PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ace Popo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Super Slayer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Popo comes to the cage accompanied by Alter Bridge- Ties that Bind. Ace Popo could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Super Slayer's chin.

Popo
vs
Slayer

168 cm
24
158 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

195 cm
25
170 lbs
12 - 11 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
KO power

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ace Popo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Super Slayer!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Emerson Jorge and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Slayer stuns Popo with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Slayer misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Popo.
Slayer misses the body punch

and Popo counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Popo.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Popo working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Popo throwing strikes but missing.
Slayer wants to sweep but no luck.
Popo passes Slayer's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Slayer is trying to get back to full guard.
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!
Popo missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Popo throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Popo thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Slayer's head.
Popo is pressing down on Slayer's thigh, looking to free his foot. Slayer is holding on for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Slayer has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Popo is working away from the top position though.
Popo throwing shots but Slayer is blocking nicely.
Popo not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Popo wants to lay and pray for a moment but Slayer keeps working.
Popo lands strikes from half guard.

Popo is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Slayer defends it well.

Slayer is defending against the submission attempts here by Popo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Popo throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Popo is working for a kimura but Slayer is defending it quite comfortably.
Slayer avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Popo.

Popo is looking for a kimura here.
Slayer keeping hold of Popo's head, controlling as best he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Popo with the ground and pound but Slayer uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Popo postures up.
Slayer keeping moving, preventing Popo from controlling successfully.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Slayer can do anything to dispel that myth.
Popo throws a big right hand that misses.
Popo loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Popo trying to control but Slayer is working from the bottom.
Popo postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Popo stopping the sweep attempt from Slayer.
Slayer really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Popo. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Popo cracks Slayer with a solid left hand.
Popo tries to free his leg and advance position but Slayer is retaining full guard.
Popo working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Slayer seems keen to control Popo's posture.

Popo postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Slayer is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Popo, into his guard.
Slayer wants to control from the top but Popo keeps moving.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Slayer pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Popo is keeping the position for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ace Popo dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Slayer scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Slayer misses with the combination.
Popo changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Slayer tries to avoid it but Popo manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Slayer to the ground. Slayer escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Slayer fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Popo manages to avoid it.
Slayer ducks under a wild hook from Popo.
Slayer fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Popo manages to avoid it.
Slayer throws an overhand right that lands on Popo's shoulder, as Popo tries to avoid the shot.
Slayer takes a swing at Popo's ribcage but misses.
Slayer misses with a wild body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Popo tries to score a power double leg takedown but Slayer sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Popo somewhat.
Slayer misses with a wild body shot.
Popo avoids the body shot from Slayer.
Popo tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Slayer swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ace Popo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Slayer fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Popo manages to avoid it.
Slayer swats away the attempt to clinch by Popo.
Slayer swings away with a body shot that misses

and Popo decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Slayer's guard.
Popo might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Popo in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Popo trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Popo in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Popo being controlled here momentarily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Popo trying to control but Slayer is working from the bottom.
Slayer pulls Popo in close to his closed guard and prevents Popo from doing any damage or advancing position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Popo slips nicely into half guard.
Popo throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Popo not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Slayer works his way to full guard. Good work.
Slayer looking for a sweep. Not yet Slayer, not yet.
Popo trying to control but Slayer is working from the bottom.
Popo throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Slayer is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Slayer is breathing heavily.
Popo stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Slayer swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Slayer controls Popo momentarily but Popo frees himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Super Slayer has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Slayer connects with the punch.
Slayer misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Popo.
Ace Popo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Slayer tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Popo was well out of range. Poor timing from Slayer.
Slayer just misses with a punch to the body.
Popo shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Slayer pinned against the cage. Slayer gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Popo shoots in and drives through. Slayer sprawls well.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Slayer fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Popo looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Super Slayer will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Popo's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Popo looks to land a right hand but Slayer moved out of range.
Slayer swings away with a body shot that misses

and Popo counters with a shoot takedown. Slayer fights it but they end up in guard.
Slayer manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Popo manages to get himself to full guard.

Popo has his foot on Slayer's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Slayer works his way back into a safe position though.
Ace Popo overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Slayer is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Popo is looking for a triangle but Slayer pushes his legs off easily.

Popo throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Popo is working an open guard so Slayer takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Popo shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Slayer but Slayer pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Slayer just misses with a punch to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Slayer. Popo does a little dance to reset his feet.
Slayer cracks Popo with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Slayer thows a body shot but no joy.
Slayer takes a swing at Popo's ribcage but misses.
Slayer looks to score with a jab to the body but Popo is just out of range.
Slayer misses the shot to the body.
Slayer is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Popo rather than just go for the knockout.
Slayer misses with a body shot

so Popo counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Popo throws a big right hand that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Popo throwing strikes from guard but Slayer blocks nicely.
Popo is in close to Slayer's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Slayer has momentary wrist control but Popo slips an elbow through the middle.
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!
Slayer looking to hit a scissor sweep but Popo is one step ahead there.
Popo trying to control but Slayer is working from the bottom.
Slayer wants to stand up but Popo is controlling him.
Popo postures up in Slayer's guard and throws a big left but Slayer blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Popo is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Popo trying to control the position from guard on top but Slayer is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Ace Popo just wasn't active enough.
A looping hook to the body misses from Slayer. Popo does a little dance to reset his feet.
Popo changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Slayer tries to avoid it but Popo manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Slayer to the ground. Slayer escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Slayer keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Popo ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Popo misses with a hook. Slayer ducked under it nicely.
Popo uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Slayer.
Slayer connects with a nice looking jab.
Popo shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Slayer sprawls well. Slayer wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Popo gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ace Popo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Slayer throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Slayer lands a jab to Popo's midsection.
Slayer on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Popo closes the distance and clinches up with Slayer, looking for a takedown. Popo pushes Slayer against the cage but Slayer circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ace Popo showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Popo has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 29:28
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 29:28
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ace Popo!
Ace Popo seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.