PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Michail Podolski (ranked 91 p4p, 13 weight class) and Felix Legions (ranked 106 p4p, 15 weight class). Legions comes into a darkened arena with his song building. For Heavy Metal we will die! kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Podolski
vs
Legions

168 cm
26
148 lbs
14 - 3 - 0

166 cm
29
148 lbs
15 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Mockstar Energy Drinks 160Q
Aspire Clothing

KAISER Nutrition - Q160
Aspire Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Michail Podolski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Felix Legions!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, James Atkins and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Legions lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Legions lands a leg kick that knocks Podolski off balance momentarily.
Legions avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Podolski takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
A slow jab from Podolski misses its intended target.
Good leg kick by Legions there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Legions has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Podolski throws a jab but it's blocked by Legions.
Podolski throws a shot from downtown. Legions moves away and avoids it.
Podolski scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Legions doesn't seem bothered though.
Legions tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Podolski was well out of range. Poor timing from Legions.
Legions scores with a leg kick.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Legions throws a nice head kick!
Podolski lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Podolski throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A cross from Legions lands.
Podolski takes a head kick and keeps coming.
A low kick from Podolski is predictable there
and Legions counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Podolski uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Legions.
Podolski throws a low kick but Legions moves out of range easily.
Legions lands a right hook to the body.
Podolski throws a jab when Legions was well out of range.
A bone on bone clash there as Legions blocks the leg kick.
Michail Podolski seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Legions lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Podolski looks to land a left hand but Legions moved out of range nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A thudding body kick lands there by Legions!
Legions comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Podolski throws a jab when Legions was well out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Legions. Podolski does a little dance to reset his feet.
Podolski ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Nice straight punches there by Legions. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Legions.
Podolski throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Podolski throws a leg kick which misses Legions's front leg but catches the back leg as Legions tries to avoid it.
Podolski scores with a jab.
Podolski misses with an uppercut
and Legions connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Michail Podolski is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Legions connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Podolski lands a nice shot to the body.
Legions bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

Legions looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Legions scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Legions sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Podolski defending well though.
Legions missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Legions wants to take a breather but Podolski is having none of it.
Legions is nestled in close to Podolski, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Legions takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Legions thows a huge punch but Podolski dodges it nicely.

Legions is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Podolski is just riding it out for now. Legions eventually gives up the hold.
Podolski avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Legions.
Nice strikes from Legions there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Legions not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Legions in particular looking to stall.

Legions is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Legions missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Podolski blocking the ground and pound attempt from Legions.
Podolski is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Legions scores with a couple of nice shots.
Legions wants to take a breather but Podolski is having none of it.
Legions thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Legions sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Legions throwing shots but Podolski is blocking nicely.
Legions stalling away here and it's allowed Podolski to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Legions throwing strikes from guard but Podolski blocks nicely.
Legions scoring with punches to the head and body.
Legions scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Legions postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Legions trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Legions drives through with a takedown into guard.
Legions working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Legions accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Podolski keeping moving, preventing Legions from controlling successfully.
Legions throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Podolski keeping full guard, as Legions tries to pass.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Podolski preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Legions cracks Podolski with a solid left hand.
Legions trying to control the position from guard on top but Podolski is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Legions has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Legions throws a strike but Podolski rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Legions has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Podolski has passed into side control.
Legions manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Legions wants to get back to full guard.

Legions actively working from the bottom here.

Legions looking for submissions off his back.
Podolski prevents Legions from improving his position.
Legions moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Legions wants to sweep but no luck.

Legions has his foot on Podolski's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Podolski works his way back into a safe position though.
Legions has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Podolski has passed into side control.
Legions struggling a bit here.
Legions tries to bench press Podolski off him but Podolski keeps the position.
Podolski controlling the position from side mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Legions is looking to reverse the position.
Podolski slows the pace down.
Legions struggling a bit here.
Legions is not content to let Podolski control the position.
Legions gets back to half guard.

That's four 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.
Podolski seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Legions wants to improve his position but Podolski is controlling well.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Podolski walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
We've been told by Podolski's head coaches at Combat Muay Thai that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Podolski misses with a few strikes there.
Legions scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Podolski connects with a solid leg kick.
Podolski swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Podolski takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Podolski stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Legions.
Legions keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Podolski.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Felix Legions 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. This is the final round!

Podolski looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Podolski moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Podolski lands an overhand right.
Felix Legions seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Legions gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Podolski looks to land a right hand but Legions moved out of range.
Legions lands a jab to Podolski's midsection.
Legions displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Podolski throws out the jab.
Podolski scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Podolski throws out a loose jab but Legions uses good head movement to avoid it.
Podolski blocks a jab.
Legions turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Legions closes the distance and clinches up with Podolski, looking for a takedown. Legions pushes Podolski against the cage but Podolski circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Podolski steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Legions.
Podolski takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Podolski with a nice cross.
Podolski misses with a hook.
Podolski just misses with a punch to the body.
Good exchange - Legions coming out on top.
A leg kick checked by Legions.
Podolski swings away with a body shot that misses
and Legions counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Legions shoots in and gets a takedown into Podolski's guard.
Podolski preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Legions throws a strike but Podolski rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Legions looking to hit a scissor sweep but Podolski is one step ahead there.

Legions has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Podolski can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Podolski avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Legions manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Podolski manages to get himself to full guard.

Michail Podolski has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Legions wants to pass the guard but Podolski is keeping the position.
Legions throwing strikes from guard but Podolski blocks nicely.
Legions throws a strike but Podolski rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Legions looking for a guillotine here but Podolski defends easily.

Legions throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Podolski trying to stand up but can't free himself from Legions's guard.
Podolski has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Podolski got a little sloppy there for a moment and Legions has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Podolski has managed to get both his arms back between Legions's legs - danger averted.
Podolski postures up.

Legions has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Podolski is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Legions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Legions gets back to half guard.

Legions looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Still in half guard, Podolski seems content to control.
Felix Legions has got the better of the ground game so far.
The fighters are battling for position here. Legions manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Legions not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Legions looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

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 Michail Podolski.
Well Legions has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 James Ackerman scores the fight 28:29
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 28:29
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Felix Legions!
After the fight, Felix Legions was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.