PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Brock James (ranked 5112 p4p, 6128 weight class) and Viktor Spopovich (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

James
vs
Spopovich

225 cm
26
300
3 - 0 - 0

225 cm
18
300
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Decent elbows
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Brock James!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Viktor Spopovich!
The judges for this bout are Ryoma Takatsuka, Roger Salmon and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Spopovich moves in looking to clinch but James pushes him off.
Spopovich looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!

James closes the distance and clinches.
With the fighters up against the cage, James throws an elbow but misses.
Spopovich goes for a takedown attempt but James pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Spopovich looks to clinch
and James makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Nice takedown defense from Spopovich. No joy for James on that attempt.
James tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Spopovich defends well and James ends up having to push Spopovich into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
James has Spopovich pushed against the cage.
Spopovich wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

James jumps into guard, dragging Spopovich to the mat.
Spopovich must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
James is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
James lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
James's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Spopovich can't keep his opponent in guard - James advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

James is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Spopovich has managed to free his arm - good work.
James working over Spopovich with some ground and pound. Spopovich looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
James stalling.
Spopovich has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Cozad MMA Helsinki. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

James is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
James keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

That's four 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.
Spopovich is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute James jumps into side control!
James is looking to take a break and control but Spopovich is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

James tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no James has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

James thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Brock James dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

James shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Spopovich but Spopovich pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Spopovich stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Spopovich wants it to stay on the feet.
Spopovich is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

James shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Spopovich manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
James pushes down on Spopovich's leg and manages to get into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
James passes to full mount!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Spopovich defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from James.
Spopovich is breathing heavily.

James looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spopovich is squirming around, avoiding James's attempts to control the action.

James working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

Spopovich defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from James.
James controlling from the full mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

James working for a guillotine from mount but Spopovich is in no mood to give up.
James landing strikes, looking to finish!
Spopovich is working to get back to half guard.

James throws some shoulder strikes here and then postures up. Oh, he's gone for an armbar! Spopovich has his hands clasped together but James breaks the hold and Spopovich is forced to tap! This one is aaaaaaaaaaall over! That was lightning fast by James!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:54 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Brock James!
A victorious Brock James thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.