PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Michael Aalto (ranked 896 p4p, 1329 weight class) and Roko Matijevic (ranked 70 p4p, 106 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.

Aalto
vs
Matijevic

177 cm
35
157
24 - 21 - 0

175 cm
29
155
14 - 10 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Heavy handed

Silverguard Outfitters 🛡
Furnace Performance 🔥

Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 24 - 21 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Michael Aalto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Roko Matijevic!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Shigeki Fujiwara and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Matijevic gets caught napping as Aalto dives in and scores a takedown. Matijevic manages to retain guard.
Aalto loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Matijevic keeping full guard, as Aalto tries to pass.

Aalto drops back looking for a leg! Matijevic is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Matijevic manages to kick Aalto off! Aalto jumps back into Matijevic's guard.
Aalto is working Matijevic over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Aalto is fighting to break Matijevic's control of his arms but Matijevic is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

Aalto drops back looking for a leg! Matijevic is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Matijevic manages to kick Aalto off! Aalto jumps back into Matijevic's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aalto trying to control the position from guard on top but Matijevic is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Aalto thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Aalto is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Aalto drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Aalto jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Aalto advances to half guard.
Matijevic is not content to let Aalto control the position.
Aalto looks to land a strike but Matijevic avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Aalto looking to pass the guard.
Aalto throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matijevic keeping full guard, as Aalto tries to pass.
Aalto throwing strikes from guard but Matijevic blocks nicely.
Aalto trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Matijevic really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Aalto. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Matijevic preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Matijevic pulls Aalto in close to prevent any damage.

Aalto drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Aalto jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Aalto drops back looking for a leg! Matijevic is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Matijevic manages to kick Aalto off! Aalto jumps back into Matijevic's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Aalto advances position into side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aalto working the head with strikes.
Aalto creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Matijevic sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

Aalto is trying to get an arm triangle but Matijevic is defending well.

Aalto is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Matijevic knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Aalto is trying to get an arm triangle but Matijevic is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aalto tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.

Aalto tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Aalto has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Matijevic is trying to control Aalto's posture but Aalto avoids it.

Aalto thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Aalto tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
You can see the frustration on Matijevic's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Aalto dominated that round.
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.

Aalto throws a sloppy body shot
and Aalto takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Aalto shoots for a takedown but Matijevic saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Aalto with a poor takedown
and Matijevic counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Aalto shoots for a double leg takedown but Matijevic sprawls well. He's pushed Aalto's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Matijevic flicks out a counter leg kick but Aalto steps away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michael Aalto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Matijevic circles away from the clinch attempt.

Aalto fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Matijevic, pushing him back against the cage.
Matijevic throws a punch but it's blocked by Aalto.

Matijevic escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Aalto moves out of range as Matijevic strikes.
Aalto blocks a head kick by Matijevic.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aalto throws out a loose jab but Matijevic uses good head movement to avoid it.
Aalto uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Matijevic.

Matijevic gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Aalto to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Aalto is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Matijevic can do to turn this around?
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Aalto thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matijevic pulls Aalto in close to his closed guard and prevents Aalto from doing any damage or advancing position.
Let's hope that Matijevic 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.
Aalto sitting in guard here, content to control.
Matijevic working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Aalto.
Matijevic is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Aalto is pushing down on Matijevic's leg trying to pass to half guard. Matijevic is fighting to maintain full guard but Aalto has managed to sneak the leg through.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Matijevic can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Aalto wants to work for an arm triangle but Matijevic is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Aalto tries to pass to full mount but Matijevic defends it.
Aalto not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Matijevic avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Aalto.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Aalto wants to lay and pray for a moment but Matijevic keeps working.

Aalto is working for a kimura but Matijevic is defending it quite comfortably.
Matijevic is trying to maintain the position but Aalto is very close to passing his half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aalto seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

Aalto is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Aalto seems to be working for a kimura but Matijevic defends the submission attempt.

Aalto is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Aalto is thwarting Matijevic's attempts to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Aalto is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Aalto is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Matijevic has managed to free his arm - good work.
Matijevic is trying to maintain the position but Aalto is very close to passing his half guard.

Aalto 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.
Michael Aalto overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Aalto perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Aalto dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Aalto throws a body shot but no joy.
Matijevic misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Aalto.
Matijevic stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Matijevic wants it to stay on the feet.
Matijevic appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Matijevic keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Aalto.
Aalto tries to close the distance and clinch up but Matijevic swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Aalto throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Aalto tries to close the distance and clinch up but Matijevic swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Matijevic now looks to counter with a shot at the body.

Aalto clinches.
Aalto drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Aalto wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michael Aalto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matijevic misses with a punch on the inside.
Aalto lands a shot to the body.
Aalto lands a nice uppercut.
Matijevic blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Matijevic misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aalto fails to pull guard.
Matijevic working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Matijevic blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A short right from Aalto on the inside.
Matijevic lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Aalto blocking some punches.
Matijevic blocks a body shot from Aalto.
Matijevic lands a hook that snaps the head of Aalto backwards.
Matijevic misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Matijevic lands a hook that snaps the head of Aalto backwards.
Aalto tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Matijevic scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Matijevic blocks an uppercut.
A nice left hand lands by Aalto.
Matijevic lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Aalto tries for a takedown but Matijevic manages to get underhooks.
Matijevic misses with some punches.
Matijevic lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Matijevic lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Aalto lands a left hand that snaps the head of Matijevic backwards.
Roko Matijevic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aalto misses with a hook from the clinch.
Matijevic struggles to land a body shot inside as Aalto controls his hands.
Matijevic lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Aalto.
Matijevic swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Matijevic misses with a hook to the ribs.
Matijevic tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Matijevic lands a hook to the side of the head.
Matijevic prevents the takedown attempt.
Matijevic blocking some punches.
Matijevic tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A short left from Matijevic.
Matijevic lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Aalto goes for a takedown attempt but Matijevic pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A jab lands there for Matijevic.
Aalto throws a leg kick
and Matijevic counters with a stiff right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Aalto rushes Matijevic and presses him up against the cage.
Matijevic tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Matijevic lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Aalto misses with a punch to the body.
Aalto is leaning against Matijevic and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Matijevic blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Matijevic scores with a nice hook to the head.
Matijevic doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Aalto tries to pull guard but Matijevic won't allow it.
Matijevic doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Matijevic struggles to land a body shot inside as Aalto controls his hands.
Matijevic goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Matijevic.
A short uppercut from Matijevic.
A right hook to the body lands for Matijevic.
Matijevic lands a shoulder strike.
A head punch on the inside from Matijevic fails to land.
Roko Matijevic seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A short uppercut from Aalto.
Matijevic lands a nice shot to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Aalto lands a nice uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Matijevic.
A nice right hand lands inside from Matijevic.
Good body shot from Matijevic.
A short right from Matijevic.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Matijevic.
Matijevic is working Aalto over against the cage.
Matijevic throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Aaltos head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Aalto.
Matijevic working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Matijevic tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Michael Aalto is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Matijevic digs a right hand into Aalto's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Aalto's gas tank.
Matijevic lands a right hand that snaps the head of Aalto backwards.
Matijevic has a couple of punches blocked by Aalto.
Matijevic lands a nice shot to the body.
Matijevic scores with a shot to the side of Aalto's head.
Matijevic lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Matijevic breaks the clinch.
Matijevic misses with an attempted mid kick.
Matijevic throws a lazy right hand but Aalto sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Aalto tried to counter with a leg kick but Matijevic avoided it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Roko Matijevic comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Aalto 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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 29:27
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 29:27
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 29:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michael Aalto!
After winning the bout, Michael Aalto thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.