PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Christopher Sexton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tomas Popov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Popov's choice of entrance music: Russian National Anthem. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Sexton
vs
Popov

171 cm
22
279 lbs
3 - 9 - 0

178 cm
25
265 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

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 3 - 9 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Christopher Sexton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Tomas Popov!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Konstantin Menshow and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Popov shoots in and gets a takedown into Sexton's guard.
Sexton really is a fat lump.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Popov is looking to pass into half guard but Sexton pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Sexton is in guard.
Popov is controlling Sexton's posture.
Sexton trying to control the position from guard on top but Popov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sexton is really struggling to control Popov but he's trying to hold on to the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Christopher Sexton.
Sexton shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Popov counters with a nice leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sexton goes for a double leg but Popov avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Popov continues to drive forward.
Sexton is looking to break free of the clinch but Popov has double underhooks.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Sexton.
Popov wants to take the fight to the mat but Sexton manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Sexton jumps guard but Popov stands there with Sexton around his waist. Sexton gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Christopher Sexton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Popov tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Popov wants a takedown but no success here.
Popov tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Sexton just stands there and leans against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Popov has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Sexton is trying to keep an underhook but Popov manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Popov controlling the action here.
Popov looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Popov is trying to control the action in half guard but Sexton is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Sexton is looking to control Popov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Sexton avoid being mounted?
Sexton has his hands clasped together around Popov's back. He's all about the action.
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!

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Popov leaves Sexton with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sexton takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Popov fails to land with a series of punches.
Popov stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Popov wants it to stay on the feet.
Sexton with a lazy takedown attempt
and Popov counters with a left and a right that stings Sexton.
Sexton has his takedown stuffed
and Popov counters with a two punch combo.
Sexton is breathing heavily.
Sexton shoots in for a takedown but Popov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Popov darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Popov with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Let's hope that Popov has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Tomas Popov hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Popov stuffs the takedown attempt from Sexton. Sexton gets slowly back to his feet.
Popov shoots in and drives through. Sexton sprawls well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tomas Popov dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Sexton displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Popov.
Sexton changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Christopher Sexton seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sexton tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Sexton wants to clinch up but Popov keeps it at a distance.
Popov throws a head kick but Sexton moves out of range.
Popov shoots for a double leg takedown but Sexton sprawls well. He's pushed Popov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Sexton fails in his attempt to clinch.
Sexton misses with a body shot
and Popov counters with a good low kick that Sexton was not able to check.
No luck for Popov with that takedown attempt.
Christopher Sexton has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tomas Popov.
Popov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Sexton.
Popov is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sexton tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Popov swivels and escapes.
Popov misses with a wild combination.
Popov keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Popov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sexton.
Sexton scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sexton misses with a wild body shot.
Nice sprawl there from Sexton as Popov shoots in.
Sexton is looking to clinch but Popov is avoiding it.
Sexton shoots in but no luck this time.
Sexton looks to clinch
and Popov counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Sexton waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Popov.
Popov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Sexton sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Popov drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Popov taking a breather here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sexton parries the strikes from Popov easily there. Popov is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Sexton to escape.
Popov wants to control but Sexton is keeping him busy.
Sexton is looking for a sweep.
Sexton is trying to control Popov's posture but Popov avoids it.
Popov trying to control the action but Sexton is working from the bottom.
Popov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Sexton. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Popov might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Sexton haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Popov is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Tomas Popov hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Sexton fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sexton tries to clinch up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Tomas Popov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Popov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Popov goes for a double leg but Sexton avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Sexton continues to drive forward.

Popov lands a takedown into guard.
Popov works over Sexton with some ground and pound from guard.
Popov wants to control from the top but Sexton keeps moving.
Sexton being controlled here, momentarily.
Sexton wants to sweep here but Popov controlling him for the moment.
Popov trying to control the position from guard on top but Sexton is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sexton is trying to control the position but Popov postures up.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Tomas Popov hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Sexton cracks Popov with an open hand slap.
Sexton will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
An inside leg kick lands from Popov.
Popov misses with a two punch combination.

Sexton clinches up against the cage.
Popov goes for a takedown in the clinch but Sexton prevents it.
Popov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Sexton tries to circle away but Popov has him pinned against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sexton misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Popov.
Popov tries to score a body lock takedown but Sexton shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Christopher Sexton has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tomas Popov.
Sexton has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Popov is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Sexton gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Popov.
Popov tries to score a body lock takedown but Sexton shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Sexton jumps guard and drags Popov to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sexton looking to control.
Popov trying to control but Sexton is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sexton looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Sexton is trying to keep Popov in close.
Tomas Popov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Christopher Sexton has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Popov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Sexton sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Sexton has taken the fight to the clinch.
Sexton has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Sexton tries for a takedown. No joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sexton changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Popov fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Popov misses with a few strikes there.
Popov shoots for a takedown but Sexton saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
The fight stays on the outside here - Sexton looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sexton fails in his attempt to clinch.
Christopher Sexton has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sexton tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Popov paws at him with a jab and circles away.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Christopher Sexton.
I think Popov has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 28:29
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 29:29
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 29:28

The fight is ruled a draw!