PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Krol Popiel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ragnar Lotbrok (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Popiel
vs
Lotbrok

205 cm
25
211 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

211 cm
18
208 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

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 Rio de Janeiro, Krol Popiel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ragnar Lotbrok!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Felipe Paraventi and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Popiel clinches.
Popiel lands a hook that snaps the head of Lotbrok backwards.
Popiel misses with a short punch on the inside.
Lotbrok tries to land knees in the clinch but Popiel avoids the damage to the body.
Popiel dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Lotbrok misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Popiel.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Popiel.
Popiel lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Popiel tries to pull guard but Lotbrok holds him up against the cage and eventually Popiel drops back down to his feet.
Popiel swings away with an uppercut that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A nice right hand lands inside from Popiel.
Popiel working some nice short punches in the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Popiel.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lotbrok tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Popiel avoids it.
Popiel tries to pull guard but Lotbrok holds him up against the cage and eventually Popiel drops back down to his feet.
Popiel tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Lotbrok smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Krol Popiel. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Popiel instigates a clinch.
Popiel looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Popiel is trying to pull guard but Lotbrok turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Lotbrok takes a shot to the head.
Popiel lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Popiel managing to block the knees to the body from Lotbrok.
Popiel is trying to pull guard but Lotbrok has him pressed against the cage.
Popiel really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Popiel jumps guard but Lotbrok turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Popiel jumps guard but Lotbrok stands there with Popiel around his waist. Popiel gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Lotbrok tries to land knees in the clinch but Popiel avoids the damage to the body.
Popiel stalling.
Popiel swings wildly with an uppercut but Lotbrok uses good head movement to avoid it.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Popiel.
Popiel swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Popiel is working Lotbrok over against the cage.
Popiel working aggressively here.
Stalling in the clinch from Popiel.
Popiel misses with a punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Popiel.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Popiel has a couple of punches blocked by Lotbrok.
Popiel is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Lotbrok to keep the fight standing.
Popiel tries to work over Lotbrok's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Popiel lands with a short shot to the head.
Lotbrok blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Popiel throws an elbow that misses.
Popiel lands a hook to the side of the head.
Popiel tries to work over Lotbrok's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Popiel is struggling to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lotbrok blocks an uppercut.
Popiel misses with an elbow strike.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Popiel.
Popiel misses with the head strike.
Popiel lands a nice uppercut.
Popiel misses with a hook to the ribs.
Popiel swings wildly with an uppercut but Lotbrok uses good head movement to avoid it.
Lotbrok tries to land knees in the clinch but Popiel avoids the damage to the body.
Lotbrok prevents a body shot from Popiel.

Popiel manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lotbrok sitting in guard here, content to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Krol Popiel dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Popiel misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Lotbrok wants to counter the offense by Popiel and move into the clinch position.
Popiel tries for a takedown but Lotbrok sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Lotbrok wants to counter with a clinch but Popiel pushes him away.

Popiel has managed to clinch.
Popiel is trying to pull guard but Lotbrok has him pressed against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Krol Popiel. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Popiel misses with a hook to the ribs.
A head punch on the inside from Popiel fails to land.
Popiel lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Lotbrok backwards.
Popiel scores with a shoulder strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Popiel misses with the head strike.
Krol Popiel has scored more points in the clinch so far.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Popiel takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Popiel misses with a knee to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Popiel fails to land.
Lotbrok misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Popiel.
Popiel tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Popiel is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Popiel misses with a knee to the head.
Popiel avoiding damage as Lotbrok throws knees to the body.
Lotbrok is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Popiel is defending well for now.
Popiel lands a right hand that snaps the head of Lotbrok backwards.
Popiel fails to pull guard.
Lotbrok blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Popiel working some nice short punches in the clinch.

Lotbrok is rocked!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Popiel gets control of Lotbrok's arms and successfully pulls guard. Popiel will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Lotbrok drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Lotbrok jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Popiel is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Lotbrok is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Lotbrok drops back looking for a leg! Popiel is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Popiel manages to kick Lotbrok off! Lotbrok jumps back into Popiel's guard.
Lotbrok postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Popiel working a defensive guard but Lotbrok passes into half guard.
Popiel punching from the bottom.

