PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Desmond Fairbanks (ranked 1245 p4p, 65 weight class) and Usko Matonen (ranked 1250 p4p, 66 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Fairbanks
vs
Matonen

173 cm
33
142 lbs
26 - 20 - 0

165 cm
31
140 lbs
13 - 8 - 2

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 26 - 20 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Desmond Fairbanks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 8 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Usko Matonen!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Yuuki Gou and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fairbanks throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Matonen on the side of the head.
Fairbanks throws an off balance right hand
and Matonen counters with an outside leg kick.
We've been informed that Matonen has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
A solid leg kick lands there for Matonen.
Fairbanks swings and misses with a hook to the body.
As Fairbanks backs off Matonen throws a huge counter combo but Fairbanks manages to avoid it all.
Matonen walks into a stiff left hand from Fairbanks.
Fairbanks drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Matonen throws a low kick but Fairbanks moves out of range easily.
Fairbanks has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Fairbanks loads up on a big right hand but Matonen slips the punch.
Fairbanks lands a slapping body shot.
Matonen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Fairbanks.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Matonen.
Matonen needs to keep his hands up - Fairbanks had a free shot at his head there.
A solid body kick from Matonen.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Matonen moves out of range as Fairbanks strikes.
Matonen was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Fairbanks avoids the body shot from Matonen.
Fairbanks misses with a wild body shot.
Matonen fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Desmond Fairbanks seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice defenses there by Matonen.
Matonen takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Fairbanks pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Fairbanks throws a jab when Matonen was well out of range.
Matonen misses with a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matonen misses with a leg kick.
Matonen gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Fairbanks ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Matonen moves away.

Matonen gets a clinch.
Fairbanks tries a body shot but Matonen blocks it.
Matonen blocks a body shot from Fairbanks.
Matonen blocks a body shot from Fairbanks.
Fairbanks stalling.
Fairbanks tries a body shot but Matonen blocks it.
Matonen blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Matonen's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Matonen throws a leg kick that misses.
Fairbanks scores with a nice strike.

Matonen has Fairbanks up against the cage in a clinch.
Fairbanks doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Matonen blocks a body shot from Fairbanks.
Fairbanks tries a body shot but Matonen blocks it.
Fairbanks misses with a punch to the body.
Matonen cracks Fairbanks with a nice body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Matonen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Matonen takes one to the chin there.
Matonen throws a leg kick
and Fairbanks makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Matonen lands with a thumping leg kick.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Matonen.

Matonen darts in and clinches Fairbanks up against the cage.
Fairbanks misses with a punch to the body.
Matonen lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Fairbanks backwards.
Matonen tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Matonen lands a nice uppercut.
Matonen prevents a body shot from Fairbanks.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Fairbanks tries to throw a body punch but Matonen avoids it by throwing Fairbanks back against the cage.
Matonen is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

Matonen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Fairbanks scores with a jab to the head.
Matonen throws a right and a left that both miss.
Matonen chopping away at his opponent's legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matonen avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Fairbanks scores with a jab. Matonen acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Matonen misses with a few strikes there.
Fairbanks checks a leg kick nicely.
Matonen blocks a jab.
Matonen closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Matonen lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Nice shot by Fairbanks.
Fairbanks throws an overhand right that lands on Matonen's shoulder, as Matonen tries to avoid the shot.
Good shot there by Fairbanks.
Fairbanks is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Matonen scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Fairbanks moves forwards but Matonen connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Fairbanks ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Matonen moves away.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Matonen fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Fairbanks checks it well.
Fairbanks throws a right and a left that Matonen avoids nicely.
Fairbanks checks the leg kick.
Fairbanks looks to land a right hand but Matonen moved out of range.
Fairbanks misses with a looping right.
Fairbanks moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matonen avoids the body shot from Fairbanks.
Matonen feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Fairbankss jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Good shot there by Fairbanks.
Matonen misses the jab.
Fairbanks throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Matonen on the wrong end of a nice jab.

