PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Josh McRoberts (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ghiorghos Papadopoulos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Papadopoulos is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Robocop Theme by Basil Polidouris. Josh McRoberts has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

McRoberts
vs
Papadopoulos

190 cm
32
265 lbs
14 - 13 - 0

185 cm
28
266 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 13 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Josh McRoberts!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ghiorghos Papadopoulos!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Illya Tyunina and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A punch combination from Papadopoulos misses.
Papadopoulos will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Papadopoulos throws a combination that misses
and McRoberts counters with a nice leg kick.
Papadopoulos rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but McRoberts moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Papadopoulos tries to bum rush McRoberts with a series of wild strikes but McRoberts uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Papadopoulos fails to land with a series of punches.
Papadopoulos throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Nice shot lands for McRoberts.
McRoberts throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Papadopoulos throws a right and a left that McRoberts avoids nicely.
Papadopoulos looks to land a combination but McRoberts avoids it well.
Papadopoulos misses with a combination
and McRoberts counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Papadopoulos swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and McRoberts counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Papadopoulos looks winded!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Papadopoulos tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Papadopoulos misses with a wild combination.
McRoberts misses with a two punch combination.
A punch combination from Papadopoulos misses.
Good shot there by McRoberts.
McRoberts misses with a series of wild punches.
McRoberts throws a series of punches but Papadopoulos moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Papadopoulos throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Papadopoulos on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
McRoberts cracks Papadopoulos with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Papadopoulos misses with a jab, cross combination.
Papadopoulos gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
No joy there for McRoberts, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
McRoberts rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Papadopoulos moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
McRoberts lands a nice looking body kick.
Papadopoulos dodges the punch combination from McRoberts.

McRoberts gets a double leg takedown into Papadopoulos's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Papadopoulos avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Papadopoulos wants to stand but McRoberts is controlling the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McRoberts postures up.

McRoberts drops back looking for a leg! Papadopoulos is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Papadopoulos manages to kick McRoberts off! McRoberts jumps back into Papadopoulos's guard.
Papadopoulos can't keep his opponent in guard - McRoberts advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Papadopoulos avoiding damage under a succession of punches from McRoberts.
McRoberts lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Papadopoulos pushes McRoberts off looking to stand but McRoberts dives back in and keeps control.
McRoberts is nestled in close to Papadopoulos, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

McRoberts is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
McRoberts prevents Papadopoulos from standing back up.
Papadopoulos trying to hold on to McRoberts's head to control him but McRoberts postures up.
McRoberts is looking to advance position but Papadopoulos won't allow it.

McRoberts is working for a submission of some sort.

McRoberts is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McRoberts stops Papadopoulos from getting back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

McRoberts is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Papadopoulos is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

McRoberts is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Papadopoulos sees it coming and defends easily.

McRoberts is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Papadopoulos defends it well.
Papadopoulos is trying to stand up here but McRoberts is controlling him well.

McRoberts is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Papadopoulos can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McRoberts stops Papadopoulos from getting back to his feet.
Papadopoulos wants to improve his position but McRoberts is controlling well.
Papadopoulos gets back to full guard.
McRoberts prevents Papadopoulos from getting back to his feet.
Papadopoulos utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
McRoberts postures up in Papadopoulos's guard and throws a big left but Papadopoulos blocks it.
McRoberts working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McRoberts won't allow Papadopoulos to get back to his feet.
McRoberts throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Papadopoulos uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Papadopoulos has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from McRoberts.
Ghiorghos Papadopoulos is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
McRoberts misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
McRoberts dodges the punch combination from Papadopoulos.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh McRoberts dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Papadopoulos throws a left and a right that both miss
and McRoberts counters with a slapping leg kick.
McRoberts lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Josh McRoberts is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Papadopoulos misses with a two punch combination.
Papadopoulos misses with a few strikes there.
McRoberts throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
No joy there for McRoberts, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Papadopoulos misses with a double jab
and McRoberts counters with a good, hard body kick but Papadopoulos shrugs it off.
McRoberts turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Papadopoulos looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Papadopoulos on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
McRoberts plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Papadopoulos throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Papadopoulos throws a right and a left that both miss.
Ghiorghos Papadopoulos seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McRoberts scores with a kick to the body.
McRoberts works Papadopoulos's body with a nice hook.
Papadopoulos is breathing heavily.
McRoberts throws a combination. Papadopoulos tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
McRoberts lands with a nice body kick.
McRoberts scores with a kick to the midsection.

McRoberts feints and as Papadopoulos raises his hands in defense, McRoberts changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

McRoberts thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
McRoberts trying to control but Papadopoulos is working from the bottom.
McRoberts passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Papadopoulos is not content to let McRoberts control the position.

