PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nikoli Popov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cross Odenkirk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nikoli Popov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Popov
vs
Odenkirk

190 cm
26
214 lbs
6 - 5 - 1

185 cm
23
215 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

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 - 5 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nikoli Popov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Cross Odenkirk!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Sergei Dronov and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Odenkirk misses with a jab, cross combination.
Popov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Odenkirk swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Odenkirk throws a right and a left that both miss.

Popov clinches.
Popov misses with a knee to the head.
Odenkirk throws an elbow but it misses.
Odenkirk tries to circle away but Popov has him pinned against the cage.
Popov lands a left hand that snaps the head of Odenkirk backwards.
Odenkirk is looking to control Popov's arms but Popov gets an underhook and turns him. Now Odenkirk has his back to the cage.
Odenkirk has had enough of the clinch but Popov keeps him there for the moment.
Odenkirk lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Odenkirk takes an elbow to the temple.
Popov lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Odenkirk is trying to break free.
Popov taking a breather.
Popov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Popov landing knees to the head.
Odenkirk takes a knee right on the jaw!
Odenkirk doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A frustrated look appears on Odenkirk's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Popov with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Popov keeps control of Odenkirk as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Odenkirk takes a knee right on the jaw!
Popov lands a nice elbow.
Popov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Odenkirk tries to break the clinch but Popov is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Odenkirk - that landed with a thud.
Popov lands a knee to the head.
Odenkirk trying to land knees to the body.
Odenkirk takes a knee right on the jaw!

Odenkirk is rocked!
Odenkirk manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Odenkirk looks gassed!
Popov lands a knee to the head.
Popov unloads a knee to the mid-section. Odenkirk lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
A hook to the body from Odenkirk.
Popov misses with a knee strike.
Odenkirk takes a knee to the side of the body.

Odenkirk pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Odenkirk misses with a double jab.
Odenkirk throws a right and a left that Popov avoids nicely.
Popov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Odenkirk.
Popov circles away from the clinch attempt

and Popov counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Odenkirk is looking to break free of the clinch but Popov has double underhooks.

Odenkirk breaks from the clinch.
Odenkirk throws a left and a right that both miss

and Popov counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Popov.
Popov just leaning against Odenkirk, taking a breather.
Popov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Popov.
Odenkirk stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Odenkirk is trying to break the clinch but Popov is controlling him.
Popov blocks an uppercut.
A knee to the head by Popov.
Popov comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Popov unloads a knee to the mid-section. Odenkirk lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Odenkirk trying to control the position but instead, Popov has worked for underhooks and has pushed Odenkirk into the cage.
Popov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Popov scores with a knee to the head.
Odenkirk is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Popov is defending well for now.
Popov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Popov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Nice body punch from Odenkirk - that landed with a thud.
Odenkirk softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Popov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Odenkirk stalling in the clinch.
Odenkirk is leaning against Popov and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Popov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Odenkirk tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Popov avoids it.
A body shot lands from Odenkirk.
Odenkirk is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Odenkirk lands a right hand that snaps the head of Popov backwards.
Odenkirk wants to break free but Popov has control.
Odenkirk lands a body punch in the clinch.
Odenkirk lands a right hand that snaps the head of Popov backwards.
Odenkirk is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Odenkirk controlling the action here for a moment.
Popov looking to throw knees to the head but Odenkirk is blocking nicely.

Odenkirk manages to break the clinch.
Odenkirk throws a left and a right that both miss

and Popov holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Odenkirk lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Popov avoiding damage as Odenkirk throws knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Odenkirk trying to control the position but instead, Popov has worked for underhooks and has pushed Odenkirk into the cage.
Popov connects with a knee to the head.
Odenkirk is looking to control Popov's arms but Popov gets an underhook and turns him. Now Odenkirk has his back to the cage.
Popov looking to throw knees to the head but Odenkirk is blocking nicely.
A frustrated look appears on Odenkirk's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Popov with a knee to the head.
Odenkirk is trying to break the clinch but Popov is controlling him.
Popov lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
A short left from Odenkirk.
Popov tries to land a knee to the head but Odenkirk blocks with his arms.
Popov blocks an elbow strike.
Odenkirk tries to circle away but Popov has him pinned against the cage.
A short uppercut from Popov.
Odenkirk is trying to break the clinch but Popov is controlling him.
Popov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Odenkirk lands with a light punch inside.
Odenkirk lands with a right to the head.
Popov stalling in the clinch but Odenkirk improves position.
Odenkirk taking a breather.
Odenkirk pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Cross Odenkirk will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Odenkirk tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Popov counters by moving into the clinch.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Popov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Popov blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Odenkirk escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Odenkirk swings for the body but Popov moves out of range.
Popov avoids a kick to the body.
Odenkirk looks to land a body kick but Popov moved away.
Odenkirk tries to clinch but Popov moves away
and Popov counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Odenkirk thinking.