Fairbanks gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Matonen taking a breather.
Matonen blocking some punches.
Matonen can't find room to land a body shot as Fairbanks controls the action.
Matonen misses with a hook from the clinch.
Fairbanks prevents a body shot from Matonen.
Fairbanks lands a body punch in the clinch.
Fairbanks tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Matonen's elbow.
Matonen working aggressively here.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Matonen tries a body shot but Fairbanks blocks it.
Matonen is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Fairbanks looking to slow down the pace here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Desmond Fairbanks will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Fairbanks misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Matonen counters with a straight right hand.
Matonen turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Matonen throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Jab from Fairbanks.
Matonen throws a body punch but Fairbanks moves out of range.
A quick step to the side and Fairbanks tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Desmond Fairbanks is winning the standup battle so far.
Fairbanks scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Fairbanks fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Matonen manages to avoid it.
Matonen was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Fairbanks tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Matonen was well out of range. Poor timing from Fairbanks.
Matonen unleashes a big counter combination but Fairbanks bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Fairbanks throws an overhand right that lands on Matonen's shoulder, as Matonen tries to avoid the shot.
Matonen throws a low kick but Fairbanks moves out of range easily.
Matonen uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Fairbanks.
Fairbanks connects with a jab.
Fairbanks throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Fairbanks avoids the head kick by Matonen.
Fairbanks takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

Fairbanks gets tackled into the cage by Matonen. Matonen maintains 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!
Fairbanks goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Matonen is leaning against Fairbanks and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Fairbanks misses with a hook from the clinch.
Matonen lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Matonen breaks from the clinch.
Matonen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Fairbanks throws out the jab.
Matonen throws a lazy right hand but Fairbanks sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Fairbanks dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A jab from Fairbanks misses.
Fairbanks misses the shot to the body.
Fairbanks scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Fairbanks fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Matonen manages to avoid it.
Fairbanks misses with a body shot.
Matonen cracks the inside of Fairbanks's front leg.
Matonen motions for Fairbanks to come forward. Matonen throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Fairbanks keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Matonen misses with a wild combination.

Matonen moves into the clinch.
Matonen lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Usko Matonen seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Matonen.
Matonen lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Matonen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Fairbanks misses with a hook
and Matonen cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Fairbanks instigates a clinch.
Fairbanks working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Matonen can't find room to land a body shot as Fairbanks controls the action.
Fairbanks doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Matonen misses with a punch on the inside.
Fairbanks can't find room to land a body shot as Matonen controls the action.

Matonen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Matonen is looking to slow Fairbanks down with leg kicks.
Matonen is looking to slow Fairbanks down with leg kicks.
Fairbanks cracks Matonen with a right hand to the side of the head.
Matonen connects with a leg kick. Fairbanks looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Fairbanks is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Matonen takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Matonen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Matonen connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Fairbanks's hands.
Fairbanks on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Matonen. Matonen obviously looking to wear him down.
Fairbanks misses with an uppercut.
Fairbanks uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Matonen.
Fairbanks appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fairbanks checks a low kick from Matonen.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Matonen.
A looping hook to the body misses from Fairbanks. Matonen does a little dance to reset his feet.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Fairbanks.
Matonen pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Matonen throws a leg kick which misses Fairbanks's front leg but catches the back leg as Fairbanks tries to avoid it.
Fairbanks avoids the head kick by Matonen.
Fairbanks appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Matonen throws a body punch but Fairbanks moves out of range.
Matonen moves away from the strike by Fairbanks.
Matonen throws a body shot but no joy.
Matonen has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Fairbanks misses with a wild body shot.
Fairbanks throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Fairbanks loads up on a big right hand but Matonen slips the punch.
Matonen is looking to chop away at Fairbanks's legs.

Fairbanks clinches.
Matonen tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Fairbanks stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Matonen prevents a body shot from Fairbanks.
Matonen blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matonen tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Matonen as Fairbanks tries to tie him up.
Fairbanks misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Fairbanks lands a body punch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Fairbanks is looking to control Matonen's arms but Matonen gets an underhook and turns him. Now Fairbanks has his back to the cage.
Matonen is looking to break free of the clinch but Fairbanks has double underhooks.
Matonen leaning his opponent against the cage.
Fairbanks prevents a body shot from Matonen.
Fairbanks pushes Matonen back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A head punch blocked on the inside by Fairbanks.
Matonen swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Fairbanks lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Matonen.
A short right from Matonen.
Matonen misses with a short punch on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Usko Matonen will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! 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.

