PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kirk Popaloukas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Junior Matielli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Matielli has chosen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvUiMEpZNSw as his entrance music. Junior Matielli acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Popaloukas
vs
Matielli

190 cm
18
220 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

180 cm
18
206 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Kirk Popaloukas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Junior Matielli!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Luis Engracia and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matielli shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Popaloukas as he jumps to the side.
Popaloukas tries to clinch but Matielli moves out of range.
A nice combination there by Matielli.
Popaloukas tries for a takedown but Matielli circles away easily

and Matielli counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Matielli would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Matielli is standing up over Popaloukas. Popaloukas looks to escape but Matielli dives into side control.
Popaloukas is pushing Matielli's head away, looking to escape. Matielli manages to hold on to the position though.

Matielli stands up and beckons Popaloukas to his feet.
Matielli looks gassed!

Popaloukas moves into the clinch successfully.
Popaloukas comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

It looks like Junior Matielli has been cut.
Matielli wants a takedown but no success here.
Matielli tries to score a body lock takedown but Popaloukas shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Kirk Popaloukas has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Junior Matielli.
Popaloukas lands a left hand that snaps the head of Matielli backwards.
Popaloukas lands with a short head shot on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Popaloukas lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Matielli takes an elbow to the temple.
Popaloukas creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Matielli's defenses.

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

Popaloukas gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Popaloukas decides to pull guard.
Popaloukas wants to stand but Matielli is controlling the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Matielli wanted to stand there but Popaloukas had control of the position.
Popaloukas wants to stand but Matielli is controlling the position.
Matielli wanted to stand there but Popaloukas had control of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Popaloukas wants to stand up but Matielli is controlling him.
Popaloukas knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Matielli on the ground.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Matielli is looking to clinch.
Popaloukas tries to clinch there but Matielli circles away.
Popaloukas shoots in but no luck this time.
Popaloukas moves in looking to clinch but Matielli pushes him off.

Popaloukas drives through and clinches with Matielli against the cage.
Popaloukas scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Matielli wants a takedown.
Popaloukas lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Matielli backwards.
Popaloukas lands an elbow inside that Matielli shrugs off.
Popaloukas lands a damaging elbow.
Still in the clinch, Popaloukas scores with a nice short uppercut.
Popaloukas lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Popaloukas lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Popaloukas is trying to drag Matielli to the mat but Matielli just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Matielli takes an elbow to the forehead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Popaloukas manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Matielli trying to control the position from guard on top but Popaloukas is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Popaloukas is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Matielli is controlling him.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Matielli gets to his feet - Popaloukas follows without any prompting.
Kirk Popaloukas seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Popaloukas clinches up against the cage.
Popaloukas is pressed up against the cage. Matielli has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Popaloukas down to the mat. Popaloukas avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Popaloukas doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Matielli counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Popaloukas is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Matielli gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
A nice left hand lands by Popaloukas.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Popaloukas's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Matielli doesn't manage to clinch there - Popaloukas circles away.

Popaloukas scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Popaloukas wants to stand but Matielli is controlling his arm.
Popaloukas working away.
Matielli pushes Popaloukas away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Popaloukas gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Popaloukas has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Popaloukas tries to clinch up.
Popaloukas tries to close the distance and clinch up but Matielli swats him away and circles back towards the center.
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 Kirk Popaloukas will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Junior Matielli's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Popaloukas fails in his attempt to clinch.
Matielli stuffs the takedown.
Matielli misses with a body kick.

Popaloukas rushes Matielli and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
A body shot lands from Popaloukas.
Matielli tries to pull guard but Popaloukas holds him up against the cage and eventually Matielli drops back down to his feet.
The is referee keeping an eye on Popaloukas - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

Popaloukas breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Popaloukas fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Matielli misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Matielli tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Popaloukas feints and then cracks Matielli's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Matielli down.
Popaloukas tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Matielli moves into the clinch.
A short right from Popaloukas on the inside.
Popaloukas scores with a knee to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Popaloukas gets through Matielli's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Popaloukas digs a right hand underneath Matielli's ribcage. Matielli let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Matielli takes a knee right on the jaw!
Popaloukas lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Matielli or not.
A short body shot lands from Popaloukas as the two fighters clinch.
Popaloukas landing knees to the head.
Matielli tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Popaloukas just stands there and leans against the cage.
A knee to the head by Popaloukas.
Popaloukas lands a nice elbow.
Popaloukas lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Popaloukas landing knees to the head.
Popaloukas tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Matielli just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kirk Popaloukas. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Still in the clinch, Popaloukas scores with a nice short uppercut.
Popaloukas content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Matielli has had enough of the clinch but Popaloukas keeps him there for the moment.
Popaloukas lands with a light punch inside.
Matielli has Popaloukas pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Popaloukas manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Popaloukas lands an elbow that stopped Matielli in his tracks for a moment.
Popaloukas gets through Matielli's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Matielli jumps guard but Popaloukas stands there with Matielli around his waist. Matielli gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
A right hook to the body lands for Popaloukas.
Popaloukas leaning against his opponent.
Popaloukas lands a damaging elbow.
Popaloukas lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matielli tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Popaloukas just stands there and leans against the cage.
Popaloukas taking a breather.

