PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Keisuke Matsuzaka (ranked 15 p4p, 24 weight class) and Paavo Talvela (ranked 2 p4p, 4 weight class). Talvela has chosen For Heavy Metal we will die! as his entrance music. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Matsuzaka
vs
Talvela

179 cm
36
181
42 - 15 - 1

178 cm
31
175
22 - 7 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Heavy handed

Conviction
HELL'S BALLS NUTRITION

NARCOS
Shadow Realm Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 42 - 15 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Keisuke Matsuzaka!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Paavo Talvela!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Kenichi Hosakawa and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matsuzaka lands a jab to the head.
Talvela ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A little jabbing left from Talvela on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Matsuzaka misses with a few strikes there.
Matsuzaka fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Talvela manages to avoid it.
Talvela takes a swing at Matsuzaka's ribcage but misses.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Matsuzaka checks a leg kick.
Matsuzaka throws a shot from downtown. Talvela moves away and avoids it.
Paavo Talvela seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Some wild striking there from Talvela.
The fighters circling - Talvela throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Matsuzaka keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Talvela throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Matsuzaka sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Talvela moves away from the strike by Matsuzaka.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Talvela tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Matsuzaka was well out of range. Poor timing from Talvela.
Talvela throws a left and a right that both miss
and Matsuzaka counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Talvela thinking.
Nice defenses there by Matsuzaka.
A big right from Talvela misses.
Matsuzaka looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Talvela blocks a head kick by Matsuzaka.
Talvela pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Matsuzaka back to the cage. Talvela follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Matsuzaka throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Talvela throws a hook but Matsuzaka avoids it easily.
Talvela throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Talvela throws a head kick that Matsuzaka semi-blocks.
Talvela looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Talvela tests Matsuzaka's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Talvela misses with a straight left.
Keisuke Matsuzaka is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Matsuzaka waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Talvela.
Matsuzaka gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Talvela.
A big right from Matsuzaka misses.
Matsuzaka misses with a low kick.
Talvela keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Matsuzaka.
Talvela looks to land a body kick but Matsuzaka moved away.
Talvela shoots in looking for a takedown. Matsuzaka tries to sprawl out of it but Talvela keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Matsuzaka manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsuzaka misses with an attempted mid kick.
Matsuzaka missing with a left hand there. Talvela was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
The fighters circling - Matsuzaka throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Talvela jabs Matsuzaka right on the nose. Matsuzaka blinks but takes it well.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Matsuzaka misses with an uppercut
and Talvela counters with a good, hard body kick but Matsuzaka shrugs it off.
Talvela slips under a jab from Matsuzaka.
Matsuzaka listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Matsuzaka steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Talvela.
Matsuzaka throws an off balance right hand
and Talvela counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Talvela on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Matsuzaka defending well as Talvela loads up on a big left hand.
Matsuzaka lands with a hook. Talvela tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Talvela smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Matsuzaka throws a body kick that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Talvela misses with an uppercut.
Matsuzaka looks to throw the jab but Talvela is out of range.
Talvela throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Matsuzaka connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Talvela throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Matsuzaka is looking to counter punch.
Matsuzaka chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Talvela can pounce on him.
Talvela connects with a right hand. Matsuzaka shakes it off.
Talvela throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Talvela misses with a shot to the body
and Matsuzaka cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A looping hook to the body misses from Matsuzaka. Talvela does a little dance to reset his feet.
A countering left hand to the body from Talvela misses.
Sloppy strikes from Talvela. Those never looked like landing.
Matsuzaka scores with a jab to the head.
Sloppy strikes from Matsuzaka. Those never looked like landing.
Matsuzaka moves away from the strike by Talvela.
Talvela lands with a straight right. Matsuzaka didn't see that one coming.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A low kick from Talvela is predictable there
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Matsuzaka misses with a low kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsuzaka misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Talvela.
Talvela keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Matsuzaka.
Matsuzaka lands a body shot.
Talvela defending well as Matsuzaka loads up on a big left hand.
Matsuzaka misses with a straight left.
Matsuzaka moves out of range as Talvela strikes.
Matsuzaka tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Talvela manages to circle out of the way.
Talvela 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.
Keisuke Matsuzaka has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Paavo Talvela.
Talvela misses with a looping left.
Talvela is looking to chop away at Matsuzaka's legs.
Nice jab there from Matsuzaka.
Matsuzaka misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Talvela on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
The crowd cheers as Talvela lands an impressive looking overhand right. Matsuzaka doesn't seem phased though.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Talvela avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Talvela looks to throw the jab but Matsuzaka is out of range.
Talvela throws a jab but it's blocked by Matsuzaka.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Keisuke Matsuzaka 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.