Lotbrok decides to return to a standing position.
Nice takedown defense from Lotbrok. No joy for Popiel on that attempt.
A solid leg kick lands there for Popiel.

Popiel rushes Lotbrok and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Popiel has a couple of punches blocked by Lotbrok.
Popiel pushes off an throws an elbow but Lotbrok leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Popiel swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Popiel has a couple of punches blocked by Lotbrok.
Lotbrok tries to land knees in the clinch but Popiel avoids the damage to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Popiel jumps guard but Lotbrok turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Popiel creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Popiel holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Lotbrok blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Popiel swings wildly with an uppercut but Lotbrok uses good head movement to avoid it.
Popiel jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Lotbrok walks away with a smile on his face. Popiel gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Popiel is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Lotbrok can do to turn this around?
Lotbrok moves out of range of the body kick from Popiel.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Popiel closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Popiel throws a punch but it's blocked by Lotbrok.
Popiel lands with a left to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Krol Popiel dominated that second round.
That's time! Popiel's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Popiel fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Lotbrok, pushing him back against the cage.
Popiel is trying to pull guard but Lotbrok has him pressed against the cage.
Lotbrok blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Popiel is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Popiel lands a nice uppercut.
Lotbrok blocking some punches.
Popiel is trying to pull guard but Lotbrok turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Lotbrok blocking some punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Popiel slows down the pace here.
Lotbrok blocking some punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Popiel lands a shot to the body.
Stalling in the clinch from Popiel.
A short right from Popiel on the inside.
Popiel manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Popiel tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Lotbrok is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Popiel is defending well for now.
Lotbrok blocks a body shot from Popiel.
Lotbrok trying to land knees to the body.
Popiel stalling the fight.
Popiel tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lotbrok blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Popiel throws a head punch that misses.
Popiel misses with a short punch on the inside.
Lotbrok tries to land knees in the clinch but Popiel avoids the damage to the body.
Popiel misses with a punch on the inside.
Popiel fails to pull guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Krol Popiel. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Popiel lands a shoulder strike.
Popiel tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Lotbrok just stands there and leans against the cage.
Popiel working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Lotbrok is still on wobbly legs! Can Popiel finish him?
Popiel misses with some punches.
Popiel swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Popiel has a couple of punches blocked by Lotbrok.
Popiel throws a punch but it's blocked by Lotbrok.
Lotbrok avoids a wild elbow strike from Popiel.
Lotbrok blocking some punches.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Popiel decides to pull guard.
Popiel looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Lotbrok trying to control but Popiel is working from the bottom.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Popiel throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Lotbrok pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Popiel is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Popiel has his foot on Lotbrok's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Lotbrok works his way back into a safe position though.
Popiel on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Popiel tries to get out of the position.

Lotbrok stands and steps away. Popiel gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Lotbrok seems to have recovered his senses.

Popiel drives through and clinches with Lotbrok against the cage.
Popiel on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Lotbrok tries to land knees in the clinch but Popiel avoids the damage to the body.
Popiel using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Lotbrok has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Lotbrok blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Popiel with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Popiel throws a knee to the head but misses.
Lotbrok misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Popiel.
Lotbrok missing with knees to the body.
Lotbrok is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Popiel is defending well for now.
Popiel has Lotbrok pushed against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Popiel wants to stall.
Popiel on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Popiel blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Popiel scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Popiel on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Lotbrok misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Popiel.

Popiel has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Lotbrok uses from the top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Lotbrok stands up and waves to Popiel to follow him.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Popiel swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Lotbrok wants to counter the offense by Popiel and move into the clinch position.
Ragnar Lotbrok has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Popiel has closed the distance and engaged Lotbrok in a clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Krol Popiel showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Popiel, 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 Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 30:27
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Krol Popiel!
During a confident post fight interview, Krol Popiel thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.