PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Keisuke Matsuzaka (ranked 10 p4p, 26 weight class) and Ispa Perkele (ranked 1 p4p, 5 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Matsuzaka
vs
Perkele

179 cm
35
181
39 - 14 - 1

178 cm
30
171
30 - 9 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

HELL'S BALLS NUTRITION
Conviction

Hoarse Pills
Bondi MMA 🏝️

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 39 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Keisuke Matsuzaka!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 30 - 9 - 0, fighting out of London, Ispa Perkele!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Matheus Silva and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Perkele throws a low kick but Matsuzaka moves out of range easily.
Ispa Perkele seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Matsuzaka fails with an attempt to clinch.
Matsuzaka uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Perkele.
Perkele misses with a low kick.
Matsuzaka moves into range and connects with a jab.
Matsuzaka ducks under a wild hook from Perkele.
A lazy left from Perkele finds it's target.
Matsuzaka throws a nice outside leg kick.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Perkele!
Matsuzaka throws out a powerful jab.
Perkele takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Matsuzaka fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Perkele manages to avoid it.
Matsuzaka looks to score with a jab to the body but Perkele is just out of range.
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!
Matsuzaka ducks under a wild hook from Perkele.
Matsuzaka lands a body shot.
Matsuzaka keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Perkele.
Matsuzaka is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Perkele.
Nice defenses there by Matsuzaka.
Perkele throws a big shot that misses.
Matsuzaka looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Perkele throws out a powerful jab.
Matsuzaka bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Matsuzaka gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Matsuzaka takes a jab right on the kisser.
Perkele ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Matsuzaka moves away.
A counter left hand to the body from Matsuzaka misses its target.
Perkele bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Matsuzaka doesn't manage to clinch there - Perkele circles away.
Matsuzaka just misses with a punch to the body.
Perkele connects with a leg kick.
Perkele lands a nice leg kick that just misses Matsuzaka's sensitive parts.
Perkele takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Perkele takes a swing at Matsuzaka's ribcage but misses.
It looked like Matsuzaka wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Perkele tries a low kick but Matsuzaka avoids it.
Matsuzaka connects with a body shot.
Matsuzaka showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Perkele.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Perkele throws a predictable looking body shot
and Matsuzaka counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Nice straight punches there by Perkele. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Perkele.
A swing and a miss from Perkele.
Matsuzaka is looking to counter punch.
Matsuzaka throws a body shot but no joy.
Matsuzaka checks a low kick from Perkele.
A big right from Perkele misses.
Perkele throws a right hand that misses
and Matsuzaka counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Nice uppercut lands for Perkele. That snapped Matsuzaka's head back.
Matsuzaka works Perkele's body with a nice hook.
Matsuzaka moves away from the strike by Perkele.
Matsuzaka cracks Perkele with a good jab.
Matsuzaka throws a wild body kick that Perkele sees coming a mile off.
Donk. Matsuzaka catches Perkele right on the button with a cross.
Matsuzaka staying out of range there.
Perkele misses with a leg kick.
Matsuzaka looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Perkele misses with a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Perkele ducks under a wild hook from Matsuzaka.
A slow jab from Perkele misses its intended target.
Perkele throws an off balance right hand
and Matsuzaka counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Matsuzaka takes one on the button.
Matsuzaka throws a solid leg kick but Perkele takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Matsuzaka.
Perkele waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Matsuzaka.
Matsuzaka throws a predictable looking body shot
and Perkele counters with a nice leg kick.
Matsuzaka throws a head kick but Perkele moves out of range.
A lazy left from Matsuzaka finds it's target.
Perkele takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Matsuzaka fails in his attempt to clinch.
Matsuzaka misses with a hook.
Perkele misses with a left hand
and Matsuzaka counters with a stiff right hand.
Matsuzaka misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Perkele.
Perkele lands a jab to the head.
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!
Perkele scores with a jab to the jaw.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsuzaka throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Perkele misses with a straight left.
Perkele swings widly with a right hand

and Matsuzaka counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Matsuzaka.
Matsuzaka lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Perkele misses with a hook from the clinch.
Perkele avoids a wild elbow strike from Matsuzaka.
Perkele takes a shot to the head.
Perkele blocks an elbow strike.
Matsuzaka lands with a short shot to the head.
Perkele presses Matsuzaka against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Matsuzaka is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Perkele lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Perkele creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A short right from Matsuzaka.
Matsuzaka lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Perkele backwards.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Matsuzaka.

