PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Karl Bach (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Branko Popovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bach comes to the cage accompanied by care bears countdown. Popovic has chosen Funeral March by Frederic Chopin as his entrance music. 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.

Bach
vs
Popovic

175 cm
23
210 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

193 cm
22
220 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

SPARTAN FIGHTWARE

Anarchy Fightwear
Mary Jane's Medicinal's!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Karl Bach!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Branko Popovic!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Vladimir Khabensky and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Popovic misses the shot to the body.
Branko Popovic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Popovic rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Bach moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Bach showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Popovic.
Bach misses with a takedown attempt - Popovic sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Bach is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Popovic.
Popovic throws a looping overhand right but Bach ducks down to avoid it.
Bach looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Popovic is fending him off so far but Bach persists. Nope, Popovic circles away and we're back to standing.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Bach.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Karl Bach. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Popovic throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bach misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Popovic.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Popovic throws a right and a left that both miss.
Popovic misses with a jab to the body
and Popovic takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Popovic jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A slow jab from Popovic misses its intended target.
Bach shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Popovic sprawls well. Popovic wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Bach gets slowly back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Popovic throws a nice looking combination but Bach bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Popovic throws a left and a right that both miss

and Bach counters with a shoot takedown. Popovic fights it but they end up in guard.
Popovic looking for a sweep. Not yet Popovic, not yet.
Bach trying to control but Popovic is working from the bottom.
Popovic doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Popovic is trying to keep Bach in close.
Bach trying to control but Popovic is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bach throwing strikes but missing.
Popovic is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Bach trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Popovic misses with a straight left.
Popovic throws a nice looking combination but Bach bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Bach ducks under a wild hook from Popovic.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No joy there for Popovic, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Bach uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Popovic.
Bach slips a jab and a cross from Popovic.
Popovic looks gassed!
Bach tries to score a power double leg takedown but Popovic sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Bach somewhat.

Bach fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Popovic sprawls well initially but Bach persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bach missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Bach has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Bach sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Popovic defending well though.
Bach not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Bach blocks the strikes from Popovic.
Bach thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Popovic misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Bach working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Popovic pushes Bach off looking to stand but Bach dives back in and keeps control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Bach moves out of range as Popovic strikes.
Bach slips a straight right by Popovic.
Bach uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Popovic.
Popovic displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Popovic misses with a jab, cross combination.
Popovic misses with a wild body shot.
Bach slips under a jab from Popovic.
Popovic misses with a wild combination.

Bach changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Popovic looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Karl Bach dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Bach shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Popovic as he avoids it easily.
Popovic misses with a hook. Bach ducked under it nicely.
Popovic misses with a few strikes there.
Bach shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Popovic pinned against the cage. Popovic gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Donk. Bach catches Popovic right on the button with a cross.
Popovic throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Bach sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Popovic misses with a hook. Bach ducked under it nicely.
Popovic misses with a jab, cross combination.

Bach gets a takedown into half guard.
Bach throwing shots but Popovic is blocking nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bach lands with a punch from half guard.
Popovic is breathing heavily.
Bach working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Bach sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Popovic defending well though.
Bach is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Popovic!
Bach prevents Popovic from getting the reversal.
Bach wants to control the pace but Popovic is squirming around nicely.
Popovic swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bach controlling the pace for now.
Popovic throwing hammer fists to the chest of Bach. What's that going to do exactly?
Popovic flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Popovic throwing hammer fists to the chest of Bach. What's that going to do exactly?
Popovic is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bach lands a heavy elbow.
Bach landing punches.
Bach controlling his opponent.
Popovic wants to control but Bach is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bach dominating with strikes here.
Popovic is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Popovic swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
The referee warns Popovic that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Bach working Popovic over with strikes here.
Bach looking to finish Popovic with some ground and pound. This is bad for Popovic!
Popovic really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Karl Bach dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Bach scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Popovic throwing some weak shots from the bottom that do no damage.
Bach looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Popovic is avoiding damage well.
Bach scoring with punches and elbows.
Bach working away.
Bach wants to control but Popovic is keeping him busy.
Bach misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bach prevents Popovic from escaping the position.
Popovic takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Popovic trying to control but Bach flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!
Bach scores with strikes from the back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bach lands shots from the back.
Bach landing with strikes.

