PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Clive Grissom (ranked 3428 p4p, 425 weight class) and Mikhail Popkov (ranked 1535 p4p, 223 weight class). Clive Grissom has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Grissom
vs
Popkov

186 cm
22
204 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

200 cm
21
210 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Clive Grissom!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mikhail Popkov!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Dean Styles and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Grissom tries to close the distance and clinch up but Popkov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Grissom throws a head kick but Popkov moves out of range.
Grissom throws a series of punches but Popkov moves out of range.
Popkov is looking for the big counter here.
Grissom slips a jab and a cross from Popkov.
Grissom needs to keep his hands up - Popkov had a free shot at his head there.
Grissom connects with a crisp jab.
Popkov ducks under a wild hook from Grissom.
Popkov throws a body punch but Grissom moves out of range.
Grissom misses with a hook.
Popkov lands with a shot to the body.
Popkov defending well as Grissom loads up on a big left hand.
Popkov scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Grissom throws an overhand right that lands on Popkov's shoulder, as Popkov tries to avoid the shot.
Popkov connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Grissom has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Grissom tries to clinch but Popkov moves out of range.
Popkov connects with a jab.
Grissom takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

Grissom is rocked!
Popkov ducks under a wild hook from Grissom.
Oh Grissom is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grissom throws a head kick that misses.
Grissom seems to have got his legs back now.
Grissom lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Popkov backs up against the ropes.
Popkov is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Popkov throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Grissom misses with a looping right.

Grissom has taken the fight to the clinch.
Popkov drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Grissom gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Popkov has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Grissom after a bit of a struggle.

Grissom breaks from the clinch.
Grissom lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Popkov circles away quickly and effectively.
Popkov punishes Grissom's body with a nice straight punch.
Grissom misses with a left hand
enabling Popkov to counter with a crisp jab.
Grissom looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Popkov scores with a hook.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Popkov avoids the head kick by Grissom.
Grissom scores with a jab to the head.
Grissom misses with a jab, cross combination.
Popkov has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Popkov cracks Grissom with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the ropes.
Clive Grissom seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Popkov walks into a left hand.
Popkov circles and sees the opportunity to plant his feet and throw a really nice straight left hand that drops Grissom to the canvas! Grissom doesn't know where he is but he's trying to survive - Popkov keeps piling on the pressure and forces the referee to step in! This one is aaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:10 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Mikhail Popkov!
Mikhail Popkov thanked the fans post fight for their support.