Perkele breaks the clinch.

Matsuzaka moves into the clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Keisuke Matsuzaka will probably get the nod.
That's time! Matsuzaka's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Perkele tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Matsuzaka is able to avoid easily.
It looked like Matsuzaka wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Perkele throws a looping overhand right but Matsuzaka ducks down to avoid it.
Perkele misses the jab.
Matsuzaka takes one to the side of the head.
Perkele misses with a straight right.
Perkele throws a nice inside leg kick.
Matsuzaka looks to land a right hand but Perkele moved out of range.
Perkele pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Matsuzaka tries to counter by clinching up but Perkele breaks away and moves out of range.
Matsuzaka blocks a jab.
Matsuzaka is looking to counter the offense by Perkele and move into the clinch.
A slow jab from Matsuzaka misses its intended target.
Perkele lands a jab to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Perkele waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Matsuzaka.
Matsuzaka is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Perkele.
Matsuzaka is looking to score with low kicks.
Matsuzaka 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.
Perkele misses with a combination
and Matsuzaka counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsuzaka displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Perkele throws out the jab.
Matsuzaka swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Perkele lands with an overhand left.
Perkele throws a hook but Matsuzaka avoids it easily.
Matsuzaka takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

Matsuzaka moves into the clinch.
Perkele lands a left hand.
Matsuzaka gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Matsuzaka lands an elbow just above Perkele 's eye.
Matsuzaka lands a body punch in the clinch.
Matsuzaka tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Perkele has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Perkele lands a hook to the side of the head.
Perkele is trying to break free.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Matsuzaka.
Perkele tries to break the clinch but Matsuzaka is controlling the position.

Perkele breaks from the clinch.
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!

Matsuzaka closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Matsuzaka has Perkele pressed against the cage, preventing Perkele from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A right hook to the body lands for Matsuzaka.
Perkele is trying to break free.
Perkele tries to throw a body punch but Matsuzaka avoids it by throwing Perkele back against the cage.
Matsuzaka presses Perkele against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Perkele is breathing heavily.
Matsuzaka creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Perkele's defenses.
Matsuzaka lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Perkele has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Matsuzaka seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Perkele can turn it around.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Perkele has a couple of punches blocked by Matsuzaka.
Nice body punch from Matsuzaka - that landed with a thud.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Matsuzaka.
Perkele is trying to force a seperation but Matsuzaka has the dominant position.
Perkele blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Keisuke Matsuzaka has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Matsuzaka throws an elbow but it misses.
A nice right hand lands inside from Matsuzaka.
Perkele takes an elbow to the forehead.

It looks like Ispa Perkele has been cut.
Perkele is trying to break the clinch but Matsuzaka is controlling him.
Matsuzaka lands a right hand that snaps the head of Perkele backwards.
Matsuzaka lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Perkele or not.
Matsuzaka tries a body shot but Perkele blocks it.
Matsuzaka can't find room to land a body shot as Perkele controls the action.
Matsuzaka can't find room to land a body shot as Perkele controls the action.
Matsuzaka lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Perkele backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsuzaka scores with a shot to the side of Perkele's head.
Matsuzaka has a couple of punches blocked by Perkele.
Matsuzaka tries a body shot but Perkele blocks it.
Perkele misses with a punch on the inside.
Matsuzaka misses with the head strike.
Perkele lands a right hand.

Perkele pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Matsuzaka fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Perkele, pushing him back against the cage.
Perkele goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Perkele pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Matsuzaka tries to close the distance and clinch up but Perkele swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Matsuzaka rushes Perkele and presses him up against the cage.
Perkele swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Matsuzaka lands a left hand.

