PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Apollo Popadopalous (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Juan Chavez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Popadopalous's entrance music is Theme from Rocky. A fine choice. Apollo Popadopalous has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Popadopalous
vs
Chavez

185 cm
21
213 lbs
6 - 3 - 1

183 cm
23
212 lbs
10 - 9 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

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 6 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Apollo Popadopalous!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Juan Chavez!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Paulo Santos and Luis Engracia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Chavez decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Chavez working the head and body with strikes.
Popadopalous has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Chavez is working away from the top position though.
Popadopalous is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Chavez is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Popadopalous defends it well.
Popadopalous tries to roll over but Chavez keeps him under control.

Chavez is trying to work for a kimura but Popadopalous is defending well.
Popadopalous is looking for a sweep. Chavez is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Chavez throwing shots but Popadopalous is blocking nicely.
Popadopalous is pressing down on Chavez's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Chavez is looking to work some ground and pound but Popadopalous has wrist control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Popadopalous has his hands on Chavez's head, controlling the position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Popadopalous looking to hit a scissor sweep but Chavez is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chavez postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Chavez working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Chavez loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Chavez postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Chavez in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
No luck for Popadopalous with that takedown attempt.
A jab from Chavez misses.
Chavez takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
A left and a right from Chavez both land. Nice combination.
Popadopalous scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Chavez lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Popadopalous backs up against the cage.
Chavez connects with a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No joy there for Popadopalous, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Chavez throws a predictable looking body shot
and Popadopalous counters with a stiff right hand.
Popadopalous throws a left and a right that both miss

and Chavez counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Chavez looks gassed!
Popadopalous has Chavez pulled in close to control his posture.
Chavez loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Chavez throwing strikes from guard but Popadopalous blocks nicely.
Popadopalous is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Popadopalous is working hard here to advance position.
Chavez with a nice head shot there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Popadopalous is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Popadopalous misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Chavez makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Chavez will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Chavez throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Popadopalous.
Popadopalous is trying hard to land a takedown here. Chavez sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Popadopalous checks the leg kick.
Popadopalous throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Chavez counters with a left and a right that stings Popadopalous.
Chavez tries to land a leg kick but Popadopalous saw it coming and moves away.
Chavez throws a series of punches but Popadopalous avoids them all with ease.
Chavez lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Chavez.
Popadopalous scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Popadopalous ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
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!
Popadopalous slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Popadopalous shoots for a double leg takedown but Chavez sprawls well. He's pushed Popadopalous's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Apollo Popadopalous. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Popadopalous misses with a combination
and Chavez counters with a series of strikes. Popadopalous will be more careful next time no doubt.
Popadopalous throws a right and a left that Chavez avoids nicely.
Chavez scores with a nice head shot.
Chavez slaps away a takedown attempt from Popadopalous, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Chavez showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Popadopalous.
Popadopalous throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Chavez.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Popadopalous throws an overhand right that lands on Chavez's shoulder, as Chavez tries to avoid the shot.
Popadopalous misses with a double jab.
Chavez misses with a double jab
and Popadopalous counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Juan Chavez dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Chavez loads up on a big right hand but Popadopalous slips the punch.
Popadopalous walks into a stiff left hand from Chavez.
Chavez missing with a left hand there. Popadopalous was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Chavez throws a lazy right hand but Popadopalous sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Popadopalous jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Chavez takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Popadopalous thows a left - swing and a miss!
Popadopalous rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Chavez moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Popadopalous scores with a body shot.
Chavez dodges the punch combination from Popadopalous.
Chavez is breathing heavily.
Popadopalous throws a right and a left that Chavez avoids nicely.
A punch combination from Popadopalous misses.
Chavez displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Popadopalous throws out the jab.
Chavez takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chavez throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Chavez tries to bum rush Popadopalous with a series of wild strikes but Popadopalous uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Chavez tries for a takedown but Popadopalous circles away easily
and Popadopalous connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Chavez thows a body shot but no joy.
Chavez misses with a double jab
and Popadopalous counters with a two punch combo.

