PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Alex Novoselic (ranked 1600 p4p, 2243 weight class) and Avraam Papadopoulos (ranked 232 p4p, 304 weight class). Novoselic comes to the cage accompanied by The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here - Alice in Chains. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Novoselic
vs
Papadopoulos

178 cm
41
174
25 - 10 - 1

187 cm
35
183
27 - 13 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Voodoo Nutrition

SynCity Fightwear

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 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alex Novoselic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Avraam Papadopoulos!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Daniel Franklin and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Papadopoulos throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Novoselic counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Papadopoulos wants to clinch.
Papadopoulos looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Papadopoulos wants to clinch up but Novoselic keeps it at a distance.
Papadopoulos swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Novoselic moves out of range as Papadopoulos strikes.
An attempted straight right counter from Novoselic misses the target.
Papadopoulos is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Novoselic.
Novoselic is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Papadopoulos.
Papadopoulos is looking to clinch.
Papadopoulos tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Novoselic counters with a low kick, right behind Papadopoulos 's knee.
Papadopoulos throws a jab when Novoselic was well out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Papadopoulos throws a right hand that Novoselic ducks under and follows up with a left that Novoselic also avoids with ease.
Novoselic lands a nice leg kick that just misses Papadopoulos's sensitive parts.
Papadopoulos wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Novoselic has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Marijuana Gardens in the buildup to the fight.
Novoselic throws a hook but Papadopoulos avoids it easily.
Novoselic walks into a left hand.
Papadopoulos scores with a punch to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Novoselic looks to score with a jab to the body but Papadopoulos is just out of range.
Novoselic fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Papadopoulos has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Novoselic scores with a jab. Papadopoulos acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Novoselic avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Papadopoulos fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Papadopoulos avoids the body shot from Novoselic.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Papadopoulos breaks the clinch.
Novoselic throws a leg kick but Papadopoulos sees it coming and moves out of range.
A big left from Papadopoulos misses.
Novoselic with the inside leg kick.
Papadopoulos staying out of range there.
Papadopoulos throws out a loose jab but Novoselic uses good head movement to avoid it.
Novoselic scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A clash of legs there as Papadopoulos blocks the low kick.
Papadopoulos swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Novoselic throws a leg kick but Papadopoulos sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Papadopoulos lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Papadopoulos connects with a looping right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Papadopoulos moves into range and clinches up with Novoselic.
Novoselic blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Papadopoulos lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Papadopoulos is looking to control Novoselic's arms but Novoselic gets an underhook and turns him. Now Papadopoulos has his back to the cage.
Papadopoulos is looking to control Novoselic's arms but Novoselic gets an underhook and turns him. Now Papadopoulos has his back to the cage.
Novoselic wants to break the clinch but can't.
Papadopoulos lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Papadopoulos blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Novoselic breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Novoselic throws a jab but it's blocked by Papadopoulos.
Novoselic fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Papadopoulos is out of range.
Papadopoulos jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Papadopoulos throws a poor cross that misses
letting Novoselic counter with a right hand.
Novoselic tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Papadopoulos is able to avoid easily.
Avraam Papadopoulos seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Novoselic stuns Papadopoulos with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Novoselic lands with a straight right. Papadopoulos didn't see that one coming.
Papadopoulos missing with a left hand there. Novoselic was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Novoselic thinks about countering with a body kick.
Novoselic works the jab nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Papadopoulos cracks Novoselic with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
The fighters circle momentarily. Novoselic darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Novoselic moves away from the strike by Papadopoulos.
Papadopoulos slips a straight right by Novoselic.
Novoselic attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Novoselic bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Novoselic's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Novoselic duly obliges.
Papadopoulos is looking to clinch but Novoselic is avoiding it.

Papadopoulos forces Novoselic back against the cage and clinches.

