PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Toni Valtonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pentti Matikainen (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.

Valtonen
vs
Matikainen

187 cm
18
230 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

182 cm
22
220 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good in bed

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Toni Valtonen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Pentti Matikainen!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Anni Minnemäki and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Matikainen looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Matikainen wants to control from the top but Valtonen keeps moving.
Matikainen might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Valtonen kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Valtonen is adopting a defensive guard.

Matikainen stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Matikainen shoots in for a takedown but Valtonen shows good takedown defense.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Valtonen looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Valtonen preventing the sweep.
Matikainen keeping moving, preventing Valtonen from controlling successfully.

Valtonen thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Matikainen doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Matikainen working a defensive guard here.
Valtonen trying to control the position from guard on top but Matikainen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Matikainen wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Valtonen is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Matikainen is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Matikainen has escaped and now he's on top!
Matikainen trying to control the position from guard on top but Valtonen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valtonen keeping full guard, as Matikainen tries to pass.
Matikainen controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Valtonen has control of Matikainen's left arm, preventing Matikainen from doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Valtonen will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Valtonen is pulling down on Matikainen's head. It's preventing any offense from Matikainen, at least for the moment.
Matikainen wants to control from the top but Valtonen keeps moving.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Valtonen is pulling down on Matikainen's head to control his posture.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Pentti Matikainen will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Valtonen shoots in and bounces Matikainen off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Valtonen won't allow Matikainen to sweep him here.
Matikainen trying to control the position.

Matikainen escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Valtonen gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Valtonen stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Matikainen with a poor takedown

and Valtonen counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Matikainen is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matikainen is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Valtonen scores with a couple of nice shots.
Valtonen sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Matikainen defending well though.
Valtonen tries to stand but can't do so whilst Matikainen controls his leg.
Matikainen wants to control but Valtonen is keeping busy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Matikainen wants to control but Valtonen passes into side.

Valtonen has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

Matikainen feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matikainen preventing the sweep.
Matikainen trying to control but Valtonen is working from the bottom.

Valtonen working for submissions but it's allowed Matikainen to get to half guard.
Matikainen trying to control the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valtonen trying to control from the bottom.

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.
Matikainen works his way into full mount!
Valtonen is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Matikainen controlling the pace for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Toni Valtonen dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Matikainen drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Valtonen lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Matikainen!
Matikainen tries to control Valtonen's body but Valtonen pushes him off. Matikainen squirms to his side and now Valtonen has his back!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Despite being in the dominant position, Pentti Matikainen just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Valtonen changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Matikainen looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
You can see the frustration on Matikainen's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Matikainen is trying to improve his position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Matikainen manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matikainen wants to stand but his hand is trapped. Valtonen uses the opportunity to regain full guard.

Valtonen pushes Matikainen off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Valtonen fails with the takedown

and Matikainen counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Matikainen is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Matikainen advances position into side control!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valtonen looking for a sweep but Matikainen has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Valtonen working to try and regain half guard.
Valtonen is just holding on here. Matikainen manages to take his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valtonen tries to escape but Matikainen has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
What can Valtonen do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!
Valtonen could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Matikainen trying to control momentarily.
Matikainen controls the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Matikainen tries to get the hooks in deep but Valtonen pushed the leg off.
Valtonen is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Matikainen is hanging on to Valtonen's back as he tries to escape.
Matikainen is trying to stick to Valtonen's back but Valtonen is turning into Matikainen. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Matikainen's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Valtonen.
Matikainen working a defensive guard here.

Valtonen got a little sloppy there for a moment and Matikainen has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Valtonen has managed to get both his arms back between Matikainen's legs - danger averted.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pentti Matikainen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Matikainen has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 28:29
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 28:29
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pentti Matikainen!