PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Pascal Letaivu (ranked 354 p4p, 42 weight class) and Michail Podolski (ranked 591 p4p, 67 weight class). Podolski has chosen Last Ride as his entrance music. Pascal Letaivu could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Michail Podolski's chin.

Letaivu
vs
Podolski

170 cm
28
151 lbs
17 - 15 - 0

168 cm
31
148 lbs
22 - 9 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Groove Gear
Ma Balls Is Hot 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 17 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Pascal Letaivu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Michail Podolski!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Ian Loll and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Letaivu ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Podolski moves away.
Podolski tries to bum rush Letaivu with a series of wild strikes but Letaivu uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Podolski connects with a body shot.
Podolski digs a good body shot into Letaivu's ribs.
A slow jab from Podolski misses its intended target.
Letaivu takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Podolski throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Podolski takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Letaivu throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Podolski fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Letaivu manages to avoid it.
Letaivu throws a jab when Podolski was well out of range.
Letaivu throws a hook but Podolski avoids it easily.
Letaivu ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Podolski moves away.
Podolski lands a nice looking body kick.
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!
An inside leg kick lands from Podolski.
Podolski keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Podolski uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Letaivu.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Podolski throws a jab when Letaivu was well out of range.
Letaivu throws an overhand right that lands on Podolski's shoulder, as Podolski tries to avoid the shot.
Letaivu throws a body shot but no joy.
Podolski looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Podolski fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Letaivu manages to avoid it.
Podolski is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Letaivu rather than just go for the knockout.
Podolski is looking to land body kicks.
Letaivu moves out of range as Podolski throws a body kick.
Letaivu misses with a looping left.
Podolski throws a half hearted mid kick.
Letaivu definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Podolski throws a body punch but Letaivu moves out of range.
Letaivu takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Podolski moves into range and connects with a jab.
Letaivu lands with a nice body punch.
Letaivu has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Podolski.
Letaivu avoids the body shot from Podolski.
Letaivu ducks under a wild hook from Podolski.
Podolski lands a head kick. Letaivu smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Podolski is looking to slow Letaivu down with leg kicks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Letaivu throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
It seemed like Podolski was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Podolski looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Letaivu steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Podolski.
Letaivu misses with a hook. Podolski ducked under it nicely.
Letaivu digs a good hook to Podolski's body.
Podolski throws a jab when Letaivu was well out of range.
The crowd cheers as Letaivu lands an impressive looking overhand right. Podolski doesn't seem phased though.
Letaivu swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Letaivu backing away here, and Podolski unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Some bone on bone action there as Letaivu checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Good shot there by Letaivu.
Podolski takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Letaivu swinging wildly here.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Podolski.
Letaivu moves out of range as Podolski strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Podolski turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Podolski defending well as Letaivu loads up on a big left hand.
Podolski plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Podolski throws a half hearted mid kick.
Podolski throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Letaivu misses the jab.
Podolski takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
A good leg kick by Podolski.
Podolski looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Letaivu moves out of range of the body kick.
Letaivu throws a body punch but Podolski moves out of range.
Podolski throws a body kick that misses.
Letaivu is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Podolski.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Letaivu.
Decent striking displayed by Letaivu there.
Podolski connects with an inside leg kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Letaivu throws out a powerful jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Podolski slips a jab and a cross from Letaivu.
A big right from Podolski misses.
Letaivu blocks a jab.
Letaivu misses with a few strikes there.
Letaivu connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Podolski uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Podolski fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Letaivu is out of range.
A good leg kick by Podolski.
Letaivu jabs Podolski right on the nose. Podolski blinks but takes it well.
Podolski moves out of range of the strikes.
Podolski misses with a low kick.
A little feinted left hand from Letaivu on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Letaivu takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Podolski throws a body kick that misses.
Letaivu fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Podolski lands a body shot.
Podolski misses with a looping right.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Michail Podolski will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Podolski blocks a jab.
Podolski now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Letaivu pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Letaivu slips a straight right by Podolski.
Michail Podolski seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Letaivu tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Podolski was well out of range. Poor timing from Letaivu.
Letaivu lands a glancing blow to the side of Podolski's head.
Podolski ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Podolski thows a left - swing and a miss!
Podolski misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Letaivu has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Letaivu misses with an uppercut.
A slow jab from Podolski misses its intended target.
Nice cross by Podolski.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Podolski tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Letaivu was well out of range. Poor timing from Podolski.
A little feinted left hand from Letaivu on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Letaivu tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Podolski takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Podolski takes one to the side of the head.
Letaivu doesn't manage to clinch there - Podolski circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Podolski.
Podolski just misses with a punch to the body.
Letaivu takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Letaivu fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Podolski scores with a hook to the body. Letaivu takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Michail Podolski seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Podolski.
An inside leg kick lands from Podolski.
Podolski ducks right into an uppercut from Letaivu.
Letaivu connects with a body shot that sends Podolski's belly button to the back.
Letaivu tries to clinch up but Podolski circles away and keeps his distance.
Podolski goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Podolski stuns Letaivu with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Letaivu swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Letaivu misses the jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Podolski fakes the leg kick and cracks Letaivu in the body.
Podolski slips a straight right by Letaivu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Letaivu uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Podolski.
Podolski throws a leg kick which misses Letaivu's front leg but catches the back leg as Letaivu tries to avoid it.
Letaivu displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Podolski throws out the jab.
Podolski throws a leg kick that misses.
Podolski throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Letaivu on the side of the head.
