PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Matti Teitsi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tommy Gavin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Teitsi
vs
Gavin

161 cm
27
140 lbs
16 - 9 - 0

172 cm
28
156 lbs
20 - 6 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Good gas tank

Hellbent
Perkele!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Matti Teitsi!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 6 - 1, fighting out of New York, Tommy Gavin!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Jorge Garcia and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gavin throws a low kick but Teitsi avoids it.
Teitsi scores with a nice body kick.
Gavin misses with a leg kick.
Gavin takes a swing at Teitsi's ribcage but misses.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Gavin, right into the meat.
Gavin feints and then cracks Teitsi's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Teitsi down.
Teitsi looks to score with a jab to the body but Gavin is just out of range.
Teitsi rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Gavin moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Teitsi scores with a leg kick.
Teitsi throws a hook to the side of Gavin's head but Gavin sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Gavin cracks the inside of Teitsi's front leg.
Teitsi loads up on a big right hand but Gavin slips the punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gavin connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Teitsi's hands.

Teitsi moves into the clinch.
Teitsi blocks an uppercut.
I was talking to Teitsi's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gavin stalling.
Teitsi misses with a hook from the clinch.
Teitsi tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Gavin avoids it.
Teitsi blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Teitsi lands a right hand that snaps the head of Gavin backwards.
Gavin looking to slow down the pace here.
Gavin is trying to push Teitsi away but Teitsi has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Teitsi keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Gavin's efforts to push away.
Teitsi landing knees to the head.
Teitsi keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Gavin's efforts to push away.
Teitsi tries a body shot but Gavin blocks it.
Teitsi is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Gavin is defending well for now.

Gavin breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Teitsi throws a leg kick which misses Gavin's front leg but catches the back leg as Gavin tries to avoid it.
Teitsi takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Teitsi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Gavin.

Teitsi drives through and clinches with Gavin against the cage.
Gavin misses with a body punch.

Gavin pulls guard successfully.
Teitsi engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Teitsi stands and throws Gavin's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Gavin tries to improve position but can't.
Teitsi fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Teitsi 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.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gavin prevents Teitsi from moving into mount.
Teitsi working the ground and pound but Gavin is defending the strikes.
Teitsi wants to control but Gavin is keeping him busy.
Gavin tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Teitsi presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gavin is trying desperately to improve position.
Teitsi can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Gavin is looking to escape.
Teitsi lands a couple of good shots and Gavin has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Gavin staying busy and making it hard for Teitsi to control.
Teitsi is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Gavin is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Teitsi is hanging on to Gavin's back as he tries to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Teitsi wants to control but Gavin is keeping busy.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
Teitsi controlling well, preventing Gavin from escaping the position.
Teitsi has his opponent trapped and is landing shots. Not a good position for Gavin.
Teitsi has the hooks in. Gavin is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Teitsi lands a shot to the head.
Teitsi scores with punches from the back.
Teitsi missing with strikes from the back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matti Teitsi dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Teitsi throws an off balance right hand

and Gavin counters with a single leg into guard. Teitsi didn't expect that.
Gavin with a nice head shot there.
Teitsi wants to sweep but no luck.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Teitsi here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Gavin pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Teitsi is keeping the position for now.
Gavin keeps trying to improve his position.
Teitsi keeping moving, preventing Gavin from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Teitsi looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gavin is one step ahead there.
Gavin trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Gavin must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Gavin accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Gavin working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Teitsi's head.
Gavin postures up in Teitsi's guard and throws a big left but Teitsi blocks it.
Teitsi is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Gavin is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Teitsi lands a jab to the nose.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gavin ducks right into an uppercut from Teitsi.
Gavin misses with an uppercut
and Teitsi counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Gavin lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Gavin lands with a thumping leg kick.
Gavin scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Matti Teitsi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Teitsi moves in looking to clinch but Gavin pushes him off.
Tommy Gavin seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Teitsi dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Gavin. That did some damage!
Gavin moves out of range as Teitsi strikes.
Gavin lands a jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gavin misses with a straight left.
Gavin throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Teitsi sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A telegraphed right hand from Teitsi misses the target.
Good leg kick by Gavin there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Gavin keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Teitsi throws the left hand but Gavin avoids the punch easily.
Teitsi connects with a single shot there.
Teitsi connects with a looping right hand.
Teitsi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gavin.
Teitsi pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Gavin back to the cage. Teitsi follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Gavin looks to land a left hand but Teitsi moved out of range nicely.
Gavin throws the kick towards the body but Teitsi avoids it.
Gavin swings for the body but Teitsi moves out of range.
Gavin ducks under a wild hook from Teitsi.
Teitsi scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Teitsi throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Gavin keeps the fight on the outside.
Gavin throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Teitsi sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Teitsi looks for the body kick but Gavin saw that one coming.