Talvela misses with a low kick.
Talvela staying out of range there.
Talvela uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Matsuzaka.
A telegraphed right hand from Matsuzaka misses the target.
Talvela drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Matsuzaka defends it well.
Talvela throws a body punch but Matsuzaka moves out of range.
Matsuzaka avoids the head kick by Talvela.
Matsuzaka is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Talvela.
Talvela keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nice sprawl there from Matsuzaka as Talvela shoots in.
Matsuzaka throws the left hand but Talvela avoids the punch easily.
Keisuke Matsuzaka is winning the standup battle so far.
Matsuzaka ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Talvela throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Talvela bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Talvela dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Talvela keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Matsuzaka.
Talvela doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Matsuzaka counters with a nice body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Talvela looks to score with a jab to the body but Matsuzaka is just out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from Matsuzaka misses the target.
Matsuzaka uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Talvela.
Matsuzaka wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Talvela swings widly with a right hand
letting Matsuzaka counter with a right hand.
Talvela throws a hook to the side of Matsuzaka's head but Matsuzaka sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Matsuzaka on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Matsuzaka lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Matsuzaka ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Talvela moves away.
Talvela looks to throw the jab but Matsuzaka is out of range.
Matsuzaka lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Talvela walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Matsuzaka checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Nice defenses there by Talvela.
Talvela rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Matsuzaka moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Matsuzaka throws a jab but it's blocked by Talvela.
Talvela cracks Matsuzaka with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Matsuzaka drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Matsuzaka dodges the punch combination from Talvela.
Matsuzaka lands a jab.
A looping hook to the body misses from Matsuzaka. Talvela does a little dance to reset his feet.
Talvela paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
A thudding body kick lands there by Talvela!
Matsuzaka takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Matsuzaka throws out a loose jab but Talvela uses good head movement to avoid it.
Talvela throws out a counter right but Matsuzaka avoids it with no problem.
Talvela will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
An attempted straight right counter from Matsuzaka misses the target.
Talvela misses with an uppercut
letting Matsuzaka counter with a right hand.
Talvela staying out of range there.
Talvela misses with a right hand
and Matsuzaka counters with a nice uppercut.
Matsuzaka with a nice calf kick.
A jab from Talvela misses.
The crowd cheers as Talvela lands an impressive looking overhand right. Matsuzaka doesn't seem phased though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsuzaka fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Talvela manages to avoid it.
Talvela tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Matsuzaka lands a nice shot that snaps Talvela's head back.
Talvela tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Matsuzaka throws a half hearted mid kick.
Talvela looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Matsuzaka scores with a punch to the head.
Talvela throws a lazy uppercut
and Matsuzaka counters with a stiff right hand.
Matsuzaka darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Talvela scores with a push kick.
Talvela misses the jab.

Talvela drives through with a takedown into Matsuzaka's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Matsuzaka uses the cage to get back to his feet.
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!
Matsuzaka tries a head kick but it misses.
Talvela misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Matsuzaka swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Talvela counters with a stiff right hand.
Matsuzaka misses with a jab to the body
enabling Talvela to counter with a crisp jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Talvela blocks a jab.
Talvela throws a wild body kick that Matsuzaka sees coming a mile off.
The fighters circling - Talvela throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Matsuzaka looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Talvela throws a hook to the side of Matsuzaka's head but Matsuzaka sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Talvela gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Talvela lands with a cross.
Matsuzaka displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Talvela throws out the jab.
It looked like Matsuzaka wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Talvela takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Talvela avoids the body shot from Matsuzaka.
Talvela slips under a jab.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Matsuzaka lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Talvela throws a poor cross that misses

and Matsuzaka holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Talvela is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Matsuzaka is defending well.
Keisuke Matsuzaka has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Paavo Talvela.
Talvela tries to break free but Matsuzaka pushes him back against the cage.
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 Keisuke Matsuzaka 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.

