PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Cyrus Pope (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Floyd (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). James Floyd will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Pope
vs
Floyd

159 cm
24
279 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

200 cm
25
235 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

REAR NAKED CHOKE NUTRITION
Zipp Zapp

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Cyrus Pope!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, James Floyd!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Chad Campbell and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Floyd wants to clinch but Pope slips to the side
and Pope counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

Floyd throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Pope was covering up waiting for the punch and Floyd finishes the takedown easily into guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Pope is pulling down on Floyd's head to control his posture.
Floyd trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Pope manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Floyd is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Floyd tries to strike from the bottom.

Pope decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Floyd, up you get!
A head kick misses from Pope.
James Floyd seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Pope gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Floyd wants to get up but he can't break Pope's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Floyd trying to control the position from guard on top but Pope is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Pope holds on and takes a little breather.
Floyd trying to control but Pope is working from the bottom.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

James Floyd has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Pope goes for a double leg but Floyd avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Floyd continues to drive forward.
Floyd tries to pull guard but Pope holds him up against the cage and eventually Floyd drops back down to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pope is looking to take this one to the mat.
Floyd controlling the action here for a moment.

Floyd ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Floyd no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Floyd looking for a sweep. Not yet Floyd, not yet.
Pope loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Pope gets to his feet. Floyd looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Pope keeps the fight on the outside.
Pope could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Floyd tries to score a power double leg takedown but Pope sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Floyd somewhat.
Pope throws a sloppy head kick and Floyd moves out of range easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Floyd doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Pope counters with a low kick, right behind Floyd 's knee.
Cyrus Pope has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Floyd.

Pope closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Pope tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Floyd controlling the position for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pope thows a huge punch but Floyd dodges it nicely.
Pope thows a huge punch but Floyd dodges it nicely.

Pope stands up and beckons Floyd to join him on the feet.
Pope doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Floyd counters with a nice uppercut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Floyd defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Pope.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pope circles away from the clinch attempt.
Floyd shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Pope counters with an inside leg kick.
Pope will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Floyd.

Floyd gets a takedown into half guard.
Pope is breathing heavily.
Pope is trying to control but Floyd passes into side control!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Floyd dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Floyd dives in and grabs Pope's left leg, looking for a takedown. Pope pushes down on Floyd's head and hops out.
Cyrus Pope is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Floyd misses with a takedown attempt
and Pope counters with a three punch combo that has Floyd backing up. Floyd nods at Pope to acknowledge the strikes.
Pope tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Floyd is trying hard to land a takedown here. Pope sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Cyrus Pope has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Floyd.
Floyd tries to close the distance and clinch up but Pope swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Floyd drops Pope with a beautiful combination! Pope stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Floyd is looking for the KO!

Pope is rocked!

It looks like Cyrus Pope has been cut.
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!
Floyd is looking for an opening here. He's unloaded a big left hand that catches Pope flush on the jaw and sends him tumbling to the canvas! Pope is out cold! Floyd holds back from landing any unnecessary shots to his unconscious opponent, as the referee reacts slowly to the situation. A brutal knockout and then some excellent sportsmanship - this guy is my new favorite fighter!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:42 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). James Floyd!