Teitsi gets a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Teitsi lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Teitsi tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Teitsi with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Teitsi throws a head punch that misses.
Gavin content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Gavin blocking some punches.
Gavin is trying to break free.
Teitsi is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Gavin can do to turn this around?
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Teitsi creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Teitsi scores a nice knee to the body.
Teitsi working Gavin over with knees to the body.
Teitsi tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Teitsi connects with a nasty looking knee right to Gavin's face.
Teitsi lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Gavin backwards.
Teitsi lands a left hand that snaps the head of Gavin backwards.
Gavin wants to get back to striking at distance but Teitsi won't allow it.
Gavin pressing his opponent against the cage.
Gavin is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Teitsi is keeping busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matti Teitsi dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Gavin connects with a crisp jab.
Gavin shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Teitsi as he jumps to the side.
Teitsi throws a hook but Gavin avoids it easily.
A combination from Teitsi does no damage.
Gavin connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Jab from Gavin.
Teitsi throws a leg kick but Gavin moved away.
Gavin fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Teitsi slips under a jab.
Gavin throws a body punch but Teitsi moves out of range.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Teitsi lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Gavin has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Gavin and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Teitsi scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Teitsi connects with a solid leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gavin buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Teitsi defending well as Gavin loads up on a big left hand.
Gavin chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Teitsi can pounce on him.
A jab from Teitsi finds it's way through Gavin's defenses.
Teitsi thows a left - swing and a miss!
Gavin will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Gavin swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Gavin pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Teitsi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Teitsi ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Teitsi motions for Gavin to come forward. Teitsi throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Gavin takes a swing at Teitsi's ribcage but misses.
Gavin throws out a loose jab but Teitsi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Teitsi will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Gavin throws a leg kick but Teitsi checks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A cross from Gavin lands.
A head kick misses from Teitsi.
Gavin cracks Teitsi with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

Gavin scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Tommy Gavin has got the better of the ground game so far.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Teitsi works his way to full guard. Good work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Teitsi tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Teitsi keeping moving, preventing Gavin from controlling successfully.
Teitsi looking for a sweep. Not yet Teitsi, not yet.
Gavin trying to control but Teitsi is working from the bottom.
Gavin won't allow Teitsi to sweep him here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Teitsi is controlling Gavin's posture.
Gavin working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Teitsi throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Gavin.
Gavin is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Teitsi.
Teitsi is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Gavin throws a body shot but no joy.
Gavin takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Teitsi thows a leg kick but Gavin checks it

and Gavin counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Teitsi is trying to keep Gavin in close.
Gavin trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gavin trying to control but Teitsi is working from the bottom.
Gavin might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Teitsi haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Teitsi looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gavin is one step ahead there.
Teitsi not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Teitsi wants to sweep but no luck.
Gavin postures up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tommy Gavin really dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Teitsi throws a predictable looking body shot

and Gavin decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Teitsi's guard.
Gavin postures up.
Teitsi might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Teitsi pulls Gavin in close to prevent any damage.
Gavin trying to control but Teitsi is working from the bottom.
Teitsi wants to sweep but no luck.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gavin looking to pass the guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gavin advances position into side control!
Teitsi can't do much from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gavin controlling the position.
The strikes coming from Gavin are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Teitsi tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Teitsi wants to control but Gavin postures up.
Gavin has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Teitsi!

That's two 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.
Teitsi regains half guard.
Teitsi wants to control but Gavin is keeping busy.
Teitsi avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Gavin.
Gavin frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Gavin throws some wild stikes that Teitsi manages to avoid easily.
Teitsi working to try and regain half guard.
Gavin working away from the top, dropping strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gavin thowing shots but they're missing.
Teitsi tries to hold on but Gavin postures up.
Gavin raining down shots from the mount!
Gavin fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Gavin misses with a head shot.
Teitsi is working to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Teitsi slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Teitsi is trying to control but Gavin manages to pass to mount!
Teitsi tries to hold on but Gavin postures up.
Gavin scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Gavin lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gavin trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Gavin lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tommy Gavin dominated that fourth round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Teitsi shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Nice defenses there by Gavin.
Teitsi swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Teitsi moves into the clinch.
Teitsi working Gavin over with knees to the body.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Teitsi obliges.
Gavin working aggressively here.
Teitsi throws a head punch that misses.
Gavin misses with some punches.
Teitsi misses with a knee to the head.
Gavin wants to get back to striking at distance but Teitsi won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Teitsi lands a body punch in the clinch.
Gavin is looking to take this one to the mat.
A knee to the head by Teitsi.
Teitsi with a knee to the head.
Gavin is trying to pull guard but Teitsi turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Teitsi uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Gavin.
Gavin dives in for a single leg takedown but Teitsi sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Matti Teitsi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tommy Gavin.
Gavin is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Gavin can't find room to land a body shot as Teitsi controls the action.
Teitsi with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Teitsi working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Teitsi lands a right hand.
Teitsi scores with a knee to the head.
Gavin is struggling to control the position.
Gavin continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.
Teitsi lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Teitsi pushes Gavin back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Matti Teitsi has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Teitsi connects with a nasty looking knee right to Gavin's face.
Teitsi is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Gavin is defending well for now.
Teitsi using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Gavin has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Teitsi utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Teitsi is working Gavin over against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Teitsi lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Gavin is trying to trip Teitsi. He has hold of a leg but Teitsi is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Gavin persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Teitsi keeping full guard, as Gavin tries to pass.
Teitsi controlling the position.
Teitsi has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Gavin stopping the sweep attempt from Teitsi.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gavin passes Teitsi's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Gavin throwing shots but Teitsi is blocking nicely.
Gavin wants to lay and pray for a moment but Teitsi keeps working.
Gavin looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Gavin is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Teitsi doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Gavin.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Teitsi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

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.
Teitsi tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Gavin throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Teitsi stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Teitsi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gavin.
Gavin with a hook.
Teitsi checks the leg kick nicely there.
Teitsi looks to land a right hand but Gavin moved out of range.
The fighters circling - Teitsi throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Teitsi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Gavin throws a nice looking combination but Teitsi bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matti Teitsi showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Teitsi 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 48:47
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 48:47
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matti Teitsi!
Matti Teitsi is the new featherweight champion!
In his post fight interview, Matti Teitsi started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.