PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Futoshi Matsunaga (ranked 2626 p4p, 138 weight class) and Plu To Pi Fian (ranked 2431 p4p, 130 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Matsunaga
vs
To Pi Fian

170 cm
25
145 lbs
10 - 7 - 1

165 cm
25
132 lbs
9 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

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 10 - 7 - 1, fighting out of New York, Futoshi Matsunaga!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Plu To Pi Fian!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Johanna Lukiainen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pi Fian throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Matsunaga thows a left - swing and a miss!
Matsunaga takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

It looks like Futoshi Matsunaga has been cut.
Pi Fian moves out of range of the strikes.
A head kick misses from Pi Fian.
Matsunaga misses with an uppercut. Pi Fian saw that one coming.
Pi Fian lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Matsunaga throws a big shot that misses.
Pi Fian appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Matsunaga throws a right and a left that both miss.
A little jabbing left from Pi Fian on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Some wild striking there from Pi Fian.
Matsunaga dodges the punch combination from Pi Fian.
A quick step to the side and Matsunaga tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Matsunaga throws a body punch but Pi Fian moves out of range.
Matsunaga lands with a thumping leg kick.
Matsunaga slips a jab and a cross from Pi Fian.
Pi Fian thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Matsunaga if he has to take too many more of those.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Pi Fian connects with a crisp jab.
Pi Fian pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Matsunaga cracks Pi Fian with a right hand to the side of the head.
Matsunaga showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Pi Fian.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pi Fian throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Pi Fian throws a leg kick but Matsunaga sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Pi Fian lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Matsunaga circles away quickly and effectively.
Matsunaga throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Pi Fian sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Pi Fian looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Matsunaga throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A swing and a miss from Matsunaga.
Matsunaga misses with an uppercut.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Pi Fian.
Matsunaga misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
As Matsunaga backs off Pi Fian throws a huge counter combo but Matsunaga manages to avoid it all.
Pi Fian fails to land with a series of punches.
Matsunaga takes a swing at Pi Fian's ribcage but misses.
Matsunaga misses the shot to the body.
Matsunaga lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Matsunaga slips a jab and a cross from Pi Fian.
Matsunaga looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Matsunaga dodges the punch combination from Pi Fian.
Pi Fian throws a head kick that misses
enabling Matsunaga to counter with a crisp jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nice jab there from Matsunaga.
Matsunaga has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Matsunaga throws a hook but Pi Fian blocks it.
Pi Fian blocks a jab.
Some wild striking there from Pi Fian.
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.
Pi Fian ducks under a wild hook from Matsunaga.
Pi Fian stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Matsunaga.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Matsunaga's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Pi Fian connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Matsunaga scrambles back to his feet.
Nice shot by Matsunaga.
Matsunaga scores with a leg kick.
A combination from Pi Fian does no damage.
Matsunaga with a nice cross.
Pi Fian misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Matsunaga half committed to a counter leg kick.
Pi Fian misses with a wild combination.
A big right from Matsunaga misses.
Pi Fian throws a half hearted mid kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A left and a right from Matsunaga both land. Nice combination.
Pi Fian feints a jab promting Matsunaga to slip. Pi Fian then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Matsunaga slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Matsunaga throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Matsunaga takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Matsunaga avoids the head kick by Pi Fian.
Matsunaga connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Pi Fian's hands.
Matsunaga avoids the head kick by Pi Fian.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Pi Fian displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Pi Fian jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Matsunaga lands with a slapping head kick.
Matsunaga lands with a nice combination. Pi Fian backs away looking to recover.
Matsunaga moves out of range as Pi Fian throws a body kick.
Matsunaga is looking to counter with head kicks.
Matsunaga wants to land a leg kick but Pi Fian is out of range.
Matsunaga walks into a jab.
A left lands for Matsunaga.
Matsunaga misses with a straight right.
Matsunaga scores with a body shot.
Pi Fian plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pi Fian fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A little feinted left hand from Matsunaga on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Matsunaga changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Matsunaga fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Pi Fian.
Matsunaga lands with a shot to the body.
Matsunaga looks to land a left hand but Pi Fian moved out of range nicely.
Pi Fian takes a kick to the side of the head.
Matsunaga scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Matsunaga connects with a nice looking jab.
Matsunaga avoids the head kick by Pi Fian.
Matsunaga throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Matsunaga getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Matsunaga misses with a hook.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Pi Fian throws the kick towards the body but Matsunaga avoids it.
