PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Samuli Kuivanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Glenn Mathews (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Glenn Mathews struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 156.2lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Kuivanen
vs
Mathews

170 cm
20
150 lbs
0 - 8 - 0

173 cm
18
166 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Samuli Kuivanen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Glenn Mathews!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, James Ackerman and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kuivanen swats away the attempt to clinch by Mathews.
Mathews's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Mathews duly obliges.
Kuivanen throws a series of punches but Mathews avoids them all with ease.

Kuivanen darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Mathews blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kuivanen.
Kuivanen is nestled in close to Mathews, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Kuivanen not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Kuivanen with the ground and pound but Mathews uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Mathews is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Kuivanen thows a big elbow that misses.
Kuivanen won't allow Mathews to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kuivanen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuivanen throwing strikes but missing.
Kuivanen is working Mathews over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Mathews working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kuivanen.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mathews wants to stand but Kuivanen is controlling the position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Kuivanen uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Kuivanen misses with a double jab
and Mathews counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Mathews throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Mathews takes the fight into the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Mathews.

Kuivanen breaks the clinch.
Kuivanen circles away from the clinch attempt.
Mathews misses with a jab, cross combination.
Mathews looks gassed!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuivanen fails to land the takedown.
Glenn Mathews is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kuivanen dodges the punch combination from Mathews.
Mathews getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Mathews circles away from the clinch attempt.
Mathews fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Mathews darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Mathews slips a jab and a cross from Kuivanen.
Kuivanen falls off balance throwing a combination
and Mathews counters with a stiff right hand.
Mathews lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kuivanen circles away quickly and effectively.
Kuivanen falls off balance throwing a combination
and Mathews cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuivanen throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Mathews counters with a nice uppercut.
Mathews looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Mathews with a nice cross.
Kuivanen closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Kuivanen tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Mathews swivels and escapes.
Kuivanen avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kuivanen swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Mathews counters with a left and a right that stings Kuivanen.
Kuivanen misses with a combination

and Mathews counters by moving into the clinch.
Kuivanen wants to break free but Mathews has control.
Mathews lands with a left to the head.

Kuivanen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Mathews throws a combination. Kuivanen tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Mathews connects with a nice looking jab.
Kuivanen wants to clinch
and Mathews connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuivanen falls off balance throwing a combination
and Mathews counters with a series of strikes. Kuivanen will be more careful next time no doubt.
Kuivanen slips a jab and a cross from Mathews.
Kuivanen falls off balance throwing a combination
enabling Mathews to counter with a crisp jab.
Mathews misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Mathews tries to clinch up.
Kuivanen falls off balance throwing a combination
letting Mathews counter with a right hand.
Mathews wants to clinch up but Kuivanen keeps it at a distance.
Kuivanen lands with a right hand.
Kuivanen looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A shot to de liver by Mathews. Beautiful body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Glenn Mathews dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kuivanen tries to bum rush Mathews with a series of wild strikes but Mathews uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Mathews lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Kuivanen misses with a double jab
and Mathews counters with a right hand to the body.
Samuli Kuivanen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kuivanen takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
A combination from Kuivanen does no damage.
Mathews throws a right and a left that Kuivanen avoids nicely.
A combination from Mathews does no damage.
Mathews slips a jab from Kuivanen.
Mathews lands a two punch combo.
Mathews moves forwards but Kuivanen connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Kuivanen swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Mathews counters with a one-two to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Mathews tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kuivanen swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A punch combination from Mathews misses.
Kuivanen throws a combination that misses
and Mathews counters with a one-two to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice shot lands for Mathews.
Mathews throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A slow jab from Kuivanen misses its intended target.
Kuivanen throws a nice looking combination but Mathews bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Samuli Kuivanen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kuivanen swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Mathews counters with a left and a right that stings Kuivanen.
Kuivanen misses the jab.
Mathews throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kuivanen.
Kuivanen throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Mathews counters with a series of strikes. Kuivanen will be more careful next time no doubt.
Kuivanen throws a combination that misses
and Mathews counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Kuivanen throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Mathews counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Horrible takedown by Kuivanen or perhaps it was just good defense by Mathews which made him look bad.
Mathews tries to clinch but Kuivanen is having none of it.
Glenn Mathews seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's two 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.
Kuivanen showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Mathews.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kuivanen.
Mathews lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Kuivanen backs up against the cage.
Kuivanen misses with a double jab
and Mathews counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A left and a right from Mathews both land. Nice combination.
Kuivanen lands a two punch combo.
Mathews is working the combinations to good effect here.
Jab, jab by Mathews - just one landing.
Mathews throws a series of punches but Kuivanen moves out of range.
Kuivanen falls off balance throwing a combination
and Mathews counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Mathews misses with a series of wild punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mathews scores with a hook.
Kuivanen throws a good cross that connects.