Talvela staying out of range there.
Talvela uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Matsuzaka.
Talvela lands with a nice body punch.
Talvela moves out of range as Matsuzaka strikes.
Matsuzaka throws a sloppy body shot
and Talvela counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
The fighters circling - Matsuzaka throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Talvela throws a nice inside leg kick.
Talvela shoots in and drives through. Matsuzaka sprawls well.
Talvela throws a jab when Matsuzaka was well out of range.
Talvela listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Matsuzaka scores with a body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matsuzaka fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Talvela.
Talvela scores with a body shot.
Talvela avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Matsuzaka slips a jab from Talvela.
A telegraphed right hand from Talvela misses the target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Talvela misses with a hook.
Matsuzaka throws a lazy right hand but Talvela sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Talvela walks into a jab.
Matsuzaka delivers a nice body kick.
Talvela throws a push kick but Matsuzaka slaps the foot to one side.
Matsuzaka tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Talvela manages to circle out of the way.
Matsuzaka lands with a nice body kick.
Talvela takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Matsuzaka chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Matsuzaka has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Talvela.
Matsuzaka pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Some wild striking there from Talvela.
Talvela tries a head kick but it misses.
Talvela misses with a body shot.
Talvela on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Matsuzaka. Matsuzaka obviously looking to wear him down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Talvela takes a body punch but keeps moving.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
No luck for Talvela with that takedown attempt.
Talvela scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
A jab from Matsuzaka does it's job there.
Talvela finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
A clash of legs there as Talvela blocks the low kick.
Talvela uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Matsuzaka.
Talvela scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Matsuzaka misses with a jab to the body
and Talvela counters with a good low kick that Matsuzaka was not able to check.
Matsuzaka throws a looping overhand right but Talvela ducks down to avoid it.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Talvela! But no joy.
Matsuzaka keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Matsuzaka is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Talvela.
Matsuzaka takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Talvela misses with an uppercut
and Matsuzaka counters with a straight right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsuzaka just misses with a punch to the body.
Talvela throws a head kick that misses.
Talvela uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Matsuzaka.
Matsuzaka scores with a nice strike.
Talvela misses with a hook. Matsuzaka ducked under it nicely.
Talvela throws a poor cross that misses
and Matsuzaka counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A telegraphed right hand from Talvela misses the target.
A low kick from Matsuzaka is predictable there
and Matsuzaka takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Matsuzaka walks into a stiff left hand from Talvela.
Talvela throws a front kick aimed at Matsuzaka's knee but Matsuzaka avoids it well.
Talvela misses with a left hand
and Matsuzaka connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Talvela connects with a crisp jab.
Matsuzaka swings for the body but Talvela moves out of range.
Talvela throws the left hand but Matsuzaka avoids the punch easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsuzaka lands a lovely overhand right.
Talvela has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Matsuzaka misses the shot to the body.
Talvela is looking to score with low kicks.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Matsuzaka, as that shot connected.

Talvela decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Talvela lands with a punch from half guard.
Talvela sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Matsuzaka defending well though.
Matsuzaka is trying to control but can't.
Matsuzaka on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Matsuzaka tries to get out of the position.
Talvela throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Talvela seems to be working for a kimura but Matsuzaka defends the submission attempt.

