PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Apollo Popadopalous (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thorm Jackson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Popadopalous's entrance music is Theme from Rocky. A fine choice. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Popadopalous
vs
Jackson

185 cm
22
213 lbs
6 - 5 - 1

191 cm
21
221 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
KO power

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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 Rio de Janeiro, Apollo Popadopalous!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Thorm Jackson!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Emerson Jorge and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jackson takes a swing at Popadopalous's ribcage but misses.
Popadopalous keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Jackson. Popadopalous does a little dance to reset his feet.
Jackson slips a straight right by Popadopalous.
Popadopalous throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Popadopalous swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A punch combination from Popadopalous misses.
Jackson works the jab nicely.
Jackson defending well as Popadopalous loads up on a big left hand.
Jackson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Popadopalous moves away.
Jackson swings away with a body shot that misses

and Popadopalous counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Popadopalous is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Jackson defends it well.
Popadopalous wants to take a breather but Jackson is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Popadopalous is looking to advance position but Jackson won't allow it.
Jackson is concentrating on defense, preventing Popadopalous from advancing position.
Popadopalous with the ground and pound but Jackson uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Popadopalous trying to control the position from guard on top but Jackson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Jackson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Popadopalous.
Popadopalous being controlled here momentarily.
Popadopalous won't allow Jackson to sweep him here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Popadopalous wants to control from the top but Jackson keeps moving.
Popadopalous 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.
Popadopalous throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Popadopalous drops back, looking for a kneebar! Jackson looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Jackson looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Jackson!
Popadopalous tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Jackson wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Jackson working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Popadopalous manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Popadopalous wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Popadopalous is not content to let Jackson control the position.
Popadopalous regains full guard. Nicely done.
Jackson trying to control but Popadopalous is working from the bottom.
Popadopalous working a defensive guard here.
Popadopalous trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Popadopalous looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Jackson passes into half guard.
Popadopalous preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.

Jackson is working for a submission of some sort.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Jackson wants to work for an arm triangle but Popadopalous is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Popadopalous manages to get to full guard.
Popadopalous keeping full guard, as Jackson tries to pass.
Popadopalous has control of Jackson's left arm, preventing Jackson from doing any damage.
Jackson sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Popadopalous's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Apollo Popadopalous dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Popadopalous throws a looping overhand right but Jackson ducks down to avoid it.
Popadopalous misses with a jab to the body
and Jackson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Jackson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Popadopalous.
Jackson slips a jab from Popadopalous.
Popadopalous blocks a jab.
A combination from Popadopalous does no damage.
A punch lands to the side of Jackson 's head but he takes it in his stride.

