PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Martti Metsonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ted Grant (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Metsonen comes to the cage accompanied by Michael Jackson - Beat It. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Metsonen
vs
Grant

188 cm
22
195 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

185 cm
22
205 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Martti Metsonen!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ted Grant!
The judges for this bout are Dillan Fox, Alec Ball and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Metsonen waving his hands out infront of him, looking to distract Grant.
Metsonen doesn't manage to clinch there - Grant circles away.

Metsonen rushes Grant and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Grant drops down looking for an ankle pick but Metsonen pulls his leg out and moves away.

Grant moves into the clinch.

Metsonen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
The fight stays on the outside here - Metsonen looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Metsonen with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Metsonen misses with a head kick.
Metsonen shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Grant pinned against the cage. Grant gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Metsonen throws a knee to the head but misses.
Metsonen is looking to control Grant's arms but Grant gets an underhook and turns him. Now Metsonen has his back to the cage.
Grant tries to stall but Metsonen uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Metsonen missing with knees to the body.

Grant breaks the clinch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Metsonen wants to break the clinch but can't.

Metsonen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Grant darts in trying to clinch

and Metsonen counters by clinching up.
Grant tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Metsonen just stands there and leans against the cage.
Metsonen keeps control of Grant as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Grant is trying to break the clinch but Metsonen has him pressed against the cage.

Metsonen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Grant scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Well, if Grant is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Metsonen has a hand on Grant's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Grant takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!

Grant moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Metsonen has worked his arm free - good work by Metsonen!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Metsonen is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Grant blocks the strikes from Metsonen.
Metsonen sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Grant is looking to take a break and control but Metsonen is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Metsonen is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Grant is looking for a kimura but Metsonen is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Grant to get the leverage.
Grant looks gassed!
Grant trying to control the pace.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Grant missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Metsonen wants to get back to his feet.
Grant prevents Metsonen from improving his position.
Metsonen is trying to maintain the position but Grant is very close to passing his half guard.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Metsonen tries to clinch but Grant is having none of it.
Grant moves in looking to clinch but Metsonen pushes him off.
Metsonen has his takedown stuffed
and Grant makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Metsonen really felt that one!
Metsonen attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.

Metsonen gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Grant wants to break the clinch but can't.

Metsonen has picked Grant up - he's going for a ride! Metsonen dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Grant wants to control but Metsonen is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Grant is looking to improve his position.
Grant landing small, sideways elbows.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grant is looking to control Metsonen's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Grant avoid being mounted?
Grant avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Metsonen.
Grant wants to get back to full guard.
Metsonen trying to control the action but Grant is working from the bottom.
Grant gets back to full guard.
Grant is pulling down on Metsonen's head. It's preventing any offense from Metsonen, at least for the moment.
Grant working a defensive guard here.
Grant managing to control the position.
Grant scores with a short punch from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Martti Metsonen dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Grant is looking to clinch but Metsonen is avoiding it.
Grant fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Metsonen is looking to clinch but Grant is avoiding it.

Metsonen rushes Grant and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Metsonen unloads a knee to the mid-section. Grant lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Grant is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Metsonen is keeping busy.
Metsonen using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Grant has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Metsonen stops a takedown attempt from Grant.
Metsonen gets underhooks to prevent Grant's takedown attempt.
Martti Metsonen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ted Grant.
Grant is trying to break the clinch but Metsonen has him pressed against the cage.
Grant can't get the takedown.
Metsonen landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Metsonen wants to stall.
Metsonen misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Grant.
Grant wants to get back to striking at distance but Metsonen won't allow it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Metsonen prevents the takedown attempt.
Grant tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Metsonen just stands there and leans against the cage.
Metsonen drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Metsonen tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Metsonen successfully pulls guard.
Grant pushing down on Metsonen's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Metsonen is looking to improve his position.

Grant decides to stand and escape the position.
Grant fails with a takedown attempt.

Metsonen has taken the fight to the clinch.

Metsonen jumps into guard, dragging Grant to the mat.
Metsonen throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

Metsonen looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Grant stands up from Metsonen's guard - Grant perhaps looking for a knockout.
Grant circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Metsonen fails with an attempt to clinch.
Grant wants to clinch up but Metsonen keeps it at a distance.
Metsonen clinches but Grant breaks the clinch

and Grant counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Grant looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Grant tries to pass to full mount but Metsonen defends it.

Metsonen is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Grant pulls his head out easily.
Metsonen is in trouble now - Grant has advanced to mount!
Metsonen is looking to get to half guard.
Grant wants to control the pace but Metsonen is squirming around nicely.
Grant tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grant's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

Grant looking for a guillotine from mount but Metsonen is having none of it.
Grant with the ground and pound from mount.
Metsonen really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Grant controlling from the full mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Metsonen tries to hold on but Grant pushes him away.
Metsonen slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Grant seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Metsonen does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Metsonen is looking to escape.
Grant controlling the action here.
Metsonen slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Metsonen throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Metsonen tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Grant is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Metsonen lands a decent punch to the body there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ted Grant showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Metsonen turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

Metsonen tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Grant sneaks back into half guard.
Grant makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Grant.
Metsonen trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Grant manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Grant gets to his feet. Metsonen looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Grant takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Metsonen tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Metsonen tries to close the distance and clinch but Grant swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Metsonen moves into range and clinches up with Grant.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Metsonen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Metsonen doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Grant counters with a nice double leg into side control. Metsonen won't be happy with that.
Metsonen wants to get back to his feet but Grant drags him back down.
Metsonen is trying to control Grant's posture but Grant avoids it.
Metsonen manages to work his way to half guard, despite Grant's best efforts.
Metsonen is pressing down on Grant's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Metsonen is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Grant has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Metsonen is working away from the top position though.
Grant gets back to full guard.

