PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Dylan Barnett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Carl Popov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Barnett
vs
Popov

183 cm
22
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

172 cm
22
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Dylan Barnett!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Carl Popov!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Robert Douchet and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Barnett drives through with a takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Popov being controlled here, momentarily.
Barnett wants to pass the guard but Popov is keeping the position.

Barnett drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Popov manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Barnett has Popov in his guard.

Popov is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Barnett is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Barnett has escaped and now he's on top!
Barnett looking to pass the guard.
Barnett trying to control but Popov is working from the bottom.
Barnett is stalling in the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Popov is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Barnett defends well.
Popov keeping moving, preventing Barnett from controlling successfully.

Barnett avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Popov looking for a guillotine here but Barnett defends easily.
Barnett passes into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Barnett is working for a kimura but Popov is defending it quite comfortably.
Barnett trying to control from half guard but Popov is working away.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Barnett is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Popov sees it coming and defends easily.
Barnett is keen to just control but Popov is a slippery customer.
Barnett moves into full mount! Popov won't be happy about that!
Barnett tries to control but Popov wriggling away.
Barnett prevents Popov from getting the reversal.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Barnett wants to finish this one by submission but Popov is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Barnett.
Barnett is breathing heavily.
Popov trying desperately to get to his feet.
Barnett trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Popov is wriggling around trying to escape.
Barnett looking to control and managing it successfully.

Barnett moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Popov has worked his arm free - good work by Popov!
Popov tries to bench press Barnett off him but Barnett keeps the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Barnett goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Popov has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Barnett but great work by Popov.

Popov is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Barnett has escaped the position, nice work there.
Popov tries to stand but Barnett is controlling his head.

Popov wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Barnett, who protects the arm well.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Barnett manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Dylan Barnett will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Popov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Barnett swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Barnett shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Popov won't allow Barnett to pass to mount.

Popov looking for submissions off his back.

Barnett is looking for a kimura here.
Barnett stops Popov from getting back to his feet.

Barnett looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Barnett trying to control from half guard but Popov is working away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Popov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Barnett is trying to work for a kimura but Popov is defending well.
Barnett trying to pass the guard but Popov defending well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Barnett wants to take a breather but Popov is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Barnett stands up out of the half guard.
No luck for Barnett with that takedown attempt.
Barnett dives in and grabs Popov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Popov pushes down on Barnett's head and hops out.
Popov scores with the left hand. Barnett knows he should have avoided that one.
Barnett avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Popov throws a right hand that Barnett ducks under and follows up with a left that Barnett also avoids with ease.
Barnett fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dylan Barnett. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Popov connects with the punch.
Barnett slips a jab and a cross from Popov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnett looks for a takedown but Popov sprawls well.
Popov leaves Barnett with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Nice sprawl there from Barnett as Popov shoots in.
Popov wants to clinch.
Barnett fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Barnett displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Popov.
Dylan Barnett is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Popov goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Popov misses with a few strikes there.

Barnett shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Barnett was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Barnett jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Popov manages to avoid the submission attempt.

Barnett wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Popov, who protects the arm well.
Popov manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Popov has hold of a guillotine but he's not going to be able to crank on it really with only half guard, so it's no trouble for Barnett. Oh but Popov has got full guard now! Oh boy! This one could be over very soon! Barnett goes limp - he's gone! Popov jumps up and celebrates with the crowd - fantastic submission finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Carl Popov!
During a confident post fight interview, Carl Popov thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.