PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Just Roll (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Popek Rak (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Roll
vs
Rak

182 cm
21
183 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

180 cm
24
170 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very quick

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Just Roll!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Popek Rak!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Igor Prikhodko and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rak drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Roll keeping full guard, as Rak tries to pass.

Roll is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Rak defends well.
Roll keeping full guard, as Rak tries to pass.
Rak pushing down on Roll's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Roll looking for submissions off his back.
Rak moves nicely into side control.

Rak is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Roll is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Roll is looking for a sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roll is working hard here to advance position.

Rak working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Rak working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Roll can't do much from the bottom here.

Rak thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Roll manages to get back to half guard.
Roll trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Rak manages to pass to mount!
Roll can't escape the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rak with some aggressive grappling here, looking for the finish.
Rak prevents Roll from getting the reversal.
Rak wants to take Roll's back but he can't do it this time.
Roll has given up his back.
Rak is trying to stick to Roll's back but Roll is turning into Rak. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Rak's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Roll.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rak is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Rak working for submissions but it's allowed Roll to get to half guard.
Roll moves nicely into side control.
We've been hearing good reports from Roll's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Rak regains half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rak is looking for a sweep. Roll is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Rak is defending against the submission attempts here by Roll.

Roll is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Roll seems to be working for a kimura but Rak defends the submission attempt.

Roll wants to work for an arm triangle but Rak is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Roll is looking for a kimura but Rak is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Roll to get the leverage.
Rak regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rak striking off his back but it's not causing Roll any problems.
Roll trying to control the position from guard on top but Rak is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Roll 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.
Roll preventing the sweep.
Roll slips nicely into half guard.

Roll is looking for a kimura here.

Roll is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Rak sees it coming and defends easily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Roll is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Rak sees it coming and defends easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Just Roll will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Rak drives through with a takedown into guard.
Rak slips nicely into half guard.

Rak wants to work for an arm triangle but Roll is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Rak trying to pass the guard but Roll defending well.
Roll slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Rak wants to pass the guard but Roll is keeping the position.

Roll looking for a guillotine here but Rak defends easily.
Roll looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rak is one step ahead there.

Rak got a little sloppy there for a moment and Roll has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Rak has managed to get both his arms back between Roll's legs - danger averted.
My spies in Warrior MMA and Fitness inform me that Rak has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roll manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Rak manages to get himself to full guard.

Rak is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Roll defends well.
Roll throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Rak works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Rak tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Roll slips nicely into half guard.

Roll looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Roll is working for a submission of some sort.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Roll works his foot free and advances to mount.
Roll misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Rak flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Rak is looking to get to half guard.
Roll tries to control but Rak wriggling away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rak tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Just Roll overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Roll controlling from mount.

Roll looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Rak is trying desperately to improve position.

Roll looking for a guillotine from mount but Rak is having none of it.
Rak is trying to reverse the position but instead Roll has taken his back - oops!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Roll is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Rak defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.

Roll is looking for the choke from the back position but Rak is controlling his hands well.
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!
Roll is hanging on to Rak's back as he tries to escape.
Rak breaks Roll's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.

Roll is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Rak is aware though and is defending well.

Rak thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Roll is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Rak defends well.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rak trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Just Roll dominated that second round.
That's time! Roll's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

A telegraphed takedown attempt from Roll is defended easily by Rak.

Rak bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Roll manages to get back to half guard.

Rak is working for a kimura but Roll is defending it quite comfortably.
Rak is pressing down on Roll's thigh, looking to free his foot. Roll is holding on for now.

Rak is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Roll defends it well.

Roll looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Rak tries to pass the half guard into mount. Roll knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roll is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Rak looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Roll is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Rak wants to work for an arm triangle but Roll is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Rak takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Rak is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Roll looking for submissions off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rak is trying to work for a kimura but Roll is defending well.

Roll is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Rak pulls his head out easily.
Rak is looking to advance position but Roll won't allow it.

Roll looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Rak wants to free his trapped foot but Roll is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Roll is looking to improve his position.
Roll is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Rak's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Rak's back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Roll looking to break Rak's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Rak remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Roll will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Roll throwing wild punches that miss their target.

Rak defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.

Roll working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Roll working for a choke but Rak is defending well.

Roll has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Roll is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Rak defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.

Roll is looking for the choke from the back position but Rak is controlling his hands well.
Rak wants to escape the position.

Rak defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Roll's arms.
Rak manages to reverse the position and now he's in Roll's guard. Nice work there by Rak.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

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

Roll looking for a guillotine here but Rak defends easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Just Roll clearly takes that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Rak defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Roll.

Rak closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Roll to the mat! Roll manages to get full guard.

Rak 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.
Rak advances to half guard.

Rak wants to work for an arm triangle but Roll is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Rak trying to mount his opponent but Roll defends it.

Rak is looking for a kimura but Roll is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Rak to get the leverage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rak is trying to work for a kimura but Roll is defending well.

Roll is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Rak pulls his head out easily.
Rak is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

Roll looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Roll moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Rak wants to pass the guard but Roll is keeping the position.

Roll working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Rak doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Rak manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Roll is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Rak is looking to advance position but Roll has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Rak throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Roll is trying to take his opponent's back.

Rak tries to improve his position but Roll has taken his back! Roll has a choke - it's sunk in pretty tight... Will Rak tap? No... maybe... yes! He's tapped! Roll pushes Rak away and gets up to celebrate with his corner!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:58 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Just Roll!
Just Roll retains his welterweight title!