PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ademaro Dos Anjos (ranked 310 p4p, 983 weight class) and Roko Matijevic (ranked 27 p4p, 94 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Roko Matijevic was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Dos Anjos
vs
Matijevic

182 cm
34
147
28 - 14 - 0

175 cm
27
155
12 - 7 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Dangerous knees
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Heavy handed

Brooklyn Apothecary
Bondi MMA 🏝️

Conviction
Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 28 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ademaro Dos Anjos!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Roko Matijevic!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Timothy Bukovac and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dos Anjos looks to score with a jab to the body but Matijevic is just out of range.
Dos Anjos throws a leg kick
and Matijevic cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Dos Anjos avoids a kick to the body.
Dos Anjos has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Matijevic finds it's way round the side to connect with Dos Anjos's head.
Roko Matijevic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
An inside leg kick from Matijevic misses.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Matijevic.
Dos Anjos takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Dos Anjos feints and then cracks Matijevic's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Matijevic down.
Matijevic will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Matijevic slips under a jab from Dos Anjos.
Dos Anjos on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Dos Anjos takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Dos Anjos feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Matijevic uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Dos Anjos.
Nice defenses there by Dos Anjos.
Matijevic misses with an uppercut. Dos Anjos saw that one coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matijevic tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Matijevic takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Dos Anjos is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Matijevic swings for the body but Dos Anjos moves out of range.
Dos Anjos throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Matijevic sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Matijevic misses with a combination
and Dos Anjos counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
The fighters circling - Dos Anjos throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Matijevic was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Matijevic misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Dos Anjos counters with a leg kick.
Matijevic slips under a jab from Dos Anjos.
Dos Anjos backing away here, and Matijevic unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Dos Anjos lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Dos Anjos's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Matijevic connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Dos Anjos scrambles back to his feet.
Dos Anjos throws a hook to the side of Matijevic's head but Matijevic sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Crunch! Dos Anjos slams his shin into Matijevic's torso.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
An inside leg kick from Dos Anjos misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Dos Anjos.
Matijevic throws a nice outside leg kick.
Matijevic swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Matijevic swinging wildly here.
Some bone on bone action there as Dos Anjos checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Matijevic is looking to land body kicks.
Dos Anjos misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Matijevic.
Despite the aggression on Matijevic's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
A good leg kick by Dos Anjos.
Matijevic digs a good hook to Dos Anjos's body.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Matijevic.
Matijevic uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Dos Anjos.
Matijevic lands a body shot.
Dos Anjos lands a jab to the nose.
Matijevic takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dos Anjos is looking to slow Matijevic down with leg kicks.
Matijevic defending well as Dos Anjos loads up on a big left hand.
Dos Anjos bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
As Matijevic backs away, Dos Anjos returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Matijevic misses with a body punch

and Dos Anjos counters with a shoot takedown. Matijevic fights it but they end up in guard.
Dos Anjos sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Matijevic's guard.
Matijevic is not content to let Dos Anjos control the position.
Dos Anjos moves into full mount! Matijevic won't be happy about that!

Dos Anjos looking to secure an arm triangle but Matijevic defends it well.
Matijevic is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dos Anjos controlling the pace for now.
Dos Anjos wants to control the pace but Matijevic is squirming around nicely.

Dos Anjos is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Matijevic to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Matijevic shrugs it off.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Dos Anjos looking for a guillotine from mount but Matijevic is having none of it.

Dos Anjos is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Matijevic can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ademaro Dos Anjos dominated that round.
That's time! Dos Anjos's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Dos Anjos avoids a punch combination nicely.
Dos Anjos swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Matijevic wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Dos Anjos throws a body kick that misses.
Nice defenses there by Matijevic.
Dos Anjos takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Matijevic throws a body kick that misses

so Dos Anjos counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Dos Anjos slips nicely into half guard.
Dos Anjos controlling the action here.
Dos Anjos is looking to stall here but Matijevic recovers full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dos Anjos passes Matijevic's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Dos Anjos is working for a kimura but Matijevic is defending it quite comfortably.
Dos Anjos sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Matijevic really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Dos Anjos. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

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.
Matijevic wants to get back to full guard.
Dos Anjos passes to side control.
Ademaro Dos Anjos overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Dos Anjos goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Matijevic rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Dos Anjos's guard! Nice work there by Matijevic!