Grant has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Metsonen can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Metsonen thows a big elbow that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grant wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Grant has a closed guard, preventing Metsonen from standing up.

Grant is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Grant wants to sweep but no luck.
Grant is controlling Metsonen's posture.
Metsonen wants to control from the top but Grant keeps moving.
Metsonen won't allow Grant to sweep him here.
Grant bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Metsonen's guard.
Metsonen wants to sweep here but Grant controlling him for the moment.
Metsonen wants to hit a switch here but Grant passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Metsonen there!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Metsonen regains half guard.

Metsonen is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Grant pulls his head out easily.
Grant wants to pass to mount but Metsonen is defending the position.
Metsonen is trying to stand back up but Grant is controlling him

Grant seems to be working for a kimura but Metsonen defends the submission attempt.
Metsonen is staying active underneath Grant, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Metsonen tries to get to full guard but Grant has control of the leg.
Grant is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

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.
Grant throwing shots but Metsonen is blocking nicely.
Grant stops Metsonen from getting back to his feet.
Grant content to control rather than advance.
Metsonen flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Grant is nestled in close to Metsonen, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Metsonen is refusing to be controlled, as Grant sits in half guard.
Metsonen wants to get back to his feet.
Well, if Grant is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Metsonen moves into full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ted Grant really dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Metsonen circles away from the clinch attempt.

Grant looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Grant in particular looking to stall.
Metsonen wants to improve his position but Grant is controlling well.

Grant stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.

Metsonen clinches with his opponent.
Grant prevents the takedown attempt.
Grant wants to break free but Metsonen has control.
The is referee keeping an eye on Metsonen - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Grant swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Grant is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

Metsonen has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Grant clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Grant looking very determined here, making life difficult for Metsonen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Metsonen lands a couple of good shots to his opponent's body and a final shot to the head. Good little attack there by Metsonen.
Grant covering up well and avoiding damage.
Ted Grant has got the better of the ground game so far.
Metsonen is looking to finish with some ground and pound!
Grant covering up well under a series of strikes from Metsonen.
Grant trying to control the position but Metsonen manages to sink in the hooks.
Metsonen missing with strikes.
Grant tries to escape the position.
Grant turns into Metsonen and is now in his guard.
Metsonen looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Grant sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Metsonen's guard.
Grant lands strikes from half guard.
Metsonen wants to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grant seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Metsonen is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Grant stalling.
Metsonen wants to improve his position but Grant is controlling well.
Metsonen gets full guard.
Metsonen is looking to stand up but Grant isn't so interested in that idea.
Grant must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Metsonen is looking to sweep but instead, Grant has passed into half guard.

Metsonen looking for submissions off his back.
Grant stops Metsonen from getting back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Metsonen wants to improve his position but Grant is controlling well.
Metsonen wants to control but Grant is keeping busy.
Grant performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

Metsonen is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Grant pulls his head out easily.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Grant throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nice uppercut there from Metsonen.
Metsonen will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A head kick from Metsonen lands but Grant takes it in his stride.
A head kick misses from Metsonen.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Metsonen has his takedown stuffed

and Grant counters with a single leg into guard. Metsonen didn't expect that.
Metsonen 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.

Metsonen is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Metsonen 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.

Metsonen looking for a guillotine here but Grant defends easily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Metsonen looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Grant puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Metsonen works his way to full guard. Good work.
Metsonen manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Grant is squirming around, avoiding Metsonen's attempts to control the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Martti Metsonen will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Grant keeps the fight on the outside.
Metsonen wants to clinch up but Grant keeps it at a distance.
Grant circles away from the clinch attempt

and Grant counters with a takedown into side control.
Grant in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Grant controlling from side mount.
Metsonen gets back to half guard.
Grant is keen to just control but Metsonen is a slippery customer.

Metsonen looking for submissions off his back.
Metsonen is looking to control Grant's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Metsonen avoid being mounted?
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grant seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Grant frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Metsonen is trying to escape the mount.
Grant fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!

Grant looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Grant working Metsonen over with strikes here.
Grant controlling his opponent.
Metsonen is squirming around, avoiding Grant's attempts to control the action.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Metsonen working to try and regain half guard.
Grant tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Metsonen working to try and regain half guard.

Grant is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Metsonen can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Grant controlling the pace for now.
Grant postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Metsonen looks a forlorn figure.

Metsonen is rocked!
Metsonen taking shots to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grant fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Oh Metsonen is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Grant tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Metsonen is squirming around, avoiding Grant's attempts to control the action.
Metsonen seems to have got his legs back now.
Metsonen is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Grant controlling from the full mount.
Metsonen manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Metsonen is looking for a sweep. Grant is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Metsonen flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Metsonen missing with punches from the bottom.
Metsonen moves into full guard.
Metsonen keeping full guard, as Grant tries to pass.
Metsonen will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Grant throwing strikes from guard but Metsonen blocks nicely.

Metsonen looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Metsonen bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Grant's guard.
Metsonen won't allow Grant to get back to his feet.
Metsonen working some strikes from top position.
Grant throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

Metsonen avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ted Grant comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Grant 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 47:48
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 47:48
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ted Grant!
Ted Grant is the new light heavyweight champion!