PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Johannes Brahms (ranked 269 p4p, 7 weight class) and Usko Matonen (ranked 1345 p4p, 66 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Brahms might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Hungarian Dance. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Brahms
vs
Matonen

169 cm
23
145 lbs
9 - 1 - 2

165 cm
25
140 lbs
6 - 1 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

THE END 32

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 1 - 2, fighting out of New York, Johannes Brahms!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Usko Matonen!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Marco Blurström and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Brahms takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Brahms throws a body punch but Matonen moves out of range.
Brahms swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Brahms with a poor takedown
and Matonen counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Brahms uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Matonen.
Brahms throws a right hand that misses
and Matonen counters with a low kick, right behind Brahms 's knee.
Brahms gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Matonen counters with a nice body shot.
Brahms shoots for a takedown but Matonen saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Johannes Brahms. 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.
Good standup being displayed there by Brahms as he connects with a hook.
Brahms looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
A left lands for Brahms.
Brahms ducks under a wild hook from Matonen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A leg kick checked by Brahms.

Matonen clinches up with Brahms and pushes him back against the cage.
Matonen slowing the pace effectively.
Brahms lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Matonen backwards.
Brahms wants to get back to striking at distance but Matonen won't allow it.
A shot in the inside from Matonen.
Brahms throws a punch but it's blocked by Matonen.
Matonen wants to stall.
Brahms lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Brahms can't get the takedown.
Matonen cracks Brahms with a nice body shot.
Matonen is trying to maintain a safe position but Brahms gets an underhook and turns Matonen into the cage.

Matonen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A looping hook to the body misses from Brahms. Matonen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Matonen lands a nice leg kick that just misses Brahms's sensitive parts.
Usko Matonen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matonen throws a nice outside leg kick.
Brahms has a takedown stuffed.
Brahms throws a lazy body kick
and Matonen counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Brahms throws a sloppy head kick and Matonen moves out of range easily.
Usko Matonen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Brahms misses with a looping right.
Matonen flicks out a counter leg kick but Brahms steps away.
Matonen tries to clinch but Brahms moves away
and Brahms counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Brahms misses with a jab to the body
and Matonen counters with a leg kick.
Brahms tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Matonen swivels and escapes.
Brahms connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Matonen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Brahms.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matonen throws a body kick, spinning off balance

and Brahms counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Brahms looking to pass the guard.
Brahms trying to move into half guard but instead Matonen has managed to sweep!

Brahms looking to hit a scissor sweep but Matonen is one step ahead there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Brahms wants to hit a switch here but Matonen passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Brahms there!
Matonen tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Brahms sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Brahms has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Matonen is working away from the top position though.
Brahms wants to improve his position but Matonen is controlling well.
Matonen passes the guard and advances to mount!
Brahms regains half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Usko Matonen will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Brahms stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Matonen.

Matonen has closed the distance and engaged Brahms in a clinch.
Brahms working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Matonen is working Brahms over against the cage.

Brahms escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Matonen lands a jab to Brahms's midsection.
Matonen fails in his attempt to clinch.
Matonen throws a front kick that sends Brahms stumbling back into the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matonen is looking to slow Brahms down with leg kicks.
Matonen misses with a low kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Matonen. That's going to slow Brahms down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matonen displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Brahms.
Brahms scores with a shot to the body.
Matonen takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
A looping hook to the body misses from Brahms. Matonen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Brahms is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Brahms lands a body shot.
Matonen tries to score with a low kick but Brahms moves his leg out of the way.
Matonen ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Matonen moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brahms displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Matonen throws out the jab.
Brahms half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Matonen stuns Brahms with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Matonen lands with a thumping leg kick.
Matonen fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Brahms has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Brahms uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Matonen thumps Brahms with a low kick.
Matonen with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Brahms thows a leg kick but Matonen checks it
and Matonen counters with an inside leg kick.

Matonen clinches.
Brahms has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Matonen is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Matonen is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good body shot from Matonen.
Matonen has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Brahms blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Brahms blocking some punches.
Matonen tries to work over Brahms's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Matonen tries to work over Brahms's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Brahms lands a hook that snaps the head of Matonen backwards.
Matonen controlling the action here for a moment.
Matonen has a couple of punches blocked by Brahms.

Brahms escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Brahms moves forwards but Matonen connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Brahms attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Matonen tries to work over Brahms's front leg with a kick but Brahms checks it.
Matonen scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Brahms fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Matonen manages to avoid it.

Matonen moves into the clinch.
Matonen can't find room to land a body shot as Brahms controls the action.
Matonen can't find room to land a body shot as Brahms controls the action.

Brahms gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Matonen avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Brahms.
Matonen controlling the position for now.
Matonen trying to control here.
Matonen blocking the ground and pound attempt from Brahms.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Usko Matonen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Brahms's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Matonen pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Brahms swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
The fight stays on the outside here - Matonen looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Brahms attempts a counter takedown but Matonen avoids it well and moves away.
Matonen tries to land a leg kick but Brahms saw it coming and moves away.
Brahms works Matonen's body with a nice hook.
Brahms tries a head kick but it misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matonen lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
A nice inside leg kick there by Matonen. That's going to slow Brahms down.
Matonen wants to clinch but Brahms slips to the side
and Brahms counters with a big head kick but Matonen shrugs it off.
Usko Matonen seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
An inside leg kick lands from Matonen.
Matonen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Brahms.
Brahms swings for the body but Matonen moves out of range.
Matonen fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Brahms swats away the attempt to clinch by Matonen.
Brahms throws a poor cross that misses
and Matonen counters with a nice leg kick.
Matonen throws a leg kick

and Brahms decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Matonen's guard.
Brahms throws an elbow that misses. Matonen uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Brahms's guard. Nice move by Matonen!

