PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Mateljak (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zbigniew Zbigniewski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Mateljak
vs
Zbigniewski

180 cm
22
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

182 cm
25
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ivan Mateljak!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Zbigniew Zbigniewski!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Yves DeLean and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zbigniewski tries to close the distance and clinch but Mateljak swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Mateljak sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Zbigniewski throws a nice looking combination but Mateljak bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Zbigniewski fails to land with a series of punches.
Zbigniewski throws a nice looking combination but Mateljak bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A combination from Zbigniewski does no damage.
Zbigniewski swinging wildly here.
Mateljak fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Zbigniewski avoids it really well and circles away.
Zbigniewski misses with a wild combination.
Zbigniewski lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Zbigniewski tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Zbigniewski throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Mateljak.

Zbigniewski rushes Mateljak and presses him up against the cage.
Mateljak takes a knee right on the jaw!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zbigniewski breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Mateljak moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Zbigniewski will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Mateljak looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Zbigniewski is fending him off so far but Mateljak persists. Nope, Zbigniewski circles away and we're back to standing.
Mateljak circles away from the clinch attempt.
Zbigniewski tries to close the distance and clinch up but Mateljak swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Zbigniewski has Mateljak up against the cage in a clinch.

Zbigniewski breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Zbigniewski wants to clinch up but Mateljak keeps it at a distance.
Zbigniewski displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Zbigniewski misses with a wild combination.
Mateljak dodges the punch combination from Zbigniewski.
Zbigniewski is looking to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zbigniewski lands with a nice combination. Mateljak backs away looking to recover.
Zbigniewski throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Mateljak.
Zbigniewski is looking to clinch but Mateljak is avoiding it.
Zbigniewski tries to clinch up but Mateljak circles away and keeps his distance.

Mateljak changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Zbigniewski looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Mateljak trying to control the position but Zbigniewski is working away.
Zbigniewski tries to buck Mateljak off but Mateljak is having none of it.
A control attempt from Zbigniewski but he's now mounted!
Zbigniewski is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Mateljak lands a nice shot to the head.
Zbigniewski tries to reverse the position but Mateljak maintains control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mateljak looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Mateljak landing strikes from the mount and Zbigniewski is in trouble!
Zbigniewski takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Mateljak trying to control but Zbigniewski is having none of it.
Mateljak scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Zbigniewski?
Mateljak pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Zbigniewski really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Mateljak. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Zbigniewski is working to get back to half guard.
Mateljak landing shots from mount.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Zbigniewski can do anything to dispel that myth.
Zbigniewski keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Mateljak with a couple of short strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mateljak working Zbigniewski over with strikes here.
Mateljak 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.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Mateljak landing strikes from the mount and Zbigniewski is in trouble!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mateljak can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Zbigniewski is looking to escape.
Mateljak with a couple of short strikes.
Mateljak with the ground and pound from mount.
Zbigniewski is working to get back to half guard.
Zbigniewski in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mateljak with good strikes from the mount here!
Mateljak pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Mateljak dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Mateljak shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Zbigniewski manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Mateljak throwing strikes from guard but Zbigniewski blocks nicely.
Mateljak lands a couple of digs.
Mateljak throws and elbow that misses. Zbigniewski uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Mateljak's guard. Nice move by Zbigniewski!
Zbigniewski wants to get up but he can't break Mateljak's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Mateljak is trying to keep Zbigniewski in close.
Zbigniewski is looking to stand up but Mateljak won't let him.
Zbigniewski won't allow Mateljak to sweep him here.
Zbigniewski wanted to stand there but Mateljak had control of the position.

Zbigniewski gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Zbigniewski is breathing heavily.
Mateljak is trying hard to land a takedown here. Zbigniewski sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mateljak fails with a takedown attempt.
Mateljak avoids a punch combination nicely.
Mateljak fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Mateljak. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zbigniewski moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

Zbigniewski has managed to clinch.