Podolski swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Letaivu defending well as Podolski loads up on a big left hand.
Podolski lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Podolski dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Podolski throws a jab when Letaivu was well out of range.
Podolski misses with a low kick.
Letaivu wants to slow Podolski down by chopping away at his legs.
Podolski lands with a nice body kick.
Letaivu misses with a body shot.
Podolski blocks a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Letaivu gets cracked there but stands up to it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Letaivu. Podolski does a little dance to reset his feet.
Podolski lands a nice looking body shot.
Podolski throws out a powerful jab.
A looping hook to the body misses from Letaivu. Podolski does a little dance to reset his feet.
Letaivu connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
A looping hook to the body misses from Podolski. Letaivu does a little dance to reset his feet.
Podolski loads up on a big right hand but Letaivu slips the punch.
Podolski tries to score with a low kick but Letaivu moves his leg out of the way.
Podolski lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Letaivu throws a big shot that misses.
Podolski scores with a shot to the body.
Podolski fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Letaivu.
Podolski on the wrong end of a nice hook.
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!
Podolski tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Letaivu was well out of range. Poor timing from Podolski.
Letaivu is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Podolski, right into the meat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Podolski connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Podolski slips under a jab.
Podolski lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Letaivu backs up against the cage.
Podolski looks to land a right hand but Letaivu moved out of range.
It looked like Letaivu wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
A big right from Podolski misses.
A good leg kick by Podolski.
Podolski has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Letaivu scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Letaivu misses with a wild body shot.
Letaivu swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Podolski counters with a leg kick.
Letaivu scores with a sloppy right hand. Podolski should have avoided that one.
Letaivu displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Podolski throws out the jab.
Letaivu moves in looking to clinch but Podolski pushes him off.
Podolski throws out a counter right but Letaivu avoids it with no problem.
The crowd cheers as Podolski lands an impressive looking overhand right. Letaivu doesn't seem phased though.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Letaivu ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Podolski throws a series of punches but Letaivu moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michail Podolski showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Podolski cracks Letaivu with an open hand slap.
Letaivu avoids the head kick by Podolski.
Podolski slips a jab from Letaivu.
Podolski just misses with a punch to the body.
It looked like Letaivu wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Letaivu shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Podolski lands with a cross.
The fighters circling - Letaivu throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Podolski misses with a low kick.
Podolski takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Podolski scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Nice defenses there by Letaivu.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Podolski throws a looping overhand right but Letaivu ducks down to avoid it.
Podolski throws a leg kick
and Letaivu counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Podolski throws a half hearted mid kick.
Letaivu misses with the combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Letaivu moves forwards but Podolski connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Podolski keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Letaivu uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Podolski.
Podolski lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Podolski moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Podolski tries to bum rush Letaivu with a series of wild strikes but Letaivu uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A looping hook to the body misses from Letaivu. Podolski does a little dance to reset his feet.
Letaivu looks to land a combination. Podolski sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Letaivu drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Letaivu throws out a loose jab but Podolski uses good head movement to avoid it.
Podolski misses with a wild body shot.
Letaivu was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Podolski uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Letaivu.
Podolski tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Letaivu was well out of range. Poor timing from Podolski.
Letaivu avoids the body shot from Podolski.
Letaivu throwing a counter right hand but Podolski manages to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Letaivu tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Letaivu scores with a hook.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Letaivu might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Podolski swings for the body but Letaivu moves out of range.
Letaivu is looking to counter the offense by Podolski and move into the clinch.
Podolski fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Letaivu manages to avoid it.
Pascal Letaivu has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Letaivu misses with a body shot.
Podolski drops his hands momentarily and Letaivu takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Podolski changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Letaivu ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Letaivu swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
A shot to the body from Podolski misses
and Letaivu counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Podolski loads up on a big right hand but Letaivu slips the punch.
Podolski ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Letaivu moves away.
Podolski lands with a right hand.
Letaivu walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Podolski throws a body shot but no joy.
Letaivu connects with a good right hand that stumbles Podolski. Podolski circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Podolski slips a straight right by Letaivu.
Podolski lands a slapping body shot.
Podolski listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Letaivu cracks Podolski with a good jab.
Jab, jab by Podolski - just one landing.
Podolski fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Letaivu manages to avoid it.
Letaivu is looking to counter punch.
Letaivu jabs Podolski right on the nose. Podolski blinks but takes it well.
Michail Podolski is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Letaivu looks to land a combination but Podolski avoids it well.
Letaivu throws out a loose jab but Podolski uses good head movement to avoid it.
Letaivu on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Letaivu with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Podolski to score with a decent uppercut.
Podolski scores with a jab.
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!
A decent looking body kick lands there for Podolski.
Letaivu has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Podolski.
Letaivu will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Letaivu throws a body shot but no joy.
An inside leg kick lands from Podolski.
Letaivu looks to land a right hand but Podolski moved out of range.
Podolski scores with a shot to the body.
Letaivu moves out of range as Podolski strikes.
Podolski misses with a body shot.
Letaivu takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Letaivu fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Podolski manages to avoid it.
Podolski with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Podolski throws a good cross that connects.
Letaivu dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Podolski looks for the body kick but Letaivu saw that one coming.
Letaivu scores with a punch to the head.

It looks like Michail Podolski has been cut.
Podolski takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Letaivu throws the left hand but Podolski avoids the punch easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michail Podolski comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Podolski 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 Robert Douchet scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michail Podolski!
A victorious Michail Podolski thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.