PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Raphael Leblanc (ranked 8412 p4p, 0 weight class) and Antonio Zetsika (ranked 6125 p4p, 0 weight class). Raphael Leblanc has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Leblanc
vs
Zetsika

187 cm
18
151 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

177 cm
18
151 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Tends to cut

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Raphael Leblanc!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Antonio Zetsika!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Arvi Lind and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Leblanc blocks the body kick.

Leblanc has managed to clinch.
Zetsika is trying to break the clinch but Leblanc is controlling him.
Zetsika jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Leblanc walks away with a smile on his face. Zetsika gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Zetsika shoots and misses
and Leblanc counters with a head kick.

Leblanc pushes Zetsika up against the cage in a clinch.
Zetsika looking to slow down the pace here.
Leblanc wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Leblanc breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Zetsika shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Leblanc is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Zetsika pulls his head out easily.
Leblanc tries to roll over but Zetsika keeps him under control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zetsika is looking to take a break and control but Leblanc is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Leblanc wants to improve his position but Zetsika is controlling well.
Zetsika throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Leblanc is looking to escape.
Zetsika is thwarting Leblanc's attempts to control the position.
Leblanc is refusing to be controlled, as Zetsika sits in half guard.
Zetsika might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Leblanc haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

Zetsika is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Leblanc has managed to free his arm - good work.
Zetsika wants to free his trapped foot but Leblanc is holding on for dear life with his legs.

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.

Zetsika is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Leblanc is not content to let Zetsika control the position.
Leblanc is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Zetsika moves into side control, avoiding the strikes from Leblanc.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Zetsika lands a few punches from side control.
Leblanc is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Leblanc really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Zetsika looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leblanc wants to improve his position but Zetsika is controlling well.
Zetsika controlling the action here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Leblanc trying to control but Zetsika postures up.
Leblanc wants to get back to his feet.
Zetsika is trying to control. Leblanc wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Zetsika is trying to work for a kimura but Leblanc is defending well.

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.
Leblanc is trying to stand.
Leblanc manages to get to full guard.

Leblanc escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Zetsika gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Leblanc preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Zetsika is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Leblanc is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Leblanc has escaped and now he's on top!

Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Zetsika has momentary wrist control but Leblanc slips an elbow through the middle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Raphael Leblanc will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Leblanc throws a sloppy head kick and Zetsika moves out of range easily.
Zetsika just misses with a punch to the body.
Leblanc is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Zetsika connects with a single shot there.
A low kick from Zetsika is predictable there
and Leblanc counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Zetsika thinking.
Zetsika tries to clinch up but Leblanc circles away and keeps his distance.
Zetsika shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Leblanc defends it nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Leblanc leaves Zetsika with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Antonio Zetsika seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Leblanc will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Zetsika throws a front kick aimed at Leblanc's knee but Leblanc avoids it well.
Leblanc is looking to counter with a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice cross by Leblanc.
Zetsika looks to land a left hand but Leblanc moved out of range nicely.
Leblanc is looking to counter the offense by Zetsika and move into the clinch.
Nice sprawl there from Leblanc as Zetsika shoots in.
Raphael Leblanc has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Antonio Zetsika.

Zetsika looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Zetsika stops Leblanc from standing up.
Zetsika working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Zetsika stopping the sweep attempt from Leblanc.
Leblanc wants to stand but Zetsika is controlling the position.
Zetsika looking to pass the guard.
Zetsika missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Leblanc throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Leblanc is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Zetsika is aware though and is defending well.
Zetsika passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Leblanc is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Zetsika's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Zetsika is looking to take a break and control but Leblanc is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Leblanc trying to hold on to Zetsika's head to control him but Zetsika postures up.

Zetsika is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Leblanc is just riding it out for now. Zetsika eventually gives up the hold.
Leblanc makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Leblanc.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zetsika 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.
Leblanc seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Zetsika with a flurry of punches that miss.

Leblanc escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Zetsika gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Zetsika content to stall in guard here.
Zetsika wants to control from the top but Leblanc keeps moving.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Zetsika fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Leblanc manages to avoid it.
Zetsika tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Leblanc defends well and Zetsika ends up having to push Leblanc into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Zetsika looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Leblanc is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Zetsika's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Zetsika's back!
Leblanc scores with punches to the body.

Leblanc has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Zetsika has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Zetsika rolls, trying to escape but Leblanc keeps control of the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zetsika trying to control the hands but Leblanc breaks the grip.
Leblanc misses with punches from the back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Raphael Leblanc will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Zetsika throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Leblanc counters with a nice uppercut.
Zetsika tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Leblanc defends well and Zetsika ends up having to push Leblanc into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Leblanc pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Leblanc fails with an attempt to clinch.
Zetsika is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

Zetsika clinches up with Leblanc and pushes him back against the cage.

Zetsika pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Zetsika throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Leblanc's waist but Leblanc gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Zetsika off to one side.

Leblanc has Zetsika up against the cage in a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Leblanc pulls guard.
Zetsika works over Leblanc with some ground and pound from guard.
Leblanc is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Leblanc wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zetsika advances position into side control!
Leblanc is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Zetsika lands a nice forearm strike.
Leblanc stops Zetsika from passing to mount.
Leblanc struggling a bit here.
Zetsika wants to lay and pray for a moment but Leblanc keeps working.

Zetsika is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Leblanc is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Zetsika takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zetsika working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Leblanc can't do much from the bottom here.
Zetsika advances to full mount.
Leblanc is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Zetsika tries to control but Leblanc wriggling away.
Zetsika is trying to take his opponent's back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leblanc is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Zetsika working the ground and pound effectively.
Leblanc tries to hold on but Zetsika postures up.
Zetsika prevents Leblanc from getting the reversal.
Leblanc squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Leblanc is squirming around, avoiding Zetsika's attempts to control the action.
Leblanc tries to hold on but Zetsika postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leblanc is trying desperately to improve position.
Zetsika sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Zetsika with the ground and pound from mount.
Zetsika landing strikes, looking to finish!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Zetsika tries to control but Leblanc wriggling away.
Antonio Zetsika has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Leblanc wants to hold on but Zetsika pushes him away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Antonio Zetsika comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Leblanc has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 29:28
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 29:28
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Raphael Leblanc!