Zbigniewski's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Zbigniewski misses with a few strikes there.
Mateljak showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Zbigniewski.
Zbigniewski scores with a jab to the head.
Zbigniewski displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zbigniewski tries to clinch up but Mateljak circles away and keeps his distance.
Zbigniewski lands with a good body shot.
Zbigniewski misses with a series of wild punches.
Zbigniewski misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Zbigniewski moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Mateljak avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Zbigniew Zbigniewski is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Zbigniewski connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Zbigniewski lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Zbigniewski tries to clinch up.
A punch combination from Zbigniewski misses.
Mateljak avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Mateljak dodges the punch combination from Zbigniewski.

Zbigniewski moves into the clinch successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mateljak looking for a takedown.
Mateljak is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Zbigniewski gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Zbigniewski pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Zbigniewski misses with the combination.
Zbigniewski misses with a jab, cross combination.
Zbigniewski misses with a double jab.
Zbigniewski tries to clinch but Mateljak moves out of range.

Zbigniewski rushes Mateljak and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Zbigniewski's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Some wild striking there from Zbigniewski.
A nice combination there by Zbigniewski.
Zbigniewski throws a nice looking combination but Mateljak bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Danga de danga de dang - Zbigniewski scores with a four punch combination!
Zbigniew Zbigniewski seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
No joy there for Zbigniewski, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Zbigniewski throws a right hand that Mateljak ducks under and follows up with a left that Mateljak also avoids with ease.
Zbigniewski lands a jab-cross combination.
Mateljak avoids a punch combination nicely.
Zbigniewski works over Mateljak's head and body with a nice combination.
Zbigniewski fails with an attempt to clinch.
Zbigniewski cracks Mateljak with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

Mateljak tries to keep at a distance but Zbigniewski has taken the fight into the clinch.

Zbigniewski manages to break the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Zbigniewski tries to clinch but Mateljak is having none of it.
Zbigniewski wants to clinch up but Mateljak keeps it at a distance.
Zbigniewski swinging wildly here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zbigniew Zbigniewski showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Mateljak on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Zbigniewski tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Zbigniewski chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Zbigniewski lands a head kick. Mateljak smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Zbigniewski breaks from the clinch.

Mateljak gets the takedown into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mateljak scores with punches from side control.
Mateljak working the head and body with strikes.
Zbigniewski is trying to get back to half guard.
Mateljak scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Zbigniewski to see if he's OK.
Mateljak working the head with strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mateljak lands an elbow.
Mateljak prevents Zbigniewski from escaping the position.
Zbigniewski takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Mateljak works to advance to full mount. Zbigniewski defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Mateljak working the ground and pound effectively.
Zbigniewski is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Mateljak lands with some strikes.
Zbigniewski taking shots to the head.
Mateljak punishing his opponent with strikes.
Mateljak unloading with bombs!
Mateljak working Zbigniewski over with strikes here.
Mateljak working the ground and pound effectively.
Zbigniewski is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mateljak landing punches.
Mateljak is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Zbigniewski can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mateljak working the ground and pound effectively.
Mateljak landing shots from mount.
Mateljak lands a big elbow.
Zbigniewski wants to control but Mateljak is having none of it.
Mateljak with the ground and pound from mount.
Zbigniewski is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Mateljak connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Mateljak is in the full mount, landing strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mateljak lands with some strikes.
Mateljak with shots to the head and body - Zbigniewski looks very uncomfortable down there.
Mateljak punishing his opponent with strikes.
You get the feeling that Zbigniewski really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Mateljak landing punches.
Mateljak dominating with strikes here.
Mateljak lands with some strikes.
Mateljak lands a big elbow.
Zbigniewski sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Zbigniewski avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Mateljak.
Mateljak with the ground and pound but Zbigniewski uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Mateljak trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mateljak trying to control but Zbigniewski is working from the bottom.
Mateljak trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Mateljak throwing strikes from guard but Zbigniewski blocks nicely.
Ivan Mateljak overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Zbigniewski wants to stand and escape but Mateljak is having none of it.
Mateljak working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Zbigniewski's head.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Zbigniewski throws a right and a left that both miss.
Nice takedown defense from Zbigniewski. No joy for Mateljak on that attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zbigniewski will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Zbigniewski misses with a wild combination.
Zbigniew Zbigniewski is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zbigniewski lands a nice leg kick that just misses Mateljak's sensitive parts.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ivan Mateljak showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Mateljak 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 Gregory Folan scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 29:28
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ivan Mateljak!