Pi Fian tries to move into range but Matsunaga moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Matsunaga moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Pi Fian gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Matsunaga.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Futoshi Matsunaga dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Futoshi Matsunaga's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Matsunaga misses with a two punch combination.
Pi Fian gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Pi Fian bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Pi Fian throws a counter combo.
Matsunaga avoids the head kick by Pi Fian.
Matsunaga half committed to a counter leg kick.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with eachother but Pi Fian might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Matsunaga has got the better of the exchanges.
Matsunaga misses with an uppercut. Pi Fian saw that one coming.
Matsunaga throws a jab but it's blocked by Pi Fian.
Pi Fian misses with a head kick.
Pi Fian throws a head kick that misses.
Pi Fian misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Matsunaga misses with a head kick.
Matsunaga slips a jab and a cross from Pi Fian.
Matsunaga lands a nice shot that snaps Pi Fian's head back.
Pi Fian misses with a double jab.
Matsunaga throws a right hand that Pi Fian ducks under and follows up with a left that Pi Fian also avoids with ease.
Matsunaga throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Matsunaga scores with a leg kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Pi Fian keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Matsunaga.
Matsunaga connects with an inside leg kick.
Matsunaga is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Pi Fian can do to turn this around?
Matsunaga scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Futoshi Matsunaga is winning the standup battle so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pi Fian displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Matsunaga throws out the jab.
Pi Fian throws a series of punches but Matsunaga moves out of range.
Pi Fian throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Matsunaga throws a hook but Pi Fian blocks it.
Pi Fian looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Pi Fian tries a head kick but it misses.
Pi Fian throws a wild body kick that Matsunaga sees coming a mile off.
Pi Fian drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
A combination from Pi Fian does no damage.
A quick step to the side and Matsunaga tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Matsunaga cracks Pi Fian with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Pi Fian throws a nice looking combination but Matsunaga bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Matsunaga ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Pi Fian moves away.
Pi Fian scores with a one two! Matsunaga had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A big right from Matsunaga misses.
A slapping leg kick lands for Matsunaga.
Pi Fian gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Pi Fian has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Matsunaga scores with a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsunaga blocks a head kick by Pi Fian.
Matsunaga showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Pi Fian.
Pi Fian throws a head kick but Matsunaga moves out of range.
Matsunaga tries to bum rush Pi Fian with a series of wild strikes but Pi Fian uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Pi Fian throws a head kick that Matsunaga semi-blocks.
Matsunaga looks to land a combination but Pi Fian avoids it well.
Matsunaga connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Pi Fian's hands.
Pi Fian scores with a push kick.
Pi Fian misses with a head kick.
Matsunaga takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Matsunaga misses with an uppercut
and Pi Fian counters with a three punch combo that has Matsunaga backing up. Matsunaga nods at Pi Fian to acknowledge the strikes.
Matsunaga slips a straight right by Pi Fian.
Matsunaga connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Pi Fian momentarily.
Pi Fian misses with a two punch combination.
Matsunaga looks to land a right hand but Pi Fian moved out of range.
Pi Fian lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsunaga throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Pi Fian.
Pi Fian throws a body kick that misses
and Matsunaga counters with a stiff right hand.
Pi Fian keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Matsunaga.
Matsunaga lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Matsunaga lands a jab to the head.
Pi Fian tries a head kick but it misses.
Matsunaga throws a big counter combination but Pi Fian scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Nice uppercut there from Matsunaga.
Pi Fian throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Pi Fian misses with a straight left.
Matsunaga feints and then cracks Pi Fian's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Pi Fian down.
Pi Fian turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Matsunaga misses with an uppercut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Matsunaga punishes Pi Fian's body with a nice straight punch.
The fighters circle momentarily. Matsunaga darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Matsunaga lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Matsunaga.
Pi Fian throws a right and a left that Matsunaga avoids nicely.
Pi Fian throws a series of punches but Matsunaga moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pi Fian tries a head kick but it misses.
Matsunaga displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Pi Fian throws a half hearted mid kick.
Matsunaga cracks Pi Fian with an open hand slap.
Pi Fian drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Matsunaga swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Pi Fian's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
A head kick misses from Pi Fian.
Matsunaga throws a right and a left that both miss.
Matsunaga lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Pi Fian ducks under a wild hook from Matsunaga.
