PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alcuid Francois (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mats Svensson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Francois comes to the cage accompanied by Intro. Svensson has chosen Metallica - Hit The Lights! as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Francois
vs
Svensson

190 cm
22
208 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

186 cm
22
217 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Alcuid Francois!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mats Svensson!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Yves DeLean and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Svensson scores a takedown into full mount!
Svensson landing punches.

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

Svensson working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
You can see the frustration on Francois's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Francois gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Francois is trying to stand up here but Svensson is controlling him well.
Francois is staying active underneath Svensson, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Francois is looking to improve his position.
Svensson frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Svensson can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Francois is looking to escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Francois manages to regain half guard. Good work.

Svensson is working for a submission of some sort.
Francois wants to improve his position but Svensson is controlling well.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Svensson is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Francois has managed to free his arm - good work.
Svensson looks gassed!
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Svensson trying to mount his opponent but Francois defends it.
Francois tries to get to full guard but Svensson has control of the leg.

That's two 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.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Francois tries for a takedown but Svensson circles away easily
enabling Svensson to counter with a crisp jab.
Francois moves in looking to clinch but Svensson pushes him off.
Francois is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Francois fails to land the takedown.
Francois closes this distance looking for a takedown but Svensson circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alcuid Francois. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Francois shoots for a double leg takedown but Svensson sprawls well. He's pushed Francois's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Svensson throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Francois on the side of the head.

It looks like Alcuid Francois has been cut.
Svensson works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Svensson with a nice cross.
Francois takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Francois shoots and misses
and Svensson counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Svensson lands with a hook. Francois tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

Francois is rocked!
Svensson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Francois as he jumps to the side.
Francois misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Svensson throws a hook but Francois blocks it.

Svensson looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Francois is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Svensson's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Svensson's back!
Svensson looking very determined here, making life difficult for Francois.

Francois is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Svensson covering up well under a series of strikes from Francois.
Svensson trying to control the hands but Francois won't let him.
Francois wants to control but Svensson manages to buck him off and is now in Francois's guard! Nice work there by Svensson!
Svensson sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Francois's guard.
Svensson lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Svensson prevents Francois from improving his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Svensson wants to free his trapped foot but Francois is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Svensson is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Francois defends it well.
Francois is trying to control but can't.
Svensson scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

Francois looking for submissions off his back.

Svensson is working for a kimura but Francois is defending it quite comfortably.
Francois is staying active underneath Svensson, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Francois has hold of Svensson's hands but Svensson slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Svensson seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

Francois is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Svensson pulls his head out easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mats Svensson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Alcuid Francois's cut.
That's time! Francois's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Svensson lands with a hook. Francois tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

Francois closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Svensson to the mat! Svensson manages to get full guard.
Svensson is trying to keep Francois in close.
Svensson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Francois is one step ahead there.
Francois trying to control but Svensson is working from the bottom.
Francois pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Svensson is keeping the position for now.
Francois preventing the sweep.
Francois being controlled here momentarily.
Svensson keeping full guard, as Francois tries to pass.
Svensson is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Svensson moves into range and connects with a jab.
Francois fails with the takedown

and Svensson counters with a nice double leg into side control. Francois won't be happy with that.
Svensson is looking to take a break and control but Francois is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Francois gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

Francois looking for submissions off his back.
Svensson has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Francois tries to hold on but Svensson pushes him away.
Francois really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Francois tries to hold on but Svensson postures up.
Francois really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Svensson looking to control but Francois is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Francois is looking to improve his position but Svensson isn't that keen on the idea.
Francois wants to control but Svensson is having none of it.
Svensson tries to control but Francois wriggling away.
Francois tries to hold on but Svensson pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Francois really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Svensson controlling from the full mount.
Francois working to try and regain half guard.
Francois manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Svensson slips a nice elbow through Francois's hands, connecting with Francois's forehead.
Svensson controlling the pace.
Svensson tries to pass the half guard into mount. Francois knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Francois is trying to stand.
Svensson is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Francois trying to control from the bottom.
Francois wants to improve his position but Svensson is controlling well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
A head kick misses from Francois.
Alcuid Francois seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Svensson connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

Svensson shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Svensson controlling his opponent.
Francois tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Svensson avoids the attempt from Francois to control.

Svensson moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Francois has worked his arm free - good work by Francois!
Mats Svensson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Francois manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Svensson looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mats Svensson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Alcuid Francois's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Francois takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Francois fails with the takedown
and Svensson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Francois walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Francois tries to clinch up.

Svensson looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Francois looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Svensson controlling the pace.

Svensson is working for a kimura but Francois is defending it quite comfortably.
Francois manages to get to full guard.
Francois 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.
Svensson passes Francois's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Svensson scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Francois trying to control from the bottom.
Francois is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Svensson scores with a couple of nice shots.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Svensson connects with a nice short shot to Francois's temple.
Francois wants to control but Svensson is keeping busy.
Francois is looking to improve his position.
Svensson is trying to control the action in half guard but Francois is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Francois is pressing down on Svensson's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Francois keeping moving, preventing Svensson from controlling successfully.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Francois with a lazy takedown attempt
letting Svensson counter with a right hand.
Svensson lands with a nice combination. Francois backs away looking to recover.
Svensson might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.

Francois shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Francois showed some decent athleticism there.
Francois wants to free his trapped foot but Svensson is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Francois throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Francois trying to control from half guard but Svensson is working away.
Francois tries to pass the half guard into mount. Svensson knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Svensson keeping hold of Francois's head, controlling as best he can.
Svensson makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Svensson.
Svensson keeping moving, preventing Francois from controlling successfully.
Francois won't allow Svensson to sweep him here.
Svensson is trying to control the position but Francois postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Francois wants to pass the guard but Svensson is keeping the position.

Svensson is looking for a triangle but Francois pushes his legs off easily.

Svensson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Francois trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Francois preventing the sweep.

Svensson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Francois doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Francois manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Francois wants to control from the top but Svensson keeps moving.
Svensson is pulling down on Francois's head to control his posture.

Francois thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Svensson manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Svensson tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Svensson wants to take Francois's back here but Francois is holding on to an arm, himself looking to escape.
Francois in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
A nice elbow there by Svensson.
Svensson is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Francois can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Francois takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Francois throwing hammer fists to the chest of Svensson. What's that going to do exactly?

Svensson working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Francois is looking to improve his position but Svensson isn't that keen on the idea.
Svensson with a couple of short strikes.

Alcuid Francois's cut is getting worse.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
BOOM! Svensson connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Svensson with good strikes from the mount here!
Alcuid Francois has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Oh Francois is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Svensson cracks Francois with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.

Alcuid Francois's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Alcuid Francois's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Mats Svensson!