PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Abraham Durden (ranked 1142 p4p, 152 weight class) and Avraam Papadopoulos (ranked 623 p4p, 90 weight class). Durden comes to the cage accompanied by Pixies - Where is my Mind. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Durden
vs
Papadopoulos

180 cm
20
173 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

187 cm
23
181 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

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Sully's Bar & Grill
THE END 32

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 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Abraham Durden!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Avraam Papadopoulos!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Daniel Franklin and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Durden wants to clinch.

Papadopoulos moves into range and clinches up with Durden.
A body shot lands from Papadopoulos.
Papadopoulos fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Papadopoulos drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Durden fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Papadopoulos misses with some punches.
Papadopoulos jumps guard but Durden stands there with Papadopoulos around his waist. Papadopoulos gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Papadopoulos tries for a takedown but Durden manages to get underhooks.
Abraham Durden has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Avraam Papadopoulos.
Papadopoulos tries a body shot but Durden blocks it.
Durden prevents a body shot from Papadopoulos.
Papadopoulos working aggressively here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Durden tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Papadopoulos fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Papadopoulos works on Durden's body with a couple of short punches.
Durden prevents a body shot from Papadopoulos.
Papadopoulos looking for a takedown.
Durden is pressed up against the cage. Papadopoulos has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Durden down to the mat. Durden avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Durden has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Big Jim's Gym in the buildup to the fight.
Papadopoulos swats away the attempt to clinch by Durden.

Durden clinches up with Papadopoulos and pushes him back against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Durden.
Durden tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Durden creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Durden lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

Papadopoulos has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Durden uses from the top position.

Papadopoulos working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Durden doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Durden manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Papadopoulos trying to keep a closed guard but Durden is proving a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Papadopoulos looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Our spies down at at Aspire Academy inform us that Papadopoulos has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?

Papadopoulos had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Durden defends it easily.

Papadopoulos looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Papadopoulos has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Durden can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
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!
Papadopoulos trying to keep a closed guard but Durden is proving a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Papadopoulos looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Papadopoulos is looking for a triangle but Durden pushes his legs off easily.
Durden has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Papadopoulos is looking for a triangle but Durden pushes his legs off easily.

Papadopoulos is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Papadopoulos working for a triangle but Durden defends it easily.

Papadopoulos looking for subs off his back but Durden has passed one foot through into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Papadopoulos looking for submissions off his back.

Papadopoulos looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Papadopoulos is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Durden pulls his head out easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Papadopoulos wants to control but Durden passes into side.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Papadopoulos is trying to control Durden's posture but Durden avoids it.
Papadopoulos gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Avraam Papadopoulos 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.

Papadopoulos lands a jab to the nose.
Papadopoulos connects with a crisp jab.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Papadopoulos misses with a punch on the inside.
Papadopoulos lands a left hand that snaps the head of Durden backwards.
Papadopoulos is trying to pull guard but Durden has him pressed against the cage.
Abraham Durden has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Durden controlling the action here for a moment.
Papadopoulos fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Papadopoulos struggles to land a body shot inside as Durden controls his hands.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Papadopoulos creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Papadopoulos has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Durden working aggressively here.
Papadopoulos misses with a short punch on the inside.
Papadopoulos tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Papadopoulos goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Papadopoulos is trying to drag Durden to the mat but Durden just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Papadopoulos scores with a shot to the side of Durden's head.
Papadopoulos working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Papadopoulos throws a head punch that misses.
Durden is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Abraham Durden has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Avraam Papadopoulos.
Durden throws a punch but it's blocked by Papadopoulos.
Papadopoulos jumps guard but Durden stands there with Papadopoulos around his waist. Papadopoulos gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Durden stalling in the clinch.
Durden just leaning against Papadopoulos, taking a breather.
Papadopoulos fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Papadopoulos throws a head punch that misses.
Papadopoulos lands a hook that snaps the head of Durden backwards.
A short right from Durden on the inside.
Papadopoulos drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Durden throws a head punch that misses.
Durden softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Durden blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Papadopoulos scores with a shoulder strike.
Papadopoulos has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Durden avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
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!
Papadopoulos tries to work over Durden's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Papadopoulos is trying to pull guard but Durden turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Durden blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Durden.
Papadopoulos throws a head punch that misses.
Papadopoulos can't find room to land a body shot as Durden controls the action.
Papadopoulos is trying to pull guard but Durden turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Papadopoulos tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Papadopoulos misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Papadopoulos is looking for a takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Durden.
Durden throws a head punch that misses.
Papadopoulos lands a nice shot to the body.
Papadopoulos throws a head punch that misses.
A short left from Durden.
Papadopoulos misses with some punches.
Papadopoulos misses with a hook to the ribs.
A short left from Durden.
Papadopoulos fails to pull guard.
Papadopoulos misses with a punch to the body.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Still in the clinch, Durden scores with a nice short uppercut.
A short left from Durden.