Matonen wants to control from the top but Brahms keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matonen is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Brahms wants to sweep here but Matonen controlling him for the moment.
Matonen tries to free his leg and advance position but Brahms is retaining full guard.
Matonen trying to control the position from guard on top but Brahms is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brahms controls Matonen momentarily but Matonen frees himself.
Matonen must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Matonen preventing the sweep.
Brahms is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Brahms can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Matonen controls the pace.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Brahms darts in looking for a takedown but Matonen gets double underhooks and turns Brahms into the cage.
Brahms connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Matonen's hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
A chopping leg kick lands by Matonen.
Brahms misses with a low kick.
An inside leg kick from Brahms misses.
Brahms shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Matonen but Matonen pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Matonen feints a counter leg kick.
Good leg kick by Matonen there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Matonen looks to score with a jab to the body but Brahms is just out of range.
Matonen throws a body punch but Brahms moves out of range.
Brahms appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
An inside leg kick lands from Matonen.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Usko Matonen just about did enough to take it.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Brahms misses the body punch
and Matonen counters with a low kick, right behind Brahms 's knee.
Brahms on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
A good leg kick by Matonen.
Matonen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Brahms moves away.
Matonen buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Matonen checks a leg kick.
Matonen tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Brahms is able to avoid easily.
Brahms throws a quick counter head kick but Matonen was just out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matonen tries to close the distance and clinch up but Brahms swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Matonen just misses with a punch to the body.
It looked like Brahms was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Matonen.
Matonen moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Brahms.
Matonen lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Brahms at a distance.
Matonen looks to score with a jab to the body but Brahms is just out of range.
Brahms fires out a quick counter leg kick but Matonen just manages to avoid it.
Brahms shoots in looking for a takedown. Matonen tries to sprawl out of it but Brahms keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Matonen manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Matonen is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Matonen misses with a jab, cross combination.
Brahms ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Matonen moves away.
Brahms misses with a hook to the body
and Matonen counters with a left to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brahms keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
An inside leg kick lands from Matonen.
Brahms fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Matonen checks it well.
A nice leg kick lands there from Brahms.
Matonen looks to throw a body kick

and Brahms counters with a takedown into side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
You can see the frustration on Matonen's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Brahms working the ground and pound.
Matonen is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Matonen is trying to control but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brahms looks to land a strike but Matonen avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Matonen wants to sweep but no luck.
Matonen is trying to control the position but Brahms postures up.
Brahms trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Brahms tries to free his leg and advance position but Matonen is retaining full guard.
Matonen working a defensive guard here.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Brahms jabs Matonen right on the nose. Matonen blinks but takes it well.
Matonen lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Brahms throws a looping overhand right but Matonen ducks down to avoid it.
Brahms on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Matonen. Matonen obviously looking to wear him down.
Matonen scores with a leg kick.
Matonen throws a leg kick that misses.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Brahms misses with an uppercut. Matonen saw that one coming.
Brahms walks forward, straight into a front kick from Matonen.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Usko Matonen dominated that fourth round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Brahms misses the shot to the body.
Matonen connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

Matonen has closed the distance and engaged Brahms in a clinch.
Brahms wants a takedown.
Brahms is looking for a takedown.
Matonen is working Brahms over against the cage.
Matonen blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Brahms is trying to trip Matonen. He has hold of a leg but Matonen is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Brahms persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Brahms is fighting to break Matonen's control of his arms but Matonen is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Brahms won't allow Matonen to sweep him here.
Brahms postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brahms is in close to Matonen's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Matonen looking to hit a scissor sweep but Brahms is one step ahead there.
Matonen not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Brahms trying to control the position from guard on top but Matonen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Matonen fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Brahms is out of range.
Brahms takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Brahms misses with an uppercut
and Matonen counters with an outside leg kick.
Johannes Brahms has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matonen lands a jab.
Brahms takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Brahms slips under a jab.
Matonen wants to clinch up but Brahms keeps it at a distance.
Matonen attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
A right-left combo lands from Matonen.
Matonen pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
A low kick from Matonen is predictable there

and Brahms counters with a nice double leg into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matonen manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Brahms manages to get himself to full guard.

Matonen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Brahms swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Brahms wants to hit a switch here but Matonen passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Brahms there!
Brahms is trying desperately to improve position.
Matonen wants to take Brahms's back but he can't do it this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Brahms tries to reverse the position but Matonen maintains control.
Usko Matonen is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Matonen sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Brahms is working to get back to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Usko Matonen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Matonen 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 45:50
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 45:50
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Usko Matonen!
Usko Matonen is the new bantamweight champion!
Usko Matonen decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.
Johannes Brahms was interviewed post fight and said 'I was not SHARP tonight and fell FLAT on my face!'.