PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Matthieu Placide (ranked 2967 p4p, 5088 weight class) and Andrei Petrovic (ranked 136 p4p, 217 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.

Placide
vs
Petrovic

169 cm
18
136
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
18
130
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Matthieu Placide!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Andrei Petrovic!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Ivan Kurochkin and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jab from Placide.

Petrovic bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Petrovic working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Petrovic scores with a couple of short elbows.
Petrovic is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Placide's shoulder. That is not cool.
Petrovic lands a decent elbow from side control.
Petrovic with the ground and pound but Placide regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Petrovic is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Petrovic thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Petrovic sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Placide defending well though.
Petrovic content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Petrovic is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Petrovic working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Placide's thigh. Placide counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Petrovic slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Placide is pulling down on Petrovic's head. It's preventing any offense from Petrovic, at least for the moment.
Petrovic looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Placide keeping moving, preventing Petrovic from controlling successfully.
Petrovic trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Placide manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Petrovic 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.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Placide trying to control but Petrovic is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Petrovic tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Placide seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Petrovic looking to hit a scissor sweep but Placide is one step ahead there.
Placide might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Placide wants to control from the top but Petrovic keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Placide lands a jab to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Placide jabs at Petrovic's body.
Placide ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Petrovic moves away.
Petrovic wants to counter the offense by Placide and move into the clinch position.
Placide uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Jab, jab by Placide - just one landing.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Petrovic is defended easily by Placide.
Placide throws an overhand right that lands on Petrovic's shoulder, as Petrovic tries to avoid the shot.
Placide fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Petrovic looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Placide enables Petrovic to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Placide manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Petrovic looks winded!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Placide utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Placide working a defensive guard here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Matthieu Placide dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Petrovic has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
A big right from Placide misses.
Petrovic takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Placide dips to his left and cracks Petrovic with an uppercut!
Petrovic takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Petrovic changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Placide tries to avoid it but Petrovic manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Placide to the ground. Placide escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Placide throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Placide sets himself, and Petrovic steps forward looking for the clinch! Placide avoids it this time.
Matthieu Placide seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Placide throws a right hand that Petrovic ducks under and follows up with a left that Petrovic also avoids with ease.
Horrible takedown attempt by Petrovic or perhaps it was just good defense by Placide, which made it look bad.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Placide lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Petrovic fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Matthieu Placide has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andrei Petrovic.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Placide thuds a left hand into Petrovic's body.
Placide stuns Petrovic with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Petrovic staying out of range there.
Placide is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Petrovic can do to turn this around?

Petrovic shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Placide's guard.
Petrovic is breathing heavily.
Placide preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Placide is controlling Petrovic's posture.
Petrovic trying to control the position from guard on top but Placide is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Andrei Petrovic has got the better of the ground game so far.
Placide pulls Petrovic in close to prevent any damage.
Placide manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Petrovic manages to get himself to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Petrovic can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Placide controls the pace.
Petrovic looking to control.
Placide preventing the sweep.
Placide stays in close to Petrovic's body and controls the position.
Petrovic working a defensive guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Placide trying to control but Petrovic is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Placide connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Petrovic defending well as Placide loads up on a big left hand.
Placide lunges at Petrovic with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Petrovic's hand.
Petrovic tries to score a power double leg takedown but Placide sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Petrovic somewhat.
Placide cracks Petrovic with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Placide throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Petrovic on the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Placide digs a good body shot into Petrovic's ribs.
Matthieu Placide is winning the standup battle so far.
Petrovic moves out of range as Placide strikes.
Placide throws a nice looking combination but Petrovic bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Placide getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Sloppy strikes from Placide. Those never looked like landing.
Petrovic fails to land the takedown.
Petrovic is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Placide.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Petrovic slips a straight right by Placide.
Petrovic tries to counter with a clinch but Placide shakes him off and moves away.
Petrovic shoots in and drives through. Placide sprawls well.
Placide throws a combination. Petrovic tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Placide thuds a left hand into Petrovic's body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Matthieu Placide dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Placide misses with a straight right.
Placide sets himself, and Petrovic steps forward looking for the clinch! Placide avoids it this time.
Placide jabs Petrovic to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Petrovic shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Placide but Placide pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Placide defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Petrovic.
Placide fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Petrovic looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Placide lands with a nice body punch.
A slow jab from Placide misses its intended target.
Placide throws a series of strikes that have Petrovic backpedaling.
Placide thuds a left hand into Petrovic's body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A big left from Placide misses.
Petrovic takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Petrovic shoots in but Placide avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Matthieu Placide has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andrei Petrovic.
Placide tests Petrovic's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Placide connects with a jab.
Placide connects with a crisp jab.
Placide lands with an uppercut that bounces Petrovic off the cage and back into range.
Petrovic has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Placide finds it's way round the side to connect with Petrovic's head.
Placide misses with a wild body shot.
Matthieu Placide is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Placide throws a series of punches but Petrovic moves out of range.
Petrovic looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

Petrovic decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Placide is controlling Petrovic's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Petrovic is looking to take a break and control but Placide is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Petrovic not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Petrovic wants to take a breather but Placide is having none of it.
Petrovic not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Petrovic is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Petrovic won't allow Placide to sweep him here.
Petrovic trying to control the position from guard on top but Placide is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Placide is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Petrovic looking to sit in guard and control but Placide gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Placide postures up.
Placide not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Placide trying to control but Petrovic is working from the bottom.
Petrovic looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Petrovic is trying to control the position but Placide postures up.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Placide controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Petrovic takes a jab right on the kisser.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Petrovic shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Placide sprawls well. Placide wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Petrovic gets slowly back to his feet.
Placide cracks a nice hook into Petrovic's ribs.
Good shot there by Placide.
Nice sprawl there from Placide as Petrovic shoots in.
Placide with a hook.
Petrovic takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Petrovic takes one to the side of the head.
Placide digs a good hook to Petrovic's body.
Andrei Petrovic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Matthieu Placide is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Placide scores with a hook.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matthieu Placide showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Placide, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matthieu Placide!
During a confident post fight interview, Matthieu Placide thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.