PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mikhail Popkov (ranked 338 p4p, 987 weight class) and Bruno Henrique (ranked 48 p4p, 138 weight class). Mikhail Popkov has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Popkov
vs
Henrique

200 cm
24
195
10 - 3 - 0

184 cm
26
186
6 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Blue Belt
Good low kicks
Granite chin

Voodoo Nutrition
PWNAGE Elite - $25 Tees

Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mikhail Popkov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Bruno Henrique!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Topper Green and Ben Hemmingworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Popkov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Nice defenses there by Henrique.
Popkov scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
We've been told by Popkov's head coaches at Zero Tolerance that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Popkov on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

It looks like Mikhail Popkov has been cut.
Popkov throws a body punch but Henrique moves out of range.
It seemed like Henrique was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Henrique throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Henrique throws a jab when Popkov was well out of range.
Popkov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Henrique manages to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Henrique lands a body shot.
Popkov on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Henrique slips under a jab.
Popkov misses with a combination
and Henrique counters with a left to the body.
Mikhail Popkov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Henrique.
Popkov misses with a double jab.
Henrique dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Popkov throws an overhand right that lands on Henrique's shoulder, as Henrique tries to avoid the shot.
Popkov takes a swing at Henrique's ribcage but misses.
Despite the aggression on Henrique's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Henrique rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Popkov counters with a nice uppercut.
Henrique scores with a nice strike.
Popkov moves out of range of the strikes.
Henrique lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henrique throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
A slow jab from Popkov misses its intended target.
Popkov slips under a jab.
Popkov works Henrique's body with a nice hook.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Henrique swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
An attempted straight right counter from Popkov misses the target.
Henrique swings widly with a right hand
letting Popkov counter with a right hand.

It looks like Bruno Henrique has been cut.
Popkov ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Popkov just misses with a punch to the body.
Henrique jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Henrique has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Popkov finds it's way round the side to connect with Henrique's head.
Henrique connects with a right hand. Popkov shakes it off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Popkov slips a straight right by Henrique.
Popkov was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Popkov really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Henrique defending well as Popkov loads up on a big left hand.
Henrique misses with an uppercut
and Popkov counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Popkov misses with a two punch combination.
Popkov lands a jab.
Popkov dodges the punch combination from Henrique.
Henrique swings for the body but Popkov moves out of range.
Henrique misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Popkov.
It looked like Popkov wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Henrique showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Popkov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Popkov moves out of range of the strikes.

Oooooh!!! Henrique has knocked Popkov down with a huge combo! Henrique steps away and waves a wobbly Popkov back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!

Popkov is rocked!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Popkov misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Henrique counters with a huge left! Popkov is in big trouble! He's backing up but Henrique isn't giving him chance to recover. Under a barage of punches the ref has to step in to save Popkov from any more damage. A dominating finish by Henrique!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:26 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Bruno Henrique!
A relieved looking Bruno Henrique thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.