PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Finnish Experiment (ranked 1388 p4p, 68 weight class) and Futoshi Matsunaga (ranked 1850 p4p, 90 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Experiment
vs
Matsunaga

170 cm
26
138 lbs
7 - 3 - 2

170 cm
26
145 lbs
11 - 7 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Groove Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Finnish Experiment!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 7 - 1, fighting out of New York, Futoshi Matsunaga!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Arvi Lind and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matsunaga blocks a low kick nicely.
Matsunaga throws a jab but it's blocked by Experiment.
Matsunaga throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Experiment slips under a jab.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Matsunaga.
Experiment digs a good body shot into Matsunaga's ribs.
Matsunaga lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Experiment looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Matsunaga throws a body shot but no joy.
Matsunaga misses with an attempted mid kick.
Matsunaga takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Matsunaga lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Experiment moves away from the strike by Matsunaga.
Experiment was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Experiment lands with a cross.
Experiment takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Experiment throwing a counter right hand but Matsunaga manages to avoid it.
Matsunaga throws a right hand that Experiment ducks under and follows up with a left that Experiment also avoids with ease.
Matsunaga works the jab nicely.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Matsunaga misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Experiment.
Experiment appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Experiment. Matsunaga does a little dance to reset his feet.
Matsunaga unleashes a big counter combination but Experiment bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Experiment misses with a body shot.
Experiment will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Experiment needs to keep his hands up - Matsunaga had a free shot at his head there.
Experiment takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Matsunaga lands with a straight right. Experiment didn't see that one coming.
Matsunaga stuns Experiment with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Matsunaga lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Matsunaga is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Experiment was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Experiment takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Matsunaga misses with a left hand
and Experiment counters with a nice uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Matsunaga lands with a cross.
Experiment throws a body shot but no joy.
A good leg kick by Matsunaga.

Experiment clinches up with Matsunaga and pushes him back against the cage.
Experiment looks to throw an elbow but misses.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Experiment.
Experiment is trying to stall.
Experiment lands a nice uppercut.
A body shot lands from Matsunaga.

Experiment breaks the clinch.

Matsunaga closes the distance and clinches.

Matsunaga manages to break the clinch.
Experiment staying out of range there.
Matsunaga is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Experiment.
Experiment staying out of range there.
Matsunaga jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsunaga throws a lazy uppercut
and Experiment makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Matsunaga, as that shot connected.
Matsunaga pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Matsunaga tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Experiment paws at him with a jab and circles away.
It looked like Experiment was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Matsunaga.
A big right from Matsunaga misses.
Experiment tries to counter by clinching up but Matsunaga breaks away and moves out of range.
Matsunaga connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Matsunaga lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Matsunaga throws a series of strikes that have Experiment backpedaling.
Experiment lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Both fighters circling a little - Matsunaga finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Matsunaga tests Experiment's chin there with a solid looking shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Experiment throws a low kick but Matsunaga avoids it.
No joy there for Matsunaga, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Experiment tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Experiment shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Experiment with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Experiment tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Matsunaga was well out of range. Poor timing from Experiment.

Experiment moves into the clinch successfully.
Matsunaga blocks an elbow strike from Experiment.
Matsunaga misses with the head strike.

Experiment breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Matsunaga misses with a double jab
and Experiment counters with a slapping leg kick.
A solid leg kick lands there for Matsunaga.
Matsunaga swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Matsunaga is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Experiment had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Experiment thuds his right hand into Matsunaga's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Experiment is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Matsunaga closes the distance and clinches.
Experiment misses with a punch to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Futoshi Matsunaga dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Matsunaga misses with an uppercut. Experiment saw that one coming.
Matsunaga misses with an uppercut
and Experiment counters with a good low kick that Matsunaga was not able to check.
Good standup being displayed there by Matsunaga as he connects with a hook.
Matsunaga throws out a loose jab but Experiment uses good head movement to avoid it.
A quick step to the side and Experiment tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Experiment is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Experiment is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Matsunaga is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Experiment throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sloppy strikes from Matsunaga. Those never looked like landing.
Experiment takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Experiment misses the shot to the body.
Experiment fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Matsunaga has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Experiment takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Matsunaga lands with a cross.
Matsunaga lands a high kick!

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Matsunaga misses the target.
Experiment swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Experiment scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Matsunaga doesn't seem bothered though.
Matsunaga has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Experiment moves out of range as Matsunaga strikes.
Experiment throws a nice inside leg kick.
Experiment throws a head kick that half lands.

It looks like Futoshi Matsunaga has been cut.
Experiment throws a lazy right hand but Matsunaga sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Matsunaga was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Matsunaga throws a lazy right hand but Experiment sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Matsunaga looks to land a left hand but Experiment moved out of range nicely.
Matsunaga throws a hook but Experiment blocks it.
Experiment moves out of range of the strikes.
Experiment is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Matsunaga throws a right and a left that both miss.
Matsunaga lands a lovely overhand right.
Experiment pivots, looking for a leg kick but Matsunaga is out of range and Experiment settles back down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsunaga misses with a hook.
Matsunaga throws a poor cross that misses
and Experiment counters with a left to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Matsunaga fails in his attempt to clinch.
Good work by Matsunaga as he checks the leg kick.
Experiment will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Matsunaga with a jab.
Matsunaga swings for the body but Experiment moves out of range.
Matsunaga fails to land with a series of punches.
Matsunaga connects with a body shot that sends Experiment's belly button to the back.
Matsunaga checks the leg kick nicely there.
Matsunaga misses with a hook. Experiment ducked under it nicely.
Experiment throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Despite the aggression on Matsunaga's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Experiment uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Matsunaga.
Experiment ducks under a wild hook from Matsunaga.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Experiment tries to clinch but Matsunaga is having none of it.
A head kick by Matsunaga misses
and Experiment counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Matsunaga thinking.
Futoshi Matsunaga seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Experiment moves out of range of the strikes.
Experiment seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Experiment lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
The fighters circle momentarily. Matsunaga darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

