PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Maxim Semenov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pippy Poker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Semenov comes into the arena with Krovostok-Biography blaring out of the sound system. Maxim Semenov has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Semenov
vs
Poker

176 cm
28
145 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

157 cm
25
140 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Fighters First Nutrition Amsterdam 160

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 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Maxim Semenov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Pippy Poker!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Arvi Lind and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Semenov throws a sloppy head kick and Poker moves out of range easily.
Semenov misses with a series of wild punches.

Poker shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Semenov on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Poker is thwarting Semenov's attempts to control the position.
Semenov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Poker on the ground.
Poker tries to pass to full mount but Semenov defends it.
Semenov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Poker has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Semenov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Poker looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Semenov makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Semenov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Semenov keeping moving, preventing Poker from controlling successfully.
Poker throwing strikes but missing.
Poker trying to control but Semenov is working from the bottom.
Poker is in close to Semenov's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Poker working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Poker with a nice head shot there.
Semenov wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Semenov is trying to control the position but Poker postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Semenov is pulling down on Poker's head to control his posture.

We're going to have a standup here because Maxim Semenov wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Semenov changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Semenov throws a head kick but Poker moves out of range.
Poker tries for a takedown but Semenov sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Maxim Semenov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Poker avoids the head kick by Semenov.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Poker.
An inside leg kick lands from Semenov.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Semenov connects with a leg kick. Poker looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Semenov fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Poker on the side of the head.
Maxim Semenov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Semenov moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Poker shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Semenov as he jumps to the side.
Maxim Semenov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pippy Poker.
Semenov lands a head kick. Poker smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Poker closes this distance looking for a takedown but Semenov circles away.
Poker chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Semenov can pounce on him.
Semenov lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Poker shoots for a double leg takedown but Semenov sprawls well. He's pushed Poker's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A good leg kick by Semenov.
Semenov lands with a slapping head kick.
Some wild striking there from Semenov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Semenov lands with a kick to the temple. Poker shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
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!
Semenov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Poker.
Poker tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Poker with a poor takedown
and Semenov counters with a nice low kick that buckles Poker's knee momentarily.
Poker looks winded!
Semenov scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Poker tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
A good leg kick by Semenov.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Semenov fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Poker.
Poker shoots for a takedown but Semenov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Poker has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Semenov.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Semenov cracks the inside of Poker's front leg.
Semenov feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Poker's calf.
Semenov scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Poker tries for a takedown but Semenov sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Poker checks a low kick from Semenov.
Semenov fails to land with a series of punches.
Semenov punishes Poker's body with a nice straight punch.

Semenov gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Poker to score an easy takedown into full guard.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Semenov looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Poker sitting in guard here, content to control.

Semenov is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Poker defends well.
Semenov is trying to control the position but Poker postures up.

Semenov looking for a guillotine here but Poker defends easily.
Semenov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Semenov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Poker is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Poker working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Semenov trying to keep a closed guard but Poker is proving a slippery customer.
Poker postures up and lands a big shot to Semenov's brow.
Semenov controlling Poker's posture.
Poker trying to control the position from guard on top but Semenov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Poker trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Semenov working for a triangle but Poker defends it easily.
Semenov looking to control.
Poker lands a couple of elbows.
Semenov has momentary wrist control but Poker slips an elbow through the middle.
Poker advances position into side control!
Poker lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Semenov down.
Semenov takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Semenov is trying to improve his position.

Poker has an Americana. Semenov didn't react quickly enough there and he's in big trouble now! He tries to squirm out but is forced to tap! Poker is delighted and gyrates in front of the ring girls. They seem to like the attention - it'll be interesting to see if Poker hooks up with any of them at the after show party.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Pippy Poker!
During a confident post fight interview, Pippy Poker thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.