Bach is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Watch the back of the head! Comes the shout from the referee towards Bach.
Bach missing with strikes from the back.
Popovic wants to escape the position but for the time being he's just trying to control the pace.
Bach has his opponent trapped and is landing shots. Not a good position for Popovic.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bach missing with strikes from the back.
Popovic is taking damage to the body and head.
I really don't envy Popovic right now.
Bach has Popovic flattened out and is raining down punches.
Popovic covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.
Bach looking to hold on to the position here but Popovic rolls and ends up regaining guard.
Bach throws a strike but Popovic rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Bach is adopting a defensive guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bach avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Bach looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Popovic wanted to stand there but Bach had control of the position.
Bach seems keen to control Popovic's posture.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Karl Bach clearly takes that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Popovic misses with the combination.
Popovic misses with a jab, cross combination.
A swing and a miss from Popovic.
Bach shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Popovic but Popovic pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Bach slips a jab and a cross from Popovic.
Popovic fails to land with a series of punches.
Bach looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Popovic is fending him off so far but Bach persists. Nope, Popovic circles away and we're back to standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Popovic misses with an uppercut. Bach saw that one coming.
A big left from Popovic misses.
Popovic is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Bach ducks under a wild hook from Popovic.
Popovic stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Karl Bach. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bach uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Popovic.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bach looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Popovic wants to get back to his feet.
Popovic wants to stand back up but Bach manages to pass into side control.
Popovic takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Bach scoring with punches from side control.
Bach scores with punches from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Popovic is looking for a sweep.
Bach landing a few strikes.
Bach lands a few punches from side control.
Bach is looking to take a break and control but Popovic is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Popovic taking a bit of punishment here - Bach scoring with strikes.
You can see the frustration on Popovic's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Popovic on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Popovic tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.
Bach trying to control.
Bach lands a shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bach wants to control but Popovic is keeping busy.
Bach has his opponent trapped and is landing shots. Not a good position for Popovic.
Bach not allowing Popovic to control his hands.
Popovic is trying to stand back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Karl Bach had his way with Branko Popovic in that round.
That's time! Bach's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Popovic misses with an uppercut.
Bach misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Popovic lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Bach circles away quickly and effectively.
Bach blocks a jab.
Popovic throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A telegraphed right hand from Popovic misses the target.
Popovic throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Bach is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Popovic can do to turn this around?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bach fails with a takedown attempt.
Popovic throws a combination that misses

and Bach counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Popovic!
Bach with good strikes from the mount here!
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Bach can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Popovic is looking to escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Popovic wants to try and get back to his feet.
Bach raining down shots from the mount!
Bach working Popovic over with strikes here.
Bach is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Popovic can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Popovic taking shots to the head.
Popovic tries to reverse the position but Bach maintains control.
Bach avoids the attempt from Popovic to control.
Bach lands a big shot there that rocks Popovic but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Popovic is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Bach punishing his opponent with strikes.
Bach with the ground and pound from mount.
Branko Popovic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bach with good strikes from the mount here!
Bach with the ground and pound from mount.

Popovic is rocked!
Bach looking to control but Popovic is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Bach fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Popovic is still in real trouble! Can Bach finish him?
Bach working Popovic over with strikes here.
Bach lands a big elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bach tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Popovic flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Popovic seems to have recovered his senses.
Bach working the ground and pound effectively.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Popovic is trying to stand.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A nice elbow there by Bach.
Bach drops a big elbow. That's hurt Popovic! More shots from Bach and the ref steps in! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 5, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Karl Bach!
Karl Bach retains his light heavyweight title!