PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Claus Clausen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michal Materla (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Clausen
vs
Materla

189 cm
25
195 lbs
9 - 6 - 0

183 cm
34
202 lbs
14 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

$300

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 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Claus Clausen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Michal Materla!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Clausen cracks Materla with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Clausen avoids a punch combination nicely.
Clausen takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Materla attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Clausen misses with a wild body shot.
Michal Materla seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Materla ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Clausen lands with a straight right. Materla didn't see that one coming.
Materla throws a left and a right that both miss
and Clausen counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Materla throws a poor cross that misses
and Clausen counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Materla avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Materla fails to land the takedown.
Clausen connects with a body shot that sends Materla's belly button to the back.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Clausen connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Materla checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Clausen throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Materla stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Clausen thows a body shot but no joy.
Clausen moves out of range as Materla strikes.
Clausen ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Materla is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Clausen's half guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Materla throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Materla is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Clausen is just riding it out for now. Materla eventually gives up the hold.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Materla is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Clausen doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Materla.
Materla controlling the action here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Materla thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Clausen's head.
Materla stalling.
Materla wants to control but Clausen is keeping him busy.
Clausen is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Materla scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Materla slips a nice elbow through Clausen's hands, connecting with Clausen's forehead.
Materla has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Clausen is staying active underneath Materla, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Materla not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Materla is looking for a kimura but Clausen is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Materla to get the leverage.
Materla trying to control the action but Clausen is working from the bottom.
Clausen regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Materla.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Materla trying to control but Clausen is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Clausen avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Clausen wants to stand but Materla is controlling the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Materla slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Materla prevents Clausen from getting back to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Materla looking to sit in guard and control but Clausen gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
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!
Materla has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michal Materla 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.

Materla lands with a straight right. Clausen didn't see that one coming.
Clausen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Materla manages to avoid it.
Materla uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Clausen.
Clausen takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Clausen looks to land a left hand but Materla moved out of range nicely.
A left lands for Materla.
Clausen connects with a solid leg kick.
Clausen throws an overhand right that lands on Materla's shoulder, as Materla tries to avoid the shot.
Materla pushes Clausen away with a front kick.
Materla is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Clausen.
Clausen throws a chopping leg kick but Materla manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Clausen swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Clausen takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

Materla closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Clausen to the mat! Clausen manages to get full guard.
Clausen keeping moving, preventing Materla from controlling successfully.
Clausen preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Materla slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Materla passes into half guard.
Materla throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Materla thows a huge punch but Clausen dodges it nicely.

Clausen makes his way to full guard, as Materla worked for a kimura.
Clausen keeping full guard, as Materla tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Clausen keeping moving, preventing Materla from controlling successfully.
Materla trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Materla tries to free his leg and advance position but Clausen is retaining full guard.
Materla works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Materla scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Well, if Materla is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Materla trying to control from half guard but Clausen is working away.
Materla prevents Clausen from standing back up.
Clausen tries to get to full guard but Materla has control of the leg.
Materla thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Clausen's head.
Materla scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Clausen taking some punishment here, with Materla in his half guard.

Materla is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Clausen sees it coming and defends easily.
Clausen is looking to escape.
Clausen knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Materla on the ground.

Materla is trying to work for a kimura but Clausen is defending well.
Materla not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Materla seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Clausen does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Clausen tries to kick Materla off but Materla keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Materla is figuring out what he wants to do next.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michal Materla showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Materla connects with a body shot that sends Clausen's belly button to the back.
A big right from Materla misses.
Materla cracks Clausen with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Michal Materla seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Materla misses with an uppercut. Clausen saw that one coming.
Materla fails to land with a series of punches.
Clausen slips a jab and a cross from Materla.
Clausen looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Materla throws an overhand right that lands on Clausen's shoulder, as Clausen tries to avoid the shot.
Materla swinging wildly here.
Nice cross by Clausen.
Clausen lands with a right hand.
Clausen sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Clausen missing with a left hand there. Materla was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Materla throws a hook but Clausen blocks it.
A jab from Materla misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Materla is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Clausen.
Materla pushes Clausen away with a front kick.
A big right from Materla misses.
Clausen blocks a jab.
Clausen misses with a body shot.
Clausen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Materla.
Materla fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Materla throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Clausen lands a right hook to the body.
Materla gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Clausen.
A thudding body kick lands there by Materla!
Clausen jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Clausen avoids a kick to the body.
Materla lands a head shot.
Clausen moves out of range of the strikes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Clausen misses with a hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Clausen lands with a nice body punch.
Materla throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Clausen on the side of the head.
Materla displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Clausen throws out the jab.
Materla throws a sloppy head kick
and Clausen counters with a nice uppercut.
Materla on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Clausen. Clausen obviously looking to wear him down.
Materla takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Clausen digs a good hook to Materla's body.
Nice defenses there by Materla.
Materla swings for the body but Clausen moves out of range.
Clausen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Clausen throws out a loose jab but Materla uses good head movement to avoid it.
Claus Clausen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Materla loads up on a big right hand but Clausen slips the punch.
Clausen takes a swing at Materla's ribcage but misses.
Materla throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Clausen stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Materla thows a body kick. Clausen tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Clausen swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Materla works the jab nicely.
Clausen blocks the body kick.
Clausen blocks a jab.
Decent striking displayed by Materla there.
Materla throws a shot from downtown. Clausen moves away and avoids it.
Materla throws a shot to the body.
Materla tries to land a front kick but Clausen steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Materla throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Materla avoids the body shot from Clausen.
Materla misses with a looping right.
Materla lands a nice looking body shot.
Materla scores with a body shot.
Materla throws the left hand but Clausen avoids the punch easily.
Materla pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A lazy body kick from Materla
and Clausen makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Clausen missing with a left hand there. Materla was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Claus Clausen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Danga de danga de dang - Clausen scores with a four punch combination!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Materla looks to throw a body kick
and Clausen counters with a stiff right hand.
Materla avoids the body shot from Clausen.
Michal Materla is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Materla dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Materla lands with an overhand left.
Clausen scores with a hook to the body. Materla takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Materla fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Clausen uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Materla.
Materla jabs Clausen right on the nose. Clausen blinks but takes it well.
Materla throws a good cross that connects.
Materla keeps Clausen at a distance using the push kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Materla throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Clausen sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Clausen swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Materla counters with a shoot takedown. Clausen fights it but they end up in guard.
Materla scoring with punches to the head and body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michal Materla comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Materla has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michal Materla!
Michal Materla decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.