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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Futoshi Matsunaga (ranked 2641 p4p, 128 weight class) and Bob Johnson (ranked 3386 p4p, 166 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!
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| 170 cm
21
145 lbs
5 - 1 - 0 |
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162 cm
21
135 lbs
3 - 2 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin |
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Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful |
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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
5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Futoshi Matsunaga!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Bob Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Marco Blurström and Johanna Lukiainen.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matsunaga connects with the punch.
Johnson lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Johnson misses with a looping left.
Matsunaga throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Matsunaga misses the jab.
Johnson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Matsunaga.
Matsunaga throwing a counter right hand but Johnson manages to avoid it.
The fight moves into the clinch position.
Johnson lands with a light punch inside.
Johnson misses with the head strike.
Johnson wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Matsunaga has him pressed against the cage.
Matsunaga lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Johnson misses with a hook from the clinch.
Matsunaga's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Matsunaga 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.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Johnson cracks Matsunaga with a good jab.
Matsunaga with a hook.
Matsunaga digs a good hook to Johnson's body.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson scores with a jab. Matsunaga acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Johnson tries to clinch there but Matsunaga circles away.
Johnson swings away with a body shot that misses
and Matsunaga counters with a stiff right hand.
Matsunaga is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Johnson.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Johnson! But no joy.
Matsunaga staying out of range there.
Matsunaga drives through and clinches with Johnson against the cage.
Johnson works on Matsunaga's body with a couple of short punches.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Matsunaga.
I was talking to Matsunaga's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Matsunaga goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Johnson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Jab from Johnson.
Johnson looks to land a left hand but Matsunaga moved out of range nicely.
Johnson gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Matsunaga misses with a hook.
Johnson has managed to clinch.
Matsunaga misses with the head strike.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsunaga letting Johnson take a breather here.
Matsunaga lands a hook to the side of the head.
Matsunaga tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Johnson lands a right hand that snaps the head of Matsunaga backwards.
Johnson breaks from the clinch.
Matsunaga is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Matsunaga moves out of range as Johnson strikes.
Johnson 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.
Johnson misses with a body shot.
Matsunaga scores with a jab. Johnson acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Matsunaga throws a jab when Johnson was well out of range.
Johnson blocks a jab.
Johnson tries to counter by closing the distance.
Matsunaga uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Johnson.
Johnson looks to score with a jab to the body but Matsunaga is just out of range.
Johnson looks to throw the jab but Matsunaga is out of range.
Johnson misses with a body shot.
Johnson bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Johnson.
Matsunaga connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Johnson throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Johnson works over Matsunaga's head and body with a nice combination.
Johnson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Matsunaga uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Johnson.
Johnson defending well as Matsunaga loads up on a big left hand.
Matsunaga with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Johnson misses with a body shot
letting Matsunaga counter with a right hand.
Matsunaga is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Johnson throws a jab but it's blocked by Matsunaga.
Matsunaga lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Bob Johnson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Matsunaga lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Matsunaga tries to clinch up but Johnson circles away and keeps his distance.
Johnson fails in his attempt to clinch.
Matsunaga is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson misses with an uppercut
and Matsunaga counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Johnson wants to clinch.
Johnson ducks under a wild hook from Matsunaga.
Johnson swings for the body but Matsunaga moves out of range.
Johnson wants to clinch up but Matsunaga keeps it at a distance.
Johnson pushes Matsunaga up against the cage in a clinch.
Matsunaga tries to pull guard but Johnson won't allow it.
Matsunaga escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Johnson clinches up against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Johnson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A telegraphed right hand from Matsunaga misses the target.
Matsunaga drops his hands momentarily and Johnson takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Matsunaga scores with a hook to the body. Johnson takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but I would say that Futoshi Matsunaga will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!
Johnson lands with a right hand.
Matsunaga fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Matsunaga misses with a hook.
Matsunaga takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Johnson ducks under a wild hook from Matsunaga.
Johnson throws a body punch but Matsunaga moves out of range.
Matsunaga smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Johnson cracks a nice hook into Matsunaga's ribs.
Johnson throws a body punch but Matsunaga moves out of range.
Johnson with a nice cross.
Matsunaga connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Johnson throws a right hand that misses
and Matsunaga counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Johnson is rocked!
Matsunaga misses with an uppercut.
Matsunaga tries to clinch there but Johnson circles away.
Futoshi Matsunaga is winning the standup battle so far.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsunaga's jab looks to have found its range, popping Johnson under the eye.
Johnson is still on wobbly legs! Can Matsunaga finish him?
A swing and a miss from Matsunaga.
Johnson seems to have recovered his senses.
Nice body punch from Johnson.
Johnson ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Matsunaga uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Johnson.
Matsunaga was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
A slow jab from Matsunaga misses its intended target.
Matsunaga ducks under a wild hook from Johnson.
Johnson uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Matsunaga.
