PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Matti Laine (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michel Collier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Laine might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to AC/DC - Hells Bells. Matti Laine has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Laine
vs
Collier

175 cm
25
150 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

173 cm
20
151 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Tends to cut

FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Matti Laine!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Michel Collier!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Marco Blurström and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Laine fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Laine with a lazy takedown attempt

and Collier counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Collier throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Collier scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Collier not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Nice strikes from Collier there.

Collier is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Laine is just riding it out for now. Collier eventually gives up the hold.

Collier is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Collier takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Collier sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Laine defending well though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Collier is keen to just control but Laine is a slippery customer.

Collier is trying to work for a kimura but Laine is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ground and pound from Collier.

Collier seems to be looking for submissions.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Collier connects with a nice short shot to Laine's temple.
Laine is trying is best to control the position here.

Laine looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Laine trying to control from the bottom.
Collier wants to control but Laine is keeping him busy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Collier throwing shots but Laine is blocking nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Collier thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Laine is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Collier seems to be working for a kimura but Laine defends the submission attempt.
Laine is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Laine is breathing heavily.

Laine is defending against the submission attempts here by Collier.
Laine works his way to full guard. Good work.
Collier stopping the sweep attempt from Laine.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Laine looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Laine is trying to keep Collier in close.
Collier postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Laine is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Laine working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Collier.

Laine is looking for a triangle here but Collier uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Collier working the ground and pound from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Collier swings around for an armbar but Laine sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Collier's guard.

Laine has gone for a leg lock! Collier slips out almost immediately though and dives into Laine's guard.
Collier working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Collier avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Collier is looking to work some ground and pound but Laine has wrist control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Collier works over Laine with some ground and pound from guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Collier is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Laine looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Laine with a lazy takedown attempt

and Collier counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Collier.
Collier with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Collier drops back looking for a leg! Laine is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Laine manages to kick Collier off! Collier jumps back into Laine's guard.
Laine is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Collier is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Collier content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Collier throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Collier cracks Laine with a solid left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Collier content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Collier lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Collier throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Laine looking for a guillotine here but Collier defends easily.
Laine utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Collier throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Collier throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Laine works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Collier postures up and lands a big shot to Laine's brow.
Laine controls Collier momentarily but Collier frees himself.
Collier works over Laine with some ground and pound from guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laine avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Collier missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Laine has momentary wrist control but Collier slips an elbow through the middle.
Collier throws a big right hand that misses.
Collier makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Collier's corner is telling him to maintain position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Laine working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Collier.
Collier lands a couple of elbows.
Laine working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Collier.
Laine working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Collier.
Michel Collier has got the better of the ground game so far.
Collier scoring with punches to the head and body.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Collier accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Collier loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Collier content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Collier drops back looking for a leg! Laine is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Laine manages to kick Collier off! Collier jumps back into Laine's guard.
Laine preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Collier in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Collier lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Collier landing some decent shots from guard.
Collier landing with the ground and pound.
Collier connects with a couple of short punches.
Collier lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Collier throws a big right hand that misses.
Laine preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Collier with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Collier with a flurry of punches that miss.
Collier is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Collier cracks Laine with a solid left hand.
Laine is trying to keep Collier in close.
Collier throwing strikes from guard but Laine blocks nicely.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Collier throws a big right hand that misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Collier loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Collier missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Laine working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Collier.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michel Collier showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Laine gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Collier to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Collier trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Collier throws a big elbow that misses.
Collier is looking to work some ground and pound but Laine has wrist control.
Collier loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Collier in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Collier really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Laine. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Collier stands up over Laine, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Collier has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Collier postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Collier missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Collier in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Collier is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Laine is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Laine has escaped and now he's on top!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Collier has an active guard here but Laine has managed to pass into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Collier is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Collier wants to control but Laine is keeping busy.
Laine wants to stand up but Collier is controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Collier makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Collier.
Laine trying to control but Collier is working from the bottom.

Laine thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Collier tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Collier keeps trying to improve his position.
Laine's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Collier working for a triangle but Laine defends it easily.

Collier looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Laine stands up from Collier's guard - Laine perhaps looking for a knockout.
Collier throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Laine shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Collier as he avoids it easily.
Matti Laine seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Laine fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Laine fails in his attempt to clinch.
Laine fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matti Laine. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Collier throws the kick towards the body but Laine avoids it.
Matti Laine has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Michel Collier is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A head kick by Laine misses
and Collier counters with a nice leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michel Collier comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Collier 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michel Collier!
Matti Laine was interviewed post fight and said 'I gave mercy tonight, but I'm not going to give next time.'.