PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Arto Markkanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marius Matei (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Markkanen comes into the arena with Mell - Red Fraction blaring out of the sound system. Arto Markkanen has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Markkanen
vs
Matei

187 cm
24
188 lbs
5 - 6 - 0

182 cm
26
194 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good knees
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Powerful

CEC Nutrition Q160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Arto Markkanen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Marius Matei!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Johanna Lukiainen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Markkanen scores with the left hand. Matei knows he should have avoided that one.
Matei fails to land the takedown.
Markkanen pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A punch combination from Matei misses.
Matei finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Markkanen misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Matei misses the shot to the body.
Markkanen throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Markkanen throws a shot to the body.
Markkanen is looking to clinch.
Matei walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Markkanen checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
A head kick misses from Markkanen.
Markkanen throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Matei.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Matei just misses with a punch to the body.
Markkanen tries to clinch but Matei moves out of range.
Matei shoots for a double leg takedown but Markkanen sprawls well. He's pushed Matei's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Markkanen is looking to slow Matei down with leg kicks.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Markkanen lands a head kick!
Markkanen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A lazy left from Matei finds it's target.
Markkanen uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Matei.
Markkanen throws a head kick that misses.
Markkanen tries a head kick but it misses.
Markkanen bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Matei drops his hands momentarily and Markkanen takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Matei attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Markkanen lands a head shot.
Markkanen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Markkanen lands a high kick!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Markkanen misses with a wild body shot.
Matei throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Markkanen.
Matei throws a head kick but Markkanen moves out of range.
Markkanen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Matei.
Matei throws a nice looking combination but Markkanen bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Matei falls off balance throwing a combination
and Markkanen counters with a slapping leg kick.
Markkanen moves out of range as Matei strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matei gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Markkanen counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
A head kick misses from Markkanen.
Markkanen scores with a kick to the body.
Matei looks gassed!
Markkanen cracks the inside of Matei's front leg.

Markkanen darts in and clinches Matei up against the cage.
Markkanen scores a nice knee to the body.
Matei throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Markkanen blocks it with crossed arms.

Markkanen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A decent looking cross lands there for Markkanen.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Markkanen - that will leave a mark!
Markkanen throws a nice head kick!
Matei blocks a head kick by Markkanen.
Markkanen connects with a high kick.
Matei misses with a left hand
and Markkanen counters with a one-two to the body.
Matei throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Markkanen tries a head kick but it misses.
Markkanen throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matei looks to score with a jab to the body but Markkanen is just out of range.
Markkanen lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Markkanen throws a nice head kick!
Markkanen throws a body punch but Matei moves out of range.
Matei throws the left hand but Markkanen avoids the punch easily.
Markkanen lands a right hook to the body.
Matei moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
A slow jab from Matei misses its intended target.
Markkanen throws a head kick but Matei moves out of range.
Matei throws a jab when Markkanen was well out of range.
Matei throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Markkanen lands a head kick!
Matei misses with a hook to the body
and Markkanen connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
An inside leg kick lands from Matei.
Matei takes a swing at Markkanen's ribcage but misses.
Matei avoids the head kick by Markkanen.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Markkanen throws a head kick that misses.
Markkanen avoids the body shot from Matei.
Markkanen throws a head kick but Matei moves out of range.
Matei avoids the head kick by Markkanen.
Markkanen misses with a head kick.
Matei motions for Markkanen to come forward. Matei throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Matei goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Markkanen dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Matei throws a body punch but Markkanen moves out of range.
Matei blocks a head kick by Markkanen.
Matei ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Matei swings for the body but Markkanen moves out of range.
Markkanen throws a lazy head kick
and Matei counters with a stiff right hand.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Matei uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Markkanen.
Matei throws a series of punches but Markkanen avoids them all with ease.
Markkanen tries to clinch but Matei moves out of range.
Matei thows a body shot but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arto Markkanen dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Markkanen lands a slapping body shot.
Arto Markkanen is winning the standup battle so far.
Markkanen throws a sloppy head kick and Matei moves out of range easily.
Matei blocks a head kick by Markkanen.
Matei misses with a two punch combination.
Markkanen tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Matei lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Markkanen at a distance.
Arto Markkanen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Markkanen slips a jab from Matei.

Markkanen darts in and clinches Matei up against the cage.
Markkanen pushes Matei back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Markkanen on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Markkanen tries a knee to the head but Matei blocks it.
Matei lands a damaging elbow.

Matei breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Markkanen throws a head kick that misses
enabling Matei to counter with a crisp jab.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Markkanen.
Markkanen tries to bum rush Matei with a series of wild strikes but Matei uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Matei takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Matei looks to score with a jab to the body but Markkanen is just out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matei swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Matei misses with a wild body shot.
Markkanen throws a sloppy head kick and Matei moves out of range easily.
Matei avoids the head kick by Markkanen.
Matei tries a head kick but it misses.
Matei just misses with a punch to the body.
Markkanen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Matei.
Markkanen showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Matei.
Markkanen is looking to wear down Matei with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Markkanen throws a head kick that misses.
Markkanen with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Markkanen throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

Markkanen instigates a clinch.
Markkanen working Matei over with knees to the body.
Matei tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Markkanen avoids it.
Matei tries to land knees in the clinch but Markkanen avoids the damage to the body.
Markkanen connects with a knee to the head.
Matei tries to land knees in the clinch but Markkanen avoids the damage to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Markkanen obliges.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Markkanen looking to slow down the pace here.
Matei pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Markkanen.
Markkanen prevents the takedown attempt.
Markkanen crunches a lovely knee into Matei's ribcage.

