PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gamma Knox (ranked 9206 p4p, 251 weight class) and Maxim Popov (ranked 7674 p4p, 226 weight class). Knox comes into the arena with Naughty By Nature | Wickedest Man Alive blaring out of the sound system. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Knox
vs
Popov

204 cm
25
283 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

200 cm
25
290 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

Red Light Coffeeshop

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Gamma Knox!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Maxim Popov!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, Reed Andrews and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Popov misses with a two punch combination.
Knox was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Knox uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Popov.
Knox moves out of range of the strikes.
Good exchange - Knox coming out on top.
Popov tries to clinch there but Knox circles away.
Knox throws a shot from downtown. Popov moves away and avoids it.
Popov rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Knox counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

It looks like Maxim Popov has been cut.
Popov wants to clinch
and Popov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Popov dodges the punch combination from Knox.
Popov has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Knox is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Popov misses with a looping left.
Popov doesn't manage to clinch there - Knox circles away.
Knox is looking to counter punch.
Knox showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Popov.
Popov works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Popov stuns Knox with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Knox jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Popov misses with a hook. Knox ducked under it nicely.
Popov moves to clinch but Knox breaks away
and Knox cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Popov throws a poor cross that misses
and Knox counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Popov misses with a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knox slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Knox moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Popov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Maxim Popov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A big left from Popov misses.
Knox rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Popov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Popov falls off balance throwing a combination
and Knox counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Knox misses the shot to the body.
Popov throws a lazy uppercut
and Knox counters with a nice uppercut.
Knox takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Knox looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Popov throws a body shot but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knox changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
A slow jab from Knox misses its intended target.
Knox is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Popov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Knox comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Knox cracks Popov with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Knox scores with a crisp jab that stopped Popov in his tracks.
Knox throws a body punch but Popov moves out of range.
Popov missing with a left hand there. Knox was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
It looked like Knox was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Popov.
Popov avoids the body shot from Knox.
A telegraphed right hand from Knox misses the target.
Knox keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Popov cracks Knox with an open hand slap.

Knox gets tackled into the cage by Popov. Popov maintains the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Popov blocks a body shot from Knox.
Knox is working for takedown but Popov is calmly controlling the position for now.
Knox is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Popov gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Popov breaks from the clinch.
Knox throws a poor cross that misses
and Popov counters with a stiff right hand.
Popov throws a big shot that misses.
Knox is looking for a counter combo.
A punch lands to the side of Knox 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Knox fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Popov manages to avoid it.
Popov swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Popov throws a body punch but Knox moves out of range.
Knox is looking to counter punch.
Popov takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
A punch lands to the side of Knox 's head but he takes it in his stride.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Gamma Knox will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Maxim Popov's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Knox jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Popov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Popov tries to clinch up.
Popov throws a good cross that connects.
Popov uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Knox has time to react.
Popov connects with the punch.
Popov scores with a shot to the body.

Popov lands a big shot that drops Knox! Can he finish him?

It looks like Gamma Knox 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!

Knox is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Popov is aware though and is defending well.

Popov gets to his feet - Knox follows without any prompting.
Maxim Popov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
The fighters circling - Popov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Knox tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Popov manages to circle out of the way.
Knox looks to land a right hand but Popov moved out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Popov takes a swing at Knox's ribcage but misses.
Knox wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Popov lands with an uppercut that bounces Knox off the cage and back into range.
Knox throws an overhand right that lands on Popov's shoulder, as Popov tries to avoid the shot.
Popov lands a nice hook to Knox's body. Knox takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Popov swings for the body but Knox moves out of range.
Knox throwing a counter right hand but Popov manages to avoid it.
Popov misses with a jab to the body
and Knox counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Popov connects with a right hand. Knox shakes it off.
Knox misses with the combination.
Popov misses with an uppercut
and Knox counters with a nice uppercut.
A big left from Popov misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knox takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Popov listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Popov cracks a nice hook into Knox's ribs.
Knox scores with a nice right hand.
Popov looks to clinch
and Knox counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Knox thuds his right hand into Popov's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Knox lands a jab.
Popov tries to clinch up.
Popov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Knox throws out the jab.
Knox throws a hook but Popov blocks it.
Knox is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Popov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Popov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Knox throws out the jab.
Popov throws a big shot that misses.
Knox was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Popov walks into a left hand.
Knox slips under a jab.
Knox tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Popov manages to circle out of the way.
Popov misses with the combination.
Knox swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Nice body punch from Popov.
Popov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Popov appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Knox dips to his left and cracks Popov with an uppercut!
Popov bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Popov slips a straight right by Knox.
Popov misses with a hook

and Knox counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Knox.

Popov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Popov throws a big shot that misses.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Knox, as that shot connected.
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!
Popov lands a jab to the nose.
Popov takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Popov lands a slapping body shot.
Knox looks to score with a jab to the body but Popov is just out of range.
A decent looking cross lands there for Popov.
Knox looks to land a left hand but Popov moved out of range nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maxim Popov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Knox looks to score with a jab to the body but Popov is just out of range.
Knox throws a big shot that misses.
Popov throws a body punch but Knox moves out of range.
A slow jab from Popov misses its intended target.
Knox goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Popov throws a right and a left that Knox avoids nicely.
Popov slips under a jab from Knox.
Popov lands with a nice body punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Popov misses with a body shot.
Popov moves to clinch but Knox breaks away
and Knox counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Popov connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Popov misses the shot to the body.

Knox tries to keep at a distance but Popov has taken the fight into the clinch.
Popov leaning his opponent against the cage.
Popov lands with a right to the head.
Popov lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Popov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Knox is trying to break the clinch but Popov is controlling him.
Popov has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Knox misses with some punches.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Knox.
Knox can't find room to land a body shot as Popov controls the action.
Popov works on Knox's body with a couple of short punches.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Knox.
Popov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knox fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A left hand lands to the body for Popov.
Popov slows down the pace here.
A left hand lands to the body for Popov.
Popov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Knox has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Popov lands a shot to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Knox tries to break free but Popov pushes him back against the cage.

Popov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Popov moves in looking to clinch but Knox pushes him off.
Knox is looking to counter punch.
Popov tries to close the distance and clinch but Knox swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knox ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Popov moves away.
Popov scores with a jab to the jaw.
Good exchange - Knox coming out on top.
Nice defenses there by Popov.

Popov closes the distance and pushes Knox back into the cage.
Popov lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Popov lands a right hand that snaps the head of Knox backwards.
Knox working some nice short punches in the clinch.

Popov breaks the clinch.
Popov misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Popov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Popov misses the shot to the body.
Popov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Knox.
Popov catches Knox with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Jab from Popov.
Popov scores with a sloppy right hand. Knox should have avoided that one.
Popov shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Knox takes a jab right on the kisser.
Popov lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Knox swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Popov now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Popov clobbers Knox with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Popov doesn't manage to clinch there - Knox circles away.
Knox is looking to counter punch.
Knox uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Popov.
Knox is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Knox lands with a good body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Maxim Popov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
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 David Schapiro scores the fight 28:29
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 28:29
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Maxim Popov!
An out of breath Maxim Popov thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.