PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Avraam Papadopoulos (ranked 764 p4p, 2363 weight class) and Russell Northrop (ranked 121 p4p, 341 weight class). Northrop has chosen Alive And Kicking as his entrance music. 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.

Papadopoulos
vs
Northrop

187 cm
33
183
25 - 10 - 0

180 cm
40
175
25 - 27 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Heavy handed

SynCity Fightwear
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Conquer

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 25 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Avraam Papadopoulos!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 27 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Russell Northrop!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Shigeki Sano and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Papadopoulos misses with a body shot.
Northrop walks into a stiff left hand from Papadopoulos.
Papadopoulos looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

Papadopoulos shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Northrop napping and manages to drive through into side control!
An elbow from Papadopoulos crashes against the mat.
Northrop told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Papadopoulos landing strikes.
Northrop sneaks back into half guard.
Papadopoulos lands strikes from half guard.
Papadopoulos uses his free foot to push down on Northrop's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Northrop.
Northrop gets back to half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Papadopoulos takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Papadopoulos connects with a nice short shot to Northrop's temple.
Northrop regains full guard. Nicely done.
Papadopoulos scoring with some ground and pound.
Papadopoulos lands a couple of digs.
Papadopoulos stands and throws Northrop's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Northrop gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Northrop blocking the ground and pound attempt from Papadopoulos.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Northrop works his way to full guard. Good work.
Papadopoulos trying to control the position from guard on top but Northrop is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Papadopoulos lands a couple of elbows.
Papadopoulos scoring with punches to the head and body.
Northrop can't keep his opponent in guard - Papadopoulos advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Papadopoulos prevents Northrop from improving his position.

Northrop is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Papadopoulos pulls his head out easily.
Papadopoulos working over Northrop with some ground and pound. Northrop looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Northrop is looking to improve his position.

Northrop looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Northrop is looking for a sweep. Papadopoulos is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Northrop is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Papadopoulos's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Papadopoulos's back!

Northrop is looking for the choke from the back position but Papadopoulos is controlling his hands well.
Papadopoulos rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Northrop prevents Papadopoulos from improving his position.

Northrop is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Papadopoulos is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Northrop jumps into side control!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Papadopoulos manages to get back to half guard.

Papadopoulos looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Papadopoulos is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Northrop's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Northrop's back!
Northrop grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.

Papadopoulos is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Northrop knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Northrop for a finish.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Papadopoulos lands punches and elbows.
Papadopoulos throwing strikes from the back - he gets a warning from the referee for striking the back of the head but all these shots are hurting Northrop!
Papadopoulos lands strikes to the head.
Papadopoulos scores with strikes from the back.
Papadopoulos is landing with strikes from the back.

Northrop is rocked!
Papadopoulos doesn't have the hooks in and Northrop manages to turn into his guard.

Papadopoulos has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Northrop can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Papadopoulos looking to hit a scissor sweep but Northrop is one step ahead there.

Papadopoulos throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Northrop scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Northrop pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Papadopoulos is keeping the position for now.
Papadopoulos is trying to control the position but Northrop postures up.
Northrop scoring with some ground and pound.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

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

Northrop avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Northrop trying to control but Papadopoulos is working from the bottom.
Papadopoulos tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Northrop distracts Papadopoulos with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

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

Northrop drops back looking for a leg! Papadopoulos is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Papadopoulos manages to kick Northrop off! Northrop jumps back into Papadopoulos's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Avraam Papadopoulos dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Northrop connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

It looks like Avraam Papadopoulos has been cut.
Northrop needs to keep his hands up - Papadopoulos had a free shot at his head there.
Northrop misses with a takedown
letting Papadopoulos counter with a right hand.
Papadopoulos tries to close the distance and clinch up but Northrop swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Russell Northrop is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Papadopoulos lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Papadopoulos's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Papadopoulos duly obliges.
Northrop is still on wobbly legs! Can Papadopoulos finish him?
Papadopoulos tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Northrop was well out of range. Poor timing from Papadopoulos.
Northrop seems to have recovered his senses.
Papadopoulos looks to score with a jab to the body but Northrop is just out of range.
Papadopoulos stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Papadopoulos wants it to stay on the feet.
Northrop looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Papadopoulos throws a half hearted mid kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Papadopoulos cracks Northrop with a nasty uppercut that draws ooohs from the crowd and sends Northrop tumbling backwards onto the mat. He tries to recover but Papadopoulos pounces and lands a hail of unanswered strikes that forces the referee to step in to end the fight! Northrop is not happy but he gave the referee no choice!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:53 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Avraam Papadopoulos!
Russell Northrop was interviewed post fight and said 'No fair. He tried to kiss me.'.