Talvela is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Keisuke Matsuzaka did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Talvela misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Matsuzaka.
A telegraphed right hand from Talvela misses the target.
A shot to the liver by Matsuzaka. Beautiful body shot.
Talvela tests Matsuzaka's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Matsuzaka keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Talvela jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Talvela cracks Matsuzaka with an open hand slap.
Talvela throws a looping overhand right but Matsuzaka ducks down to avoid it.
Talvela takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Talvela fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Matsuzaka.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matsuzaka misses with a wild body shot.
Matsuzaka keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Talvela.
Talvela steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Matsuzaka.
Matsuzaka connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Talvela misses with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Talvela scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Nice defenses there by Matsuzaka.
Talvela drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Matsuzaka throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Talvela lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Talvela pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Talvela slips a straight right by Matsuzaka.
Talvela looks to land a right hand but Matsuzaka moved out of range.
Matsuzaka feints and then cracks Talvela's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Talvela down.
Matsuzaka wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Talvela thows a left - swing and a miss!
Matsuzaka blocks a leg kick.
Matsuzaka connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
A big left from Matsuzaka misses.
Matsuzaka lands with a hook. Talvela tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Talvela thows a left - swing and a miss!
Matsuzaka is looking to counter the offense by Talvela and move into the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Talvela misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Matsuzaka throws a hook but Talvela blocks it.
Talvela misses with the combination.
Talvela throws a head kick that misses.
Talvela moves out of range of the body kick.
A cross from Matsuzaka lands.
Talvela misses with a hook.
Talvela misses with a two punch combination.
Matsuzaka keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Talvela.
Talvela throws a hook but Matsuzaka blocks it.
Matsuzaka looks for the body kick but Talvela saw that one coming.
Talvela misses with a low kick.
Matsuzaka appears to be looking for a big counter.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Talvela fails to land with a series of punches.
Matsuzaka was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Talvela misses with a body shot.
Matsuzaka is looking to slow Talvela down with leg kicks.
Talvela throws a poor cross that misses
and Matsuzaka counters with a good, hard body kick but Talvela shrugs it off.
Matsuzaka fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Talvela avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Talvela throws a right hand that Matsuzaka ducks under and follows up with a left that Matsuzaka also avoids with ease.
Talvela is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Talvela takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Matsuzaka chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Talvela can pounce on him.
Matsuzaka wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Talvela attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Talvela throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Matsuzaka dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Talvela. That did some damage!
Matsuzaka scores with a head 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!
Matsuzaka ducks under a wild hook from Talvela.
Matsuzaka ducks under a wild hook from Talvela.
Matsuzaka thows a left - swing and a miss!
Matsuzaka will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Talvela looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Matsuzaka throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Talvela sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Matsuzaka swings for the body but Talvela moves out of range.
Talvela throws a series of punches but Matsuzaka moves out of range.
Matsuzaka misses with a low kick.
Matsuzaka misses with a low kick as Talvela jumps back.
Talvela throws out a loose jab but Matsuzaka uses good head movement to avoid it.
The fighters circle momentarily. Matsuzaka darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Talvela fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Matsuzaka.
Talvela scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Keisuke Matsuzaka will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Matsuzaka slips under a jab.
Paavo Talvela has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Matsuzaka has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Matsuzaka there as he acknowledges the shot.
Talvela slips a straight right by Matsuzaka.
Talvela tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Talvela misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Matsuzaka cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Matsuzaka misses with a body kick.
Talvela displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Matsuzaka throws out the jab.
Talvela tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Talvela throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Talvela cracks Matsuzaka with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Matsuzaka walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A decent looking cross lands there for Matsuzaka.
Matsuzaka keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
It looked like Matsuzaka wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Talvela doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Talvela takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Talvela takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsuzaka misses with a wild body shot.
Matsuzaka throws a shot from downtown. Talvela moves away and avoids it.
Matsuzaka moves away from the strike by Talvela.
Matsuzaka pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Matsuzaka misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Talvela.
Talvela misses with a jab to the body
and Matsuzaka counters with a nice uppercut.
Talvela fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
A slapping leg kick lands for Matsuzaka.
Talvela closes this distance looking for a takedown but Matsuzaka circles away.
Matsuzaka wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Talvela misses with a hook
and Matsuzaka counters with a nice uppercut.
Matsuzaka takes one to the side of the head.
Matsuzaka throws a looping overhand right but Talvela ducks down to avoid it.
Talvela throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Matsuzaka counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Talvela misses with an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsuzaka lands with a good body shot.
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!
The fighters circling - Talvela throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Matsuzaka thows a left - swing and a miss!
Talvela slips a jab from Matsuzaka.
Talvela slips a jab from Matsuzaka.
Matsuzaka ducks right into an uppercut from Talvela.
Matsuzaka fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Matsuzaka chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Talvela can pounce on him.
Talvela throws a leg kick but Matsuzaka sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Matsuzaka connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Matsuzaka scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Talvela connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Matsuzaka momentarily.
Matsuzaka lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Talvela throws a chopping leg kick but Matsuzaka manages to avoid taking any serious damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Talvela misses with a shot to the body
and Matsuzaka cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Matsuzaka slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Talvela takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Matsuzaka lands a glancing blow to the side of Talvela's head.
Matsuzaka digs a good body shot into Talvela's ribs.
Matsuzaka lands a jab to Talvela's midsection.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Talvela.
Keisuke Matsuzaka is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Talvela is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Matsuzaka lands a nice shot to the body.
Matsuzaka moves into range and connects with a jab.
Talvela's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Talvela fails with the takedown
and Talvela takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Keisuke Matsuzaka has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Paavo Talvela.
Talvela walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Matsuzaka ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Matsuzaka tries to counter by clinching up but Talvela breaks away and moves out of range.
Talvela fails with the takedown
and Matsuzaka counters with a nice leg kick.
Talvela takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Matsuzaka with the inside leg kick.
Talvela misses with a takedown attempt
and Matsuzaka counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Talvela on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Matsuzaka bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Talvela's head backwards.
Matsuzaka lands a nice hook to Talvela's body. Talvela takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Talvela walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Matsuzaka checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Talvela throws a shot from downtown. Matsuzaka moves away and avoids it.
Talvela throws a poor cross that misses
letting Matsuzaka counter with a right hand.
Matsuzaka lands with a cross.
Talvela steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Matsuzaka. That one must have hurt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Keisuke Matsuzaka showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Matsuzaka, 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 46:49
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 50:46
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 50:47

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Keisuke Matsuzaka!
Keisuke Matsuzaka retains his welterweight title!
Keisuke Matsuzaka spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.