Jackson takes the fight into the clinch.
Popadopalous wants to break the clinch but can't.
Popadopalous is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Jackson pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Popadopalous wants to break the clinch but can't.
Popadopalous wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Jackson lands a hook to the side of the head.
Jackson lands a body shot.
A short body shot lands from Jackson as the two fighters clinch.
Popadopalous fails to pull guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson works on Popadopalous's body with a couple of short punches.
Popadopalous wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Jackson keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Popadopalous's efforts to push away.
Popadopalous has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Jackson gets through Popadopalous's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Popadopalous is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Popadopalous wants to get back to striking at distance but Jackson won't allow it.
A right hook to the body lands for Jackson.
Jackson digs a right hand into Popadopalous's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Popadopalous's gas tank.
Jackson lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Popadopalous.
Jackson lands a shoulder strike.
Jackson pushes Popadopalous back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Jackson lands a hook that snaps the head of Popadopalous backwards.
A right handed body shot lands from Jackson.
Jackson lands a nice uppercut.
A nice left hand lands by Jackson.
Jackson is working Popadopalous over against the cage.
A short body shot lands from Jackson as the two fighters clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Jackson creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Jackson makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A hook to the body from Jackson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jackson lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Jackson working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Jackson.
Jackson working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Jackson lands a hook to the side of the head.
Jackson digs a right hand underneath Popadopalous's ribcage. Popadopalous let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Jackson lands a body shot in the clinch.
A short right from Jackson on the inside.
A short right from Jackson on the inside.
Jackson works on Popadopalous's body with a couple of short punches.
A short right from Jackson.
Jackson digs a right hand underneath Popadopalous's ribcage. Popadopalous let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Jackson lands with a light punch inside.
Jackson lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Jackson pushes Popadopalous back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Jackson lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Popadopalous backwards.
Popadopalous has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Jackson is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Apollo Popadopalous. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jackson lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Popadopalous or not.
Jackson lands a body punch in the clinch.
A short body shot lands from Jackson as the two fighters clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Jackson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Jackson throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Jackson lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Popadopalous backwards.
Popadopalous tries to pull guard but Jackson won't allow it.
Jackson stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Jackson lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Popadopalous.
Jackson scores with a shoulder strike.
Popadopalous is looking to break free of the clinch but Jackson has double underhooks.
Jackson lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A short uppercut from Jackson.
Jackson lands a nice uppercut.
Jackson lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Good body shot from Jackson.
Jackson is leaning against Popadopalous and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Jackson presses Popadopalous against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Jackson stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Jackson softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Jackson lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Jackson lands an uppercut.
Thorm Jackson seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Jackson.
Popadopalous fails to pull guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jackson prevents Popadopalous from breaking the clinch.
Jackson lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Popadopalous.
Popadopalous tries to break the clinch but Jackson is controlling the position.
A left hand lands to the body for Jackson.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Jackson scores with a hook to the body.
A short body shot lands from Jackson as the two fighters clinch.
Jackson lands with a light punch inside.
A nice left hand lands by Jackson.
Jackson lands a nice shot to the body.
Jackson lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Jackson cracks Popadopalous with a nice body shot.
Jackson throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Jackson working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A nice left hand lands by Jackson.
Jackson lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Jackson throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Jackson digs a right hand into Popadopalous's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Popadopalous's gas tank.
Jackson works on Popadopalous's body with a couple of short punches.
Jackson lands a nice uppercut.
Jackson lands a body punch in the clinch.
Jackson lands a nice shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thorm Jackson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Popadopalous takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Jackson throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Popadopalous stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Popadopalous shoots for a double leg takedown but Jackson sprawls well. He's pushed Popadopalous's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Popadopalous takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Nice shot by Jackson.
Jackson lands a slapping body shot.
Popadopalous doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Good shot there by Jackson.
Thorm Jackson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Popadopalous doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Jackson scores with a crisp jab that stopped Popadopalous in his tracks.
Jackson lands a right hook to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Jackson drives through and clinches with Popadopalous against the cage.
Jackson works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
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!
Jackson lands with a right to the head.
Popadopalous wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson lands a hook to the side of the head.
Jackson scores with a nice hook to the head.
Jackson lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Popadopalous or not.
Popadopalous tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Jackson lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Jackson lands an uppercut.
Popadopalous tries to pull guard but Jackson holds him up against the cage and eventually Popadopalous drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Apollo Popadopalous. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A nice left hand lands by Jackson.
Jackson pushes Popadopalous back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Popadopalous's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A nice left hand lands by Jackson.
Popadopalous working hard to break the clinch.
Jackson scores with a nice hook to the head.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Jackson.

Popadopalous decides to pull guard.
Popadopalous working a defensive guard here.
Jackson trying to control but Popadopalous is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jackson pushes down on Popadopalous's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Jackson is taking a breather. Popadopalous says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Jackson trying to control from half guard but Popadopalous is working away.
Jackson might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Popadopalous kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

Popadopalous is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Jackson pulls his head out easily.

Jackson is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Popadopalous wants to improve his position but Jackson is controlling well.
Popadopalous is working hard here to advance position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Popadopalous makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Popadopalous.
Jackson trying to control but Popadopalous is working from the bottom.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Donk. Jackson catches Popadopalous right on the button with a cross.
A shot to the liver by Jackson. Beautiful body shot.
Popadopalous shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Jackson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Popadopalous swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Popadopalous takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A left lands for Jackson.
Jackson misses with a wild body shot.
Thorm Jackson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Popadopalous avoids the body shot from Jackson.
Jackson connects with a good right hand that stumbles Popadopalous. Popadopalous circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

Jackson moves into the clinch.
Jackson lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Popadopalous backwards.
Jackson lands a shot to the body.
Nice body punch from Jackson.
A nice right hand lands inside from Jackson.
A short right from Jackson on the inside.
Jackson lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Nice body punch from Jackson - that landed with a thud.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Jackson scores with a nice hook to the head.
A right hand to the body from Jackson.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Jackson working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Nice body punch from Jackson - that landed with a thud.
Popadopalous tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Jackson smiles and moves away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thorm Jackson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Jackson 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 Luis Engracia scores the fight 26:29
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 26:29
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 27:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thorm Jackson!