Perkele breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Matsuzaka with a nice cross.
Perkele lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Matsuzaka tries to clinch but Perkele moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsuzaka wants to clinch up but Perkele keeps it at a distance.
Nice shot by Matsuzaka.
Perkele lands a head shot.
Matsuzaka throws a body punch but Perkele moves out of range.
Matsuzaka needs to keep his hands up - Perkele had a free shot at his head there.
Matsuzaka throws a leg kick but Perkele checks it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Matsuzaka looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Matsuzaka tries to clinch but Perkele moves out of range.
Matsuzaka lands a nice shot that snaps Perkele's head back.

Matsuzaka has closed the distance and engaged Perkele in a clinch.

Perkele's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ispa Perkele seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Perkele takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Matsuzaka lands a nice looking body shot.
Matsuzaka defending well as Perkele loads up on a big left hand.
Matsuzaka connects with an inside leg kick.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Keisuke Matsuzaka dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Ispa Perkele's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Perkele misses with a left hand
and Matsuzaka counters with a left to the body.
Matsuzaka blocks a jab.
Perkele throws a nice outside leg kick.
A slow jab from Matsuzaka misses its intended target.
Perkele takes a jab right on the kisser.
Perkele looks to score with a jab to the body but Matsuzaka is just out of range.
Matsuzaka appears to be looking for a big counter.
Matsuzaka is looking to clinch.
Matsuzaka backing away here, and Perkele unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Matsuzaka chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Perkele can pounce on him.
Matsuzaka keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Matsuzaka tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Perkele was well out of range. Poor timing from Matsuzaka.
Perkele throws a solid leg kick but Matsuzaka takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Perkele.
Matsuzaka appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Perkele lands a nice shot that snaps Matsuzaka's head back.
Perkele throws out a loose jab but Matsuzaka uses good head movement to avoid it.
Perkele sizes up Matsuzaka with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Matsuzaka misses with a straight right.
Perkele misses with a hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Matsuzaka closes the distance and clinches.
Perkele blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Perkele fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Matsuzaka works on Perkele's body with a couple of short punches.
Matsuzaka lands an elbow just above Perkele 's eye.
Matsuzaka blocks an uppercut.
Perkele prevents a body shot from Matsuzaka.
Matsuzaka lands a shoulder strike.
Perkele throws a head punch that misses.
Perkele blocks an uppercut.

Perkele breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Perkele throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Matsuzaka sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A big left from Perkele misses.
Matsuzaka blocks a jab.
Matsuzaka moves away from the strike by Perkele.
Perkele misses with a hook.
Matsuzaka connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Matsuzaka misses with a straight right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Perkele looks to score with a jab to the body but Matsuzaka is just out of range.
Matsuzaka throwing a counter right hand but Perkele manages to avoid it.
Matsuzaka walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Perkele keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Matsuzaka moves in looking to clinch but Perkele pushes him off.
Matsuzaka swings for the body but Perkele moves out of range.
Perkele throws a head kick that misses.
The crowd cheers as Matsuzaka lands an impressive looking overhand right. Perkele doesn't seem phased though.
Perkele stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Matsuzaka.
Matsuzaka fails with an attempt to clinch.
Perkele throws a leg kick that misses.
Matsuzaka misses with a looping left.
Matsuzaka throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Perkele's head.
A decent looking cross lands there for Perkele.
Perkele thuds a left hand into Matsuzaka's body.
Perkele throws a jab when Matsuzaka was well out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Perkele misses with a right hand
and Matsuzaka counters with a stiff right hand.
Matsuzaka moves out of range of the strikes.
Perkele takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Perkele throws a big shot that misses.
Matsuzaka tries to clinch but Perkele is having none of it.
A jab from Matsuzaka does it's job there.
Matsuzaka tries to clinch but Perkele is having none of it.
A swing and a miss from Perkele.
Perkele takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Matsuzaka avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Perkele looks to land a right hand but Matsuzaka moved out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Matsuzaka looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A leg kick checked by Matsuzaka.
Matsuzaka slips a jab from Perkele.
As Perkele tries to get set, Matsuzaka tries to push him back and clinch up but Perkele manages to avoid the attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Perkele takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Matsuzaka connects with a right hand. Perkele shakes it off.
Perkele takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

