PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rafael Dos Santos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pop PopCorn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pop PopCorn has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Dos Santos
vs
PopCorn

190 cm
25
190 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

175 cm
25
189 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Big right hand

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Inexperienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rafael Dos Santos!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Pop PopCorn!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Matti Vanhoillinen and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dos Santos connects with a looping right hand.
PopCorn dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Dos Santos. That did some damage!
Dos Santos waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract PopCorn.
Dos Santos keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Dos Santos scores with the left hand. PopCorn knows he should have avoided that one.
Dos Santos tries to bum rush PopCorn with a series of wild strikes but PopCorn uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
PopCorn fails to land the takedown.
PopCorn misses with a takedown attempt - Dos Santos sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

PopCorn gets tackled into the cage by Dos Santos. Dos Santos maintains the clinch.
PopCorn tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
PopCorn has Dos Santos pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Dos Santos manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Rafael Dos Santos has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pop PopCorn.
PopCorn is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Dos Santos is defending well for now.
Dos Santos tries to break the clinch but PopCorn is controlling the position.
PopCorn stalling in the clinch but Dos Santos improves position.
Dos Santos is trying to push PopCorn away but PopCorn has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
PopCorn keeps control of Dos Santos as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
PopCorn is working for takedown but Dos Santos is calmly controlling the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dos Santos looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Dos Santos is trying to force a seperation but PopCorn has the dominant position.

Dos Santos escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Dos Santos connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

Dos Santos has managed to clinch.
Dos Santos has had enough of the clinch but PopCorn keeps him there for the moment.
PopCorn tries to pull guard but Dos Santos won't allow it.
Dos Santos tries to break the clinch but PopCorn is controlling the position.
Dos Santos is trying to break free.
PopCorn is trying to pull guard but Dos Santos has him pressed against the cage.
Dos Santos lands a shot to the body.
Dos Santos misses with a shot to the kidneys.
PopCorn is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Dos Santos is defending well.
Dos Santos can't break the clinch.

Dos Santos manages to break the clinch.
PopCorn tries to clinch up but Dos Santos circles away and keeps his distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
PopCorn tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Dos Santos throws a jab when PopCorn was well out of range.
Dos Santos connects with a good right hand that stumbles PopCorn. PopCorn circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
PopCorn doesn't succeed with the takedown
enabling Dos Santos to counter with a crisp jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Dos Santos connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between PopCorn's hands.
Dos Santos is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Dos Santos throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Dos Santos throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
PopCorn on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Dos Santos misses with a looping left.
Dos Santos throws a shot from downtown. PopCorn moves away and avoids it.
PopCorn tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Dos Santos paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Dos Santos moves into the clinch.
PopCorn jumps guard but Dos Santos turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Dos Santos tries to break the clinch but PopCorn is controlling the position.
PopCorn has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Dos Santos is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dos Santos works on PopCorn's body with a couple of short punches.
Dos Santos wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but PopCorn has him pressed against the cage.
Dos Santos is trying to push PopCorn away but PopCorn has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Dos Santos escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Dos Santos instigates a clinch.
PopCorn tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Dos Santos just stands there and leans against the cage.
PopCorn tries to throw a body punch but Dos Santos avoids it by throwing PopCorn back against the cage.
Dos Santos gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from PopCorn.

Dos Santos manages to break the clinch.
Nice defenses there by PopCorn.
PopCorn uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Dos Santos.
PopCorn looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Nice uppercut lands for Dos Santos. That snapped PopCorn's head back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dos Santos cracks PopCorn with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Dos Santos avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Dos Santos throws a hook but PopCorn avoids it easily.

Dos Santos pushes PopCorn up against the cage in a clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
PopCorn tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Dos Santos just stands there and leans against the cage.
Dos Santos is trying to push PopCorn away but PopCorn has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Dos Santos has had enough of the clinch but PopCorn keeps him there for the moment.
Dos Santos misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Dos Santos keeps control of PopCorn as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
PopCorn goes for a takedown in the clinch but Dos Santos prevents it.
Dos Santos is trying to push PopCorn away but PopCorn has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Dos Santos looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Dos Santos lands with a left to the head.
Dos Santos looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Dos Santos breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rafael Dos Santos dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Dos Santos avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
PopCorn slips a straight right by Dos Santos.

