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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mikhail Popkov (ranked 464 p4p, 436 weight class) and John Edmonds (ranked 71 p4p, 66 weight class). Edmonds is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Frankie Smith - Double Dutch Bus. On his way into the cage it seems that Mikhail Popkov has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Mikhail Popkov seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?
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| 200 cm
24
195
11 - 5 - 0 |
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185 cm
33
190
29 - 17 - 1 |
Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank |
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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 11 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mikhail Popkov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 29 - 17 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Edmonds!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Hugh Johnson and John Mangel.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Edmonds swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Popkov fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Edmonds is out of range.
Edmonds throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Edmonds has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Popkov tries to sprawl but Edmonds drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Popkov pushes Edmonds off and gets back to his feet.
Edmonds misses with a body shot.
Popkov is looking for a counter combo.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Popkov misses with an attempted mid kick.
Popkov lands with a cross.
Popkov misses with a lunging right hand
and Edmonds counters with a nice uppercut.
Popkov moves forwards but Edmonds connects with a nice, crisp jab.
A big right from Popkov misses.
Popkov moves out of range as Edmonds strikes.
Popkov is looking to counter with a body kick.
Edmonds misses with a hook
and Popkov counters with a nice uppercut.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Popkov misses the jab.
Edmonds throws a hook but Popkov blocks it.
Mikhail Popkov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Popkov just misses with a punch to the body.
Popkov gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Edmonds to score an easy takedown into full guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Edmonds is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Popkov will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Edmonds pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Popkov is keeping the position for now.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Edmonds wants to control from the top but Popkov keeps moving.
Edmonds sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Popkov keeping moving, preventing Edmonds from controlling successfully.
Edmonds controlling from the top position.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Edmonds feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Edmonds tries to free his leg and advance position but Popkov is retaining full guard.
Popkov being controlled here, momentarily.
Edmonds stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Popkov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Popkov wants to get back to his feet but Edmonds is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Edmonds drops back, looking for a kneebar! Popkov looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Popkov looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Popkov!
Popkov decides to stand up, so the ref orders Edmonds to his feet.
Popkov throws a body shot but no joy.
Popkov misses with a two punch combination.
Edmonds is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Popkov misses with a double jab.
Popkov swings for the body but Edmonds moves out of range.
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 Mikhail Popkov will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!
Popkov gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Edmonds lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Popkov circles away quickly and effectively.
Good shot there by Edmonds.
A slow jab from Popkov misses its intended target.
Edmonds throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Popkov stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Edmonds jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Edmonds throws a lazy right hand but Popkov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Popkov throws a big counter combination but Edmonds scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Edmonds misses with a jab to the body
letting Popkov counter with a right hand.
Edmonds tries to work over Popkov's front leg with a kick but Popkov checks it.
An attempted straight right counter from Popkov misses the target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Popkov takes a swing at Edmonds's ribcage but misses.
Edmonds digs a good body shot into Popkov's ribs.
Popkov with a nice cross.
Edmonds throws an off balance right hand
and Popkov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Edmonds staying out of range there.
A little jabbing left from Edmonds on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Edmonds throws a shot from downtown. Popkov moves away and avoids it.
Edmonds throws a poor cross that misses
and Popkov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Popkov takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Popkov slips under a jab.
Edmonds throws a shot from downtown. Popkov moves away and avoids it.
Popkov throwing a counter right hand but Edmonds manages to avoid it.
Edmonds looks to land a right hand but Popkov moved out of range.
It looked like Popkov wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Popkov ducks under a wild hook from Edmonds.
Popkov appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Popkov takes a shot to the body in his stride.
John Edmonds seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Edmonds throws a hook to the side of Popkov's head but Popkov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Edmonds throws out a loose jab but Popkov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nice straight punches there by Edmonds. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Edmonds.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Popkov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Edmonds.
Edmonds misses with a body shot.
Edmonds dips to his left and cracks Popkov with an uppercut!
Popkov takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
John Edmonds seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Edmonds throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Edmonds jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Popkov is looking for a counter combo.
Edmonds will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Edmonds throws a right hand that misses
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
and Popkov counters with a nice uppercut.
Popkov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A big right from Edmonds misses.
A big left from Popkov misses.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Popkov misses with an uppercut. Edmonds saw that one coming.
