PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Sean Griffin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mikhail Popov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Popov comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Tom Sawyer - Rush kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Griffin
vs
Popov

175 cm
19
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
18
164 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Sean Griffin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mikhail Popov!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Dillan Fox and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Popov connects with an inside leg kick.
Popov throws a body punch but Griffin moves out of range.
Popov scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Popov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Griffin misses with a takedown attempt - Popov sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Popov looks to land a left hand but Griffin moved out of range nicely.
Popov cracks the inside of Griffin's front leg.
Popov misses with a double jab.
Popov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Griffin moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Popov motions for Griffin to come forward. Popov throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Popov misses with a looping left.
Popov takes a swing at Griffin's ribcage but misses.
Griffin shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Griffin shoots in for a takedown but Popov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Nice takedown defense from Popov. No joy for Griffin on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sean Griffin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Griffin stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Popov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Popov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Griffin manages to avoid it.
Mikhail Popov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Griffin fails with a takedown attempt.
A left and a right from Popov both land. Nice combination.
Popov fails to land with a series of punches.
Popov scores with a three punch combo!
Popov misses with a body shot.
Mikhail Popov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Griffin moves away from the strike by Popov.
The fight stays on the outside here - Griffin looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Griffin will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Griffin fails with a takedown attempt.
Popov cracks Griffin with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Griffin fails in his attempt to clinch.
Popov slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Popov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Griffin moves away.
Griffin tries to move into range but Popov moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Popov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Griffin.
Popov lands with an overhand left.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Griffin slips under a jab.
Popov thows a body shot but no joy.

Griffin fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Popov, pushing him back against the cage.
Popov wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Griffin has him pressed against the cage.
Popov trying to control the position but instead, Griffin has worked for underhooks and has pushed Popov into the cage.
Griffin drops down looking for an ankle pick but Popov pulls his leg out and moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Popov throws a series of punches but Griffin moves out of range.
Popov fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Popov takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Griffin dodges the punch combination from Popov.
Popov throws a combination that misses

and Griffin counters by moving into the clinch.
Griffin tries to break free but Popov pushes him back against the cage.
Popov is looking to break free of the clinch but Griffin has double underhooks.
Griffin lands a body shot in the clinch.
Griffin is trying to drag Popov to the mat but Popov just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Griffin has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Popov breaks from the clinch.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Griffin. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Griffin.
Griffin will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Griffin is breathing heavily.
Popov moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Popov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A lazy left from Popov finds it's target.
Griffin shoots in for a double leg but Popov sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Popov stuffs the takedown attempt from Griffin. Griffin gets slowly back to his feet.
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!
Popov looks to score with a jab to the body but Griffin is just out of range.
Popov lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mikhail Popov dominated that round.
That's time! Griffin's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

A looping hook to the body misses from Popov. Griffin does a little dance to reset his feet.
Griffin tries to clinch but Popov moves out of range.
Popov is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Griffin rather than just go for the knockout.
Griffin is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Nice sprawl there from Popov as Griffin shoots in.
Griffin uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Popov.
Popov takes a swing at Griffin's ribcage but misses.
Popov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Griffin circles away quickly and effectively.
Griffin throws a push kick but Popov slaps the foot to one side.
Griffin fails with an attempt to clinch.
Popov blocks a head kick by Griffin.
Griffin shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Popov defends it nicely.
Griffin shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Popov as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sean Griffin. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Popov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Popov keeps the fight on the outside.
Mikhail Popov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Griffin is looking to clinch but Popov is avoiding it.
Popov misses with a wild body shot.
Griffin shoots for a double leg takedown but Popov sprawls well. He's pushed Griffin's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Griffin keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Griffin shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Popov defends it nicely.
Griffin throws a right and a left that Popov avoids nicely.
Griffin tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Griffin throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Popov's waist but Popov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Griffin off to one side.
Popov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Griffin manages to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Popov cracks a nice hook into Griffin's ribs.
A nice combination there by Popov.
Popov jabs Griffin to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Popov fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Griffin.
Popov scores with a jab. Griffin acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

Griffin is rocked!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Popov is looking for an opening here. He's unloaded a big left hand that catches Griffin flush on the jaw and sends him tumbling to the canvas! Griffin is out cold! Popov holds back from landing any unnecessary shots to his unconscious opponent, as the referee reacts slowly to the situation. A brutal knockout and then some excellent sportsmanship - this guy is my new favorite fighter!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:29 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Mikhail Popov!
A relieved looking Mikhail Popov thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.