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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mikhail Popkov (ranked 1852 p4p, 1953 weight class) and Eron Saunders (ranked 237 p4p, 251 weight class). Mikhail Popkov could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Eron Saunders's chin.
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| 200 cm
29
195
16 - 13 - 0 |
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194 cm
38
196
23 - 18 - 0 |
Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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BJJ Brown Belt
World class MT
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 16 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mikhail Popkov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Eron Saunders!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Richard Clark and Andrew Berry.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fighters circling - Saunders throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
An attempted straight right counter from Popkov misses the target.
We've been informed that Saunders has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Saunders fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Popkov, pushing him back against the cage.
Saunders struggles to land a body shot inside as Popkov controls his hands.
Popkov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
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.
Saunders misses with a straight right.
Saunders fails in his attempt to clinch.
Saunders rushes Popkov and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Popkov lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Popkov breaks from the clinch.
Saunders blocks a jab.
Popkov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Saunders ducks under a wild hook from Popkov.
Saunders throws a lazy right hand but Popkov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Popkov throws a big shot that misses.
The fighters circling - Popkov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Saunders tries to counter with a clinch but Popkov shakes him off and moves away.
Popkov throws a shot from downtown. Saunders moves away and avoids it.
Saunders ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Saunders is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Saunders ducks right into an uppercut from Popkov.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Saunders clinches up against the cage.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Popkov tries to throw a body punch but Saunders avoids it by throwing Popkov back against the cage.
Popkov lands a right hand that snaps the head of Saunders backwards.
Popkov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Saunders doesn't manage to clinch there - Popkov circles away.
Saunders tries to close the distance and clinch but Popkov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Saunders has managed to clinch.
Popkov lands a hook that snaps the head of Saunders backwards.
Popkov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Popkov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Popkov wants to break free but Saunders has control.
Popkov lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Saunders pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Saunders lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Popkov breaks from the clinch.
Saunders tries to clinch there but Popkov circles away.
Saunders moves in looking to clinch but Popkov pushes him off.
Saunders throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
It looked like Popkov wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Saunders swings for the body but Popkov moves out of range.
A big right from Popkov misses.
Popkov loads up on a big right hand but Saunders slips the punch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Crunch! Popkov slams his shin into Saunders's torso.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Saunders looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Saunders closes the distance and clinches.
Still in the clinch, Popkov scores with a nice short uppercut.
Popkov breaks the clinch.
Saunders uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Popkov.
Saunders is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Popkov with a body shot.
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.
Saunders needs to keep his hands up - Popkov had a free shot at his head there.
Popkov looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Saunders swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A quick step to the side and Popkov tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Saunders looks to throw the jab but Popkov is out of range.
Popkov throws the left hand but Saunders avoids the punch easily.
Popkov takes a swing at Saunders's ribcage but misses.
Popkov ducks under a wild hook from Saunders.
Popkov looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Popkov throws a hook to the side of Saunders's head but Saunders sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Popkov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Mikhail Popkov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Popkov tests Saunders's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Popkov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saunders pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Popkov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Saunders moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Popkov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Popkov misses with a looping left.
Popkov 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.
Saunders scores with a crisp jab that stopped Popkov in his tracks.
Saunders tries to clinch there but Popkov circles away.
Saunders takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
A looping hook to the body misses from Saunders. Popkov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Saunders fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Popkov on the side of the head.
It looks like Mikhail Popkov has been cut.
Popkov throws a shot from downtown. Saunders moves away and avoids it.
A telegraphed right hand from Popkov misses the target.
Saunders throws out a counter right but Popkov avoids it with no problem.
Popkov throws a big shot that misses.
Saunders moves in looking to clinch but Popkov pushes him off.
Popkov missing with a left hand there. Saunders was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Saunders takes one to the side of the head.
Saunders closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Popkov can't break the clinch.
Saunders pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Saunders takes one to the side of the head.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Popkov.
A big right from Popkov misses.
Popkov misses with an uppercut.
Popkov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Popkov looks to land a body kick but Saunders moved away.
Popkov misses with a wild body shot.
Saunders is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Popkov.
Saunders connects with a right hand. Popkov shakes it off.
Saunders bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Saunders tries to close the distance and clinch but Popkov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Popkov misses with a straight right.
Saunders blocks a head kick by Popkov.
Popkov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Saunders throws out the jab.
Saunders waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Popkov.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Saunders is looking to clinch.
Saunders has closed the distance and engaged Popkov in a clinch.
Popkov scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Saunders lands a right hand.
Saunders lands a hook to the side of the head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Mikhail Popkov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mikhail Popkov's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!
Popkov gets tackled into the cage by Saunders. Saunders maintains the clinch.