Fairbanks jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Fairbanks thows a left - swing and a miss!
Fairbanks misses with an uppercut.
Fairbanks misses with a hook.
Fairbanks works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Fairbanks tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Matonen manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Matonen has taken the fight to the clinch.
Fairbanks lands with a light punch inside.
Matonen misses with a body punch.
A right handed body shot lands from Fairbanks.
Matonen's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Nice body punch from Fairbanks - that landed with a thud.

Matonen breaks the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fairbanks wants to clinch.
Fairbanks throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Fairbanks misses with a looping left.
Fairbanks waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Matonen.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Matonen! But no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matonen lands a nice shot that snaps Fairbanks's head back.
Fairbanks looks to score with a jab to the body but Matonen is just out of range.
Matonen flicks out a counter leg kick but Fairbanks steps away.
A chopping leg kick lands by Matonen.
Fairbanks jabs Matonen right on the nose. Matonen blinks but takes it well.
A combination from Fairbanks does no damage.
Matonen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Fairbanks manages to avoid it.
Matonen throws a half hearted mid kick.
Fairbanks connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Fairbanks has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Matonen.
Fairbanks scores with a jab. Matonen acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Matonen throws a low kick but Fairbanks avoids it.
Matonen just misses with a punch to the body.
Matonen takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Matonen throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Fairbanks.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Fairbanks throws an off balance right hand
and Matonen counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Fairbanks throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Matonen uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Fairbanks.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Matonen, right into the meat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fairbanks tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Matonen is looking to score with low kicks.

Fairbanks pushes Matonen up against the cage in a clinch.
Fairbanks misses with a hook to the ribs.
Fairbanks misses with a hook to the ribs.
Matonen's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Fairbanks can't find room to land a body shot as Matonen controls the action.
Matonen blocks a body shot from Fairbanks.
Matonen stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Fairbanks misses with a hook to the ribs.

Matonen's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Matonen clinches up with Fairbanks and pushes him back against the cage.
Matonen misses with a punch to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Fairbanks.
Fairbanks stalls.
Fairbanks scores with a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matonen lands a left hand.
Matonen throws a punch but it's blocked by Fairbanks.
Fairbanks tries a body shot but Matonen blocks it.
Fairbanks swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Fairbanks tries to throw a body punch but Matonen avoids it by throwing Fairbanks back against the cage.
Fairbanks misses with a hook to the ribs.
Fairbanks struggles to land a body shot inside as Matonen controls his hands.
Fairbanks doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Matonen fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Matonen lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Fairbanks stalling the fight.
Fairbanks digs a right hand underneath Matonen's ribcage. Matonen let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Fairbanks blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Matonen blocks a body shot from Fairbanks.
Matonen being controlled against the cage.
Fairbanks has Matonen pushed against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matonen fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A short body shot lands from Matonen as the two fighters clinch.
Matonen tries to break the clinch but Fairbanks is controlling the position.
Fairbanks misses with a body punch.

Matonen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Matonen steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Fairbanks.
Matonen fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Fairbanks.
Nice body punch from Fairbanks.
Matonen fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Fairbanks checks it well.
Matonen throws a leg kick
and Fairbanks connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
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!
Fairbanks throws a right and a left that Matonen avoids nicely.
Fairbanks swings widly with a right hand
and Matonen counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Fairbanks thinking.
A leg kick checked by Fairbanks.

Matonen tries to keep at a distance but Fairbanks has taken the fight into the clinch.
Fairbanks struggles to land a body shot inside as Matonen controls his hands.
Fairbanks wants to stall.

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 Desmond Fairbanks.
I think Fairbanks 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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 29:28
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Desmond Fairbanks!
A very excited looking Desmond Fairbanks made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.