PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ved Matard (ranked 4229 p4p, 4474 weight class) and Pierre Hojbjerg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Matard
vs
Hojbjerg

199 cm
18
200
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
18
188
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Enjoys gardening

30th Century Beer Store

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ved Matard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Pierre Hojbjerg!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hojbjerg avoids the head kick by Matard.
Matard moves in looking to clinch but Hojbjerg pushes him off.
Hojbjerg tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Matard manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Hojbjerg rushes Matard and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Matard is looking to control Hojbjerg's arms but Hojbjerg gets an underhook and turns him. Now Matard has his back to the cage.
A left hand lands to the body for Hojbjerg.
Matard blocking some punches.
Hojbjerg throws a head punch that misses.
Matard's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Hojbjerg misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hojbjerg misses with a punch on the inside.
Hojbjerg scores with a shot to the side of Matard's head.
Matard tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Hojbjerg avoids it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hojbjerg lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Matard backwards.
A head punch on the inside from Hojbjerg fails to land.
Hojbjerg misses with the head strike.
Hojbjerg misses with the head strike.
Matard swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hojbjerg goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hojbjerg doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hojbjerg tries a body shot but Matard blocks it.
Hojbjerg misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hojbjerg blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hojbjerg lands a shoulder strike.
Matard has Hojbjerg pushed against the cage.
Hojbjerg goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Matard lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Matard blocks an uppercut.
Hojbjerg throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Matards head.
Hojbjerg fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hojbjerg lands with a short shot to the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Matard.
Hojbjerg throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Matards head.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Hojbjerg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hojbjerg lands with a left to the head.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Matard takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Hojbjerg makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
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!
Hojbjerg tries a body shot but Matard blocks it.
Hojbjerg tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Matard's elbow.
Hojbjerg misses with a hook from the clinch.
Matard blocks an uppercut.
Hojbjerg lands a body punch in the clinch.
Matard taking a breather.
Hojbjerg throws a head punch that misses.
Hojbjerg lands a right hand.
A nice left hand lands by Hojbjerg.
Hojbjerg misses with a short punch on the inside.
Matard digs a right hand into Hojbjerg's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Hojbjerg's gas tank.
Hojbjerg scores with a nice hook to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hojbjerg misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Matard displaying some good clinch control by pressing Hojbjerg up against the cage.
Hojbjerg fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Matard prevents a body shot from Hojbjerg.
Matard trying to control the position but instead, Hojbjerg has worked for underhooks and has pushed Matard into the cage.
A short right from Hojbjerg.
Hojbjerg working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Matard blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hojbjerg swings wildly with an uppercut but Matard uses good head movement to avoid it.
Matard's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Hojbjerg fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matard swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hojbjerg digs a right hand underneath Matard's ribcage. Matard let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Matard is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Matard blocks a body shot from Hojbjerg.
Hojbjerg swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Matard is trying to maintain a safe position but Hojbjerg gets an underhook and turns Matard into the cage.
Matard's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Hojbjerg tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A right hook to the body lands for Hojbjerg.
Hojbjerg misses with a punch on the inside.
Matard blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hojbjerg lands an uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hojbjerg lands with a left to the head.
Hojbjerg has a couple of punches blocked by Matard.
Matard has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Pierre Hojbjerg dominated that round.
That's time! Matard's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Hojbjerg with a poor takedown
and Matard counters with a straight right hand.
Hojbjerg uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Ved Matard is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Hojbjerg closes the distance and clinches.
Hojbjerg works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Matard wants to stall.
Hojbjerg tries a body shot but Matard blocks it.
Hojbjerg lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Matard backwards.
A right hook to the body lands for Hojbjerg.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Hojbjerg as Matard tries to tie him up.
Hojbjerg lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hojbjerg misses with a body punch.
Matard tries to circle away but Hojbjerg has him pinned against the cage.
Hojbjerg lands an uppercut.
Matard blocks a body shot from Hojbjerg.
Hojbjerg throws a head punch that misses.
Hojbjerg has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hojbjerg tries to throw a body punch but Matard avoids it by throwing Hojbjerg back against the cage.
Hojbjerg tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Good body shot from Hojbjerg.
Hojbjerg softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Hojbjerg blocks an elbow strike.
Hojbjerg swings wildly with an uppercut but Matard uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hojbjerg misses with some punches.
Hojbjerg lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

Matard has hold of one of Hojbjerg's legs. Hojbjerg is fighting the takedown attempt but Matard gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Matard throws an elbow that misses. Hojbjerg uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Matard's guard. Nice move by Hojbjerg!

Hojbjerg is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hojbjerg preventing the sweep.
Matard trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Matard is looking to sweep but instead, Hojbjerg has passed into half guard.
Matard is trying to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Matard controlling the position well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matard is looking to control Hojbjerg's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Matard avoid being mounted?
Matard is trying to get back to full guard.
Matard is looking to control Hojbjerg's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Matard avoid being mounted?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Hojbjerg performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Matard tries to get to full guard but Hojbjerg has control of the leg.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Matard pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Matard throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hojbjerg lands a jab.
Hojbjerg connects with a body shot that sends Matard's belly button to the back.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Pierre Hojbjerg showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Hojbjerg scores with a jab to the body.

Hojbjerg closes the distance and pushes Matard back into the cage.
Nice body punch from Hojbjerg - that landed with a thud.
Matard is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Hojbjerg throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Hojbjerg.
Hojbjerg lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Hojbjerg scores with a nice hook to the head.
Hojbjerg misses with a hook from the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Hojbjerg creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Hojbjerg fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Matard has had enough of the clinch but Hojbjerg keeps him there for the moment.
Hojbjerg swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hojbjerg swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hojbjerg fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Hojbjerg as Matard tries to tie him up.
Hojbjerg pushes Matard back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hojbjerg lands a right hand.
Hojbjerg working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Hojbjerg lands with a short shot to the head.
Hojbjerg keeps control of Matard as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Hojbjerg lands with a light punch inside.
Hojbjerg throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Matard wants to stall.
A right hook to the body lands for Hojbjerg.
A hook to the body from Hojbjerg.
Hojbjerg is working Matard over against the cage.
Hojbjerg makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hojbjerg lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Matard.
Hojbjerg lands a nice shot to the body.
A hook to the body from Hojbjerg.
Hojbjerg lands a nice uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hojbjerg misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hojbjerg lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Hojbjerg is leaning against Matard and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Hojbjerg goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hojbjerg lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Hojbjerg lands a right hand that snaps the head of Matard backwards.
A short body shot lands from Hojbjerg as the two fighters clinch.
Hojbjerg tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hojbjerg lands a hook to the side of the head.
Matard tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Hojbjerg just stands there and leans against the cage.
Matard misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Hojbjerg as Matard tries to tie him up.
Hojbjerg lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A hook to the body from Hojbjerg.
A short right from Hojbjerg on the inside.
Hojbjerg lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Hojbjerg lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A right hand to the body from Hojbjerg.
Pierre Hojbjerg is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Hojbjerg lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Come on Matard - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Matard wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matard is trying to stall.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Matard wants to break free but Hojbjerg has control.
Matard is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pierre Hojbjerg comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Hojbjerg has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 26:30
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 26:30
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pierre Hojbjerg!