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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Usko Matonen (ranked 1311 p4p, 83 weight class) and Klahan Metharom (ranked 2570 p4p, 154 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.
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165 cm
30
140 lbs
12 - 8 - 1 |
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165 cm
29
135 lbs
13 - 8 - 0 |
Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin |
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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
12 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Usko Matonen! And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner. With a record of
13 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Klahan Metharom! The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Konstantin Menshow and Vladimir Khabensky.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway! Metharom misses with an uppercut. Matonen saw that one coming. Metharom chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Matonen looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight. Metharom throws a quick inside leg kick. Ouch! a nice leg kick from Matonen, right into the meat.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Metharom.
Metharom lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise. Matonen throws a head kick but Metharom moves out of range.
Matonen throws out a loose jab but Metharom uses good head movement to avoid it. Matonen checks the leg kick nicely there.
Matonen takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh. Matonen looks to score with a combo but nothing lands. Metharom lands with a thumping leg kick.
Metharom tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Matonen is able to avoid easily. Metharom moves away from the strike by Matonen. Matonen throws a lazy uppercut
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick. Metharom throws a leg kick but Matonen sees it coming and moves out of range. Matonen appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick. Matonen throws a nice inside leg kick. The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here. Metharom changes levels and scores with a jab to the body. Metharom misses with a kick to the body.
Matonen clinches.
That's one minute gone in the round. Metharom tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked. Metharom misses with a hook to the ribs.
Matonen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Metharom buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Matonen dips down and scores with a jab to the body. Matonen blocks a low kick nicely. Metharom throws a low kick but it's checked well by Matonen. Metharom feints and then cracks Matonen's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Matonen down. Metharom lands with a thumping leg kick.
Matonen lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Matonen blocks a jab. Metharom gets tackled into the cage by Matonen. Matonen maintains the clinch. Metharom misses with a short punch on the inside. A short body shot lands from Matonen as the two fighters clinch.
Matonen throws a punch but it's blocked by Metharom. Metharom misses with a short punch on the inside. Matonen pushes Metharom back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head. Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd. Metharom fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Metharom makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut. Metharom misses with a shot to the kidneys.
That's two minutes gone in the round. Matonen lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Metharom backwards. Metharom fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Metharom tries to throw a body punch but Matonen avoids it by throwing Metharom back against the cage. Metharom tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked. A short left from Metharom. Matonen manages to break the clinch.
Metharom throws a low kick but Matonen moves out of range easily. Matonen displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination. Matonen avoids the body shot from Metharom.
Matonen looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Metharom moves out of range as Matonen throws a body kick.
Matonen dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Metharom. That did some damage! Matonen takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Matonen misses with a body kick. Matonen looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it. Matonen throws a nice looking combination but Metharom bobs and weaves to avoid any damage. Metharom feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Matonen's calf. Metharom checks a low kick from Matonen. Matonen defending well as Metharom loads up on a big left hand.
That's three minutes gone in the round. Metharom chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Metharom misses with a two punch combination.
Matonen swings away with a leg kick that misses. Matonen lands with a thumping leg kick.
Metharom throws a body kick but he was well out of range there. Matonen swings for the body but Metharom moves out of range.
Matonen catches Metharom with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong! Matonen throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Matonen shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down. Metharom flicks out a counter leg kick but Matonen steps away. Metharom on the wrong end of a nice hook. Metharom staying out of range there. Metharom tried to score with a low kick but Matonen checks it. Metharom stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Matonen. A slapping leg kick lands for Metharom.
Metharom throws a body kick that misses. Metharom misses with a leg kick. Matonen misses with a wild body shot. Matonen is looking to chop away at Metharom's legs.
That's four minutes gone in the round. The crowd are loving this. Great action here. Metharom walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Matonen checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side. Matonen scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business. Matonen moves forwards but Metharom connects with a nice, crisp jab. Klahan Metharom seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout. Matonen dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Metharom. That did some damage! Metharom takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness. A low kick from Metharom misses and Matonen counters with a nice leg kick. Metharom checks the leg kick. Metharom moves into the clinch successfully.
