PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Michail Popov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ride Grierson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Popov's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, T .W .A .T . - Too Rude For Radio. Michail Popov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Popov
vs
Grierson

171 cm
22
150 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

178 cm
21
155 lbs
3 - 5 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Good in bed

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Michail Popov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ride Grierson!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Sergei Dronov and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Popov fails to land the takedown.
Grierson defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Popov.
Grierson doesn't manage to clinch there - Popov circles away.
Grierson leaves Popov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michail Popov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Popov dives in and grabs Grierson's left leg, looking for a takedown. Grierson pushes down on Popov's head and hops out.
Popov is breathing heavily.
Popov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Grierson tries to avoid it but Popov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Grierson to the ground. Grierson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Popov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Grierson but Grierson pushes him off and we're back to square one.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Grierson scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Grierson is working for a submission of some sort.

Grierson is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Popov has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grierson thows a huge punch but Popov dodges it nicely.
Grierson lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Grierson is looking for a kimura here.
Grierson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Grierson is looking for a kimura here.
Grierson seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Popov does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Grierson is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Popov is just riding it out for now. Grierson eventually gives up the hold.
Grierson not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Grierson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Grierson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Grierson has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Grierson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Grierson lands strikes from half guard.
Grierson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Grierson is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Popov sees it coming and defends easily.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Popov is trying to stand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Grierson is working for a submission of some sort.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Grierson is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Grierson trying to control from half guard but Popov is working away.

Popov makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Grierson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Popov paws at him with a jab and circles away.

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.
Grierson has his takedown stuffed

and Popov counters with a takedown into side control.
Grierson manages to get back to half guard.
Grierson is trying to stand up here but Popov is controlling him well.
Grierson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Popov is trying to control. Grierson wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Popov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Grierson defending well though.
Grierson trying to control but Popov postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Grierson wants to improve his position but Popov is controlling well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ride Grierson dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Popov doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Grierson counters with a shoot takedown. Popov fights it but they end up in guard.
Grierson passes Popov's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Popov tries to kick Grierson off but Grierson keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Grierson is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Popov doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Grierson.
Grierson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Grierson is looking for a kimura here.
Grierson not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Grierson is trying to work for a kimura but Popov is defending well.
Popov wants to get back to his feet.
Popov tries to get to full guard but Grierson has control of the leg.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Grierson connects with a nice short shot to Popov's temple.

Grierson is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Popov doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Grierson.

Popov is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Grierson pulls his head out easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Popov is looking for a sweep. Grierson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Grierson is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Popov works his way to full guard. Good work.
Popov is looking to stand up but Grierson isn't so interested in that idea.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Grierson passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Grierson is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Popov knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Grierson has an Americana. Popov didn't react quickly enough there and he's in big trouble now! He tries to squirm out but is forced to tap! Grierson is delighted and gyrates in front of the ring girls. They seem to like the attention - it'll be interesting to see if Grierson hooks up with any of them at the after show party.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:02 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Ride Grierson!