Matsunaga ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Pi Fian moves away.
Pi Fian is looking for the big counter here.
Matsunaga feints and then cracks Pi Fian's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Pi Fian down.
Matsunaga avoids the head kick by Pi Fian.
Matsunaga swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Matsunaga throws a hook but Pi Fian avoids it easily.
Pi Fian misses with a double jab
and Matsunaga counters with a nice leg kick.
A punch combination from Pi Fian misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Futoshi Matsunaga dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Futoshi Matsunaga's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Matsunaga connects with a crisp jab.
Pi Fian is looking to land body kicks.
Pi Fian thows a leg kick but Matsunaga checks it
and Matsunaga counters with a stiff right hand.
Pi Fian throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Matsunaga walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Pi Fian checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Matsunaga throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Matsunaga thows a left - swing and a miss!
A telegraphed right hand from Matsunaga misses the target.
Pi Fian moves out of range as Matsunaga strikes.
Pi Fian is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Matsunaga tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Pi Fian was well out of range. Poor timing from Matsunaga.
Matsunaga fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Pi Fian manages to avoid it.
Plu To Pi Fian is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Pi Fian throws a right and a left that Matsunaga avoids nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matsunaga thuds a left hand into Pi Fian's body.
Pi Fian throws a quick inside leg kick.
Matsunaga looks to land a combination but Pi Fian avoids it well.
A head kick misses from Pi Fian.
Matsunaga throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Matsunaga misses with an uppercut
and Pi Fian counters with a three punch combo that has Matsunaga backing up. Matsunaga nods at Pi Fian to acknowledge the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pi Fian walks into a stiff left hand from Matsunaga.
Matsunaga throws a big shot that misses.
Matsunaga throws the left hand but Pi Fian avoids the punch easily.
Matsunaga jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Pi Fian misses with a series of wild punches.
A looping hook to the body misses from Matsunaga. Pi Fian does a little dance to reset his feet.
Matsunaga looks to land a right hand but Pi Fian moved out of range.
Pi Fian moves out of range as Matsunaga strikes.
Pi Fian throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Matsunaga scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Matsunaga takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Matsunaga takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Pi Fian pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Pi Fian throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Pi Fian connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Matsunaga momentarily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Good leg kick by Pi Fian there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsunaga darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
An inside leg kick lands from Matsunaga.
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 moves out of range of the body kick.
Pi Fian displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Matsunaga throws out the jab.
Matsunaga fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A combination from Matsunaga does no damage.
Pi Fian misses with a head kick.
A punch combination from Pi Fian misses.
Pi Fian throws a body kick that misses.
Matsunaga misses with a wild body shot.
Some wild striking there from Pi Fian.
Matsunaga was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Matsunaga catches Pi Fian with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Pi Fian misses with a series of wild punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pi Fian misses with a double jab.
Pi Fian takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Matsunaga scores with a body shot.
Pi Fian scores with a jab. Matsunaga acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
A big right from Matsunaga misses.
Matsunaga throws out a loose jab but Pi Fian uses good head movement to avoid it.
Matsunaga paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
A punch combination from Matsunaga misses.
Pi Fian throws a counter combo.
A slapping body kick lands there for Pi Fian.
Pi Fian goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Pi Fian goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Pi Fian throws a jab but it's blocked by Matsunaga.
Pi Fian pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Matsunaga moves out of range of the body kick.
Matsunaga stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Matsunaga connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Pi Fian tries to bum rush Matsunaga with a series of wild strikes but Matsunaga uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pi Fian pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Futoshi Matsunaga is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Pi Fian cracks the inside of Matsunaga's front leg.
Pi Fian gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Pi Fian throws a head kick but Matsunaga moves out of range.
Pi Fian uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Matsunaga.
Pi Fian swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Pi Fian on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Matsunaga misses with a jab, cross combination.
Pi Fian misses with a leg kick.
Matsunaga has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Matsunaga throws a head kick that misses.
Pi Fian throws a sloppy head kick and Matsunaga moves out of range easily.
Pi Fian pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Pi Fian uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Matsunaga.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Matsunaga uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Pi Fian.
Left hook, right uppercut from Matsunaga.
Plu To Pi Fian has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jab, jab by Matsunaga - just one landing.
Matsunaga moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Futoshi Matsunaga.
Well Matsunaga 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Futoshi Matsunaga!
A relieved looking Futoshi Matsunaga thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.