Metharom presses Matonen against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot. Matonen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Matonen attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin. Matonen drives through and clinches with Metharom against the cage.
Metharom scores with an uppercut up the middle. A head punch blocked on the inside by Metharom. The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end. Matonen working aggressively here.
Matonen is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight. Metharom misses with a hook from the clinch. Metharom tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked. An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Matonen. Matonen blocking some punches.
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 Usko Matonen will probably get the nod. OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
Metharom throws a low kick but Matonen moves out of range easily. Matonen feinted there with a counter leg kick. Matonen takes the fight into the clinch. Matonen tries to work over Metharom's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target. Metharom misses with a body punch.
Matonen is trying to push Metharom away but Metharom has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere. Metharom lands a nice shot to the body. Matonen's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button! An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Metharom. Matonen lands with a left to the head. Matonen misses with a hook from the clinch. Matonen wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Matonen lands a shoulder strike. Metharom has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Matonen seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Metharom can turn it around. Matonen taking a breather. We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up. Matonen manages to break the clinch.
Matonen rushes Metharom and presses him up against the cage. Metharom tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Matonen's elbow. Metharom goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Metharom has Matonen pressed against the cage, preventing Matonen from circling away and getting back to striking at range. Metharom lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards. Metharom blocks a punch to the side of the head.
That's one minute gone in the round. Matonen misses with the head strike.
Matonen throws a head punch that misses. Matonen digs a right hand into Metharom's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Metharom's gas tank. Metharom lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Matonen. Metharom blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Metharom blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Metharom lands a left hand.
Metharom misses with a body punch.
Matonen cracks Metharom with a nice body shot. Metharom misses with a punch on the inside.
Matonen lands with a short shot to the head. Matonen is trying to break free. Nice body punch from Matonen. Matonen lands a body shot. Metharom swings wildly with an uppercut but Matonen uses good head movement to avoid it. Matonen lands a hook that snaps the head of Metharom backwards. Metharom misses with a punch to the body.
Matonen tries to throw a body punch but Metharom avoids it by throwing Matonen back against the cage. Matonen misses with a short punch on the inside. Metharom misses with a punch to the body.
That's two minutes gone in the round. Matonen lands a shot to the body. Metharom misses with a punch to the body.
Matonen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
This has been an exciting period of action! Matonen lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Metharom circles away quickly and effectively. Metharom lands a nice shot that snaps Matonen's head back.
Metharom feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Matonen's calf. Matonen lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Metharom moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross. Metharom throws a low kick but Matonen moves out of range easily. Matonen misses with a combination
enabling Metharom to counter with a crisp jab. Matonen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Metharom.
Metharom uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Matonen.
Metharom takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch. Metharom blocks a low kick nicely. Matonen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Metharom looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it. Matonen throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land. Metharom swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made. Matonen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Metharom.
That's three minutes gone in the round. Matonen thuds his right hand into Metharom's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters. Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Matonen.
Metharom throws out a leg kick but Matonen moves out of range and Metharom only half commits. Metharom throws a body shot but no joy. Crunch! Metharom slams his shin into Matonen's torso. Metharom looks for the body kick but Matonen saw that one coming. Metharom circles away from the clinch attempt.
Matonen tries a low kick but Metharom avoids it. Matonen uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Metharom. Metharom slips a jab from Matonen. Matonen lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh. Matonen throws a head kick but Metharom moves out of range.
Metharom throws out a token jab with nothing on it. Matonen throws a shot from downtown. Metharom moves away and avoids it. And an attempted straight right on the counter from Metharom! But no joy. Matonen misses with a body kick. Metharom is clearly looking to counter with head kicks. Matonen misses the jab. Matonen throws a jab but it's blocked by Metharom.
