PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Viktor Spopovich (ranked 25211 p4p, 23841 weight class) and Marcos Andre Da Silva Barbosa (ranked 255 p4p, 242 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Spopovich
vs
Da Silva Barbosa

225 cm
18
300
1 - 6 - 0

183 cm
19
300
0 - 13 - 1

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Viktor Spopovich!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Marcos Andre Da Silva Barbosa!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Konstantin Menshow and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sloppy strikes from Da Silva Barbosa. Those never looked like landing.
Da Silva Barbosa looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!

Spopovich gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Spopovich is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Spopovich goes for a takedown in the clinch but Da Silva Barbosa prevents it.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Spopovich goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Spopovich wants to take the fight to the mat but Da Silva Barbosa manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Viktor Spopovich. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Spopovich pulls guard effortlessly.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Spopovich looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spopovich wants to sweep but no luck.
Spopovich will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Spopovich is working hard here to advance position.

Spopovich has his foot on Da Silva Barbosa's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Da Silva Barbosa works his way back into a safe position though.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Spopovich working for a triangle but Da Silva Barbosa defends it easily.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Spopovich moves into range and clinches up with Da Silva Barbosa.

Spopovich successfully pulls guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spopovich is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Spopovich wants to sweep here but Da Silva Barbosa controlling him for the moment.
Spopovich seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Spopovich tries to strike from the bottom.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spopovich wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Spopovich tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Da Silva Barbosa is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

Spopovich pushes Da Silva Barbosa up against the cage in a clinch.
Spopovich is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Da Silva Barbosa is defending well.
Spopovich lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Da Silva Barbosa backwards.
Da Silva Barbosa wants to break free but Spopovich has control.

Spopovich manages to break the clinch.

Spopovich clinches up with Da Silva Barbosa and pushes him back against the cage.
Da Silva Barbosa being controlled against the cage.
Spopovich has been working on his balance at Cozad MMA Helsinki, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Da Silva Barbosa.
Spopovich landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Spopovich utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Spopovich gets control of Da Silva Barbosa's arms and successfully pulls guard. Spopovich will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Da Silva Barbosa prevents Spopovich from getting back to his feet.
Spopovich controlling the position.
Spopovich manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Da Silva Barbosa manages to get himself to full guard.

Spopovich stands and steps away. Da Silva Barbosa gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Spopovich drives through and clinches with Da Silva Barbosa against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Spopovich has Da Silva Barbosa pressed against the cage.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Da Silva Barbosa is looking to break free of the clinch but Spopovich has double underhooks.
Spopovich is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Da Silva Barbosa gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Viktor Spopovich dominated that round.
That's time! Spopovich's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Da Silva Barbosa throws a right and a left that both miss.

Spopovich moves into range and clinches up with Da Silva Barbosa.

Spopovich manages to break the clinch.

Da Silva Barbosa gets tackled into the cage by Spopovich. Spopovich maintains the clinch.
Da Silva Barbosa is looking to break free of the clinch but Spopovich has double underhooks.

Spopovich breaks from the clinch.
Da Silva Barbosa avoids the head kick by Spopovich.
Da Silva Barbosa misses with a hook. Spopovich ducked under it nicely.

Spopovich closes the distance and clinches.
Spopovich wants a takedown but no success here.
Da Silva Barbosa is trying to push Spopovich away but Spopovich has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Spopovich tries to score a body lock takedown but Da Silva Barbosa shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Spopovich is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Da Silva Barbosa is defending well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Viktor Spopovich. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Spopovich's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Da Silva Barbosa avoids the head kick by Spopovich.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Da Silva Barbosa misses the jab.
Marcos Andre Da Silva Barbosa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Spopovich darts in and clinches Da Silva Barbosa up against the cage.

Spopovich manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Da Silva Barbosa tries to keep at a distance but Spopovich has taken the fight into the clinch.
Spopovich is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Da Silva Barbosa can do to turn this around?
Spopovich stalls.
Da Silva Barbosa is pressed up against the cage. Spopovich has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Da Silva Barbosa down to the mat. Da Silva Barbosa avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
A combination from Da Silva Barbosa does no damage.

Spopovich takes the fight into the clinch.

Spopovich decides to pull guard.
Spopovich is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Spopovich looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Da Silva Barbosa keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Spopovich seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

Spopovich stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Spopovich moves into the clinch successfully.
Spopovich tries to throw a body punch but Da Silva Barbosa avoids it by throwing Spopovich back against the cage.
Spopovich lands an elbow inside that Da Silva Barbosa shrugs off.
Spopovich tries for a takedown but Da Silva Barbosa manages to get underhooks.

Spopovich breaks the clinch.

Spopovich darts in and clinches Da Silva Barbosa up against the cage.

Spopovich breaks the clinch.

Spopovich gets a clinch.

Spopovich escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Da Silva Barbosa throws a series of punches but Spopovich avoids them all with ease.

Spopovich has taken the fight to the clinch.
Come on Spopovich - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Spopovich gets control of Da Silva Barbosa's arms and successfully pulls guard. Spopovich will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Spopovich has his hands on Da Silva Barbosa's head, controlling the position.
Spopovich looking to hit a scissor sweep but Da Silva Barbosa is one step ahead there.
Spopovich trying to control the position here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Viktor Spopovich dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Spopovich has closed the distance and engaged Da Silva Barbosa in a clinch.
Da Silva Barbosa is trying to push Spopovich away but Spopovich has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
We've been informed that Da Silva Barbosa has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

Spopovich jumps into guard, dragging Da Silva Barbosa to the mat.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Spopovich is on top in guard.

Spopovich controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Da Silva Barbosa takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Viktor Spopovich overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Spopovich trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

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.
Spopovich seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Spopovich pushes Da Silva Barbosa up against the cage in a clinch.

Spopovich breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Spopovich misses with a head kick.

Spopovich moves into range and clinches up with Da Silva Barbosa.

Spopovich breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Viktor Spopovich is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Spopovich has taken the fight to the clinch.

Spopovich ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Spopovich no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Spopovich trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Spopovich has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Da Silva Barbosa can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Spopovich has his foot on Da Silva Barbosa's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Da Silva Barbosa works his way back into a safe position though.
Spopovich looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Spopovich wants to sweep here but Da Silva Barbosa controlling him for the moment.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A head kick misses from Spopovich.

Spopovich gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Spopovich pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Spopovich forces Da Silva Barbosa back against the cage and clinches.
Spopovich fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Marcos Andre Da Silva Barbosa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Spopovich has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Da Silva Barbosa uses from the top position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Viktor Spopovich showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Spopovich has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 30:26
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 30:26
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Viktor Spopovich!
The defeated Marcos Andre Da Silva Barbosa had this to say: 'Sorry God, your son is failed to became a fighter'.