Papadopoulos breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Novoselic lands with a shot to the body.
Papadopoulos throws a right hand that misses
and Novoselic counters with a straight right hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Papadopoulos scores with a jab. Novoselic acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
A slapping leg kick lands for Novoselic.
Papadopoulos 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.
Novoselic pushes Papadopoulos away with a front kick.
A low kick lands for Papadopoulos.
Novoselic thuds a left hand into Papadopoulos's body.
Papadopoulos throws a solid leg kick but Novoselic takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Papadopoulos.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Novoselic throws a nice inside leg kick.
Papadopoulos tries to close the distance and clinch up but Novoselic swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Papadopoulos swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Papadopoulos misses with a hook. Novoselic ducked under it nicely.
Novoselic throws a low kick but Papadopoulos moves out of range easily.
Papadopoulos throws a lazy right hand but Novoselic sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A punch combination from Novoselic misses.
Novoselic moves away from the strike by Papadopoulos.
Novoselic throws a low kick but it's checked well by Papadopoulos.
Novoselic throws a hook but Papadopoulos avoids it easily.
Novoselic throws a jab when Papadopoulos was well out of range.
Novoselic has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Papadopoulos finds it's way round the side to connect with Novoselic's head.
Papadopoulos misses with a looping right.
Papadopoulos is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Novoselic had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into mush.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Novoselic misses with a straight right.
Novoselic swats away the attempt to clinch by Papadopoulos.
Novoselic is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Papadopoulos.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Alex Novoselic will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Papadopoulos swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Novoselic.
Novoselic darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Novoselic ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Novoselic tried to score with a low kick but Papadopoulos checks it.
Novoselic throws a wild body kick that Papadopoulos sees coming a mile off.
Novoselic misses with a wild combination.
A little jabbing left from Papadopoulos on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Papadopoulos wants to clinch up but Novoselic keeps it at a distance.
Novoselic moves out of range of the strikes.
Papadopoulos throws out a loose jab but Novoselic uses good head movement to avoid it.
Novoselic throws a half hearted mid kick.
Papadopoulos avoids a kick to the body.
Papadopoulos throws a jab when Novoselic was well out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Papadopoulos slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
A low kick lands for Novoselic.
Papadopoulos misses with a low kick.
Nice jab there from Novoselic.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Novoselic tries to land a front kick but Papadopoulos steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Papadopoulos looks to land a combination but Novoselic avoids it well.
Novoselic swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Novoselic lands a body shot.
Papadopoulos lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Novoselic throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Papadopoulos walks forward, straight into a front kick from Novoselic.
Papadopoulos tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Novoselic manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Novoselic thuds his right hand into Papadopoulos's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Papadopoulos looks to land a right hand but Novoselic moved out of range.
Papadopoulos throws a low kick but Novoselic moves out of range easily.
Papadopoulos swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Novoselic circles away from the clinch attempt.
Papadopoulos throws an off balance right hand
and Novoselic counters with a nice uppercut.
Novoselic throws a jab when Papadopoulos was well out of range.
Papadopoulos throws a solid leg kick but Novoselic takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Papadopoulos.
Papadopoulos takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Good shot there by Papadopoulos.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Papadopoulos waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Novoselic.
Novoselic misses with a hook. Papadopoulos ducked under it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
That kick from Novoselic tenderised Papadopoulos's leg. Papadopoulos is trying to keep his angry face on.
Papadopoulos lands a nice shot that snaps Novoselic's head back.
Alex Novoselic is winning the standup battle so far.
Papadopoulos loads up on a big right hand but Novoselic slips the punch.
Papadopoulos fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Novoselic uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Papadopoulos.
Novoselic connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Papadopoulos throws a body shot but no joy.
Papadopoulos ducks under a wild hook from Novoselic.
Novoselic lands a leg kick that knocks Papadopoulos off balance momentarily.
A slow jab from Papadopoulos misses its intended target.
Papadopoulos doesn't manage to clinch there - Novoselic circles away.
Papadopoulos takes a swing at Novoselic's ribcage but misses.
Novoselic slips under a jab from Papadopoulos.
A swing and a miss from Papadopoulos.
Papadopoulos keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Novoselic.
Papadopoulos lands with a straight right. Novoselic didn't see that one coming.
Novoselic sizes up Papadopoulos with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Novoselic walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Papadopoulos checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Papadopoulos unleashes a big counter combination but Novoselic bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Novoselic slips under a jab.
Novoselic throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Papadopoulos looks to land a left hand but Novoselic moved out of range nicely.
Nice jab there from Papadopoulos.

Papadopoulos closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Papadopoulos misses with a short punch on the inside.

Papadopoulos breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Novoselic throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Papadopoulos connects with a solid leg kick.
Novoselic cracks a nice hook into Papadopoulos's ribs.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Papadopoulos checks a leg kick.
Papadopoulos checks a leg kick.
Papadopoulos misses with a left hand
enabling Novoselic to counter with a crisp jab.
Novoselic takes one on the button.
Novoselic misses with an attempted mid kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Novoselic jabs Papadopoulos to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Papadopoulos throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Novoselic.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Papadopoulos misses with a looping left.
Novoselic ducks under a wild hook from Papadopoulos.
Papadopoulos's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Papadopoulos looks to score with a jab to the body but Novoselic is just out of range.
Novoselic feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Novoselic on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Papadopoulos. Papadopoulos obviously looking to wear him down.
Both fighters circling a little - Novoselic finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Papadopoulos throws a half hearted mid kick.
Novoselic tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Novoselic throws out a loose jab but Papadopoulos uses good head movement to avoid it.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Papadopoulos crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Novoselic - the referee stops the clock and Papadopoulos gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Novoselic. Papadopoulos manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Novoselic walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
The crowd cheers as Novoselic lands an impressive looking overhand right. Papadopoulos doesn't seem phased though.