McRoberts is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Papadopoulos is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
McRoberts trying to control the position but Papadopoulos is working away.
McRoberts tries to score with some ground and pound. Papadopoulos controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Papadopoulos pushes McRoberts away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, McRoberts gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
McRoberts throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

McRoberts is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Papadopoulos has escaped the position, nice work there.
Josh McRoberts overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

McRoberts working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Papadopoulos tries to bench press McRoberts off him but McRoberts keeps the position.

McRoberts is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Papadopoulos knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
McRoberts trying to control the position but Papadopoulos is working away.
Papadopoulos is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, McRoberts asserts his dominance and retains side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McRoberts is trying to get an arm triangle but Papadopoulos is defending well.
Papadopoulos is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Papadopoulos struggling a bit here.
McRoberts throws a strike aimed at the side of Papadopoulos's head but Papadopoulos avoids it well.

McRoberts thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Papadopoulos manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
McRoberts manages to get to full guard.
Papadopoulos scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
McRoberts has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

McRoberts working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Papadopoulos doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Papadopoulos manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Papadopoulos throws an elbow that misses. McRoberts uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Papadopoulos's guard. Nice move by McRoberts!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Papadopoulos wants to stand but McRoberts is controlling the position.
Papadopoulos wants to sweep but no luck.
Papadopoulos wants to stand up but McRoberts is controlling him.
Papadopoulos is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

McRoberts thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
McRoberts trying to control but Papadopoulos is working from the bottom.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
McRoberts throwing strikes from guard but Papadopoulos blocks nicely.
Papadopoulos can't keep his opponent in guard - McRoberts advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh McRoberts dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Papadopoulos throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
McRoberts is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Papadopoulos can do to turn this around?
McRoberts scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Papadopoulos doesn't seem bothered though.
Papadopoulos throws a combination but it was largely blocked by McRoberts.
Papadopoulos looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Papadopoulos has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from McRoberts.
Papadopoulos dodges the punch combination from McRoberts.
McRoberts pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Papadopoulos swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and McRoberts counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
McRoberts looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
McRoberts misses with a series of wild punches.
McRoberts connects with a solid leg kick.
McRoberts will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A combination from Papadopoulos does no damage.
Both fighters circling a little - McRoberts finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
A punch combination from McRoberts misses.
Papadopoulos takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
McRoberts scores with a jab to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Papadopoulos throws a right and a left that McRoberts avoids nicely.
Papadopoulos's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
McRoberts rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Papadopoulos moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nice straight punches there by McRoberts. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of McRoberts.
A punch combination from Papadopoulos misses.
Jab, jab by McRoberts - just one landing.
Papadopoulos takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Papadopoulos takes a jab right on the kisser.
Papadopoulos swinging wildly here.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
McRoberts misses with a jab, cross combination.
Sloppy strikes from McRoberts. Those never looked like landing.
Papadopoulos fails to land with a series of punches.
McRoberts dodges the punch combination from Papadopoulos.
Papadopoulos throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Papadopoulos slips a jab and a cross from McRoberts.
McRoberts fails to land with a series of punches.
Ghiorghos Papadopoulos has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McRoberts lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Josh McRoberts is winning the standup battle so far.
Papadopoulos throws a left and a right that both miss
and McRoberts counters with a head kick. That will keep Papadopoulos thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Papadopoulos lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but McRoberts circles away quickly and effectively.
McRoberts thows a body kick. Papadopoulos tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Papadopoulos throws a left and a right that both miss
and McRoberts counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
McRoberts scores with a three punch combo!

A momentary lapse in concentration from Papadopoulos enables McRoberts to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Papadopoulos manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

McRoberts drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and McRoberts jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Papadopoulos trying to control the position.

McRoberts is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
McRoberts in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Papadopoulos preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
McRoberts throws a big right hand that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as McRoberts accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Papadopoulos throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
McRoberts stopping the sweep attempt from Papadopoulos.
McRoberts is working Papadopoulos over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
McRoberts sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Papadopoulos's guard.
Papadopoulos trying to control from the bottom.

McRoberts is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Papadopoulos has managed to free his arm - good work.

McRoberts is looking for a kimura but Papadopoulos is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for McRoberts to get the leverage.
McRoberts looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Papadopoulos is looking to control McRoberts's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Papadopoulos avoid being mounted?

McRoberts is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Papadopoulos looks like he's trying to stand up.

McRoberts seems to be looking for submissions.
Papadopoulos trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Papadopoulos really doesn't want to stay on the ground with McRoberts. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Papadopoulos is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Papadopoulos is wriggling around here but as he tries to escape, McRoberts has taken his back.
Papadopoulos is really stuck here.
Josh McRoberts is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Papadopoulos looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.

McRoberts is cranking Papadopoulos's head sideways - that looks painful. He's managed to get his other arm under the chin and this looks bad for Papadopoulos! He's tightened the choke and Papadopoulos is tapping out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Josh McRoberts!
A very excited looking Josh McRoberts made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.