That's four minutes gone in the round. Metharom slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range. Matonen slips a straight right by Metharom. Jab by Metharom. We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out! Metharom scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent. Metharom lands a really nice looking cross but Matonen seems unphased.
Metharom stuns Matonen with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range. Metharom checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time. Metharom jabbing away but nothing is landing. Metharom scores with a kick to the midsection. Metharom gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Metharom lands the left hand. Metharom throws a low kick but Matonen avoids it. Metharom thuds a left hand into Matonen's body. Matonen swings for the body but Metharom moves out of range.
Matonen misses with a kick to the body.
Matonen connects with a crisp jab. The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end. Matonen lands with a shot to the body. And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Usko Matonen dominated that second 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. This is the final round!
Metharom connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there. Matonen lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Donk. Matonen catches Metharom right on the button with a cross. Matonen misses with a hook. Matonen avoids the head kick by Metharom.
Metharom throws a front kick that sends Matonen stumbling back into the cage. Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Metharom.
Matonen moves out of range of the body kick. Matonen wants to clinch up but Metharom keeps it at a distance. Metharom lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh. Metharom checks a leg kick nicely. Matonen moves out of range of the body kick from Metharom.
Matonen on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those. Metharom bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick. We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out! Matonen blocks a low kick nicely. Metharom keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Matonen. Metharom lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Metharom throws a lazy right hand but Matonen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
That's one minute gone in the round. Ouch! a nice leg kick from Metharom, right into the meat.
Metharom buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
A good leg kick by Metharom. Metharom swings away with a leg kick that misses. A head kick misses from Matonen. That kick from Metharom tenderised Matonen's leg. Matonen is trying to keep his angry face on. Metharom scores with the left hand. Matonen knows he should have avoided that one. Matonen has closed the distance and engaged Metharom in a clinch.
Metharom goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Metharom lands a body punch. Matonen wants to get back to striking at distance but Metharom won't allow it.
Matonen blocks a body shot from Metharom. Metharom misses with a punch to the body.
Matonen lands a body shot. Metharom tries a body shot but Matonen blocks it.
Matonen stalling.
Matonen tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage. Metharom misses with a hook to the ribs.
Usko Matonen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
That's two minutes gone in the round. Metharom misses with a punch to the body.
Metharom lands a hook that snaps the head of Matonen backwards. Matonen blocking some punches.
Metharom works on Matonen's body with a couple of short punches. 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! Metharom misses with a body punch.
Matonen blocks a body shot from Metharom. Metharom has a couple of punches blocked by Matonen.
Metharom working aggressively here.
Metharom misses with a body punch.
Metharom misses with a punch to the body.
Metharom misses with a punch to the body.
Metharom has a couple of punches blocked by Matonen.
That's three minutes gone in the round. Metharom goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Metharom throws a head punch that misses. Metharom tries a body shot but Matonen blocks it.
Metharom scores with a nice hook to the head. Metharom digs a right hand into Matonen's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Matonen's gas tank. Metharom tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked. Metharom tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked. Metharom throws a punch but it's blocked by Matonen. Metharom misses with a punch to the body.
Metharom works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Metharom struggles to land a body shot inside as Matonen controls his hands.
Metharom misses with the head strike.
Metharom doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
That's four minutes gone in the round. Matonen misses with a punch on the inside.
Metharom tries a body shot but Matonen blocks it.
Metharom lands a nice shot to the body. A left hand lands to the body for Metharom.
Metharom misses with some punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Matonen. Metharom throws a punch but it's blocked by Matonen. Metharom tries to throw a body punch but Matonen avoids it by throwing Metharom back against the cage. Matonen prevents a body shot from Metharom. Matonen lands with a short head shot on the inside. Metharom misses with a punch to the body.
Klahan Metharom has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here! Metharom doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
And that's the end of the fight! Klahan Metharom comfortably won the final round on my scorecard. I think Matonen has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 29:28 Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 29:28 Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 29:28
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Usko Matonen! Usko Matonen spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.
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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
71% |
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