Popadopalous throws a left that rocks Chavez and follows with a right that sends him tumbling to the canvas! Popadopalous dives into side control, looking to finish! Can Chavez regain composure!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Chavez stops Popadopalous from passing to mount.
Popadopalous scoring with punches from side control.
Popadopalous trying to control the action but Chavez is working from the bottom.
Popadopalous throws a strike aimed at the side of Chavez's head but Chavez avoids it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Popadopalous working the body and head with strikes.
Chavez is looking to reverse the position.
Popadopalous taking a break here but Chavez is having none of it and regains half guard.
Chavez works his way to full guard. Good work.
Popadopalous trying to control the position from guard on top but Chavez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Popadopalous stopping the sweep attempt from Chavez.
Popadopalous throws a big right hand that misses.
Chavez throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Popadopalous trying to control but Chavez is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chavez has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Popadopalous has passed into side control.
Chavez sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Chavez manages to get to full guard.
Chavez controls Popadopalous momentarily but Popadopalous frees himself.
Popadopalous cracks Chavez with a solid left hand.
Chavez manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Popadopalous manages to get himself to full guard.
Chavez working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Chavez missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Popadopalous is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Popadopalous controls Chavez momentarily but Chavez frees himself.
Popadopalous pulls Chavez in close to prevent any damage.
Popadopalous avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Popadopalous looking for a sweep. Not yet Popadopalous, not yet.
Chavez loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A telegraphed right hand from Chavez misses the target.
Chavez steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Popadopalous.
Chavez takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Apollo Popadopalous is winning the standup battle so far.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Some wild striking there from Chavez.
Popadopalous looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Popadopalous will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Apollo Popadopalous dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. 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.

Chavez throws a right and a left that Popadopalous avoids nicely.
A big left from Popadopalous misses.
Chavez throws a leg kick that is checked
and Popadopalous counters with a two punch combo.

It looks like Juan Chavez has been cut.
Chavez lands a really nice looking cross but Popadopalous seems unphased.
Popadopalous throws the left hand but Chavez avoids the punch easily.
Chavez misses with a few strikes there.
Apollo Popadopalous is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Popadopalous throws a series of punches but Chavez avoids them all with ease.
Popadopalous connects with a good right hand that stumbles Chavez. Chavez circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Chavez connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Chavez misses with a body punch
and Popadopalous counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Popadopalous falls off balance throwing a combination
and Chavez counters with a body kick that stops Popadopalous in his tracks momentarily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Chavez.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chavez pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Chavez blocks a jab.
Popadopalous throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Chavez lands a jab to Popadopalous's midsection.
Chavez will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Popadopalous takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Chavez walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Popadopalous checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Popadopalous chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Chavez can pounce on him.
Popadopalous showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Chavez.
Popadopalous with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Chavez to score with a decent uppercut.
Chavez connects with a right hand. Popadopalous shakes it off.
Popadopalous throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chavez throws a series of punches but Popadopalous moves out of range.
Chavez misses with a few strikes there.
Popadopalous throws a sloppy body shot
and Chavez counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Chavez looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Chavez is looking to work some ground and pound but Popadopalous has wrist control.
Chavez has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Popadopalous trying to control the position.
Popadopalous preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Popadopalous not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Chavez accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Chavez postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Popadopalous is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Popadopalous tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Popadopalous throws a left and a right that both miss
and Chavez counters with a right hand to the body.
A lazy left from Popadopalous finds it's target.
Chavez misses with a looping right.
Chavez does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Popadopalous ducks under a wild hook from Chavez.
Chavez dodges the punch combination from Popadopalous.
Popadopalous scores with a jab to the body.
Chavez falls off balance throwing a combination
enabling Popadopalous to counter with a crisp jab.
Popadopalous fails to land with a series of punches.
Chavez misses with a series of wild punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Popadopalous slips a jab and a cross from Chavez.
Chavez throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Popadopalous throws a looping overhand right but Chavez ducks down to avoid it.
Chavez dodges the punch combination from Popadopalous.
Popadopalous misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Popadopalous fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Chavez misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Nice defenses there by Popadopalous.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Popadopalous swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Popadopalous throws a nice looking combination but Chavez bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Juan Chavez comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Chavez 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 Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 28:29
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Juan Chavez!