PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sampo Metso (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hank Holmes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sampo Metso could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Hank Holmes's chin.

Metso
vs
Holmes

191 cm
25
240 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

172 cm
25
265 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Great elbows
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Can Moonwalk

Highland Clothing

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Sampo Metso!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Hank Holmes!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Santiago Holmes and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Holmes tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Metso stuffs the takedown.
Metso is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Holmes.
Metso takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

It looks like Sampo Metso has been cut.

Holmes dives in and scores a takedown into Metso's guard.
Metso is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Metso tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Holmes throws a big right hand that misses.

Holmes is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Metso looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Holmes throws a big right hand that misses.
Holmes throwing strikes but missing.
Holmes tries to free his leg and advance position but Metso is retaining full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Metso is trying to keep Holmes in close.

Holmes drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Holmes jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Holmes trying to control the position from guard on top but Metso is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Metso is trying to control the position from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Metso takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Sampo Metso is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Metso gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Nice elbow from Metso.
Metso stalling in the clinch but Holmes improves position.
Metso lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

It looks like Hank Holmes has been cut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Metso lands a damaging elbow.
Metso is pressed up against the cage. Holmes has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Metso down to the mat. Metso avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Metso moves into the clinch.
Holmes has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Metso after a bit of a struggle.
Sampo Metso has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hank Holmes.
Metso lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Metso looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Metso lands an elbow that stopped Holmes in his tracks for a moment.
A bit of stalling here from Metso.
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!
Holmes tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Metso is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Nice elbow from Metso.
Holmes drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Metso gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Holmes is trying to pull guard but Metso has him pressed against the cage.
Metso lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Metso is pressed up against the cage. Holmes has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Metso down to the mat. Metso avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Holmes misses with a wild body shot.

Holmes gets the takedown into side control.

Holmes thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Metso tries to improve position but can't.

Holmes working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Metso is trying to control Holmes's posture but Holmes avoids it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Holmes is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Metso is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Metso is looking for a sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Holmes thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Holmes looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Metso tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Holmes wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Holmes is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Metso has escaped the position, nice work there.

Holmes tries for a kimura but Metso is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Hank Holmes will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Back to the action!

Metso moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Holmes throws a body punch but Metso moves out of range.
Holmes scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Metso stuffs the takedown.
Holmes looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Holmes dives in and grabs Metso's left leg, looking for a takedown. Metso pushes down on Holmes's head and hops out.
Sampo Metso has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hank Holmes.
Holmes looks to throw the jab but Metso is out of range.
Holmes lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Metso plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Metso feints and then cracks Holmes's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Holmes down.

Metso fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Holmes, pushing him back against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Holmes's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Metso gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Metso lands an elbow that stopped Holmes in his tracks for a moment.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Metso gets underhooks to prevent Holmes's takedown attempt.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Metso.
Holmes is breathing heavily.
Metso lands an elbow that stopped Holmes in his tracks for a moment.

That has opened up Hank Holmes's cut even more.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Metso lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Nice elbow from Metso.
Metso lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Metso lands an elbow inside that Holmes shrugs off.
Metso just leaning against Holmes, taking a breather.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Metso.
Metso gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Metso lands a nice elbow.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Metso.
Holmes's coach down at Black Phoenix 9 elite coaches was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Holmes's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Nice elbow from Metso.

Holmes is rocked!
The referee calls for Metso to work.
Holmes is still on wobbly legs! Can Metso finish him?
Holmes is working for takedown but Metso is calmly controlling the position for now.
Metso stalls.
Metso lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

The cut above Hank Holmes's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
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!
Metso creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Holmes's defenses.
Metso creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Holmes's defenses.
Holmes tries to circle away from danger but Metsocatches him off guard and hits him in the side of the head with a sharp elbow. Holmes looks like he's been hit by a taser charge, he's shivering as he falls to the canvas! I bet he can't even remember his own name right now - he's in bits!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:52 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Elbow). Sampo Metso!