PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Daniel Spong (ranked 1062 p4p, 817 weight class) and Parta Matti (ranked 145 p4p, 114 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Spong
vs
Matti

179 cm
28
232
11 - 7 - 0

201 cm
29
270
11 - 8 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Voodoo Nutrition
FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Daniel Spong!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 8 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Parta Matti!
The judges for this bout are Percy O'Donnell, Jack Bonds and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Spong swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Matti doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Matti swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Spong.
Matti fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Spong manages to avoid it.

Matti gets caught napping as Spong dives in and scores a takedown. Matti manages to retain guard.
Spong won't allow Matti to sweep him here.
Matti seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Spong won't allow Matti to sweep him here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Spong landing with the ground and pound.
Matti looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Spong landing with the ground and pound.
Matti looking to hit a scissor sweep but Spong is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spong throwing strikes but missing.
Spong wants to pass the guard but Matti is keeping the position.
Matti looking to hit a scissor sweep but Spong is one step ahead there.
Spong throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Matti works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Matti not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Spong connects with a couple of short punches.
Matti seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Spong wants to control from the top but Matti keeps moving.
Spong is looking to work some ground and pound but Matti has wrist control.
Spong postures up.
Matti controlling Spong's posture.
Spong throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Matti works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Spong lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Matti looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Spong trying to control the position from guard on top but Matti is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Matti is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Let's hope that Matti has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Matti tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matti seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Matti not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Matti keeping moving, preventing Spong from controlling successfully.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Parta Matti is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Spong throws a right hand that misses
and Matti counters with a nice body shot.
Spong has his takedown stuffed
and Matti counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Matti keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Spong swings for the body but Matti moves out of range.
Matti looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Spong misses with a body shot.
Spong throws out a loose jab but Matti uses good head movement to avoid it.
Spong loads up on a big right hand but Matti slips the punch.
Spong looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Spong finds it's way through Matti's defenses.
Spong shoots in and drives through. Matti sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Daniel Spong. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Matti misses with a body kick.
Matti throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Spong fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Matti manages to avoid it.
A big left from Spong misses.
Matti lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Matti displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Spong.
Matti throws a body shot but no joy.
Spong misses with a wild body shot.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Spong keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Spong misses with a hook
and Matti counters with a straight right hand.
Spong misses with a wild body shot.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Parta Matti will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Nice cross by Spong.

Spong shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Matti's guard.
Matti has control of Spong's left arm, preventing Spong from doing any damage.
Daniel Spong overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Spong is looking to work some ground and pound but Matti has wrist control.
Spong trying to control the position from guard on top but Matti is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Matti looking to hit a scissor sweep but Spong is one step ahead there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matti controlling the position.
Matti is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Matti stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spong moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Spong had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Matti defends it easily.
Spong can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Matti controls the pace.

Spong looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Spong is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Spong has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Matti is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Spong.
Spong is trying to improve his position.
Spong struggling a bit here.
Matti wants to stand but Spong is controlling his arm.
Matti 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.
Matti passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Spong!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matti sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Matti trying to control but Spong is having none of it.
Matti sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Spong is looking to get to half guard.
Matti trying to control but Spong is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Matti controlling from the full mount.
Spong keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Matti controlling his opponent.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Spong can't escape the position.
Matti trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Spong wants to control but Matti is having none of it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Parta Matti will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

A nice leg kick from Matti, right into the meat of the thigh.

Spong manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Matti on his heels. He'll look to pass Matti's guard now, I'm sure.
Spong trying to control the position from guard on top but Matti is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Spong is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Matti trying to keep a closed guard but Spong is proving a slippery customer.
Matti has Spong pulled in close to control his posture.
Matti keeping full guard, as Spong tries to pass.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Spong drops back, looking for a kneebar! Matti looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Matti looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Matti!

Matti controls the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matti working away.
A lull in the action here.
Matti tries to move to mount but Spong blocks the move with his legs.
Matti takes a little break here. Spong wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Matti's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Spong struggling a bit here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Spong keeps Matti under control for a moment.
Spong gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Matti wants to stand but Spong has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Spong is looking to improve his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Spong is trying to maintain the position but Matti is very close to passing his half guard.
Matti tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Matti waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Spong.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Spong, as that shot connected.
Nice cross by Spong.

Spong gets the takedown into side control.
Matti struggling a bit here.
Matti is trying to improve his position.
Matti has one of Spong's arms on lockdown, trying to prevent him from doing any damage.
Matti gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matti is concentrating on defense, preventing Spong from advancing position.
Spong missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Spong in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. Matti tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Spong!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:31 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Daniel Spong!
An out of breath Daniel Spong thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.