PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Santos Maricone (ranked 6045 p4p, 530 weight class) and Dorian Popa (ranked 6196 p4p, 533 weight class). Dorian Popa has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Maricone
vs
Popa

180 cm
18
178 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

185 cm
18
170 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Riner Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Santos Maricone!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dorian Popa!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, George Francis and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Popa misses with a looping right.
Popa slips a jab from Maricone.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Popa! But no joy.
We've been hearing reports that Maricone has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Popa showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Maricone.
Popa misses with a looping left.
Maricone swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Popa only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Maricone takes a swing at Popa's ribcage but misses.
Popa looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Popa stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maricone misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
It seemed like Popa was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Maricone lands with a thumping leg kick.
Maricone looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Popa swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Popa stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Maricone.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Maricone.
Popa throws out a counter right but Maricone avoids it with no problem.
Popa bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Popa swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Maricone tries to land a body kick
and Maricone takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Popa defending well as Maricone loads up on a big left hand.
Popa now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Maricone throws a lazy head kick
and Popa counters with a right hand to the body.
Maricone jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A little jabbing left from Popa on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Nice uppercut lands for Popa. That snapped Maricone's head back.
Popa connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Popa scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Popa moves out of range as Maricone strikes.
Maricone throws a low kick but Popa moves out of range easily.
Popa looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Popa blocks a head kick by Maricone.
Maricone throws a looping overhand right but Popa ducks down to avoid it.
Popa swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Maricone throws a sloppy head kick and Popa moves out of range easily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Maricone throws a right hand that Popa ducks under and follows up with a left that Popa also avoids with ease.
A little jabbing left from Popa on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Maricone throws a head kick that misses.
Maricone tries a head kick but it misses.
Maricone throws a leg kick but Popa moved away.
Popa swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Popa avoids the head kick by Maricone.
Popa swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Popa pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maricone misses with a combination
and Popa counters with a right hand to the body.
Maricone falls off balance throwing a combination
and Popa cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Maricone misses with an uppercut
and Popa counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Popa waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Maricone.
Maricone moves forwards but Popa connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Maricone works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Popa avoids the body shot from Maricone.
Maricone walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Popa checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
It seemed like Popa was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maricone lands with a kick to the ribs.
Maricone throws a half hearted mid kick.
Maricone misses with a lunging right hand
and Popa connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Popa loads up on a big right hand but Maricone slips the punch.
Maricone swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Popa blocks the body kick.
Popa throws out a counter right but Maricone avoids it with no problem.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Popa crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Maricone - the referee stops the clock and Popa gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Maricone. Popa manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Popa might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Maricone throws a lazy uppercut
and Popa counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Maricone throws a head kick but Popa moves out of range.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Popa! But no joy.
Popa stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
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 Santos Maricone will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Popa takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Popa swings widly with a right hand
and Maricone counters with a stiff right hand.
Popa misses with a hook. Maricone ducked under it nicely.
Maricone throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Popa looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Popa moves away from the strike by Maricone.
Maricone lands a nice looking body shot.
Nice defenses there by Maricone.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maricone tries to land a leg kick but Popa saw it coming and moves away.
Popa throws out a counter right but Maricone avoids it with no problem.
Maricone throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Maricone tries to close the distance and clinch up but Popa swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Popa avoids the body shot from Maricone.
Maricone tries a head kick but it misses.
Maricone connects with an inside leg kick.
Santos Maricone is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Maricone throws a predictable looking body shot
and Popa counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Maricone tries to land a front kick but Popa steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
A little jabbing left from Popa on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Maricone takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Maricone fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Popa manages to avoid it.
Popa uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Maricone.
Popa looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Maricone throws a poor cross that misses
and Popa counters with a stiff right hand.
Popa loads up on a big right hand but Maricone slips the punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maricone throws a body kick that misses
and Popa counters with a straight right hand.
Popa ducks under a wild hook from Maricone.
Maricone misses with a body punch
and Popa counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A low kick from Maricone misses
and Popa counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Popa moves out of range of the strikes.
Santos Maricone seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Maricone misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Popa counters with a stiff right hand.
Maricone missing with a left hand there. Popa was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Maricone throws a lazy body kick
and Popa counters with a right hand to the body.
Maricone throws a head kick that half lands.
Maricone throws a right hand that misses
and Popa cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maricone throws a low kick but Popa avoids it.
Maricone swings widly with a right hand
and Popa counters with a stiff right hand.
Popa uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Maricone.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Popa! But no joy.
A looping hook to the body misses from Maricone. Popa does a little dance to reset his feet.
A little jabbing left from Popa on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Maricone keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Popa.
Maricone misses with a wild body shot.
It seemed like Popa was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Maricone looks to land a combination but Popa avoids it well.
A little jabbing left from Popa on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
A swing and a miss from Maricone.
Popa swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Maricone fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Popa manages to avoid it.
Popa connects with a looping right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maricone throws a wild body kick that Popa sees coming a mile off.
Maricone jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Maricone.
Maricone looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Maricone throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A nice side step and Popa releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Popa moves out of range of the body kick.
Popa throws out a counter right but Maricone avoids it with no problem.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Maricone throws a sloppy head kick
enabling Popa to counter with a crisp jab.
Maricone throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Popa.
Popa looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Maricone misses with a right hand
and Popa counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Popa bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Popa ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Santos Maricone will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Maricone throws a right hand that misses
enabling Popa to counter with a crisp jab.
Santos Maricone is winning the standup battle so far.
Maricone throws an overhand right that lands on Popa's shoulder, as Popa tries to avoid the shot.
Maricone uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Popa.
Nice defenses there by Maricone.
Popa ducks under a wild hook from Maricone.
Popa moves out of range of the strikes.
Popa looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Maricone throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Popa sees it coming and avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Popa looks to land a right hand but Maricone moved out of range.
A punch combination from Maricone misses.
Popa looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Popa looks to land a left hand but Maricone moved out of range nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maricone rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Popa moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Popa getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Maricone looks to land a right hand but Popa moved out of range.
Popa looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Maricone cracks Popa with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Popa throws a hook to the side of Maricone's head but Maricone sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Maricone fails in his attempt to clinch.
Maricone misses the jab.
It seemed like Popa was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Popa lands a nice shot that snaps Maricone's head back.
Maricone ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Maricone swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Popa counters with a nice uppercut.
Dorian Popa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Popa steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Maricone.
It seemed like Popa was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Maricone throws a body shot but no joy.
A combination from Maricone does no damage.
Left hook, right uppercut from Maricone.

