PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Rafael Balboa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Popper (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). John Popper is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Balboa
vs
Popper

180 cm
22
134 lbs
1 - 0 - 1

170 cm
24
130 lbs
3 - 7 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Mundo Green - World Verde

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rafael Balboa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, John Popper!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Emerson Jorge and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Balboa tries to clinch up but Popper circles away and keeps his distance.
Balboa connects with a looping right hand.

Popper looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Balboa!
Popper throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Popper scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Balboa?
Popper tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Balboa really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Balboa trying desperately to get to his feet.
Popper tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

Popper jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Balboa is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Balboa and Popper has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Balboa is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Popper has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Popper controls the position from side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Popper is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Balboa is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Balboa wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Popper misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Balboa tries to escape but Popper is in control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Popper shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Balboa as he avoids it easily.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Balboa lunges at Popper with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Popper's hand.
Popper shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Balboa sprawls well. Balboa wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Popper gets slowly back to his feet.
Popper looks gassed!
Popper shoots in and drives through. Balboa sprawls well.
Rafael Balboa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Popper.
Balboa lands a two punch combo.
Balboa closes the distance and lands a one-two.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Balboa.
Popper takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Balboa scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Balboa lands an overhand right.
Balboa defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Popper.
Rafael Balboa is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Popper drops his hands momentarily and Balboa takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Donk. Balboa catches Popper right on the button with a cross.
Balboa dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Popper on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Popper gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Balboa scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balboa with a jab.
Nice straight punches there by Balboa. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Balboa.
Balboa lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Balboa bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Popper's head backwards.
Danga de danga de dang - Balboa scores with a four punch combination!
Balboa with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Balboa lands with a nice combination. Popper backs away looking to recover.

Popper is rocked!
Balboa cracks a nice hook into Popper's ribs.
Balboa scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Balboa scores with a nice right hand.
Balboa lands with a straight right. Popper didn't see that one coming.
Popper is still on wobbly legs! Can Balboa finish him?
Popper gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Balboa.
Balboa closes the distance and lands a vicious right hand that drops Popper! Balboa dives in looking to finish! Popper is still trying to defend himself but he's taking too many shots and the referee has no choice but to stop the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:46 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Rafael Balboa!