Experiment has managed to clinch.
Matsunaga fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Matsunaga avoids a wild elbow strike from Experiment.
Experiment lands an elbow that stopped Matsunaga in his tracks for a moment.
Experiment lands a shot to the body.
Matsunaga jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Experiment walks away with a smile on his face. Matsunaga gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Matsunaga clinches with his opponent.
Matsunaga lands with a short punch from the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Matsunaga scores with a shoulder strike.
Experiment throws an elbow but it misses.
Matsunaga pushes Experiment back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Experiment wants to stall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Experiment scores with a hook to the body.
Matsunaga tries to pull guard but Experiment won't allow it.
Finnish Experiment has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Futoshi Matsunaga.
Experiment lands a nice elbow.
Experiment lands an elbow inside that Matsunaga shrugs off.
Experiment throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Matsunaga lands a nice uppercut.
A short right from Matsunaga on the inside.
Matsunaga misses with the head strike.
Experiment lands an elbow that stopped Matsunaga in his tracks for a moment.
Matsunaga letting Experiment take a breather here.
Experiment can't find room to land a body shot as Matsunaga controls the action.
Experiment throws an elbow but it misses.

Experiment breaks the clinch.
Experiment moves out of range as Matsunaga strikes.
Matsunaga lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Experiment circles away quickly and effectively.
A looping hook to the body misses from Experiment. Matsunaga does a little dance to reset his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Futoshi Matsunaga will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Futoshi Matsunaga's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Matsunaga tries to clinch but Experiment is having none of it.
Experiment will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Matsunaga looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Experiment doesn't manage to clinch there - Matsunaga circles away.
Experiment avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A bone on bone clash there as Matsunaga blocks the leg kick.
Matsunaga looks to throw the jab but Experiment is out of range.
Matsunaga throws a series of punches but Experiment moves out of range.
Matsunaga swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Matsunaga pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matsunaga checks a leg kick.
Experiment keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Matsunaga.
Experiment ducks under a wild hook from Matsunaga.
Matsunaga cracks Experiment with an open hand slap.
Matsunaga throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsunaga moves forwards but Experiment connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Matsunaga swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Experiment slips a jab from Matsunaga.
Matsunaga lands a leg kick that knocks Experiment off balance momentarily.
Matsunaga with a nice cross.
Matsunaga misses with a looping left.
Matsunaga throws a body punch but Experiment moves out of range.
Matsunaga misses with a right hand
and Experiment makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Matsunaga looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Matsunaga with a hook.
Matsunaga tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Experiment manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Matsunaga lands a leg kick that knocks Experiment off balance momentarily.
Matsunaga misses with a wild body shot.
Experiment fails in his attempt to clinch.
Experiment looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Matsunaga connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Experiment momentarily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Experiment. Matsunaga does a little dance to reset his feet.
Experiment with a hook.
Experiment is looking to wear down Matsunaga with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Some bone on bone action there as Experiment checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
As Matsunaga backs away, Experiment returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
A big right from Matsunaga misses.
As Matsunaga looks to move away, Experiment throws a big counter combo but Matsunaga just gets out of the way.
Matsunaga just misses with a punch to the body.
Experiment tries a head kick but it misses.
Experiment needs to keep his hands up - Matsunaga had a free shot at his head there.
Experiment throws a body punch but Matsunaga moves out of range.
Matsunaga pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Experiment connects with a single shot there.
Matsunaga lands a lovely overhand right.
Futoshi Matsunaga seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Experiment takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Matsunaga is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsunaga connects with a looping right hand.
Matsunaga misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
As Matsunaga tries to get set, Experiment tries to push him back and clinch up but Matsunaga manages to avoid the attempt.
Experiment ducks under a wild hook from Matsunaga.
Experiment lands a slapping body shot.
Experiment checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Matsunaga throws a poor cross that misses
and Experiment makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Experiment moves out of range as Matsunaga strikes.
Experiment just misses with a punch to the body.
Matsunaga stalks Experiment and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Experiment's face. Experiment staggers backwards, shaken.
Experiment tries a low kick but Matsunaga avoids it.
Matsunaga swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Matsunaga misses with a hook. Experiment ducked under it nicely.
A quick step to the side and Experiment tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Matsunaga waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Experiment.
Futoshi Matsunaga is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Experiment tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Matsunaga was well out of range. Poor timing from Experiment.
Matsunaga pivots, looking for a leg kick but Experiment is out of range and Matsunaga settles back down.
Matsunaga misses with an uppercut
and Experiment cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Matsunaga misses with a looping right.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Matsunaga throws a lazy right hand but Experiment sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Matsunaga misses with a hook
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Experiment throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Finnish Experiment has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Experiment defending well as Matsunaga loads up on a big left hand.
Matsunaga misses with a looping left.
Matsunaga swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
enabling Experiment to counter with a crisp jab.

Matsunaga gets a clinch.
Matsunaga tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Matsunaga takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Experiment pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Experiment looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Experiment throws an elbow that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Futoshi Matsunaga.
I've got Matsunaga 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Futoshi Matsunaga!
Futoshi Matsunaga decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.
The defeated Finnish Experiment had this to say: 'I tried something new.'.