PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mikhail Popkov (ranked 1295 p4p, 2063 weight class) and James Williams (ranked 195 p4p, 290 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Popkov
vs
Williams

200 cm
21
195
5 - 1 - 0

180 cm
21
185
5 - 3 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good takedowns
Good kicks
Granite 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 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mikhail Popkov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, James Williams!
The judges for this bout are Percy O'Donnell, Jack Bonds and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Popkov uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Williams ducks under a wild hook from Popkov.
Popkov throws a body punch but Williams moves out of range.
Popkov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Williams misses with a takedown attempt
and Popkov counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Mikhail Popkov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Williams takes one to the chin there.

It looks like James Williams has been cut.
Nice jab there from Popkov.
Popkov stuns Williams with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Williams darts in looking for a takedown but Popkov gets double underhooks and turns Williams into the cage.
Popkov scores with a jab to the body.
Williams has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Williams misses with a hook
and Popkov comes in over the top with a devastating right hand! Williams stumbles back against the cage, looking to regain his senses but Popkov is on him like rabid pit bull! Williams slumps to the ground under a storm of punches and this fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:41 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Mikhail Popkov!
Mikhail Popkov decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.