Dos Anjos working for a triangle but Matijevic defends it easily.
Dos Anjos really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Matijevic wants to control from the top but Dos Anjos keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Dos Anjos looking for a guillotine here but Matijevic defends easily.

Dos Anjos is looking for a triangle but Matijevic pushes his legs off easily.

Dos Anjos is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Matijevic is aware though and is defending well.

Dos Anjos throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Matijevic throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Dos Anjos works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Dos Anjos throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Matijevic stopping the sweep attempt from Dos Anjos.

Dos Anjos looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Dos Anjos is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Matijevic trying to control the position from guard on top but Dos Anjos is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ademaro Dos Anjos dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Dos Anjos lands a nice leg kick that just misses Matijevic's sensitive parts.
Some wild striking there from Matijevic.
Matijevic's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Dos Anjos misses with a low kick.
Nice body kick from Matijevic.
Matijevic misses with an attempted mid kick.
Matijevic looks to land a body kick but Dos Anjos moved away.
Matijevic checks a low kick from Dos Anjos.
Roko Matijevic seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A telegraphed right hand from Matijevic misses the target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matijevic moves away from the strike by Dos Anjos.
Dos Anjos is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Matijevic can do to turn this around?
Matijevic closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Dos Anjos blocks a head kick by Matijevic.
A shot to the liver by Matijevic. Beautiful body shot.
Matijevic will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Dos Anjos appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big right from Matijevic misses.
Dos Anjos quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Matijevic misses with a two punch combination.
Matijevic throws a hook but Dos Anjos avoids it easily.
A nice inside leg kick there by Matijevic. That's going to slow Dos Anjos down.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Dos Anjos.
Matijevic misses with a straight left.
Matijevic tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Dos Anjos was well out of range. Poor timing from Matijevic.
Matijevic shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Dos Anjos throws a leg kick
and Matijevic counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Matijevic tries a low kick but Dos Anjos avoids it.
Dos Anjos wants to clinch.
Roko Matijevic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dos Anjos throws a lazy body kick
and Matijevic counters with a straight right hand.
Dos Anjos ducks under a wild hook from Matijevic.
Dos Anjos keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
An attempted straight right counter from Dos Anjos misses the target.
Matijevic digs a good body shot into Dos Anjos's ribs.
Matijevic throws the left hand but Dos Anjos avoids the punch easily.
Matijevic takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
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!
Dos Anjos loads up on a big right hand but Matijevic slips the punch.
Dos Anjos throws the left hand but Matijevic avoids the punch easily.
Dos Anjos ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Matijevic moves away.
Matijevic lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Dos Anjos throws the kick towards the body but Matijevic avoids it.
Matijevic moves away from the strike by Dos Anjos.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matijevic with the inside leg kick.
Matijevic looks to land a body kick but Dos Anjos moved away.
Matijevic 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.
Matijevic lands a jab.

It looks like Ademaro Dos Anjos has been cut.
Dos Anjos keeps Matijevic at a distance using the push kick.
Dos Anjos buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Matijevic is looking to land body kicks.
Matijevic pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Dos Anjos takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Matijevic tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Matijevic takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Dos Anjos lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Matijevic takes one on the button.

Matijevic is rocked!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Matijevic on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Matijevic is still on wobbly legs! Can Dos Anjos finish him?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matijevic stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Dos Anjos.

Dos Anjos closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Matijevic to the mat! Matijevic manages to get full guard.
Matijevic controls Dos Anjos momentarily but Dos Anjos frees himself.
Dos Anjos controlling from the top position.

Dos Anjos drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Dos Anjos jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Matijevic seems to have recovered his senses.
Dos Anjos passes easily into side control. Nice work.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Roko Matijevic.
I think Dos Anjos has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ademaro Dos Anjos!
Ademaro Dos Anjos thanked the fans post fight for their support.