PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Mats Lindgraf (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Minky Matthews (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Mats Lindgraf has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Lindgraf
vs
Matthews

225 cm
21
130 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

160 cm
25
130 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mats Lindgraf!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Minky Matthews!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Ben Zyskovitsi and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matthews tries to clinch but Lindgraf is having none of it.

Lindgraf dives in and scores a takedown into Matthews's guard.
Matthews pulls Lindgraf in close to his closed guard and prevents Lindgraf from doing any damage or advancing position.
Our spies down at at Cozad MMA Helsinki inform us that Matthews has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Lindgraf engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Matthews can't keep his opponent in guard - Lindgraf advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Matthews missing with punches from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matthews is refusing to be controlled, as Lindgraf sits in half guard.
We've been hearing that Lindgraf has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matthews is trying to maintain the position but Lindgraf is very close to passing his half guard.
Matthews missing with punches from the bottom.
Lindgraf is trying to control. Matthews wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Matthews is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Lindgraf pulls his head out easily.
Lindgraf wants to control but Matthews is keeping him busy.
Lindgraf is taking a breather. Matthews says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

Lindgraf is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Lindgraf trying to mount his opponent but Matthews defends it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Matthews looking for submissions off his back.
Matthews tries to roll over but Lindgraf keeps him under control.

Lindgraf is trying to work for a kimura but Matthews is defending well.
Lindgraf prevents Matthews from improving his position.

Lindgraf seems to be working for a kimura but Matthews defends the submission attempt.
Lindgraf is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lindgraf is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Matthews has managed to free his arm - good work.
Matthews is trying to maintain the position but Lindgraf is very close to passing his half guard.
Lindgraf will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Matthews tries to get to full guard but Lindgraf has control of the leg.
Nice strikes from Lindgraf there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Lindgraf is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Matthews is trying to stand.
Matthews is in trouble now - Lindgraf has advanced to mount!
Lindgraf lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Matthews hang on?
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Lindgraf is working for a guillotine from mount but Matthews frees his head quite easily.
Lindgraf looking to control but Matthews is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Matthews tries to lock up and control but Lindgraf gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mats Lindgraf dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Lindgraf gets a takedown into half guard.
Matthews is not content to let Lindgraf control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Matthews wants to get back to full guard but Lindgraf has passed into side control.
Matthews is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Lindgraf asserts his dominance and retains side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matthews can't do much from the bottom here.
Lindgraf remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lindgraf tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.

Lindgraf is trying to get an arm triangle but Matthews is defending well.
Lindgraf works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Matthews tries to buck Lindgraf off but Lindgraf is having none of it.

Lindgraf wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Matthews, who protects the arm well.
Matthews tries to buck Lindgraf off but Lindgraf is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lindgraf working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Lindgraf tries to move to mount but Matthews blocks the move with his legs.
Lindgraf really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Lindgraf tries for a kimura but Matthews is defending well.
Matthews is looking for a sweep.
Lindgraf connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Matthews some visible discomfort.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lindgraf wants to control but Matthews is keeping him busy.
Matthews is trying to control Lindgraf's posture but Lindgraf avoids it.

Lindgraf is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Matthews is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Lindgraf thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Lindgraf trying to control the action but Matthews is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Matthews is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Lindgraf off and has taken his back!
Lindgraf is in bad spot here.
Matthews is looking to control Lindgraf but Lindgraf is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Lindgraf wants to control his opponent's hands but Matthews gets his hands free.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Matthews has the hooks in. Lindgraf is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

Matthews looking for the RNC.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mats Lindgraf dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Matthews throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Lindgraf counters with a two punch combo.
Matthews tries to clinch but Lindgraf is having none of it.
Lindgraf feinted with a counter takedown.
Matthews throws out a loose jab but Lindgraf uses good head movement to avoid it.

Lindgraf shoots in and bounces Matthews off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Lindgraf trying to control the position from guard on top but Matthews is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lindgraf won't allow Matthews to sweep him here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Matthews looking for a guillotine here but Lindgraf defends easily.
Lindgraf engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Matthews working for submissions but it's allowed Lindgraf to get to half guard.
Matthews takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Lindgraf is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Matthews has managed to free his arm - good work.

Lindgraf is working for a kimura but Matthews is defending it quite comfortably.

Lindgraf is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lindgraf is trying to work for a kimura but Matthews is defending well.

Lindgraf looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Matthews trying to control but Lindgraf postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lindgraf works his way into full mount!
Lindgraf looking to control but Matthews is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Lindgraf is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Matthews is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Matthews is working to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lindgraf working the ground and pound effectively.
Matthews taking shots to the head.
Lindgraf controlling his opponent.
Matthews looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
Matthews tries to roll but Lindgraf sticks to his back.

Matthews defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Lindgraf's arms.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Matthews defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Lindgraf's arms.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mats Lindgraf showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Lindgraf 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:26
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:26
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mats Lindgraf!
A victorious Mats Lindgraf thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.