PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Stanislav Popovich (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Sandler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stanislav Popovich could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Michael Sandler's chin.

Popovich
vs
Sandler

168 cm
22
134 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

179 cm
20
145 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Tends to cut

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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Stanislav Popovich!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Michael Sandler!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Konstantin Menshow and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sandler misses with a takedown attempt - Popovich sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Sandler shoots in looking for a takedown but Popovich manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Sandler's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Sandler tries to score a power double leg takedown but Popovich sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sandler somewhat.
Stanislav Popovich has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Sandler.
Popovich tries to clinch but Sandler moves out of range.
Popovich tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sandler swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Nice takedown defense from Popovich. No joy for Sandler on that attempt.
Sandler misses with a takedown attempt - Popovich sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Sandler misses with a takedown attempt - Popovich sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Sandler shoots in looking for a takedown. Popovich tries to sprawl out of it but Sandler keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Popovich manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Sandler looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Popovich is fending him off so far but Sandler persists. Nope, Popovich circles away and we're back to standing.
Popovich misses with a jab, cross combination.

Sandler shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Sandler showed some decent athleticism there.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Sandler wants to pass the guard but Popovich is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sandler missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Popovich avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Sandler.
Sandler sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Popovich defending well though.
Popovich moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Popovich utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Sandler stands over his opponent and dives in with a flying punch! Popovich throws up his legs and catches Sandler in a triangle! Oh this looks tight! Sandler tries to escape but he's forced to tap! Wow, fantastic work there by Popovich! That came out of nowhere!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:48 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Stanislav Popovich!
An out of breath Stanislav Popovich thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.