Mathews clinches up against the cage.
Kuivanen has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Mathews wants to break free but Kuivanen has control.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Mathews.
Mathews wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Kuivanen manages to break the clinch.
Kuivanen throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Mathews counters by moving into the clinch.
Mathews has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Mathews is trying to break the clinch but Kuivanen has him pressed against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Kuivanen's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Kuivanen is trying to break free.

Kuivanen's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Mathews throws a right and a left that Kuivanen avoids nicely.
Kuivanen misses with a looping right.
Danga de danga de dang - Mathews scores with a four punch combination!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Kuivanen misses with a combination
and Mathews counters with a one-two to the body.
A slow jab from Kuivanen misses its intended target.
Kuivanen throws a lazy right hand but Mathews sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kuivanen looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Kuivanen circles away from the clinch attempt.

Mathews closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Kuivanen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kuivanen wants to clinch.
Mathews doesn't manage to clinch there - Kuivanen circles away.
Mathews might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Kuivanen throws a left and a right that both miss
and Mathews cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kuivanen lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Kuivanen is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Mathews.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Glenn Mathews showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Kuivanen has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Kuivanen there as he acknowledges the shot.
Mathews misses with the combination.
Mathews looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Kuivanen misses with a double jab
and Mathews counters with a left and a right that stings Kuivanen.
Kuivanen misses with a combination

and Mathews counters by clinching up.
Mathews fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Kuivanen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kuivanen lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Mathews circles away quickly and effectively.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice uppercut there from Mathews.
Mathews wants to clinch up but Kuivanen keeps it at a distance.
Kuivanen throws a combination that misses
and Mathews connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kuivanen throws a series of punches but Mathews moves out of range.
Kuivanen showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Mathews.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mathews defending well as Kuivanen loads up on a big left hand.
Kuivanen tries to move into range but Mathews moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Left hook, right uppercut from Mathews.
Mathews throws a right and a left that both miss.
Mathews throws a series of punches but Kuivanen avoids them all with ease.
Mathews tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kuivanen swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Mathews throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Kuivanen misses with a combination
and Mathews counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kuivanen is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Mathews.
Kuivanen throws a combination that misses
and Mathews counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kuivanen tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kuivanen.
Kuivanen throws a left and a right that both miss

and Mathews counters by moving into the clinch.

Kuivanen breaks the clinch.
Mathews throws a series of punches but Kuivanen moves out of range.
Mathews lands a nice looking body shot.
Mathews ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kuivanen avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kuivanen throws a left and a right that both miss
and Mathews counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Mathews scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Mathews will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Mathews ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Mathews clinches but Kuivanen breaks the clinch

and Kuivanen counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Mathews's guard now.

Mathews pushes Kuivanen off and gets back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuivanen throws a left and a right that both miss
and Mathews counters with a three punch combo that has Kuivanen backing up. Kuivanen nods at Mathews to acknowledge the strikes.
No joy there for Mathews, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Kuivanen tries to clinch up.
Mathews lands with a nice combination. Kuivanen backs away looking to recover.
Left hook, right uppercut from Mathews.
A nice combination there by Mathews.
Kuivanen throws a right hand that Mathews ducks under and follows up with a left that Mathews also avoids with ease.
Kuivanen throws a right hand that Mathews ducks under and follows up with a left that Mathews also avoids with ease.
Mathews throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Mathews misses with a series of wild punches.
A left and a right from Mathews both land. Nice combination.
Kuivanen throws the left hand but Mathews avoids the punch easily.
Glenn Mathews is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

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.
Kuivanen closes the distance and clinches up with Mathews, looking for a takedown. Kuivanen pushes Mathews against the cage but Mathews circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Kuivanen fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Samuli Kuivanen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A right-left combo lands from Mathews.
Kuivanen lands the left hand.
Kuivanen is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Mathews fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Mathews avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Mathews throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kuivanen.
A punch combination from Mathews misses.
Kuivanen swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Mathews connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Mathews goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Samuli Kuivanen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kuivanen looks to throw the jab but Mathews is out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Glenn Mathews comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Mathews winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 William Gold scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Glenn Mathews!