PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jon Tavaras (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paavo Matinheimo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jon Tavaras had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Tavaras
vs
Matinheimo

167 cm
25
187 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

177 cm
25
184 lbs
12 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Basic striking
Granite chin

Dangerous GnP
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jon Tavaras!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 9 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Paavo Matinheimo!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Viktor Lagutenko and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Matinheimo shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Matinheimo was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Tavaras can't escape the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Matinheimo lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Tavaras is desperately trying to improve his position but Matinheimo has a good base and remains in mount.
Matinheimo controlling from the full mount.
Tavaras is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Tavaras trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Matinheimo working the ground and pound effectively.
Matinheimo cracks Tavaras with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Tavaras is trying to escape the mount.
Tavaras taking shots to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tavaras somehow manages to escape the mount and get back to his feet!

Matinheimo drives through with a takedown into Tavaras's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Tavaras looking for a guillotine here but Matinheimo defends easily.

Tavaras working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Matinheimo doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Matinheimo manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Matinheimo landing with the ground and pound.

Tavaras has his foot on Matinheimo's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Matinheimo works his way back into a safe position though.

Tavaras looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Matinheimo has picked Tavaras up and slammed him! Tavaras can't keep hold of the triangle and Matinheimo manages to pass to side control!
Tavaras takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Matinheimo grinds an elbow into Tavaras's temple.
Tavaras is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Matinheimo landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matinheimo slips a nice elbow through Tavaras's hands, connecting with Tavaras's forehead.

Tavaras with the active half guard here but Matinheimo passes nicely into side control.
Matinheimo lands an elbow.

Matinheimo wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Tavaras, who protects the arm well.
Tavaras is looking to reverse the position.
Matinheimo landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Matinheimo landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Tavaras tries to escape but Matinheimo is in control.
Tavaras gets back to half guard.
Tavaras is breathing heavily.
Matinheimo is keen to just control but Tavaras is a slippery customer.
Tavaras is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Matinheimo scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matinheimo is trying to control. Tavaras wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Tavaras pushes Matinheimo off and gets back to his feet.
Matinheimo tries to clinch there but Tavaras circles away.
Tavaras fails with the takedown

and Matinheimo counters with a single leg into guard. Tavaras didn't expect that.
Tavaras keeping moving, preventing Matinheimo from controlling successfully.
Matinheimo seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Matinheimo working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Tavaras has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Matinheimo can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Matinheimo wants to control from the top but Tavaras keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tavaras working for a triangle but Matinheimo defends it easily.
Tavaras keeping moving, preventing Matinheimo from controlling successfully.
Matinheimo slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Tavaras tries to bench press Matinheimo off him but Matinheimo keeps the position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Matinheimo wants to lay and pray for a moment but Tavaras keeps working.
Tavaras sneaks back into half guard.
Matinheimo is figuring out what he wants to do next.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paavo Matinheimo dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Tavaras shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Matinheimo counters by clinching up.

Matinheimo is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Tavaras can't fight it off and eventually Matinheimo manages to take the fight to the floor. Tavaras looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Matinheimo lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Matinheimo throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Tavaras has his foot on Matinheimo's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Matinheimo works his way back into a safe position though.
Matinheimo slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Matinheimo postures up and lands a big shot to Tavaras's brow.
Paavo Matinheimo has got the better of the ground game so far.
Matinheimo is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Tavaras is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! Matinheimo rolls with it to try and escape but Tavaras cranks on the arm and Matinheimo is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:01 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Jon Tavaras!