PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between John Popper (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rick Salomon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the fighters buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Popper
vs
Salomon

170 cm
22
130 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

170 cm
23
130 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Very confident

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 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, John Popper!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rick Salomon!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Luis Engracia and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Popper looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Popper.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Popper stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Salomon looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A head kick from Salomon lands but Popper takes it in his stride.
A left and a right from Salomon both land. Nice combination.

Popper gets a takedown into half guard.
Popper slows the pace down in half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Popper wants to pass the guard but Salomon is defending well.
Popper perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salomon is looking to improve his position.
Salomon is trying to stand.
Popper is taking a breather. Salomon says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Popper has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Salomon is trying to control but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Popper works his way into side control.
Popper moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.

The referee stands the fighters back up. John Popper just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Popper shoots in for a takedown but Salomon shows good takedown defense.
Salomon thows a body shot but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salomon stuffs the takedown attempt from Popper. Popper gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Popper. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Popper is breathing heavily.

Popper scores with a takedown into Salomon's guard.
Popper looking to pass the guard.
Popper is working hard here to advance position.
Popper stops Salomon from standing up.
Salomon thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Popper trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Popper postures up.
Popper pushing down on Salomon's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Popper looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

Salomon looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Popper passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Salomon!
Salomon has given up his back here. Will Popper look for the submission or keep pounding away?
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Popper dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Salomon misses with the combination.

Popper closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Salomon gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Popper moves to back control.

Popper is working for the choke. He's slipped one arm under the chin. Salomon has to defend the other arm for all he's worth... but Popper has managed to get that arm free too and he's tightening the choke! Salomon taps out and looks absolutely disgusted with himself. Popper doesn't care though - he's delighted!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:45 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). John Popper!