Matsuzaka darts in and clinches Perkele up against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Matsuzaka misses with a body punch.
Matsuzaka is working Perkele over against the cage.
Perkele takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Matsuzaka has Perkele pressed against the cage, preventing Perkele from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Perkele blocks an elbow strike from Matsuzaka.
Perkele blocks an elbow strike.
Matsuzaka blocks an uppercut.
Perkele lands with a right to the head.
A short uppercut from Matsuzaka.
A short left from Matsuzaka.
Perkele has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Still in the clinch, Matsuzaka scores with a nice short uppercut.
Perkele has a couple of punches blocked by Matsuzaka.
Matsuzaka doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Perkele blocks a body shot from Matsuzaka.
Matsuzaka creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Keisuke Matsuzaka clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Ispa Perkele's cut.
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.

Matsuzaka is looking to clinch.
Perkele looks like he wants to counter punch here.
A low kick from Perkele misses
and Perkele takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Matsuzaka has Perkele up against the cage in a clinch.

Perkele manages to break the clinch.
Matsuzaka throws a body punch but Perkele moves out of range.
A punch lands to the side of Matsuzaka 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Perkele keeps the fight on the outside.
Matsuzaka thumps Perkele with a low kick.
Perkele moves away from the strike by Matsuzaka.
Perkele let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Matsuzaka uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Perkele.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matsuzaka avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Matsuzaka throws a leg kick but Perkele checks it.
Perkele comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

Matsuzaka pushes Perkele up against the cage in a clinch.
Matsuzaka misses with a body punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice elbow from Matsuzaka.
Matsuzaka blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Matsuzaka working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Perkele is trying to break the clinch but Matsuzaka has him pressed against the cage.
Perkele lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Matsuzaka backwards.
Perkele is looking to break free of the clinch but Matsuzaka has double underhooks.
Matsuzaka throws a head punch that misses.
Matsuzaka is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Perkele wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Matsuzaka doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Matsuzaka taking a breather.
Perkele struggles to land a body shot inside as Matsuzaka controls his hands.
Matsuzaka is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Perkele misses with a punch to the body.
Matsuzaka tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A short right from Perkele on the inside.
Matsuzaka lands an elbow inside.
Matsuzaka lands an elbow just above Perkele 's eye.
Matsuzaka lands a hook that snaps the head of Perkele backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Perkele blocking some punches.
Matsuzaka blocks an uppercut.
Matsuzaka throws an elbow but it misses.
Matsuzaka lands an elbow inside.
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!
With the fighters up against the cage, Matsuzaka throws an elbow but misses.
Matsuzaka lands an elbow inside.
Perkele prevents a body shot from Matsuzaka.
Matsuzaka lands a right hand that snaps the head of Perkele backwards.
Matsuzaka blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Matsuzaka's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Perkele manages to break the clinch.
Matsuzaka defending well as Perkele loads up on a big left hand.
Matsuzaka throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Perkele walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Matsuzaka checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Matsuzaka walks into a jab.
Perkele lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Perkele throws a lazy uppercut
and Matsuzaka counters with an outside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsuzaka throws an overhand right that lands on Perkele's shoulder, as Perkele tries to avoid the shot.
Matsuzaka is looking to land body kicks.
Perkele is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Matsuzaka with a body shot.
Perkele misses with a looping right.
Matsuzaka lands a leg kick that knocks Perkele off balance momentarily.
Perkele throws a jab but it's blocked by Matsuzaka.
Matsuzaka misses with an attempted mid kick.
Perkele closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Perkele is looking to score with low kicks.
Matsuzaka takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Perkele loads up on a big right hand but Matsuzaka slips the punch.
Perkele misses with a head kick.
Matsuzaka slips a jab from Perkele.
An attempted straight right counter from Matsuzaka misses the target.
Perkele has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Matsuzaka finds it's way round the side to connect with Perkele's head.
Matsuzaka misses with a low kick.
Perkele circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Perkele swings widly with a right hand
and Matsuzaka counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Matsuzaka wants to clinch.
Perkele scores with a jab.
Matsuzaka listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Perkele lands a jab to the nose.
Perkele misses with a looping left.
Perkele tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Matsuzaka was well out of range. Poor timing from Perkele.
Matsuzaka steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Perkele.
Perkele misses with a straight left.
Perkele keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Keisuke Matsuzaka will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Ispa Perkele's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Matsuzaka tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Perkele paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Perkele getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Perkele misses with a hook.
Perkele throws a jab but it's blocked by Matsuzaka.
Matsuzaka fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Perkele manages to avoid it.
Perkele looks to throw the jab but Matsuzaka is out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from Perkele misses the target.
Perkele fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Matsuzaka manages to avoid it.
Perkele connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Matsuzaka staying out of range there.
Matsuzaka wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matsuzaka moves in looking to clinch but Perkele pushes him off.
Perkele with a nice calf kick.
Perkele catches Matsuzaka with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Perkele throws a low kick but Matsuzaka moves out of range easily.

