a flurry of punches that miss.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Lankinen's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Lankinen working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Lankinen with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Lankinen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lankinen loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Lankinen postures up in Matsuzaka's guard and throws a big left but Matsuzaka blocks it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Lankinen throwing strikes from guard but Matsuzaka blocks nicely.
Lankinen lands a couple of elbows.
Lankinen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Lankinen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Lankinen postures up.
Matsuzaka working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Lankinen.
Lankinen landing with the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Lankinen accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsuzaka wants to sweep here but Lankinen controlling him for the moment.
Lankinen is working Matsuzaka over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Lankinen postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Lankinen throwing strikes but missing.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Lankinen accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Lankinen throws a big right hand that misses.

Lankinen drops back looking for a leg! Matsuzaka is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Matsuzaka manages to kick Lankinen off! Lankinen jumps back into Matsuzaka's guard.
Lankinen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Lankinen postures up in Matsuzaka's guard and throws a big left but Matsuzaka blocks it.
Lankinen throws an elbow that misses. Matsuzaka uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Lankinen's guard. Nice move by Matsuzaka!

Lankinen manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Matsuzaka manages to get himself to full guard.

Lankinen content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Lankinen wants to pass the guard but Matsuzaka is keeping the position.
Lankinen lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Lankinen lands a couple of digs.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Matsuzaka utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Lankinen is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Lankinen has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Lankinen is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Nova Lankinen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Lankinen moves out of range of the strikes.
Lankinen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Matsuzaka moves away.
Good shot there by Lankinen.
Matsuzaka throws a hook but Lankinen avoids it easily.
Matsuzaka uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Lankinen.
Nice shot lands for Matsuzaka.
Lankinen misses with an uppercut
and Matsuzaka connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Matsuzaka throws a shot from downtown. Lankinen moves away and avoids it.
Lankinen connects with a crisp jab.
Lankinen connects with a single shot there.
Lankinen works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
A swing and a miss from Lankinen.
Matsuzaka throws a quick counter kick to the body but Lankinen avoids it.
Lankinen scores with a jab.
Matsuzaka keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Lankinen.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Lankinen checks a leg kick.
Keisuke Matsuzaka is winning the standup battle so far.
Matsuzaka takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Matsuzaka throws a quick inside leg kick.
Lankinen scores with a nice strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsuzaka moves in looking to clinch but Lankinen pushes him off.
Matsuzaka steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Lankinen.
Lankinen might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Matsuzaka tries to move into range but Lankinen moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Lankinen looks to land a right hand but Matsuzaka moved out of range.
Lankinen thuds a left hand into Matsuzaka's body.
Lankinen shoots and misses
and Matsuzaka makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Matsuzaka moves in looking to clinch but Lankinen pushes him off.
An inside leg kick from Matsuzaka misses.
A big right from Lankinen misses.
A big right from Lankinen misses.
Matsuzaka misses with a hook. Lankinen ducked under it nicely.
Lankinen feints the counter takedown.
Matsuzaka ducks under a wild hook from Lankinen.
It looked like Matsuzaka was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Lankinen.
Lankinen slips under a jab.
A punch lands to the side of Lankinen 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Nova Lankinen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lankinen lands an overhand right.
Lankinen lands with a hook. Matsuzaka tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Keisuke Matsuzaka has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsuzaka keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Lankinen.
The crowd cheers as Lankinen lands an impressive looking overhand right. Matsuzaka doesn't seem phased though.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Lankinen closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Matsuzaka quickly recovers to half guard.
Lankinen winds up and cracks Matsuzaka with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Lankinen thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Matsuzaka's head.
Matsuzaka blocking the ground and pound attempt from Lankinen.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lankinen is thwarting Matsuzaka's attempts to control the position.
Lankinen thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Matsuzaka's head.
Lankinen throwing shots but Matsuzaka is blocking nicely.
Lankinen thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Lankinen wants to pass the guard but Matsuzaka is defending well.
Lankinen missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Nova Lankinen has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsuzaka is looking to control Lankinen's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Matsuzaka avoid being mounted?
Lankinen missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Lankinen lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Matsuzaka moves into full guard.
Lankinen throws a big elbow that misses.
Lankinen is working Matsuzaka over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Lankinen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Lankinen throws a big right hand that misses.
Matsuzaka looking to control.
Lankinen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lankinen is looking to work some ground and pound but Matsuzaka has wrist control.
Lankinen throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Lankinen throwing strikes from guard but Matsuzaka blocks nicely.
Lankinen with a nice head shot there.
Lankinen lands a couple of digs.
Matsuzaka has Lankinen pulled in close to control his posture.
Lankinen slips nicely into half guard.
Lankinen missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Lankinen missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Lankinen lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nova Lankinen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Lankinen winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nova Lankinen!
Our winner, Nova Lankinen, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.