Dos Santos has managed to clinch.

Dos Santos pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
PopCorn steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Dos Santos.
Rafael Dos Santos seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Dos Santos has taken the fight to the clinch.
Dos Santos stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
PopCorn tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Dos Santos pushes PopCorn back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Dos Santos works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
PopCorn throws an elbow but it misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Dos Santos manages to break the clinch.

Dos Santos clinches with his opponent.

Dos Santos pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Dos Santos looks to land a combination. PopCorn sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
PopCorn shoots in and drives through. Dos Santos sprawls well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dos Santos has managed to clinch.
PopCorn is breathing heavily.

Dos Santos pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Dos Santos lands with a straight right. PopCorn didn't see that one coming.
PopCorn defending well as Dos Santos loads up on a big left hand.
PopCorn takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Dos Santos throws a hook to the side of PopCorn's head but PopCorn sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
No luck for PopCorn with that takedown attempt.
Rafael Dos Santos has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pop PopCorn.
PopCorn's corner calls for a 1-2. PopCorn obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

Dos Santos rushes PopCorn and presses him up against the cage.
Dos Santos blocks an uppercut.
PopCorn is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Dos Santos to keep the fight standing.
Dos Santos throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
A frustrated look appears on Dos Santos's face as he tries to break the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Dos Santos keeps control of PopCorn as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
PopCorn jumps guard but Dos Santos turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dos Santos works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
PopCorn has Dos Santos pressed against the cage, preventing Dos Santos from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Dos Santos tries to circle away but PopCorn has him pinned against the cage.
Dos Santos lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Dos Santos is trying to break the clinch but PopCorn has him pressed against the cage.
Dos Santos lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Dos Santos wants to get back to striking at distance but PopCorn won't allow it.
PopCorn wants to break the clinch but can't.
Dos Santos is trying to break the clinch but PopCorn has him pressed against the cage.
PopCorn has Dos Santos pressed against the cage, preventing Dos Santos from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Dos Santos keeps control of PopCorn as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
PopCorn is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Dos Santos gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Dos Santos lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt PopCorn or not.
Dos Santos tries to break free but PopCorn pushes him back against the cage.
Dos Santos is trying to break the clinch but PopCorn has him pressed against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
PopCorn tries to pull guard but Dos Santos won't allow it.
PopCorn is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Dos Santos to keep the fight standing.
A body shot lands from Dos Santos.
Dos Santos can't break the clinch.
PopCorn working hard to break the clinch.

Dos Santos breaks from the clinch.
Dos Santos misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from PopCorn.

Dos Santos has managed to clinch.
Dos Santos tries to break free but PopCorn pushes him back against the cage.
PopCorn keeps control of Dos Santos as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Dos Santos on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
PopCorn has Dos Santos pressed against the cage, preventing Dos Santos from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
PopCorn prevents Dos Santos from breaking the clinch.
Rafael Dos Santos has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Dos Santos wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Dos Santos breaks from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dos Santos changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Pop PopCorn is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Dos Santos throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
PopCorn takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Dos Santos fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with PopCorn, pushing him back against the cage.
Dos Santos is defending well against a takedown attempt.
A frustrated look appears on Dos Santos's face as he tries to break the clinch.
PopCorn is trying to pull guard but Dos Santos turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Dos Santos lands with a light punch inside.
Dos Santos is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that PopCorn can do to turn this around?
Dos Santos lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Dos Santos scores with a shoulder strike.
Dos Santos digs a right hand into PopCorn's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on PopCorn's gas tank.
Dos Santos is trying to force a seperation but PopCorn has the dominant position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
PopCorn fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Dos Santos tries to break free but PopCorn pushes him back against the cage.
PopCorn keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Dos Santos's efforts to push away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rafael Dos Santos dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Dos Santos lands a two punch combo.
Nice cross by Dos Santos.
Dos Santos defends well against a solid takedown attempt from PopCorn.
Dos Santos tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but PopCorn was well out of range. Poor timing from Dos Santos.
Dos Santos is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Dos Santos slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Nice shot lands for Dos Santos.
Dos Santos bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Dos Santos lands a nice looking body shot.
Dos Santos just misses with a punch to the body.
PopCorn doesn't manage to clinch there - Dos Santos circles away.
Rafael Dos Santos is winning the standup battle so far.
A slow jab from PopCorn misses its intended target.
PopCorn on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Dos Santos misses with a body shot.
PopCorn looks to throw the jab but Dos Santos is out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dos Santos loads up on a big right hand but PopCorn slips the punch.

