PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Usko Matonen (ranked 903 p4p, 58 weight class) and Tony Bunker (ranked 791 p4p, 52 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Matonen
vs
Bunker

165 cm
29
140 lbs
11 - 5 - 1

173 cm
32
144 lbs
26 - 14 - 3

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

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 11 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Usko Matonen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 14 - 3, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tony Bunker!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Gwen Towbar and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bunker keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Bunker pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Bunker displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Matonen throws out the jab.
Bunker throws out a counter right but Matonen avoids it with no problem.
Bunker circles away from the clinch attempt.
Bunker goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Bunker takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Matonen wants to clinch.
Matonen has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Secret Lab in the buildup to the fight.
Matonen swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Bunker tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Bunker misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Matonen counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bunker pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Bunker has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Nice body kick from Bunker.
Matonen throws a nice looking combination but Bunker bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Bunker throws a jab when Matonen was well out of range.
Matonen half committed to a counter leg kick.
Matonen moves in looking to clinch but Bunker pushes him off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matonen throws a right hand that Bunker ducks under and follows up with a left that Bunker also avoids with ease.
Bunker looks for a takedown but Matonen sprawls well.
Matonen misses with an uppercut. Bunker saw that one coming.
Matonen stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Bunker.
Bunker looks to throw a body kick
and Matonen counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Matonen scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Matonen moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
A nice leg kick lands there from Matonen.
Matonen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bunker moves away.
Bunker looks to land a right hand but Matonen moved out of range.
Bunker throws a right and a left that both miss.
Bunker scores with a jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nice defenses there by Matonen.
It looked like Matonen wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matonen thows a leg kick but Bunker checks it
and Bunker counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Bunker looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Matonen falls off balance throwing a combination
and Bunker cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Bunker throws a leg kick that is checked
and Matonen counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Bunker misses with a few strikes there.
Bunker wants to slow Matonen down by chopping away at his legs.
Matonen throwing a counter right hand but Bunker manages to avoid it.
Bunker swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Matonen.
Bunker throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Matonen throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
A lazy left from Bunker finds it's target.
Matonen throws a sloppy head kick and Bunker moves out of range easily.
Matonen moves into range and connects with a jab.
Matonen throws a low kick but Bunker avoids it.
Matonen has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Bunker.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matonen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bunker.
Matonen misses with a wild body shot.
Matonen throws a nice outside leg kick.
A lazy body kick from Matonen
and Bunker counters with a big head kick but Matonen shrugs it off.
Bunker fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Matonen on the side of the head.
Bunker defending well as Matonen loads up on a big left hand.
Bunker lands a jab-cross combination.
A slapping body kick lands there for Bunker.
Bunker throws the left hand but Matonen avoids the punch easily.
Bunker works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Matonen throws a low kick but it's checked well by Bunker.
Matonen ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bunker stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
A low kick from Matonen misses

and Bunker counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matonen is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Bunker's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Bunker's back!
Good control from Matonen.
Bunker covering up well under a barage of strikes.
Matonen is not going to allow Bunker to sit and survive in this position.
Bunker is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Bunker rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bunker is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Tony Bunker will probably get the nod.
That's time! Matonen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Matonen tries to clinch up but Bunker circles away and keeps his distance.
Bunker just misses with a punch to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Bunker misses the target.
Matonen misses with a leg kick.

Bunker shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Matonen is trying to defend but Bunker finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Matonen wants to control but Bunker is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Bunker missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Tony Bunker has got the better of the ground game so far.
Matonen avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Bunker.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bunker looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Matonen with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Bunker has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Bunker not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Bunker winds up and cracks Matonen with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Bunker throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matonen wants to get back to full guard.
Matonen has hold of Bunker's hands but Bunker slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Matonen is controlling Bunker's trapped leg to prevent Bunker from advancing to side control.
Matonen is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Bunker throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Matonen on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Matonen trying to hold on to Bunker's head to control him but Bunker postures up.
Matonen won't allow Bunker to pass to mount.

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.
Matonen is holding on to half guard well.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Well, if Bunker is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Tony Bunker seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A good leg kick by Bunker.
Nice defenses there by Bunker.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Matonen lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Bunker has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Bunker and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
A slow jab from Bunker misses its intended target.
Bunker lands a nice shot that snaps Matonen's head back.
Bunker with a lazy takedown attempt
and Matonen counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Matonen misses with a body shot.

Bunker drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Bunker landing with the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bunker trying to control the position from guard on top but Matonen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bunker accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Bunker landing some decent shots from guard.
Matonen is controlling Bunker's posture.
Bunker loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Bunker looking to sit in guard and control but Matonen gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Matonen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Bunker swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matonen slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Bunker wants to sweep but no luck.
Matonen works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Matonen controlling the action here.
Bunker is looking for a sweep. Matonen is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Matonen with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tony Bunker showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Matonen looks to score with a jab to the body but Bunker is just out of range.
Bunker buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Bunker lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

Bunker shoots in and bounces Matonen off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Bunker lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Bunker distracts Matonen with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Matonen keeping moving, preventing Bunker from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bunker is looking to pass into half guard but Matonen pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Matonen is in guard.

Matonen postures up.
Bunker pulls Matonen in to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matonen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Bunker is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Matonen trying to control but Bunker is working from the bottom.
Matonen advances position into side control!
Bunker can't do much from the bottom here.
Matonen in the domination position with Bunker hanging on.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Matonen taking a breather here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Matonen trying to control the position but Bunker is working away.
Matonen wants to take a breather but Bunker manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Matonen.
Tony Bunker is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Matonen not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Usko Matonen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bunker seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Bunker wants to sweep but no luck.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
A swing and a miss from Matonen.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Bunker.
Bunker throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Matonen on the side of the head.
Matonen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Bunker feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Matonen's calf.
Bunker keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Bunker moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Matonen throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matonen keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Matonen fires out a quick counter leg kick but Bunker just manages to avoid it.
Bunker digs a good hook to Matonen's body.

Bunker tries to keep at a distance but Matonen has taken the fight into the clinch.
Matonen lands a hook that snaps the head of Bunker backwards.
Matonen doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A right handed body shot lands from Matonen.
Bunker letting Matonen take a breather here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A nice right hand lands inside from Matonen.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Bunker creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Matonen misses with the head strike.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Matonen fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Bunker goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A nice right hand lands inside from Matonen.
Bunker misses with a punch on the inside.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Tony Bunker.
I've got Bunker 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 28:30
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tony Bunker!
Tony Bunker decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.