PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between DaMatti Matikainen (ranked 73 p4p, 170 weight class) and Eli Pope (ranked 10 p4p, 20 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Matikainen
vs
Pope

180 cm
33
155
31 - 12 - 3

176 cm
35
160
17 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

NARCOS
Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 31 - 12 - 3, fighting out of Amsterdam, DaMatti Matikainen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Eli Pope!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Wesley Smith and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pope digs a good hook to Matikainen's body.
Matikainen has been working on his boxing with his coaches at FF Forever in the buildup to the fight.
That kick from Pope tenderised Matikainen's leg. Matikainen is trying to keep his angry face on.
A punch lands to the side of Matikainen 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Pope fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Matikainen on the side of the head.
Pope cracks Matikainen with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Matikainen drops his hands momentarily and Pope takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Pope bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Matikainen takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Pope throws a hook but Matikainen avoids it easily.
Pope slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Matikainen staying out of range there.
Matikainen is looking to counter with head kicks.
Pope misses the jab.
Pope falls off balance throwing a combination
and Matikainen counters with a straight right hand.
Eli Pope seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pope avoids the head kick by Matikainen.
Pope works the jab nicely.
Pope lands a really nice looking cross but Matikainen seems unphased.
Pope scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pope shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Pope fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Pope scores with a sloppy right hand. Matikainen should have avoided that one.
Pope looks for the body kick but Matikainen saw that one coming.
Matikainen sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Pope looks to land a left hand but Matikainen moved out of range nicely.
Pope is looking to slow Matikainen down with leg kicks.
A telegraphed right hand from Pope misses the target.
That kick from Pope tenderised Matikainen's leg. Matikainen is trying to keep his angry face on.
Pope throws a jab but it's blocked by Matikainen.
The fighters circling - Pope throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Pope throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Matikainen stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Pope has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
A slow jab from Pope misses its intended target.

Matikainen moves into range and clinches up with Pope.
Pope lands with a left to the head.
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!
Pope tries a body shot but Matikainen blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pope throws a punch but it's blocked by Matikainen.

Matikainen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Matikainen throws a looping overhand right but Pope ducks down to avoid it.
A countering left hand to the body from Pope misses.
Pope misses with the body kick
and Matikainen counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Pope defending well as Matikainen loads up on a big left hand.
The fighters circling - Pope throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Pope throws a half hearted mid kick.
Pope throws a lazy uppercut
and Matikainen counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Pope lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Matikainen at a distance.
Pope scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Matikainen moves out of range as Pope strikes.
Matikainen moves into range and connects with a jab.
Pope misses with an uppercut
letting Matikainen counter with a right hand.
Matikainen throws a shot from downtown. Pope moves away and avoids it.
Pope missing with a left hand there. Matikainen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A little feinted left hand from Matikainen on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Matikainen waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Pope.

Matikainen closes the distance and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pope misses with a short punch on the inside.
Matikainen tries to work over Pope's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Matikainen scores with a nice hook to the head.

Matikainen manages to break the clinch.
Pope throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Matikainen tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Pope manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A big right from Matikainen misses.
Pope swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Matikainen is looking to counter with head kicks.
Pope misses with a hook to the body
and Matikainen counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Pope scores with a jab to the body.
A right-left combo lands from Matikainen.
Pope bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Matikainen's head backwards.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A slow jab from Pope misses its intended target.
Pope misses with a lunging right hand
and Matikainen counters with a nice uppercut.
Matikainen avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Matikainen looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Matikainen is looking to clinch but Pope is avoiding it.
Matikainen is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pope throws a hook but Matikainen avoids it easily.
Pope jabs at Matikainen's body.
Pope bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Matikainen is looking to clinch but Pope is avoiding it.
Matikainen tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Pope looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Matikainen tried to counter with a leg kick but Pope avoided it.
A slow jab from Matikainen misses its intended target.
Pope looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Pope swings widly with a right hand
and Matikainen counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Matikainen sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Pope throws a hook but Matikainen blocks it.

Matikainen closes the distance and clinches.
Pope tries a body shot but Matikainen blocks it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Pope misses with a short punch on the inside.
Pope tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Pope misses with a punch to the body.
Matikainen is trying to pull guard but Pope turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Matikainen tries to pull guard but Pope forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Eli Pope dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Pope misses with a straight right.
Pope missing with a left hand there. Matikainen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Matikainen swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.

