PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tukka Mettinen (ranked 4533 p4p, 448 weight class) and David Zabatshepornitov (ranked 6462 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that David Zabatshepornitov was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Mettinen
vs
Zabatshepornitov

190 cm
18
194 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

189 cm
23
185 lbs
0 - 1 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Tukka Mettinen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, David Zabatshepornitov!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Arvi Lind and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mettinen fails with the takedown

and Zabatshepornitov counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Zabatshepornitov.
Zabatshepornitov prevents Mettinen from getting back to his feet.
Mettinen wants to sweep here but Zabatshepornitov controlling him for the moment.
Zabatshepornitov is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Mettinen working for a triangle but Zabatshepornitov defends it easily.
Zabatshepornitov sitting in guard, not really doing much.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zabatshepornitov throws a big elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Mettinen is on top in guard.

Mettinen trying to control the position from guard on top but Zabatshepornitov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Our spies down at at Cozad MMA Helsinki inform us that Zabatshepornitov has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Zabatshepornitov wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Mettinen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Zabatshepornitov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Mettinen wants to control from the top but Zabatshepornitov keeps moving.
Mettinen wants to pass the guard but Zabatshepornitov is keeping the position.
Zabatshepornitov wants to get back to his feet but Mettinen is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Mettinen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Zabatshepornitov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Zabatshepornitov wants to stand up but Mettinen is controlling him.
Mettinen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Mettinen is working hard here to advance position.
Zabatshepornitov controlling the position.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Zabatshepornitov wants to stand and escape but Mettinen is having none of it.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Zabatshepornitov fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Mettinen to the ground. Zabatshepornitov is now in Mettinen's guard.
Zabatshepornitov postures up.
Zabatshepornitov wants to control from the top but Mettinen keeps moving.
Zabatshepornitov 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mettinen avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Mettinen avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Zabatshepornitov slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Zabatshepornitov distracts Mettinen with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Zabatshepornitov's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Zabatshepornitov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Zabatshepornitov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Mettinen can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Zabatshepornitov controls the pace.
Zabatshepornitov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in 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.
Zabatshepornitov lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Zabatshepornitov has gone for a leg lock! Mettinen slips out almost immediately though and dives into Zabatshepornitov's guard.

Zabatshepornitov is controlling Mettinen's posture.
Zabatshepornitov keeping full guard, as Mettinen tries to pass.
Mettinen pushing down on Zabatshepornitov's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Zabatshepornitov regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Mettinen.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Zabatshepornitov has his foot on Mettinen's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Mettinen works his way back into a safe position though.
Mettinen stops Zabatshepornitov from standing up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but David Zabatshepornitov will probably get the nod.
That's time! Mettinen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Zabatshepornitov shoots in but Mettinen avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Mettinen shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Zabatshepornitov counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Mettinen has his hands on Zabatshepornitov's head, controlling the position.
Zabatshepornitov content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mettinen is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Mettinen trying to pass the guard but Zabatshepornitov defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mettinen missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Mettinen wants to pass to mount but Zabatshepornitov is defending the position.
Mettinen trying to advance position but Zabatshepornitov counters by regaining guard.
Mettinen stops Zabatshepornitov from standing up.
Zabatshepornitov looking for a sweep. Not yet Zabatshepornitov, not yet.
Mettinen trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Mettinen prevents Zabatshepornitov from getting back to his feet.
Mettinen wants to control from the top but Zabatshepornitov keeps moving.
Mettinen tries to free his leg and advance position but Zabatshepornitov is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Mettinen postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Mettinen trying to control the position from guard on top but Zabatshepornitov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mettinen missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Zabatshepornitov keeping moving, preventing Mettinen from controlling successfully.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Zabatshepornitov has a takedown stuffed.
Mettinen attempts a counter takedown but Zabatshepornitov avoids it well and moves away.
Mettinen shoots and misses

and Zabatshepornitov counters with a takedown into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zabatshepornitov working away.
Zabatshepornitov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Mettinen keeps working.
Mettinen is trying to control Zabatshepornitov's posture but Zabatshepornitov avoids it.
Zabatshepornitov wants to control but Mettinen is keeping him busy.
Mettinen on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
A bit of a lull in the action here.
Zabatshepornitov landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Mettinen prevents Zabatshepornitov from moving into mount.
Zabatshepornitov looks up at the clock and then as Mettinen takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Zabatshepornitov smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Zabatshepornitov scoring with punches from side control.
Zabatshepornitov lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Mettinen down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zabatshepornitov moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Mettinen stops Zabatshepornitov from passing to mount.
Zabatshepornitov is breathing heavily.

Zabatshepornitov is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Mettinen knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Mettinen is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Mettinen is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Zabatshepornitov misses with the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

David Zabatshepornitov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Zabatshepornitov fails with a takedown attempt.
Mettinen quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.

Zabatshepornitov shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Zabatshepornitov tries to pass the half guard into mount. Mettinen knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zabatshepornitov is trying to control the action in half guard but Mettinen is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Zabatshepornitov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Zabatshepornitov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zabatshepornitov stops Mettinen from getting back to his feet.
Zabatshepornitov slows the pace down in half guard.
Mettinen regains full guard. Nicely done.
Zabatshepornitov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Mettinen's head.
Zabatshepornitov scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Zabatshepornitov controls from within his opponent's guard.
Zabatshepornitov won't allow Mettinen to get back to his feet.
Mettinen keeping moving, preventing Zabatshepornitov from controlling successfully.
Zabatshepornitov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Zabatshepornitov stopping the sweep attempt from Mettinen.
Zabatshepornitov postures up in Mettinen's guard and throws a big left but Mettinen blocks it.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Zabatshepornitov content to stall in guard here.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Tukka Mettinen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Zabatshepornitov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Mettinen sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Zabatshepornitov somewhat.
Zabatshepornitov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Zabatshepornitov shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Mettinen kicks Zabatshepornitov off and gets back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zabatshepornitov shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Mettinen has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Zabatshepornitov has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Mettinen drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Zabatshepornitov gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Mettinen gets underhooks to prevent Zabatshepornitov's takedown attempt.
Tukka Mettinen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of David Zabatshepornitov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zabatshepornitov tries to score a body lock takedown but Mettinen shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Zabatshepornitov has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Mettinen clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
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!
Zabatshepornitov keeps control of the position as Mettinen tries to break free.

Zabatshepornitov looking to break Mettinen's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Mettinen remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Zabatshepornitov will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!

Zabatshepornitov looking for the RNC.

Zabatshepornitov tightening his grip on Mettinen, looking for the choke.
Mettinen is trying to get back to his feet but Zabatshepornitov has full control of the position and if anything, Mettinen has just worked his way into a worse spot.

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 Tukka Mettinen.
I think Zabatshepornitov has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 28:29
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 28:29
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... David Zabatshepornitov!