PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Miles Brand (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vitali Popov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Popov comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Tupac - Last Muthafucka Breathin' kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Brand
vs
Popov

168 cm
20
140 lbs
12 - 1 - 0

172 cm
21
144 lbs
9 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Miles Brand!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Vitali Popov!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Popov throws a shot from downtown. Brand moves away and avoids it.
Popov changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Brand looks for a takedown but Popov sprawls well.

Brand gets a double leg takedown into Popov's guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

Popov looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Brand content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Brand is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Popov keeping moving, preventing Brand from controlling successfully.

Popov throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Popov looking for a guillotine here but Brand defends easily.

Popov is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Brand defends well.
Brand with a nice head shot there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Popov looking for a sweep. Not yet Popov, not yet.
Brand working some strikes from top position.

Popov looking for a guillotine here but Brand defends easily.

Brand stands up from Popov's guard - Brand perhaps looking for a knockout.

Brand decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Popov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Brand throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Brand lands with a punch from half guard.
Ground and pound from Brand.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Popov is looking for a sweep. Brand is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Brand seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Brand seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Brand is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Brand stops Popov from getting back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Popov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Brand is looking to take a break and control but Popov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Popov is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Brand pulls his head out easily.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Brand lands a nice short elbow.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Brand tries to pass the half guard into mount. Popov knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Popov avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Brand.
Brand lands with a punch from half guard.
Brand working Popov over with strikes.
Brand takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Popov on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Brand working over Popov with some ground and pound. Popov looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Brand not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Brand lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brand wants to pass the guard but Popov is defending well.
Brand wants to control but Popov is keeping him busy.

Popov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Brand lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Brand is looking to take a break and control but Popov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Popov has hold of Brand's hands but Brand slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Brand working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

Brand seems to be looking for submissions.
Brand moves nicely into side control.

Brand is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Popov knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Popov wants to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Brand grinds an elbow into Popov's temple.
Popov manages to work his way to half guard, despite Brand's best efforts.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Brand is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Popov!
Brand breaks from Popov's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Brand putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Popov tries to lock up and control but Brand gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Popov is in a horrible position here. Brand smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Popov is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Brand lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Brand looking to finish Popov with some ground and pound. This is bad for Popov!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Popov keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Brand working the ground and pound effectively.
Brand working away from the top, dropping strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Miles Brand dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Popov misses the jab.

Brand drives through with a takedown into guard.
Brand wants to control from the top but Popov keeps moving.
Popov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Brand scoring with some ground and pound.

Popov has his feet on Brand's thighs here. He's pushed Brand off and worked for a very quick armbar from the bottom! He's flipped onto his stomach and he's cranking hard on the arm! Brand screams in pain and taps out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:37 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Vitali Popov!
Our winner, Vitali Popov, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.