Matikainen closes the distance and pushes Pope back into the cage.
Pope is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

Matikainen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Pope throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Eli Pope seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Pope's corner calls for a 1-2. Pope obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Pope throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Matikainen is looking to clinch but Pope is avoiding it.
Pope connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Pope misses with a hook
and Matikainen counters with a stiff right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matikainen shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Pope loads up on a big right hand but Matikainen slips the punch.
A nice leg kick lands there from Pope.
Matikainen stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Pope.
Pope misses the jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pope's corner calls for a 1-2. Pope obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Pope tests Matikainen's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Pope has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Pope lands a front kick.
Pope misses with a left hand
and Matikainen counters with a nice leg kick.
Matikainen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Matikainen seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Pope scores with a spinning back kick!
Pope works the jab nicely.
A big left from Pope misses.
Pope swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Matikainen.
Pope just misses with a punch to the body.
An attempted straight right counter from Matikainen misses the target.
Pope misses with a wild body shot.
Pope defending well as Matikainen loads up on a big left hand.
Matikainen moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Matikainen will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Pope slips under a jab from Matikainen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Matikainen loads up on a big right hand but Pope slips the punch.
Nice body kick from Pope.
Pope looks to land a right hand but Matikainen moved out of range.
Matikainen wants to clinch.
Pope 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.
Good leg kick by Pope.
Pope lands a jab.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Pope has a couple of punches blocked by Matikainen.
Pope blocking some punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matikainen throws a head punch that misses.
Matikainen is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.

Matikainen jumps guard and drags Pope to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Matikainen is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Pope is controlling him.

Matikainen kicks Pope off and gets to his feet.
Matikainen defending well as Pope loads up on a big left hand.
Matikainen tries to clinch there but Pope circles away.
Nice defenses there by Matikainen.
An attempted straight right counter from Matikainen misses the target.
The crowd cheers as Pope lands an impressive looking overhand right. Matikainen doesn't seem phased though.
Pope looks to throw a body kick
and Matikainen connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matikainen connects with a nice looking jab.
Pope throws a body shot but no joy.
Pope missing with a left hand there. Matikainen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Pope lands a nice looking body kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Matikainen slips a jab from Pope.
Matikainen appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Matikainen misses with an uppercut.
Matikainen blocks the body kick.
Matikainen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Pope manages to avoid it.
The fighters circling - Pope throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Pope lands a right hook to the body.
Pope cracks Matikainen with a right hand to the side of the head.
Pope misses with a hook
and Matikainen counters with a straight right hand.
Pope jabs Matikainen right on the nose. Matikainen blinks but takes it well.
Pope keeps Matikainen at a distance using the push kick.
Pope throws a lazy uppercut
and Matikainen counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Eli Pope 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. This is the final round!

Pope jabbing away but nothing is landing.
It looked like Matikainen wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
DaMatti Matikainen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Pope misses with a hook
and Matikainen counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Matikainen, as that shot connected.
Pope connects with a single shot there.
Pope lands a really nice looking cross but Matikainen seems unphased.
Pope throws a chopping leg kick but Matikainen manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Pope throws a lazy right hand but Matikainen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Pope cracks Matikainen with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Matikainen connects with a single shot there.
Pope connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Matikainen walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Pope takes one on the chin but seems OK.

Matikainen closes the distance and clinches.
Pope swings wildly with an uppercut but Matikainen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Matikainen swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matikainen misses with the head strike.
Matikainen lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Matikainen lands with a light punch inside.
Pope throws a punch but it's blocked by Matikainen.

Matikainen has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Pope uses from the top position.

Matikainen working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Pope doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Pope manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Matikainen has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Pope off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
A low kick from Pope is predictable there
enabling Matikainen to counter with a crisp jab.
Matikainen looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Pope dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Decent striking displayed by Pope there.
Pope pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Pope throws a sloppy body shot
letting Matikainen counter with a right hand.
Pope swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Matikainen.
Matikainen fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Pope on the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matikainen is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Matikainen with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
The fighters circling - Pope throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Matikainen went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Matikainen takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Matikainen takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Matikainen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Pope.
Pope jabs Matikainen to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Pope blocks a head kick by Matikainen.
Pope lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Pope dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Matikainen. That did some damage!
Pope tries a head kick but it misses.
Pope lands with a thumping leg kick.
Pope lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Pope lands a lovely overhand right.
Eli Pope is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pope misses with a left hand
and Matikainen counters with a low kick, right behind Pope 's knee.
Matikainen steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Pope.
An attempted straight right counter from Matikainen misses the target.
Matikainen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Pope jabs at Matikainen's body.
Pope throws a hook but Matikainen blocks it.
Matikainen avoids a kick to the body.
Pope looks for the body kick but Matikainen saw that one coming.
Matikainen takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Matikainen throws a series of punches but Pope moves out of range.
It seemed like Pope was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Pope misses with a hook
and Matikainen counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Matikainen blocks a jab.
Matikainen throws a low kick but Pope avoids it.
Matikainen lands with a thumping leg kick.
Pope throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Matikainen cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pope lands a nice leg kick that just misses Matikainen's sensitive parts.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nice shot by Pope.
Matikainen walks into a jab.
Matikainen tries to bum rush Pope with a series of wild strikes but Pope uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Pope! But no joy.
Matikainen tries to clinch there but Pope circles away.
Matikainen blocks a head kick by Pope.
Matikainen tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Pope paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Pope feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Matikainens jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Pope lands a really nice looking cross but Matikainen seems unphased.
Matikainen lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Pope circles away quickly and effectively.
Matikainen uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Pope.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Pope dips to his left and cracks Matikainen with an uppercut!
Pope throws a poor cross that misses
and Matikainen counters with a straight right hand.
Jab by Pope.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Eli Pope.
I've got Pope 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eli Pope!
An out of breath Eli Pope thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.