PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Lio Metdida (ranked 4260 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marcus Popogli (ranked 6496 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.

Metdida
vs
Popogli

200 cm
23
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

200 cm
18
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Powerful

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 Los Angeles, Lio Metdida!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Marcus Popogli!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Metdida changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Popogli tries to avoid it but Metdida manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Popogli to the ground. Popogli escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Metdida looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Popogli is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.

Metdida changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Popogli looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Metdida tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Metdida has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Popogli is looking for a sweep.
I wouldn't like to be where Popogli is right now.
Metdida tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Popogli is trying to get back to his feet.
Popogli gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Popogli can do anything to dispel that myth.
Popogli is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Popogli looks out of his depth in this position - he's holding on tight.

Popogli defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Metdida.

Metdida working for a submission but Popogli is keeping him at bay.
Popogli really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Metdida. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Popogli working to try and regain half guard.
Popogli wants to control but Metdida is having none of it.
Metdida really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Metdida jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Popogli manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Popogli is trying to control Metdida's posture but Metdida avoids it.

Metdida has hold of Popogli's arm here. He's working for an Americana. It looks like he might have it! Popogli tries to escape but he's just digging himself in deeper - Metdida cranks the arm and Popogli screams in pain! The ref makes a decision and ends the fight before the tap - no complains from Popogli, who is just happy to have his arm attached to his body.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Lio Metdida!