PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jim Beckett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vitali Popov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Popov is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Tupac - Last Muthafucka Breathin'. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Beckett
vs
Popov

168 cm
24
150 lbs
11 - 2 - 0

172 cm
26
152 lbs
14 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

KO Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jim Beckett!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Vitali Popov!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Beckett pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Beckett walks into a stiff left hand from Popov.
Popov throws a hook to the side of Beckett's head but Beckett sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Beckett walks into a stiff left hand from Popov.
Popov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Beckett counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Popov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Popov misses with a double jab.
Popov takes a kick to the side of the head.
Popov bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Beckett's head.
Popov throws an overhand right that lands on Beckett's shoulder, as Beckett tries to avoid the shot.
Beckett looks for the body kick but Popov saw that one coming.
Beckett is looking to slow Popov down with leg kicks.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Popov lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Popov misses with an uppercut
and Beckett counters with a flying knee. Nice.
A combination from Popov does no damage.
Popov jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Popov works the jab nicely.
Jim Beckett is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Beckett drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Beckett throws a hook but Popov avoids it easily.
The fighters circling - Popov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
The fighters circling - Popov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A telegraphed right hand from Popov misses the target.
Popov has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Popov ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Beckett tries to clinch but Popov is having none of it.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Beckett, as that shot connected.
Beckett lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Popov misses with a straight left.
Popov throws a right and a left that Beckett avoids nicely.
Beckett throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Popov uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Nice body punch from Beckett.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Popov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Beckett avoids it really well and circles away.
Popov takes a kick to the side of the head.
Beckett takes a swing at Popov's ribcage but misses.
Beckett throws out a loose jab but Popov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Popov takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Beckett attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
A punch lands to the side of Beckett 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Popov misses with the combination.
Popov lunges at Beckett with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Beckett's hand.
Beckett keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Beckett bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Beckett throws a body punch but Popov moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Beckett buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Popov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Popov keeps the fight on the outside.
Popov looks for a takedown but Beckett sprawls well.
Jim Beckett has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vitali Popov.
Popov moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Beckett displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Popov throws out the jab.
Popov has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Popov there as he acknowledges the shot.
Beckett misses with an uppercut.
Popov walks into a left hand.
Beckett checks a low kick from Popov.
Popov throws a jab when Beckett was well out of range.
Popov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Beckett walks into a left hand.
Popov wants to slow Beckett down by chopping away at his legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Beckett with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Popov to score with a decent uppercut.
Beckett chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Popov misses with an uppercut
and Beckett counters with a three punch combo that has Popov backing up. Popov nods at Beckett to acknowledge the strikes.
Popov is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Beckett had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Popov punishes Beckett's body with a nice straight punch.
Popov fails with the takedown
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Popov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Beckett.
Beckett thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Popov if he has to take too many more of those.
Beckett ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A chopping leg kick lands by Beckett.
Beckett misses with a head kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Popov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Popov walks into a stiff left hand from Beckett.
Beckett scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Beckett moves out of range of the leg kick from Popov.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jim Beckett dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A big left from Popov misses.
Popov throws a big shot that misses.

Popov fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Beckett sprawls well initially but Popov persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Popov is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Popov is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Beckett sees it coming and defends easily.
Beckett controlling the position well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Popov is thwarting Beckett's attempts to control the position.
Well, if Popov is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Beckett keeps control of the position for the meantime.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Jim Beckett wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Popov tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Beckett defends well and Popov ends up having to push Beckett into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Beckett stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

Popov manages to break the clinch.
A nice combination there by Beckett.
Popov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Popov throws a body punch but Beckett moves out of range.
Beckett throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Beckett throws the left hand but Popov avoids the punch easily.
Beckett misses with an attempted mid kick.
Beckett swings for the body but Popov moves out of range.
Popov shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Popov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Popov misses with a hook. Beckett ducked under it nicely.
Beckett takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
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!
Popov throws a hook to the side of Beckett's head but Beckett sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Popov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Nice uppercut there from Beckett.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Popov.
Jim Beckett has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vitali Popov.
Beckett throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Beckett lets loose with a powerful body kick. Popov will feel that in the morning.
Popov throws a hook to the side of Beckett's head but Beckett sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Popov tries for a takedown but Beckett circles away easily
and Popov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Popov is breathing heavily.
Popov takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Popov's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Beckett lands with an overhand left.
Popov misses with a jab, cross combination.
Beckett avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Beckett's Muay Thai looks sharper than normal. He has obviously been working on it in the gym.
Popov takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Popov misses with a looping right.
Popov misses with a hook
and Beckett counters with a head kick. That will keep Popov thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Beckett moves away from the strike by Popov.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Popov.
Beckett scoring well with a low kick there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Beckett thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Popov if he has to take too many more of those.
Beckett lands with a straight right. Popov didn't see that one coming.
Nice jab there from Beckett.

Beckett lands a big head kick that sends Popov tumbling to the mat! Beckett takes a step backwards and waves Popov back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Popov is rocked!
Beckett and Popov are patiently standing in front of each other looking for an opening. Beckett throws a head kick. It's landed, knocking Popov into next week! Ooooh that was huge! Beckett knows it - he's on the cage flexing is biceps. That's a bit weird considering he won by kick but whatever.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:29 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Head Kick). Jim Beckett!
A victorious Jim Beckett thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.