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.
Edmonds shoots in and drives through. Popkov sprawls well.
Popkov is looking to counter punch.
Edmonds misses the body punch
and Popkov counters with a stiff right hand.
Popkov scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Edmonds is rocked!
Popkov defending well as Edmonds loads up on a big left hand.
Edmonds is still on wobbly legs! Can Popkov finish him?
Edmonds misses the jab.
Edmonds seems to have recovered his senses.
Edmonds uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Popkov.
Popkov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Edmonds pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Edmonds throws a leg kick
and Popkov counters with a nice uppercut.
Popkov misses with the combination.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Edmonds misses its intended target.
Popkov appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Edmonds misses with a lunging right hand
enabling Popkov to counter with a crisp jab.
Popkov takes a swing at Edmonds's ribcage but misses.
Edmonds misses with a two punch combination.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Edmonds throws a series of strikes that have Popkov backpedaling.
It looks like Mikhail Popkov has been cut.
Edmonds connects with a body shot.
Edmonds throws a right and a left that Popkov avoids nicely.
Popkov misses with a head kick.
Edmonds slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Edmonds cracks a nice hook into Popkov's ribs.
Edmonds looks to throw the jab but Popkov is out of range.
Edmonds uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Popkov.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
John Edmonds showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Mikhail Popkov's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!
Edmonds blocks the body kick.
It looks like Popkov has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
Edmonds looking to score a takedown here. Popkov is defending well but Edmonds drives through and ends up in Popkov's guard.
Popkov scrambles and gets back to his feet.
A decent looking cross lands there for Edmonds.
Edmonds jabs at Popkov's body.
Edmonds misses with a takedown attempt
and Popkov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Edmonds throws a lazy uppercut
and Popkov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Popkov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Popkov misses with a left hand
letting Edmonds counter with a right hand.
Edmonds ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Popkov moves away.
Popkov appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Popkov tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Edmonds throws a nice looking combination but Popkov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Popkov went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
A big left from Edmonds misses.
Popkov throws the kick towards the body but Edmonds avoids it.
Edmonds cracks a nice hook into Popkov's ribs.
Popkov blocks a low kick nicely.
Popkov looks to land a body kick but Edmonds moved away.
Popkov looks to land a right hand but Edmonds moved out of range.
Edmonds lands a nice shot that snaps Popkov's head back.
Edmonds slips under a jab from Popkov.
Popkov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Edmonds.
Popkov throws an overhand right that lands on Edmonds's shoulder, as Edmonds tries to avoid the shot.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Popkov pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Popkov staying out of range there.
Popkov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Popkov is looking for a counter combo.
Edmonds lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Popkov circles away quickly and effectively.
Popkov avoids a punch combination nicely.
It looked like Popkov was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Popkov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Edmonds lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Popkov has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Popkov and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Edmonds throws an off balance right hand
letting Popkov counter with a right hand.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Popkov misses with a lunging right hand
and Popkov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Edmonds lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Edmonds misses with a straight right.
Popkov lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Edmonds avoids the head kick by Popkov.
A big left from Popkov misses.
Edmonds let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Popkov looks to throw a body kick
and Edmonds counters with a stiff right hand.
Popkov walks into a jab.
Edmonds swings widly with a right hand
and Popkov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Edmonds throws a right hand that misses
and Popkov counters with a nice body shot.
Popkov takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Popkov checks a leg kick.
Edmonds misses with a leg kick
and Popkov counters with a nice body shot.
Popkov takes one to the chin there.
A swing and a miss from Edmonds.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Edmonds throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Popkov.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Edmonds throws a left and a right that both miss
and Popkov counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Popkov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Edmonds lands a nice looking body shot.
Popkov swings widly with a right hand
and Edmonds counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Popkov misses with a head kick.
Popkov misses with a straight left.
Popkov scores with a one two! Edmonds had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Popkov checks the leg kick nicely there.
Edmonds looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Popkov is fending him off so far but Edmonds persists. Nope, Popkov circles away and we're back to standing.
Nice body punch from Edmonds.
And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to John Edmonds.
I think Edmonds has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Winston Howard scores the fight 29:28
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 28:30
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 28:29
In favor of your winner, by split decision... John Edmonds!
John Edmonds decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
59% |
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