It looks like Dorian Popa has been cut.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Maricone on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Popa misses with a looping right.
Maricone throws a head kick but Popa moves out of range.
Maricone misses with a kick to the body.
Maricone fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Popa is out of range.
Popa looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Maricone has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Maricone throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Popa.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Popa swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
As Popa looks to move away, Maricone throws a big counter combo but Popa just gets out of the way.
Maricone throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Popa.
A little jabbing left from Popa on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Maricone throws the kick towards the body but Popa avoids it.
Some bone on bone action there as Popa checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Popa! But no joy.
Maricone just misses with a punch to the body.
It seemed like Popa was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Maricone walks into a jab.
Maricone gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Popa cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Popa throws a hook to the side of Maricone's head but Maricone sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
That kick from Maricone tenderised Popa's leg. Popa is trying to keep his angry face on.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Popa slips a straight right by Maricone.
Maricone misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Popa counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A telegraphed right hand from Maricone misses the target.
Maricone throws a head kick but Popa moves out of range.
Maricone misses with a hook.
Maricone throws an off balance right hand
and Popa counters with a nice uppercut.
Maricone misses with a series of wild punches.
A little jabbing left from Popa on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Maricone thows a leg kick but Popa checks it
letting Popa counter with a right hand.
Santos Maricone is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
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!
Maricone looks to land a left hand but Popa moved out of range nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Santos Maricone.
Well Maricone has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 27:30
Judge George Francis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Santos Maricone!
A very excited looking Santos Maricone made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.