Markkanen's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Markkanen throws a head kick but Matei moves out of range.
Markkanen throws a lazy head kick
and Matei counters with a left and a right that stings Markkanen.

Markkanen moves into the clinch successfully.
Matei jumps guard but Markkanen turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Matei tries to land a knee to the head but Markkanen blocks with his arms.

Matei has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Markkanen uses from the top position.
Markkanen trying to control the position from guard on top but Matei is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Matei wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matei trying to keep a closed guard but Markkanen is proving a slippery customer.
Matei has a closed guard, preventing Markkanen from standing up.
Markkanen wants to control from the top but Matei keeps moving.
Markkanen tries to stand but Matei is controlling from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Arto Markkanen wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Matei lands with a good body shot.
Markkanen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Matei. Markkanen does a little dance to reset his feet.
A solid leg kick lands there for Matei.
Matei blocks a head kick by Markkanen.
Markkanen thows a body shot but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matei looks to score with a jab to the body but Markkanen is just out of range.
Markkanen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Markkanen throws a sloppy head kick
and Matei counters with a nice body shot.
Markkanen tries a head kick but it misses.
Markkanen moves out of range of the body kick.
Matei misses with a series of wild punches.
Matei fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Markkanen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Matei looks for a takedown but Markkanen sprawls well.
Arto Markkanen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marius Matei.

Markkanen moves into the clinch.
A knee to the head by Markkanen.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Matei throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Markkanen is leaning against Matei and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Matei throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Matei throws an elbow but it misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arto Markkanen dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Markkanen is looking to clinch but Matei is avoiding it.
Matei throws a hook to the side of Markkanen's head but Markkanen sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Matei tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Markkanen moves in looking to clinch but Matei pushes him off.
Matei tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Markkanen was well out of range. Poor timing from Matei.
A looping hook to the body misses from Matei. Markkanen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Matei misses with a straight right.
Markkanen lands with a kick to the temple. Matei shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Markkanen cracks the inside of Matei's front leg.
Markkanen tries a head kick but it misses.
Matei loads up on a big right hand but Markkanen slips the punch.
Markkanen tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Markkanen throws a head kick that misses.
Matei throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Matei ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Markkanen moves away.
Matei keeps Markkanen at a distance using the push kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Markkanen misses with a two punch combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matei throws a low kick but Markkanen moves out of range easily.
Markkanen takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Markkanen tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Matei throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Markkanen lands a jab to Matei's midsection.
Markkanen lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Markkanen misses with a kick to the body.
Markkanen misses with a head kick.
Matei swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Arto Markkanen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Matei dives in and grabs Markkanen's left leg, looking for a takedown. Markkanen pushes down on Matei's head and hops out.
Markkanen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Markkanen looks to land a left hand but Matei moved out of range nicely.
Markkanen tries to clinch up.
Markkanen throws a shot from downtown. Matei moves away and avoids it.
Markkanen is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Matei can do to turn this around?
Markkanen tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Matei paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Matei tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Markkanen pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Matei back to the cage. Markkanen follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Matei misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Matei takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Matei fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Arto Markkanen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marius Matei.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Markkanen takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Markkanen tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Matei ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Markkanen moves away.

Markkanen takes the fight into the clinch.
Markkanen blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Markkanen blocks an elbow strike from Matei.
Matei misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Markkanen.

Markkanen breaks from the clinch.
Markkanen lands a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matei thows a body shot but no joy.
Markkanen throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Matei.
Markkanen throws a head kick but Matei moves out of range.
Markkanen throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Matei throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Markkanen lands a head kick!
The fight stays on the outside here - Markkanen looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Markkanen throws a nice head kick!
The crowd cheers as Matei lands an impressive looking overhand right. Markkanen doesn't seem phased though.
Markkanen bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Matei's head.
Matei misses the shot to the body.
Markkanen throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Matei is looking to land body kicks.
Matei connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Matei tried to score with a low kick but Markkanen checks it.
Markkanen moves away from the strike by Matei.
Markkanen plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
A head kick misses from Matei.
Matei pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Markkanen tries a head kick but it misses.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Matei lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Markkanen has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Markkanen and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Matei takes a swing at Markkanen's ribcage but misses.
Markkanen throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Markkanen scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Markkanen with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Matei to score with a decent uppercut.
Markkanen tries a head kick but it misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Matei throws a solid leg kick but Markkanen takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Matei.
Markkanen avoids the body shot from Matei.
Marius Matei has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Matei scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Markkanen doesn't seem bothered though.
Markkanen blocks a head kick by Matei.

And that's the end of the fight!
Arto Markkanen showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Markkanen has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:27
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Arto Markkanen!
A loyal slave to those sponsorship dollars, Arto Markkanen made sure he mentioned Outkast Clothing Line, along with how happy he was to win his fight.