PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Arthur Menezes (ranked 339 p4p, 711 weight class) and Mikhail Popkov (ranked 44 p4p, 111 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Menezes
vs
Popkov

180 cm
36
190
27 - 17 - 0

200 cm
22
195
7 - 1 - 0

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Conquer
Vegan Gains

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 27 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Arthur Menezes!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mikhail Popkov!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Ren Mimura and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Popkov scores with the left hand. Menezes knows he should have avoided that one.
A swing and a miss from Popkov.

Menezes shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Menezes showed some decent athleticism there.
Menezes is keen to just control but Popkov is a slippery customer.
Popkov is trying to stand.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Menezes is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Popkov is just riding it out for now. Menezes eventually gives up the hold.
Menezes wants to take a breather but Popkov is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Menezes controlling the action here.
Popkov looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Menezes thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Popkov wants to get back to his feet.

Menezes is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Popkov doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Menezes.
Popkov wants to get back to his feet.
Menezes thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Popkov's head.
Popkov is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Menezes throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Menezes content to control rather than advance.
Menezes trying to control from half guard but Popkov is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Popkov won't allow Menezes to pass to mount.
Menezes thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Menezes wants to take a breather but Popkov is having none of it.
Popkov tries to kick Menezes off but Menezes keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Menezes feints and as Popkov raises his hands in defense, Menezes changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Menezes throwing strikes from guard but Popkov blocks nicely.
Popkov wants to stand and escape but Menezes is having none of it.

Menezes thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Popkov keeping moving, preventing Menezes from controlling successfully.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Menezes looking to pass the guard.
Menezes won't allow Popkov to get back to his feet.
Menezes trying to control the position from guard on top but Popkov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Popkov can't keep his opponent in guard - Menezes advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Menezes trying to control from half guard but Popkov is working away.

Popkov is pushing off trying to get to his feet. Menezes has hold of the leg though and he's dropped back for a heel hook… has he got it?? YES! Popkov is tapping! This fight is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:39 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Heel Hook). Arthur Menezes!
Arthur Menezes retains his middleweight title!