PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Chuck Rodgers (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pentti Matikainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Rodgers
vs
Matikainen

196 cm
22
275 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

182 cm
22
220 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Very confident

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Chuck Rodgers!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Pentti Matikainen!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Tarja Halkonen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rodgers fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Matikainen should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Rodgers works over Matikainen's head and body with a nice combination.

It looks like Pentti Matikainen has been cut.
Matikainen misses with a jab, cross combination.
Rodgers shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Matikainen but Matikainen pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Matikainen will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Matikainen closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Matikainen throws a right and a left that Rodgers avoids nicely.
Matikainen doesn't manage to clinch there - Rodgers circles away.
Matikainen slaps away a takedown attempt from Rodgers, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chuck Rodgers. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Rodgers shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Rodgers throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Matikainen looks like he's trying to stand up.
Matikainen is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodgers thows a huge punch but Matikainen dodges it nicely.
Rodgers prevents Matikainen from improving his position.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Rodgers connects with a nice short shot to Matikainen's temple.

Rodgers is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Matikainen defends it well.
Rodgers thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Matikainen to regain full guard.
Rodgers is breathing heavily.
Rodgers trying to control the position from guard on top but Matikainen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Matikainen trying to control the position.
Matikainen has momentary wrist control but Rodgers slips an elbow through the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matikainen is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Rodgers is controlling him.
Matikainen trying to keep a closed guard but Rodgers is proving a slippery customer.
Rodgers throws a big right hand that misses.
Matikainen is trying to keep Rodgers in close.
Rodgers stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Matikainen swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Rodgers trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rodgers wants to control from the top but Matikainen keeps moving.
Matikainen avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Rodgers shoots in for a double leg but Matikainen sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Matikainen misses with a series of wild punches.
Rodgers has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

Matikainen moves into the clinch successfully.
Stalling in the clinch from Matikainen.

Matikainen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Rodgers takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

Matikainen closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Rodgers is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Matikainen asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Matikainen staying calm.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matikainen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rodgers keeps working.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Pentti Matikainen will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Pentti Matikainen's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Rodgers shoots and misses

and Matikainen counters with a shoot takedown. Rodgers fights it but they end up in guard.
Matikainen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rodgers is keeping the position for now.
Matikainen throws a big right hand that misses.
Rodgers has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Matikainen wants to pass the guard but Rodgers is keeping the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodgers keeping moving, preventing Matikainen from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

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.
Matikainen stops Rodgers from standing up.
Rodgers wants to get back to his feet but Matikainen passes into half guard.
Matikainen wants to take a breather but Rodgers is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Rodgers shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Matikainen manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rodgers stopping the sweep attempt from Matikainen.
Rodgers postures up.
Matikainen has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Rodgers throws a strike but Matikainen rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodgers keeping full guard, as Matikainen tries to pass.
Matikainen slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pentti Matikainen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Pentti Matikainen's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Rodgers has his takedown stuffed
and Matikainen counters with a one-two to the body.
Rodgers swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Matikainen counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Matikainen throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Rodgers avoids a punch combination nicely.
Rodgers shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Matikainen counters with a good low kick that Rodgers was not able to check.

Matikainen moves into the clinch.
Matikainen tries to score a body lock takedown but Rodgers shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Rodgers looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chuck Rodgers. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rodgers keeps control of Matikainen as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Matikainen trying to control the position but instead, Rodgers has worked for underhooks and has pushed Matikainen into the cage.
Matikainen goes for a takedown attempt but Rodgers pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Matikainen throws a head kick that misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodgers tries for a takedown but Matikainen circles away easily
and Matikainen counters with a series of strikes. Rodgers will be more careful next time no doubt.
Left hook, right uppercut from Matikainen.
Chuck Rodgers seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Matikainen goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

Matikainen darts in and clinches Rodgers up against the cage.
Matikainen content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Rodgers tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Matikainen smiles and moves away.
Good exchange - Matikainen coming out on top.
Matikainen lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Rodgers circles away quickly and effectively.
Matikainen tries a head kick but it misses.

Rodgers gets caught flat footed, as Matikainen shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Matikainen trying to control the position from guard on top but Rodgers is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Pentti Matikainen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matikainen controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodgers keeping moving, preventing Matikainen from controlling successfully.
Matikainen sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Matikainen trying to control the position from guard on top but Rodgers is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Chuck Rodgers has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four 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.

Rodgers is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pentti Matikainen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Matikainen 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pentti Matikainen!