Dos Santos instigates a clinch.
PopCorn keeps control of Dos Santos as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Dos Santos throws a blind hook that connects with the side of PopCorns head.
Dos Santos lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
PopCorn fails to pull the fight into his guard.
PopCorn takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
PopCorn working hard to break the clinch.
A right hand to the body from Dos Santos.
A short uppercut from Dos Santos.
Dos Santos digs a right hand into PopCorn's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on PopCorn's gas tank.
Dos Santos wants to break free but PopCorn has control.
Dos Santos tries to break the clinch but PopCorn is controlling the position.
PopCorn keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Dos Santos's efforts to push away.
PopCorn keeps control of Dos Santos as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
PopCorn has Dos Santos pressed against the cage, preventing Dos Santos from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
PopCorn jumps guard but Dos Santos turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Rafael Dos Santos has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pop PopCorn.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Dos Santos breaks from the clinch.
Dos Santos cracks PopCorn with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Dos Santos catches PopCorn with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
PopCorn is trying desperately to land a takedown but Dos Santos is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for PopCorn.
Dos Santos takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
PopCorn walks into a left hand.
Dos Santos scores with a hook.
PopCorn throws a series of punches but Dos Santos moves out of range.
Rafael Dos Santos is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Dos Santos lands the left hand.
PopCorn takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
PopCorn changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Dos Santos tries to avoid it but PopCorn manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Dos Santos to the ground. Dos Santos escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Dos Santos scores with a jab. PopCorn acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

Dos Santos closes the distance and pushes PopCorn back into the cage.
Dos Santos lands a body shot in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dos Santos pushes PopCorn back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Dos Santos is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Dos Santos lands a shot to the body.
PopCorn has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Dos Santos wants to break free but PopCorn has control.
PopCorn jumps guard but Dos Santos turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Dos Santos's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
PopCorn fails to land the takedown.
Dos Santos lands with a right hand.
Dos Santos lands a really nice looking cross but PopCorn seems unphased.

Dos Santos closes the distance and pushes PopCorn back into the cage.

Dos Santos breaks from the clinch.
Dos Santos lands with a cross.

Dos Santos clinches up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dos Santos tries to break the clinch but PopCorn is controlling the position.
PopCorn keeps control of Dos Santos as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Dos Santos lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Dos Santos scores with a nice hook to the head.
Dos Santos lands a nice uppercut.
Dos Santos is trying to break free.
PopCorn is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Dos Santos is defending well.
Dos Santos tries to break the clinch but PopCorn is controlling the position.
Dos Santos is trying to push PopCorn away but PopCorn has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Dos Santos is trying to break free.
PopCorn trying to stall but Dos Santos improves his position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Dos Santos wants to break the clinch but can't.
Dos Santos is trying to force a seperation but PopCorn has the dominant position.
Pop PopCorn has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
PopCorn is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Dos Santos to keep the fight standing.
PopCorn trying to stall but Dos Santos improves his position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rafael Dos Santos showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Dos Santos has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rafael Dos Santos!
After winning the bout, Rafael Dos Santos thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.