Popkov tries a body shot but Saunders blocks it.
Popkov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Saunders can do to turn this around?
Popkov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Popkov circles away from the clinch attempt.
A quick step to the side and Popkov tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Saunders fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Popkov looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Saunders tries to clinch but Popkov is having none of it.
An attempted straight right counter from Popkov misses the target.
Popkov lands with an overhand left.
Saunders takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Saunders takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Saunders uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Popkov.
It seemed like Saunders was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Popkov lunges at Saunders with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Saunders's hand.
Popkov on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Saunders tries to clinch but Popkov moves out of range.
Popkov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Saunders is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Popkov with a body shot.
Saunders's corner calls for a 1-2. Saunders obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
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 an attempted mid kick.
A jab from Saunders misses.
Saunders moves into range and clinches up with Popkov.
Popkov manages to break the clinch.
Popkov fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Saunders on the side of the head.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Saunders closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Popkov scores with a nice strike.
Popkov has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Popkov connects with a good right hand that stumbles Saunders. Saunders circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Popkov throws a head kick but Saunders moves out of range.
Popkov rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Saunders counters with a nice body shot.
Popkov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Saunders.
Popkov misses with a hook. Saunders ducked under it nicely.
Saunders wants to counter the offense by Popkov and move into the clinch position.
Saunders staying out of range there.
Saunders tries to clinch up but Popkov circles away and keeps his distance.
Saunders swinging wildly here.
Popkov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Popkov connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Popkov lands a lovely overhand right.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Popkov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Popkov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Popkov scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Popkov throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Saunders doesn't manage to clinch there - Popkov circles away.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saunders is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Saunders moves into the clinch.
Popkov lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Popkov throws a head punch that misses.
Saunders lands with a short shot to the head.
Saunders working aggressively here.
Saunders misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Saunders misses with a short punch on the inside.
Popkov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Saunders creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Popkov's defenses.
Saunders tries a body shot but Popkov blocks it.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Popkov.
Popkov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Saunders closes the distance but Popkov moves to the side
and Popkov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Saunders clinches with his opponent.
Popkov manages to break the clinch.
Popkov throws a head kick but Saunders moves out of range.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saunders throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Popkov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Saunders tries to clinch there but Popkov circles away.
Popkov blocks a jab.
Popkov lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Saunders throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Popkov on the side of the head.
Popkov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Popkov throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Popkov throws an off balance right hand
enabling Saunders to counter with a crisp jab.
Popkov tries to bum rush Saunders with a series of wild strikes but Saunders uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Saunders tries to clinch but Popkov is having none of it.
Saunders scores with a body shot.
Saunders thows a left - swing and a miss!
A shot to the liver by Popkov. Beautiful body shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Popkov throws a head kick that Saunders semi-blocks.
Good shot there by Popkov.
Saunders clinches up against the cage.
Nice body punch from Saunders - that landed with a thud.
Saunders tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Popkov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Popkov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Popkov misses with an attempted mid kick.
Saunders looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Saunders tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Popkov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Popkov misses with a head kick.
Saunders lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Saunders tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Popkov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Popkov scores with a nice head shot.
Saunders 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.
Popkov on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Saunders lunges at Popkov with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Popkov's hand.
Saunders moves forwards but Popkov connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Popkov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Saunders.
Popkov tries to bum rush Saunders with a series of wild strikes but Saunders uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Saunders cracks Popkov with a good jab.
Mikhail Popkov's cut is getting worse.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Saunders ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Popkov moves away.
Saunders misses with a straight left.
Popkov avoids a punch combination nicely.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Mikhail Popkov dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Mikhail Popkov's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!
Jab from Saunders.
Popkov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Saunders is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Popkov.
Popkov looks to land a right hand but Saunders moved out of range.
Popkov looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Popkov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Saunders 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.
Popkov is rocked!
Saunders closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Oh Popkov is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Saunders scores with a nice hook to the head.
Popkov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Saunders misses with a looping left.
Popkov throwing a counter right hand but Saunders manages to avoid it.
Saunders rushes Popkov and presses him up against the cage.
Popkov misses with a punch on the inside.
Saunders blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Saunders lands with a left to the head.
Popkov wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Saunders has him pressed against the cage.
Saunders misses with a shot to the kidneys.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Good body shot from Saunders.
Eron Saunders seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Popkov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
I'm just looking down at my notes here and I see that.... oh! Saunders has cracked Popkov with a big right, followed by a left! He's out on his feet! Saunders lands another huge swinging hook and Popkov tumbles to the canvas! The ref dives in to save Popkov, before Saunders can land any more shots!
Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:53 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Eron Saunders!
Eron Saunders bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.
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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
95% |
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