Papadopoulos closes the distance and clinches.
Papadopoulos tries a body shot but Novoselic blocks it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Papadopoulos looking to slow down the pace here.
Novoselic gets through Papadopoulos's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Papadopoulos.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Alex Novoselic will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Papadopoulos throws a big shot that misses.
An inside leg kick lands from Novoselic.
Novoselic misses with a low kick.
Novoselic shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Novoselic.
Papadopoulos scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Papadopoulos misses with a hook
and Novoselic counters with a series of strikes. Papadopoulos will be more careful next time no doubt.
Novoselic swats away the attempt to clinch by Papadopoulos.
Novoselic fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Papadopoulos manages to avoid it.
Papadopoulos throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Papadopoulos lands with a cross.
Novoselic throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Novoselic drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Papadopoulos is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Novoselic looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Papadopoulos cracks Novoselic with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Novoselic scores with a punch to the head.
Novoselic scores with the left hand. Papadopoulos knows he should have avoided that one.
Novoselic throws a leg kick but Papadopoulos sees it coming and moves out of range.
Papadopoulos lands with an uppercut that bounces Novoselic off the cage and back into range.
Papadopoulos takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Novoselic swings for the body but Papadopoulos moves out of range.
Novoselic stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Papadopoulos lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Papadopoulos misses with a left hand
and Novoselic counters with a leg kick.
Novoselic defending well as Papadopoulos loads up on a big left hand.
Novoselic was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Novoselic moves out of range as Papadopoulos strikes.
Papadopoulos with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Novoselic misses with a low kick.
Papadopoulos thows a left - swing and a miss!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Novoselic looks for the body kick but Papadopoulos saw that one coming.
Novoselic throws a hook but Papadopoulos blocks it.
Papadopoulos fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Novoselic manages to avoid it.
Avraam Papadopoulos has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Novoselic does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Papadopoulos misses the shot to the body.
Papadopoulos looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Papadopoulos has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Novoselic connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Papadopoulos uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Novoselic.
Papadopoulos throws a hook but Novoselic avoids it easily.
Novoselic misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Papadopoulos.
Papadopoulos moves out of range of the leg kick from Novoselic.

Papadopoulos closes the distance and clinches.
Alex Novoselic is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Papadopoulos.
Papadopoulos wants to break free but Novoselic has control.
Papadopoulos stalling in the clinch.
Papadopoulos tries a body shot but Novoselic blocks it.
Avraam Papadopoulos seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Papadopoulos tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Papadopoulos creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Novoselic.
Papadopoulos throws a head punch that misses.
Novoselic throws a head punch that misses.
Papadopoulos lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Novoselic backwards.
Papadopoulos throws a head punch that misses.
Papadopoulos blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Papadopoulos is trying to push Novoselic away but Novoselic has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
The referee calls for Papadopoulos to work.

Novoselic's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Papadopoulos jabs Novoselic to the body, keeping him at a distance.
A shot to the body from Papadopoulos misses
and Novoselic counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Novoselic works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Papadopoulos misses with a straight right.
Novoselic ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Papadopoulos scores with a jab. Novoselic acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Novoselic has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Papadopoulos finds it's way round the side to connect with Novoselic's head.
Novoselic lands a leg kick that knocks Papadopoulos off balance momentarily.
A telegraphed right hand from Papadopoulos misses the target.
Papadopoulos looks to land a left hand but Novoselic moved out of range nicely.
Papadopoulos connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
A jab from Novoselic finds it's way through Papadopoulos's defenses.
Papadopoulos pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Novoselic tries to move into range but Papadopoulos moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Novoselic throws a push kick but Papadopoulos slaps the foot to one side.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Avraam Papadopoulos.
I think Novoselic has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alex Novoselic!
A relieved looking Alex Novoselic thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.
Avraam Papadopoulos was interviewed post fight and said 'It's time to leave my gloves in the cage, thanks for the support on my journey, it was all a dream when i started'.