PBP Commentary

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

Popov
vs
Money

181 cm
23
205 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

189 cm
18
205 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Nikon Popov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Cash Money!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Tarja Halkonen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Money misses with a series of wild punches.
Money misses with a combination

and Popov counters with a single leg into guard. Money didn't expect that.
Money really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Popov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Popov sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Money's guard.
Popov works his foot free and advances to mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Popov working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Popov takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Popov looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Popov controlling the pace for now.
Money tries to reverse the position but Popov maintains control.
Popov sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Money has given up his back.
Money rolls, trying to escape but Popov keeps control of the position.
Popov keeps control of the position easily here as Money tries to buck him off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Popov is punishing Money with strikes - can he finish him?!

Popov has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Money has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Popov thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.
Popov is punishing Money with strikes - can he finish him?!

Popov is looking for a rear naked choke here but Money reverses the position brilliantly into Popov's guard!
We've been informed that Money has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

Popov wriggles free and stands up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Popov closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Money makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Money lands with an overhand left.
Money misses the body punch

and Popov counters by moving into the clinch.
Money looks winded!
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Popov.

Popov turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Popov lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Money down.

Popov is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Money has escaped the position, nice work there.
Popov tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Popov shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Popov performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

Popov is looking for a kimura here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Popov not doing much here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Money tries to roll over but Popov keeps him under control.

Popov stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Money to get to his feet.
Money throws a right and a left that Popov avoids nicely.
Money misses with a series of wild punches.

Popov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Money, pushing him back against the cage.
Popov keeps control of Money as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Popov has Money pressed against the cage.
Money has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Money tries to break the clinch but Popov is controlling the position.
Money wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Popov keeps control of Money as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
A frustrated look appears on Money's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Money has had enough of the clinch but Popov keeps him there for the moment.
Money is breathing heavily.

Popov gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Popov passes Money's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Nikon Popov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Popov decides to stand and escape the position.
Popov misses with a body shot.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Popov gets a takedown into half guard.
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!
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.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Popov has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Popov's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Popov shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Money wants to get back to his feet but Popov passes into half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Popov is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikon Popov dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Popov has closed the distance and engaged Money in a clinch.
Popov stalling in the clinch.
Popov has Money pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Money manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Popov is struggling to control the position.
Money can't break the clinch.

Popov has clasped his hands together around Money's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Popov in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Further stalling from Popov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
If it seems like I'm not saying a lot, it's just because Popov is stinking the place up with his stalling.
Popov grinds an elbow into Money's temple.
Money being controlled for a moment.

Popov looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Popov takes a little break here. Money wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Nikon Popov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Popov misses with a wild body shot.
Money scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

Popov has Money up against the cage in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Money tries a body shot but Popov blocks it.
Money wants to break the clinch but can't.
Money is trying to break the clinch but Popov has him pressed against the cage.
Money working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Money takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Money landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Money is trying to break free.
Money is trying to break free.

Money manages to break the clinch.
Nikon Popov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Money throws a right and a left that Popov avoids nicely.
Cash Money seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Popov shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Popov slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nikon Popov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Popov, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nikon Popov!
In defeat, Cash Money stepped up to the mic, saying 'Let's do it outside the ring!!! Chump'.