PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Maxim Popov (ranked 455 p4p, 24 weight class) and Kenrick Nikil Jr (ranked 851 p4p, 49 weight class). Nikil Jr has chosen Dark Horse - Andrew Baena as his entrance music. On his way into the cage it seems that Maxim Popov has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Maxim Popov seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Popov
vs
Nikil Jr

200 cm
29
290 lbs
11 - 7 - 0

195 cm
22
295 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing
Hell's Balls Recovery (160)

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 11 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Maxim Popov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kenrick Nikil Jr!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, Summer Carpenter and Ron Honeybunn.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Popov has closed the distance and engaged Nikil Jr in a clinch.
Nikil Jr is trying to drag Popov to the mat but Popov just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Popov lands with a light punch inside.
Popov misses with a punch to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Popov.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Nikil Jr has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Popov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Nikil Jr lands a hook that snaps the head of Popov backwards.
Popov struggles to land a body shot inside as Nikil Jr controls his hands.
Our sources have told us that Popov has been working on his knees in the buildup to the fight.
Popov makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Popov stops a takedown attempt from Nikil Jr.

Nikil Jr jumps guard.

Nikil Jr throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Popov trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Nikil Jr manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Nikil Jr stops Popov from standing up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Popov trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Nikil Jr wants to control from the top but Popov keeps moving.
Popov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Nikil Jr keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Popov's head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nikil Jr engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Nikil Jr loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Nikil Jr controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Nikil Jr stops Popov from standing up.
Nikil Jr trying to control the position from guard on top but Popov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nikil Jr throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Popov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Nikil Jr throws a big right hand that misses.
Nikil Jr is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Nikil Jr fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Maxim Popov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kenrick Nikil Jr.

Popov takes the fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Popov is working Nikil Jr over against the cage.
Nice body punch from Popov - that landed with a thud.
Popov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Popov works on Nikil Jr's body with a couple of short punches.
Nikil Jr looks winded!
A short left from Popov.
Popov scores with a shot to the side of Nikil Jr's head.
Nikil Jr blocks a body shot from Popov.
Popov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Popov lands a hook to the side of the head.
Popov misses with the head strike.
Popov pushes Nikil Jr back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Nikil Jr blocks a body shot from Popov.
Popov lands a nice uppercut.
Popov stops a takedown attempt from Nikil Jr.
A shot in the inside from Popov.
Popov tries to work over Nikil Jr's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Nikil Jr drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Popov scores with a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Popov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nikil Jr drops down looking for an ankle pick but Popov pulls his leg out and moves away.

Popov rushes Nikil Jr and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Popov lands a nice shot to the body.
Popov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Nikil Jr blocks an uppercut.
Popov lands a right hand.
Popov lands a left hand that snaps the head of Nikil Jr backwards.
Nikil Jr tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Popov.
A short right from Popov.
Nikil Jr blocking some punches.
Nikil Jr blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Popov throws a head punch that misses.
Popov gets through Nikil Jr's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maxim Popov dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Nikil Jr tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Popov swivels and escapes.
Nikil Jr misses with a straight right.

Popov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Nikil Jr prevents a body shot from Popov.
Nikil Jr has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Popov is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Popov scores with a nice hook to the head.
Nikil Jr works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Nikil Jr blocks an uppercut.
Popov gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Nikil Jr.
Maxim Popov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kenrick Nikil Jr.
Popov scores with an uppercut up the middle.

Nikil Jr manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Popov is looking to work some ground and pound but Nikil Jr has wrist control.
Popov is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Nikil Jr looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Nikil Jr striking off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Popov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Nikil Jr has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Popov is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Popov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Nikil Jr is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Popov is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Popov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Nikil Jr can do to turn this around?
Nikil Jr keeping full guard, as Popov tries to pass.
Popov trying to control the position from guard on top but Nikil Jr is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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.
Popov wants to stand but Nikil Jr has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Popov looking to sit in guard and control but Nikil Jr gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Nikil Jr throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Nikil Jr stands and throws Popov's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Popov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Nikil Jr on the ground.
Popov taking a bit of punishment here - Nikil Jr scoring with strikes.
Popov tries to escape but Nikil Jr is in control.
Nikil Jr wants to control but Popov is keeping him busy.
Popov is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Nikil Jr asserts his dominance and retains side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikil Jr lands some shots froms side control.
Nikil Jr landing strikes.
Kenrick Nikil Jr has got the better of the ground game so far.
Popov takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Popov takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Nikil Jr lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Popov down.
Nikil Jr lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Popov wants to get back to his feet but Nikil Jr drags him back down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikil Jr staying calm.
Nikil Jr misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
The ground and pound from Nikil Jr seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.

Popov sneaks out the side door and pushes Nikil Jr away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.

Popov has Nikil Jr up against the cage in a clinch.
Popov misses with a hook from the clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nikil Jr has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Popov avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nikil Jr tries to pull guard but Popov forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Popov throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Nikil Jrs head.
Nikil Jr is trying to pull guard but Popov turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Kenrick Nikil Jr will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Popov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Popov forces Nikil Jr back against the cage and clinches.
Nice body punch from Popov - that landed with a thud.
Popov is pressed up against the cage. Nikil Jr has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Popov down to the mat. Popov avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Popov takes the fight into the clinch.
Nikil Jr jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Popov walks away with a smile on his face. Nikil Jr gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Popov clinches.
Popov stops a takedown attempt from Nikil Jr.
Maxim Popov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kenrick Nikil Jr.
Popov lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Nikil Jr is trying to drag Popov to the mat but Popov just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Popov swings wildly with an uppercut but Nikil Jr uses good head movement to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Popov lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Nikil Jr takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Popov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Popov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Nikil Jr fails to pull guard.
Popov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short right from Popov.
Popov lands a body punch.
A right hand to the body from Popov.
A short body shot lands from Popov as the two fighters clinch.
Popov struggles to land a body shot inside as Nikil Jr controls his hands.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Popov.
Popov lands a left hand.
Popov lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Popov working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Nikil Jr's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A short right hand to the side of the head by Popov.
Popov lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Nikil Jr backwards.
Maxim Popov has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Popov lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Nikil Jr backwards.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Popov lands a nice uppercut.
Popov swings wildly with an uppercut but Nikil Jr uses good head movement to avoid it.
Popov lands a body shot.
Popov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Popov.
A right hook to the body lands for Popov.
Popov scores with a shot to the side of Nikil Jr's head.
Popov gets through Nikil Jr's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Popov misses with a punch to the body.
A nice left hand lands by Popov.

Nikil Jr is rocked!
Popov lands an uppercut in the clinch that drops Nikil Jr to his knees! Popov keeps firing more shots against his stricken opponent and the referee jumps in to save him!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:30 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Maxim Popov!
Maxim Popov decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.
In defeat, Kenrick Nikil Jr stepped up to the mic, saying 'I will return. I will overcome this loss. A true warrior learns from his failures as much as from his successes.'.