PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Martti Metsonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Francois La Poulet (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Metsonen comes into the arena with - blaring out of the sound system. La Poulet has chosen "chicken dance" song as his entrance music. Francois La Poulet is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Metsonen
vs
La Poulet

188 cm
26
197 lbs
8 - 6 - 0

186 cm
25
192 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Solid chin

Global MMA Gear

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 8 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Martti Metsonen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Francois La Poulet!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Dillan Fox and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
La Poulet moves in looking to clinch but Metsonen pushes him off.
Metsonen swats away the attempt to clinch by La Poulet.
Metsonen tries to clinch up but La Poulet circles away and keeps his distance.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Metsonen.
Metsonen shoots in looking for a takedown. La Poulet tries to sprawl out of it but Metsonen keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. La Poulet manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

La Poulet has taken the fight to the clinch.
La Poulet throws a knee to the head but misses.
La Poulet tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Metsonen's elbow.
Metsonen working La Poulet over with knees to the body.
Metsonen throws a knee to the head but misses.
Metsonen on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Metsonen lands a hook that snaps the head of La Poulet backwards.
Metsonen misses with a knee strike.
La Poulet tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
La Poulet tries a knee to the head but Metsonen blocks it.
La Poulet avoiding damage as Metsonen throws knees to the body.
La Poulet tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Metsonen avoids it.
Metsonen cracks La Poulet with a nice body shot.
La Poulet throws a knee to the head but misses.
Metsonen throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but La Poulet blocks it with crossed arms.
Metsonen avoiding damage as La Poulet throws knees to the body.

Metsonen gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, La Poulet regains guard.

Metsonen drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and La Poulet dives on top into guard.

Metsonen has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but La Poulet can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Metsonen is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Metsonen looking for a sweep. Not yet Metsonen, not yet.
Metsonen doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
La Poulet passes into half guard under a barage of strikes.
La Poulet wants to stand but Metsonen has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Metsonen trying to get back to full guard but La Poulet takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!

That's two 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.
Metsonen is looking to get to half guard.

La Poulet stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
Metsonen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
La Poulet tries to clinch up
and Metsonen counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. La Poulet is lucky that one didn't land flush.
La Poulet tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
La Poulet tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Metsonen counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Metsonen throws a strike but La Poulet avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Metsonen throwing strikes but missing.

Metsonen is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! La Poulet is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! La Poulet has escaped and now he's on top!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Metsonen throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

La Poulet gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

La Poulet gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
La Poulet wants to stand but Metsonen is controlling the position.
Metsonen 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

La Poulet manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Metsonen throws a head kick that misses.
La Poulet closes the distance but Metsonen moves to the side

and Metsonen counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Metsonen.
Metsonen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
La Poulet utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Metsonen missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Metsonen loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Metsonen with a flurry of punches that miss.
Metsonen wants to pass the guard but La Poulet is keeping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Martti Metsonen dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Metsonen tries to close the distance and clinch but La Poulet swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
La Poulet tries to clinch up.
La Poulet tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Metsonen counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Metsonen thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Metsonen lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

La Poulet pushes Metsonen off and gets back to his feet.
La Poulet tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Metsonen counters with a single leg into guard. La Poulet didn't expect that.
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!
La Poulet wants to stand up but Metsonen is controlling him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Metsonen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Metsonen is looking to work some ground and pound but La Poulet has wrist control.
Metsonen throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Metsonen throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as La Poulet works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

La Poulet manages to escape and get back to his feet.

Metsonen instigates a clinch.
Metsonen landing some nice looking knees to the body.
A short uppercut from Metsonen.
La Poulet with a knee to the head.
Metsonen blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
La Poulet missing with knees to the body.

Metsonen lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Metsonen drops an elbow to the side of La Poulet's head.

Metsonen is sneakily working for an arm triangle but La Poulet sees it coming and defends easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Metsonen is working for a submission of some sort.
Metsonen looks to land a strike but La Poulet avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Metsonen distracts La Poulet with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

La Poulet manages to escape and get back to his feet.
La Poulet closes the distance looking to clinch

so Metsonen counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Metsonen throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
La Poulet is looking to stand up but Metsonen isn't so interested in that idea.
Metsonen throws a big right hand that misses.
Metsonen missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Metsonen throwing strikes from guard but La Poulet blocks nicely.
Metsonen is pushing down on La Poulet's leg trying to pass to half guard. La Poulet is fighting to maintain full guard but Metsonen has managed to sneak the leg through.
Metsonen thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed La Poulet's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Metsonen working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on La Poulet's thigh. La Poulet counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Metsonen postures up in La Poulet's guard and throws a big left but La Poulet blocks it.
La Poulet avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
La Poulet wants to stand but Metsonen is controlling the position.
Metsonen stands and throws La Poulet's legs to the side, diving into side control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Metsonen advances to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Martti Metsonen dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Metsonen wants to clinch up but La Poulet keeps it at a distance.
La Poulet looks to clinch
and Metsonen counters with a head kick.
La Poulet looks to clinch

and Metsonen counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Metsonen.