Matsunaga defending well as Johnson loads up on a big left hand.
Johnson scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Johnson walks into a jab.
Johnson lands with a hook. Matsunaga tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
It looks like Futoshi Matsunaga has been cut.
Matsunaga misses with a looping right.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Matsunaga uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Johnson.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Johnson misses.
Johnson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Matsunaga moves away.
A swing and a miss from Johnson.
Matsunaga was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
A punch combination from Matsunaga misses.
Johnson clinches up with Matsunaga and pushes him back against the cage.
Johnson looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Johnson breaks the clinch.
Matsunaga tests Johnson's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Matsunaga moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
A telegraphed right hand from Johnson misses the target.
Johnson tries to move into range but Matsunaga moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Matsunaga lands with a right hand.
Matsunaga throws a sloppy body shot
letting Johnson counter with a right hand.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
A cross from Johnson lands.
A jab from Johnson finds it's way through Matsunaga's defenses.
Johnson gets tackled into the cage by Matsunaga. Matsunaga maintains the clinch.
Matsunaga escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Johnson misses with a body shot.
Matsunaga throws a hook but Johnson blocks it.
Matsunaga blocks a jab.
Johnson moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Johnson has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Decent striking displayed by Matsunaga there.
Johnson ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The fight stays on the outside here - Johnson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Johnson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Matsunaga was well out of range. Poor timing from Johnson.
Matsunaga throwing a counter right hand but Johnson manages to avoid it.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Matsunaga scores with a jab.
Johnson tries to clinch but Matsunaga moves out of range.
Johnson misses with a body shot.
Matsunaga walks into a straight right hand from Johnson.
Johnson scores with a jab to the body.
Johnson clinches with his opponent.
Johnson misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Matsunaga makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Johnson lands a right hand.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Johnson blocks an uppercut.
Matsunaga is trying to pull guard but Johnson has him pressed against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Matsunaga.
Matsunaga scores with a shoulder strike.
Johnson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close second round but Bob Johnson will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Futoshi Matsunaga's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!
Johnson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Matsunaga closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Johnson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Matsunaga manages to avoid it.
Matsunaga scores with a sloppy right hand. Johnson should have avoided that one.
Johnson with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Matsunaga to score with a decent uppercut.
Johnson changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Johnson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Matsunaga.
Johnson works the jab nicely.
Matsunaga slips a jab from Johnson.
Johnson scores with a body shot.
Johnson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Matsunaga.
Johnson doesn't manage to clinch there - Matsunaga circles away.
Matsunaga uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Matsunaga connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Johnson's hands.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson keeps the fight on the outside.
Matsunaga staying out of range there.
Johnson thows a left - swing and a miss!
Matsunaga throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Johnson.
Johnson misses with a straight left.
Matsunaga was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Johnson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Matsunaga throws the left hand but Johnson avoids the punch easily.
A telegraphed right hand from Matsunaga misses the target.
Johnson takes a swing at Matsunaga's ribcage but misses.
It looked like Matsunaga wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Johnson ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Johnson fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Johnson misses with a body shot.
Johnson tries to clinch but Matsunaga is having none of it.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Johnson just misses with a punch to the body.
Matsunaga lands a nice hook to Johnson's body. Johnson takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Johnson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Matsunaga sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Johnson looks to score with a jab to the body but Matsunaga is just out of range.
Matsunaga catches Johnson with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Johnson catches Matsunaga with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Johnson throws a poor cross that misses
and Matsunaga counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Matsunaga ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Matsunaga wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Johnson. Matsunaga does a little dance to reset his feet.
Matsunaga swinging wildly here.
Johnson misses with a shot to the body
letting Matsunaga counter with a right hand.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsunaga ducks right into an uppercut from Johnson.
Johnson rushes Matsunaga and presses him up against the cage.
Johnson misses with a hook to the ribs.
Matsunaga lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Johnson backwards.
A head punch on the inside from Matsunaga fails to land.
Johnson is trying to force a seperation but Matsunaga has the dominant position.
Johnson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Matsunaga misses with a short punch on the inside.
Johnson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Johnson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Matsunaga 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.
Matsunaga is looking to clinch but Johnson is avoiding it.
Johnson misses with a looping right.
Johnson tries to keep at a distance but Matsunaga has taken the fight into the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Johnson fails to land.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsunaga breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Matsunaga clinches.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Johnson blocks an uppercut.
Matsunaga tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
A frustrated look appears on Johnson's face as he tries to break the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Johnson.
Johnson blocking some punches.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
A short right from Johnson on the inside.
Matsunaga has a couple of punches blocked by Johnson.
Johnson breaks the clinch.
Matsunaga throws a shot from downtown. Johnson moves away and avoids it.
Johnson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Johnson rushes Matsunaga and presses him up against the cage.
Matsunaga tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Bob Johnson.
Well Johnson 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 28:29
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bob Johnson!
Bob Johnson seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
76% |
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