Popaloukas pulls guard successfully.
Popaloukas wants to get back to his feet but Matielli is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Popaloukas is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Matielli dives into side control.
Matielli prevents Popaloukas from escaping the position.
Matielli in side control, throwing shots but Popaloukas defends.
Popaloukas is trying to get back to his feet.
Matielli in side control, throwing shots but Popaloukas defends.

Matielli stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Matielli loads up on a big right hand but Popaloukas slips the punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Popaloukas tries to clinch but Matielli is having none of it.
Popaloukas tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Matielli paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Matielli keeps the fight on the outside.
Popaloukas looks for a takedown but Matielli sprawls well.

Matielli drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Matielli stands and steps away. Popaloukas gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Popaloukas tries to clinch there but Matielli circles away.
Matielli attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Popaloukas misses with a takedown attempt

and Matielli counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Matielli stands up out of the half guard.
Popaloukas throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Matielli's waist but Matielli gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Popaloukas off to one side.
Popaloukas doesn't manage to clinch there - Matielli circles away.
Popaloukas on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Popaloukas fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Popaloukas gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
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!
Matielli won't allow Popaloukas to get back to his feet.

Matielli gets to his feet. Popaloukas looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Popaloukas shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Matielli counters with a three punch combo that has Popaloukas backing up. Popaloukas nods at Matielli to acknowledge the strikes.

Matielli drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Matielli gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Popaloukas tries to clinch there but Matielli circles away.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Popaloukas wants to clinch up but Matielli keeps it at a distance.
Matielli throws a series of punches but Popaloukas avoids them all with ease.
Popaloukas misses with a double jab

so Matielli counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Matielli trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Junior Matielli showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Junior Matielli's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes 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.

Popaloukas closes the distance and clinches up with Matielli, looking for a takedown. Popaloukas pushes Matielli against the cage but Matielli circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Popaloukas rushes Matielli and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Popaloukas stops a takedown attempt from Matielli.
Popaloukas content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Matielli is trying to drag Popaloukas to the mat but Popaloukas just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Matielli wants to break free but Popaloukas has control.
Popaloukas makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Popaloukas landing knees to the head.
Popaloukas gets through Matielli's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Matielli takes an elbow to the forehead.
Popaloukas softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

Popaloukas breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Popaloukas shoots in for a double leg but Matielli sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Popaloukas throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Matielli's waist but Matielli gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Popaloukas off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kirk Popaloukas. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Matielli throws a series of punches but Popaloukas avoids them all with ease.
Popaloukas tries to clinch but Matielli is having none of it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Matielli tries to clinch up.
Popaloukas looks for a takedown but Matielli sprawls well.

Popaloukas rushes Matielli and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matielli wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Popaloukas jumps guard and drags Matielli to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Matielli is looking to stand up but Popaloukas won't let him.
Popaloukas is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Matielli is controlling him.

Matielli stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Matielli throws a right and a left that both miss.
Popaloukas tries to clinch but Matielli is having none of it.
Popaloukas lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Popaloukas shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Matielli counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Matielli stops Popaloukas from standing up.

Matielli stands up from Popaloukas's guard - Matielli perhaps looking for a knockout.
Popaloukas closes the distance but Matielli moves to the side

and Matielli counters by clinching up.
Popaloukas lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Popaloukas.

Matielli breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Popaloukas misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kirk Popaloukas is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Popaloukas doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Matielli decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Popaloukas's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Popaloukas keeping moving, preventing Matielli from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matielli throwing strikes but missing.
Matielli trying to control the position from guard on top but Popaloukas is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Popaloukas is looking to stand up but Matielli isn't so interested in that idea.
Matielli throws a big right hand that misses.
Popaloukas is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Matielli wants to stand but Popaloukas has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Popaloukas forces Matielli back against the cage and clinches.
A nice right hand lands inside from Popaloukas.
Popaloukas lands a hook that snaps the head of Matielli backwards.
Popaloukas with a knee to the head.
Popaloukas lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

Popaloukas breaks the clinch.
Popaloukas fails in his attempt to clinch.
Popaloukas tries to clinch there but Matielli circles away.

Matielli closes the distance and pushes Popaloukas back into the cage.
Popaloukas landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Matielli using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Popaloukas has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Popaloukas lands an elbow inside.
Popaloukas tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
A short left from Popaloukas.
Popaloukas lands a damaging elbow.
Matielli tries to pull guard but Popaloukas won't allow it.
Popaloukas wants a takedown but no success here.
Popaloukas lands a knee to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Junior Matielli comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Matielli 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 Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 28:29
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 28:29
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Junior Matielli!