PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Alyosha Popovich (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jaromir Jag (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Popovich
vs
Jag

225 cm
25
130 lbs
5 - 8 - 0

165 cm
31
130 lbs
21 - 31 - 2

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Knockout power

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 5 - 8 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alyosha Popovich!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 31 - 2, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jaromir Jag!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Sergei Dronov and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jag tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Jag tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Popovich throws a nice looking combination but Jag bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Popovich throws a right and a left that both miss.
Jag tries a head kick but it misses.
Popovich circles away from the clinch attempt.
A slow jab from Popovich misses its intended target.
Popovich's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Popovich duly obliges.
Jag tries to close the distance and clinch but Popovich swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Popovich misses with a few strikes there.
Popovich circles away from the clinch attempt.
Popovich lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Jag backs up against the cage.
Popovich throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Jag.
Popovich misses with the combination.
Jag tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Popovich counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Popovich is looking to break free of the clinch but Jag has double underhooks.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Popovich managing to block the knees to the body from Jag.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jag missing with knees to the body.
Popovich has had enough of the clinch but Jag keeps him there for the moment.
Jag trying to land knees to the body.
Popovich blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Jag manages to break the clinch.
Jag tries to clinch up.
Jag doesn't manage to clinch there - Popovich circles away.
Jag is looking to clinch.
Popovich circles away from the clinch attempt.
Popovich throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Jag.
Popovich misses with a series of wild punches.
Popovich is breathing heavily.
Jag tries to clinch but Popovich moves out of range.
Jag tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Popovich paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Popovich throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Popovich walks forward, straight into a front kick from Jag.
Jag misses with a head kick.
Jag is looking to clinch but Popovich is avoiding it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jag tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Popovich manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Popovich lands a nice looking body shot.
Jag doesn't manage to clinch there - Popovich circles away.
Jag moves in looking to clinch but Popovich pushes him off.
Popovich throws a series of punches but Jag moves out of range.
Jag avoids a punch combination nicely.
Popovich really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Jag avoids the body shot from Popovich.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Popovich steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Jag. That one must have hurt.

Jag has closed the distance and engaged Popovich in a clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Popovich avoiding damage as Jag throws knees to the body.
The referee calls for Popovich to work.
Popovich managing to block the knees to the body from Jag.
Jag misses with a knee strike.
Jag is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jag is trying to break the clinch but Popovich has him pressed against the cage.
Popovich keeps control of Jag as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Popovich wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Jag keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Popovich's efforts to push away.
Popovich blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Popovich has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Popovich is trying to break the clinch but Jag has him pressed against the cage.

Jag breaks from the clinch.
Jag fails in his attempt to clinch.

Jag closes the distance and clinches.
Jag is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Popovich is defending well for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jag tries to throw a body punch but Popovich avoids it by throwing Jag back against the cage.
Jag is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Popovich wants a takedown.
Popovich tries to pull guard but Jag holds him up against the cage and eventually Popovich drops back down to his feet.
Popovich wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Popovich tries to circle away but Jag has him pinned against the cage.
Jag is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Popovich is defending well for now.
Jag creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Popovich trying to control the position but instead, Jag has worked for underhooks and has pushed Popovich into the cage.
Jag is trying to push Popovich away but Popovich has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jaromir Jag will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Jag throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Popovich fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Jag is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Jag tries to clinch there but Popovich circles away.

Popovich clinches with his opponent.
Popovich blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Popovich dodges an elbow strike from Jag.
Popovich just leaning against Jag, taking a breather.
Jag keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Popovich's efforts to push away.
Popovich tries to break free but Jag pushes him back against the cage.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Jag in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Popovich blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Popovich is trying to break free.
Popovich is trying to push Jag away but Jag has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Jag creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jag looking to stall.
Jag prevents Popovich from breaking the clinch.
Popovich is looking to break free of the clinch but Jag has double underhooks.
Jag lands an elbow that stopped Popovich in his tracks for a moment.
A frustrated look appears on Popovich's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Popovich is trying to break the clinch but Jag is controlling him.
Popovich working hard to break the clinch.
Popovich tries to break the clinch but Jag is controlling the position.
Popovich tries to break the clinch but Jag is controlling the position.

Popovich breaks from the clinch.
Jag tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Jag tries to clinch but Popovich is having none of it.
Jag is looking to clinch but Popovich is avoiding it.
Jag fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jag blocks a jab.
Jag tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Popovich counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Popovich throws a hook to the side of Jag's head but Jag sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Jag tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Popovich paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Jaromir Jag seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Popovich throws a right hand that Jag ducks under and follows up with a left that Jag also avoids with ease.
Jag slips a jab and a cross from Popovich.
Jag tries to clinch up but Popovich circles away and keeps his distance.
Jag is looking to clinch.
Popovich misses with a double jab.

