PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Gauthier Delisle (ranked 1015 p4p, 1190 weight class) and Usko Matonen (ranked 57 p4p, 65 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Delisle
vs
Matonen

165 cm
30
144
14 - 6 - 0

165 cm
39
140
22 - 17 - 2

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Conquer

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 14 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Gauthier Delisle!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 17 - 2, fighting out of Los Angeles, Usko Matonen!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matonen fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Matonen takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Delisle tests Matonen's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Gauthier Delisle seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A nice inside leg kick there by Delisle. That's going to slow Matonen down.
A jab from Delisle finds it's way through Matonen's defenses.
Delisle looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Matonen shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Delisle throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Matonen stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matonen shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Delisle shoots in but Matonen avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Delisle connects with a good right hand that stumbles Matonen. Matonen circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matonen scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Delisle takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
A shot to the body from Delisle misses
and Matonen counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Matonen slips a jab from Delisle.
Delisle checks a leg kick nicely.
Matonen throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Delisle ducks under a wild hook from Matonen.
A big right from Matonen misses.
Delisle cracks Matonen with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Matonen's coach down at Old Irish’s Fighter Factory was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Matonen's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Delisle tries for a takedown but Matonen sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Delisle is looking to slow Matonen down with leg kicks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matonen tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Matonen looks to land a combination. Delisle sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Delisle walks into a jab.
Matonen ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Delisle attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
A slow jab from Matonen misses its intended target.

Matonen drives through and clinches with Delisle against the cage.
Delisle tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gauthier Delisle. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Matonen pushes Delisle back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Matonen lands a shoulder strike.
Delisle tries to score a body lock takedown but Matonen shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Delisle fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Delisle has clasped his hands together around Matonen's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Delisle in side control, throwing shots but Matonen defends.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Matonen's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Delisle wants to control but Matonen is keeping him busy.
Matonen keeping his opponent close.
The ground and pound from Delisle seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Delisle grinds an elbow into Matonen's temple.
Matonen is looking for a sweep.
Delisle trying to control the position but Matonen is working away.
Delisle 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.
Matonen prevents Delisle from improving position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matonen defending against the ground and pound.
Matonen tries to bench press Delisle off him but Delisle keeps the position.

Delisle looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Delisle has an Americana. Matonen didn't react quickly enough there and he's in big trouble now! He tries to squirm out but is forced to tap! Delisle is delighted and gyrates in front of the ring girls. They seem to like the attention - it'll be interesting to see if Delisle hooks up with any of them at the after show party.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:47 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Gauthier Delisle!
A very excited looking Gauthier Delisle made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.
Usko Matonen spoke after the fight, saying 'Another decision lost? This was my last fight. '.