Metsonen drops back, looking for a kneebar! La Poulet looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. La Poulet looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from La Poulet!
Metsonen striking from the bottom but nothing landed.

La Poulet decides to stand back up. La Poulet steps back and let's Metsonen get back to his feet.

Metsonen shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in La Poulet's guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
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!
Metsonen is looking to work some ground and pound but La Poulet has wrist control.
Metsonen wants to pass the guard but La Poulet is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Metsonen with a flurry of punches that miss.
Metsonen throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Metsonen postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
La Poulet wants to stand but Metsonen is controlling the position.
Metsonen throwing strikes from guard but La Poulet blocks nicely.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

La Poulet moves into the clinch.
La Poulet trying to land knees to the body.

That's two 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.
Metsonen looking to throw knees to the head but La Poulet is blocking nicely.
La Poulet is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
La Poulet missing with knees to the body.
Metsonen tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
La Poulet blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
La Poulet on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
La Poulet scores with a nice hook to the head.
Metsonen tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
La Poulet trying to land knees to the body.
La Poulet avoiding damage as Metsonen throws knees to the body.
La Poulet tries to work over Metsonen's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Metsonen throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Metsonen drops down looking for an ankle pick but La Poulet pulls his leg out and moves away.
La Poulet tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Metsonen counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Francois La Poulet seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
La Poulet clinches but Metsonen breaks the clinch
and Metsonen connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
La Poulet tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Metsonen counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps La Poulet thinking.
La Poulet tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Metsonen counters by moving into the clinch.
Metsonen blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Metsonen has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. La Poulet avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Metsonen takes a knee right on the jaw!
La Poulet lands an uppercut.
La Poulet tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Metsonen avoids it.
Metsonen has La Poulet pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. La Poulet manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Martti Metsonen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Metsonen missing with knees to the body.
La Poulet tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Metsonen avoids it.
Metsonen missing with knees to the body.
La Poulet is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Metsonen is defending well for now.
La Poulet trying to land knees to the body.
La Poulet misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Metsonen.
Metsonen tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
La Poulet lands a good knee to the midsection. Metsonen won't want to take too many of those.
Metsonen tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and La Poulet avoids it.
Knees to the body from Metsonen.
Metsonen using the Thai plumb to throw knees but La Poulet has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Metsonen is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. La Poulet is defending well for now.
La Poulet lands a knee to the body.
La Poulet managing to block the knees to the body from Metsonen.
Metsonen looks to throw an elbow but misses.
La Poulet blocks an uppercut.
La Poulet connects with a knee to the head.
La Poulet working Metsonen over with knees to the body.
Metsonen avoiding damage as La Poulet throws knees to the body.
Martti Metsonen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
La Poulet is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
La Poulet misses with a punch to the body.
Metsonen lands an elbow that stopped La Poulet in his tracks for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Metsonen looking to throw knees to the head but La Poulet is blocking nicely.
Metsonen with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Metsonen on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Metsonen putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has La Poulet in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Metsonen avoiding damage as La Poulet throws knees to the body.
La Poulet on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
La Poulet misses with a knee to the head.
Metsonen on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Metsonen using the Thai plumb to throw knees but La Poulet has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Metsonen looking to throw knees to the head but La Poulet is blocking nicely.
Francois La Poulet has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A short body shot lands from Metsonen as the two fighters clinch.
La Poulet misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Metsonen.
A right hand to the body from Metsonen.
La Poulet with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Metsonen connects with a nasty looking knee right to La Poulet's face.
A knee to the head by Metsonen.
La Poulet is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Metsonen is defending well for now.
Metsonen on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
La Poulet trying to land knees to the body.
Metsonen using the Thai plumb to throw knees but La Poulet has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

And that's the end of the fight!
Martti Metsonen showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Metsonen has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Martti Metsonen!