Matsuzaka rushes Perkele and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Matsuzaka misses with a hook to the ribs.
Perkele gets through Matsuzaka's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Matsuzaka throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Perkeles head.
Matsuzaka makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Matsuzaka pushes Perkele back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Matsuzaka misses with a punch to the body.
Matsuzaka lands an elbow just above Perkele 's eye.
A hook to the body from Matsuzaka.
Perkele tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Matsuzaka has Perkele pressed against the cage, preventing Perkele from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Matsuzaka lands an elbow inside.
Perkele wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Perkele lands a right hand that snaps the head of Matsuzaka backwards.
Perkele lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Matsuzaka lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Perkele is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
A short uppercut from Matsuzaka.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Perkele is trying to force a seperation but Matsuzaka has the dominant position.
Perkele tries to break the clinch but Matsuzaka is controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters up against the cage, Matsuzaka throws an elbow but misses.
Perkele swings wildly with an uppercut but Matsuzaka uses good head movement to avoid it.
Matsuzaka misses with a hook to the ribs.
Perkele swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Matsuzaka throws an elbow but it misses.
Matsuzaka lands a hook to the side of the head.
Perkele lands an uppercut.
Matsuzaka throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Perkele can't break the clinch.
Matsuzaka prevents a body shot from Perkele.
Matsuzaka throws a punch but it's blocked by Perkele.
Nice body punch from Matsuzaka.
Perkele has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Matsuzaka lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Matsuzaka is leaning against Perkele and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Perkele is trying to push Matsuzaka away but Matsuzaka has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Perkele prevents a body shot from Matsuzaka.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsuzaka is leaning against Perkele and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Matsuzaka lands a damaging elbow.

Perkele's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Matsuzaka stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Jab from Matsuzaka.
Matsuzaka lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Perkele rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Matsuzaka moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Perkele throws a jab when Matsuzaka was well out of range.
Nice defenses there by Matsuzaka.
Matsuzaka fails in his attempt to clinch.
Keisuke Matsuzaka is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Perkele lands with a right hand.
Matsuzaka takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Matsuzaka throws a hook but Perkele avoids it easily.
Matsuzaka steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Perkele.
Matsuzaka tries to clinch but Perkele is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Matsuzaka instigates a clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Matsuzaka lands a nice uppercut.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Matsuzaka.
A shot in the inside from Perkele.
Perkele working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Matsuzaka blocking some punches.
Perkele working aggressively here.
Perkele working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Perkele is trying to force a seperation but Matsuzaka has the dominant position.
Perkele is trying to break free.
Perkele tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Matsuzaka blocks an uppercut.
Matsuzaka misses with the head strike.
Ispa Perkele has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Matsuzaka gets through Perkele's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Keisuke Matsuzaka.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Matsuzaka, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Edson Gomes scores the fight 50:45
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 50:46
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 50:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Keisuke Matsuzaka!
Keisuke Matsuzaka retains his welterweight title!
After the fight, Keisuke Matsuzaka was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.