Jag closes the distance and pushes Popovich back into the cage.
Jag tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Popovich avoids it.
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!
Jag misses with the head strike.
Popovich is looking to break free of the clinch but Jag has double underhooks.
Jag misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Popovich.
Jag tries to stall but Popovich uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Jaromir Jag seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jag breaks from the clinch.
Popovich lands a lovely overhand right.
A head kick misses from Jag.
Popovich moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Popovich rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Jag moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Jag wants to clinch.
Jag wants to clinch up but Popovich keeps it at a distance.
Popovich keeps the fight on the outside.
Popovich avoids the head kick by Jag.

Jag moves into the clinch.
Popovich managing to block the knees to the body from Jag.
Popovich has had enough of the clinch but Jag keeps him there for the moment.

Jag breaks from the clinch.
Jag tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Popovich manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jag tries to close the distance and clinch but Popovich swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Jag displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Popovich throws out the jab.
Popovich misses with a double jab.
Popovich throws a right and a left that Jag avoids nicely.
Jag tries to close the distance and clinch up but Popovich swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Jag misses with a head kick.
Jag wants to clinch.
Jag slips a jab and a cross from Popovich.
Jag tries to close the distance and clinch up but Popovich swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Jag tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Popovich paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Alyosha Popovich is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Jag tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Popovich paws at him with a jab and circles away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
No joy there for Popovich, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Jag is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Jag moves in looking to clinch but Popovich pushes him off.
Jag throws a head kick that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jaromir Jag will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Popovich misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Jag connects with a high kick.
Jag is looking to clinch but Popovich is avoiding it.
Popovich keeps the fight on the outside.
Jag scores with a kick to the midsection.
Jag tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Jag wants to clinch up but Popovich keeps it at a distance.
Jag looks to clinch
and Popovich counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Popovich throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Popovich blocks a head kick by Jag.
Jag fails in his attempt to clinch.
Jag tries to clinch up but Popovich circles away and keeps his distance.
Jag tries to clinch but Popovich moves away

and Popovich counters by clinching up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Popovich has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Popovich wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Jag has him pressed against the cage.
Popovich is trying to push Jag away but Jag has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Popovich is trying to break the clinch but Jag has him pressed against the cage.
Jag using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Popovich has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Popovich looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Popovich prevents a body shot from Jag.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Jag just misses with a elbow thrown towards Popovich's brow.
Jag is trying to stall.
Jag misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Popovich.

Popovich breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Jag tries to clinch but Popovich is having none of it.
Popovich keeps the fight on the outside.
Popovich tries to bum rush Jag with a series of wild strikes but Jag uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Popovich moves away from the strike by Jag.
Alyosha Popovich has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Popovich misses with the combination.
Popovich takes a kick to the side of the head.
Popovich throws a nice looking combination but Jag bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Jag tries to clinch up but Popovich circles away and keeps his distance.
Popovich circles away from the clinch attempt.
Popovich swats away the attempt to clinch by Jag.
Jag tries to clinch there but Popovich circles away.
Popovich keeps the fight on the outside.
Jag tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Popovich misses with a series of wild punches.
Jag pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Jag doesn't manage to clinch there - Popovich circles away.
Jag tries to clinch up but Popovich circles away and keeps his distance.
Jag tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Sloppy strikes from Popovich. Those never looked like landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jag doesn't manage to clinch there - Popovich circles away.
Popovich swats away the attempt to clinch by Jag.
Popovich swinging wildly here.
Jag tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Popovich manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Jag tries to close the distance and clinch up but Popovich swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Jag tries to clinch but Popovich moves out of range.

Jag gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Popovich is looking to take this one to the mat.
Jag struggles to land a body shot inside as Popovich controls his hands.

Jag breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Jag wants to clinch up but Popovich keeps it at a distance.

Jag has closed the distance and engaged Popovich in a clinch.
Jag trying to land knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Popovich has had enough of the clinch but Jag keeps him there for the moment.
Popovich blocks a body shot from Jag.
Popovich avoiding damage as Jag throws knees to the body.
Popovich tries to circle away but Jag has him pinned against the cage.
Popovich avoiding damage as Jag throws knees to the body.
Popovich wants to break the clinch but can't.
Popovich working hard to break the clinch.
Popovich wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Jag has him pressed against the cage.
Jag tries to land knees in the clinch but Popovich avoids the damage to the body.
Popovich tries to circle away but Jag has him pinned against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jag pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Popovich doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Jag pressing his opponent against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jaromir Jag comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Jag has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jaromir Jag!