Papadopoulos jumps guard and drags Durden to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Durden got a little sloppy there for a moment and Papadopoulos has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Durden has managed to get both his arms back between Papadopoulos's legs - danger averted.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Papadopoulos has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Durden can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Papadopoulos has a closed guard, preventing Durden from standing up.
Papadopoulos manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Durden manages to get himself to full guard.

This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Durden keeping moving, preventing Papadopoulos from controlling successfully.
Papadopoulos passes Durden's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Avraam Papadopoulos showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Durden moves into the clinch successfully.
A head punch on the inside from Papadopoulos fails to land.
Durden blocks an uppercut.
Durden dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Papadopoulos misses with a hook to the ribs.
Papadopoulos jumps guard but Durden turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
A short right from Durden on the inside.
Papadopoulos misses with a short punch on the inside.
Durden throws a punch but it's blocked by Papadopoulos.
Papadopoulos tries to pull guard but Durden won't allow it.
Durden misses with the head strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A short uppercut from Papadopoulos.
Durden avoiding damage.
A head punch on the inside from Papadopoulos fails to land.
Papadopoulos throws a punch but it's blocked by Durden.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Durden lands a left hand that snaps the head of Papadopoulos backwards.
Papadopoulos lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Durden backwards.
Papadopoulos misses with a shot to the kidneys.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Durden.
Papadopoulos misses with a punch on the inside.
Durden takes a shot to the head.
Papadopoulos has a couple of punches blocked by Durden.
Papadopoulos lands a body punch in the clinch.
Durden lands a right hand that snaps the head of Papadopoulos backwards.
Papadopoulos goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Durden.
Papadopoulos lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Papadopoulos working aggressively here.
Durden throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Papadopouloss head.
Durden pressing his opponent against the cage.
Papadopoulos lands with a right to the head.
Abraham Durden has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Papadopoulos tries to work over Durden's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Papadopoulos has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Durden avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Abraham Durden has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Avraam Papadopoulos.
Durden blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A short right from Durden.
Papadopoulos lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Papadopoulos lands a nice uppercut.
A nice right hand lands inside from Papadopoulos.
Papadopoulos blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Papadopoulos tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Durden's elbow.
Papadopoulos throws a punch but it's blocked by Durden.
Papadopoulos tries to pull guard but Durden won't allow it.
Durden effectively controlling the action here.
Papadopoulos throws a head punch that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Durden blocking some punches.
Durden lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Papadopoulos misses with a hook to the ribs.
Papadopoulos swings wildly with an uppercut but Durden uses good head movement to avoid it.
Durden controlling the action here for a moment.
Durden lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Stalling in the clinch from Durden.
Papadopoulos misses with some punches.
Durden throws a punch but it's blocked by Papadopoulos.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Durden.
Papadopoulos lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Durden backwards.
Papadopoulos blocks an uppercut.
Papadopoulos fails to pull guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Durden gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Papadopoulos.
Durden has a couple of punches blocked by Papadopoulos.
Papadopoulos is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Durden gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Papadopoulos misses with a punch on the inside.
Papadopoulos lands with a light punch inside.
Durden working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Papadopoulos jumps guard but Durden stands there with Papadopoulos around his waist. Papadopoulos gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Papadopoulos tries a body shot but Durden blocks it.
Durden has Papadopoulos pushed against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A short right from Papadopoulos on the inside.
Durden lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Avraam Papadopoulos is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Papadopoulos misses with a punch on the inside.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Avraam Papadopoulos.
Well Papadopoulos has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 27:30

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