Popov closes the distance and pushes Odenkirk back into the cage.
Popov with a knee to the head.
Popov keeps control of Odenkirk as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Popov misses with a knee to the head.
Odenkirk fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Odenkirk trying to control the position but instead, Popov has worked for underhooks and has pushed Odenkirk into the cage.
Popov lands a nice elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Popov scores with a knee to the head.
Odenkirk lands with a short shot to the head.
Popov keeps control of Odenkirk as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Popov is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Nikoli Popov has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Odenkirk missing with knees to the body.
Odenkirk lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Odenkirk lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Popov or not.
Popov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Odenkirk's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Popov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Popov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Odenkirk lands a left hand that snaps the head of Popov backwards.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Odenkirk working hard to break the clinch.
Odenkirk digs a right hand into Popov's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Popov's gas tank.
Popov blocks an uppercut.
Odenkirk wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Popov has him pressed against the cage.
Popov misses with a knee to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Popov throws a knee to the head but misses.
A nice right hand lands inside from Odenkirk.
Odenkirk is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Popov is keeping busy.
Odenkirk is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Odenkirk scores with a shot to the side of Popov's head.
Popov misses with an elbow strike.
A short body shot lands from Odenkirk as the two fighters clinch.
Popov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Odenkirk trying to land knees to the body.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Odenkirk lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Popov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Popov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Odenkirk blocks it with crossed arms.
Popov misses with a knee strike.
A bit of stalling here from Odenkirk.
Odenkirk has had enough of the clinch but Popov keeps him there for the moment.
Odenkirk stalling in the clinch.
Popov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Odenkirk has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Come on Odenkirk - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Odenkirk lands on the inside with an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Odenkirk creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Odenkirk taking a breather.
Popov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Popov throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Popov looking to throw knees to the head but Odenkirk is blocking nicely.

Odenkirk breaks the clinch.
Odenkirk misses with a combination
and Popov counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Odenkirk throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Popov.
Popov checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Nikoli Popov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Odenkirk gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Popov.
Odenkirk tries to clinch there but Popov circles away.
Popov tries to clinch but Odenkirk is having none of it.
A punch combination from Odenkirk misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Odenkirk tries to clinch but Popov moves away
letting Popov counter with a right hand.
Odenkirk darts in trying to clinch

and Popov moves into the clinch.
Popov lands an elbow inside that Odenkirk shrugs off.
Popov controlling the action here for a moment.
Popov lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Popov lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Popov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Odenkirk lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Odenkirk working hard to break the clinch.
Popov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Odenkirk lands with a left to the head.
A short body shot lands from Odenkirk as the two fighters clinch.
Popov landing knees to the head.
Odenkirk can't break the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Nikoli Popov will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Odenkirk lands with a good body shot.
Odenkirk clinches but Popov breaks the clinch
enabling Popov to counter with a crisp jab.
Odenkirk tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Popov counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Popov.
Popov lands a damaging elbow.
Popov takes a shot to the head.
Odenkirk digs a right hand into Popov's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Popov's gas tank.
Odenkirk can't break the clinch.
Odenkirk tries to circle away but Popov has him pinned against the cage.
A left hand lands to the body for Odenkirk.
A body shot lands from Odenkirk.
Popov is looking to control Odenkirk's arms but Odenkirk gets an underhook and turns him. Now Popov has his back to the cage.
Odenkirk scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Odenkirk tries to circle away but Popov has him pinned against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A shot in the inside from Odenkirk.
Nice body punch from Odenkirk.
Popov is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Nice body punch from Odenkirk.
Odenkirk is trying to break free.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Odenkirk pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Odenkirk misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Popov.
Odenkirk throws a left and a right that both miss
and Popov counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Odenkirk looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Odenkirk tries to clinch there but Popov circles away.
Popov walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

Popov clinches.
Odenkirk scores with a nice hook to the head.
Popov looking to throw knees to the head but Odenkirk is blocking nicely.
Popov tries a knee to the head but Odenkirk blocks it.
Odenkirk working hard to break the clinch.
Popov missing with knees to the body.

Odenkirk pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Cross Odenkirk seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Odenkirk darts in trying to clinch

and Popov counters by clinching up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Popov misses with a knee to the head.
Odenkirk lands a left hand that snaps the head of Popov backwards.
Odenkirk working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Popov avoids a wild elbow strike from Odenkirk.
A head punch on the inside from Popov fails to land.
Odenkirk lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Odenkirk working hard to break the clinch.
Odenkirk crunches a lovely knee into Popov's ribcage.
Odenkirk wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Odenkirk.
Odenkirk working hard to break the clinch.
Popov throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
A short right from Odenkirk.
Odenkirk tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Popov as Odenkirk tries to tie him up.
Odenkirk scores with a shot to the side of Popov's head.
Popov takes a shot to the head.
Popov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Odenkirk has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Popov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Odenkirk tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
A head punch on the inside from Odenkirk fails to land.
Popov tries a knee to the head but Odenkirk blocks it.
Popov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Popov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Odenkirk using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Popov has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Nice elbow from Popov.
Popov is looking to control Odenkirk's arms but Odenkirk gets an underhook and turns him. Now Popov has his back to the cage.
Odenkirk wants to break free but Popov has control.
Odenkirk can't find room to land a body shot as Popov controls the action.
Popov with a knee to the head.
Popov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Odenkirk is trying to force a seperation but Popov has the dominant position.
Odenkirk lands a body punch.
Popov lands a nice elbow.
Popov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Popov throws a punch but it's blocked by Odenkirk.

Odenkirk escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Popov takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Popov closes the distance looking to clinch

and Odenkirk counters by clinching up.

That's four 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.
Popov with a knee to the head.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Popov tries to land a knee to the head but Odenkirk blocks with his arms.
Odenkirk is trying to break the clinch but Popov is controlling him.
Odenkirk scores with a shoulder strike.
Popov landing knees to the head.
Odenkirk wants to get back to striking at distance but Popov won't allow it.
Odenkirk comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Odenkirk scores with a hook to the body.
Odenkirk lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Popov lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Odenkirk softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A short left from Odenkirk.
Popov lands an elbow inside that Odenkirk shrugs off.

Odenkirk breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Odenkirk throws a looping overhand right but Popov ducks down to avoid it.
Odenkirk throws a right hand that Popov ducks under and follows up with a left that Popov also avoids with ease.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cross Odenkirk comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Odenkirk has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 29:29
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 29:28

The fight is ruled a draw!