PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Josie Saltzman (ranked 3286 p4p, 3280 weight class) and Mikhail Popkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Saltzman
vs
Popkov

182 cm
29
189
4 - 0 - 0

200 cm
31
195
16 - 14 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

NARCOS

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 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Josie Saltzman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mikhail Popkov!
The judges for this bout are Percy O'Donnell, Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saltzman pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Saltzman takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Popkov throws a quick inside leg kick.
Popkov stalks Saltzman and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Saltzman's face. Saltzman staggers backwards, shaken.
Saltzman shoots in for a takedown but Popkov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Popkov fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Popkov lands the left hand.
Popkov is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Popkov looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
A jab lands there for Popkov.
Mikhail Popkov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Popkov throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Saltzman stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Saltzman stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Popkov.
Saltzman tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A head kick by Popkov misses

and Saltzman counters with a single leg into guard. Popkov didn't expect that.

Saltzman gets to his feet - Popkov follows without any prompting.
Popkov throws a combination. Saltzman tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Popkov moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Saltzman steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Popkov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Popkov lands a head kick!
Popkov fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Saltzman has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Saltzman tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Popkov defends well and Saltzman ends up having to push Popkov into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Popkov looks like he wants to counter punch here.

Saltzman breaks the clinch.
Popkov connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Popkov scores with a nice right hand.
Popkov with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Popkov keeps Saltzman at a distance using the push kick.
Popkov smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Saltzman thows a leg kick but Popkov checks it
and Popkov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Popkov misses with an uppercut. Saltzman saw that one coming.
Popkov closes the distance and lands a one-two.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A jab lands there for Popkov.
No joy there for Popkov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Saltzman misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Popkov lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Josie Saltzman. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Popkov lands the left hand.
Saltzman shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Popkov pinned against the cage. Popkov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Popkov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Saltzman moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Saltzman misses with a takedown
and Popkov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Popkov misses with a head kick.
Saltzman shoots in for a double leg but Popkov sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Popkov looks to land a left hand but Saltzman moved out of range nicely.
Nice uppercut there from Popkov.
Popkov with a jab.
Saltzman takes one to the side of the head.
Popkov is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Saltzman's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Popkov connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Saltzman scrambles back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Popkov misses with a series of wild punches.
Popkov stalks Saltzman and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Saltzman's face. Saltzman staggers backwards, shaken.
Popkov moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Popkov throws a quick inside leg kick.
Popkov throws a nice looking combination but Saltzman bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Popkov swats away the attempt to clinch by Saltzman.
Donk. Popkov catches Saltzman right on the button with a cross.
Popkov is working the combinations to good effect here.

Saltzman moves into range and clinches up with Popkov.
Saltzman changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Popkov fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Popkov feints a jab promting Saltzman to slip. Popkov then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Saltzman slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Popkov has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Popkov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Saltzman.
A slapping leg kick lands for Popkov.
Saltzman shoots in looking for a takedown but Popkov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Saltzman's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Saltzman has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Good leg kick by Popkov.
Popkov lands with a thumping leg kick.
Popkov feints a jab promting Saltzman to slip. Popkov then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Saltzman slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Popkov works over Saltzman's head and body with a nice combination.

It looks like Josie Saltzman has been cut.
Popkov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Saltzman moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Saltzman takes one on the chin but seems OK.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Saltzman shoots in for a takedown but Popkov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Popkov lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Popkov throws a low kick but Saltzman moves out of range easily.
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 Josie Saltzman's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Saltzman walks into a straight right hand from Popkov.
Mikhail Popkov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Popkov slaps away a takedown attempt from Saltzman, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Popkov connects with a jab.
Popkov connects with a solid leg kick.
Saltzman shoots and misses
and Popkov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Saltzman steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Popkov.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Popkov, as that shot connected.
Saltzman is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
A left and a right from Popkov both land. Nice combination.
Nice uppercut there from Popkov.
Saltzman takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Popkov fails to land with a series of punches.
Popkov looks to land a combination. Saltzman sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Saltzman is looking to clinch.
Popkov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Saltzman moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Saltzman has taken the fight to the clinch.

Saltzman breaks the clinch.
Saltzman takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Saltzman moves away from the strike by Popkov.
Nice sprawl there from Popkov as Saltzman shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Josie Saltzman. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Popkov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Mikhail Popkov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Popkov plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Popkov misses with a wild combination.
Popkov moves into range and connects with a jab.
Popkov feints and then cracks Saltzman's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Saltzman down.

Saltzman closes the distance and pushes Popkov back into the cage.
Saltzman tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Saltzman is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Saltzman is looking for a takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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 breaks from the clinch.
Popkov connects with a good right hand that stumbles Saltzman. Saltzman circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Saltzman shoots in for a double leg but Popkov sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Nice uppercut there from Popkov.
Saltzman steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Popkov.
Popkov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Popkov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Saltzman looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Popkov stalks Saltzman and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Saltzman's face. Saltzman staggers backwards, shaken.
A slapping leg kick lands for Popkov.
An inside leg kick lands from Popkov.
Popkov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Saltzman fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Popkov avoids it really well and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Popkov scores with a nice body kick.
Popkov misses with a two punch combination.

Saltzman shoots in and gets a takedown into Popkov's guard.
Popkov is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Saltzman dives into side control.

Popkov wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Saltzman tries to move into full mount but can't pass Popkov's legs.
Popkov is trying to buck Saltzman off.
Saltzman postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

Popkov throws Saltzman to one side and escapes!
Popkov throws a nice head kick!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Saltzman takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Saltzman shoots in but Popkov avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Josie Saltzman is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Saltzman misses with a body kick.
Popkov appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Popkov lands a leg kick that knocks Saltzman off balance momentarily.
Popkov lands a jab-cross combination.
Saltzman shoots in but no luck this time.
Popkov unleashes a big counter combination but Saltzman bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Popkov fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Saltzman on the side of the head.
Popkov lands with a hook. Saltzman tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Popkov throws a leg kick which misses Saltzman's front leg but catches the back leg as Saltzman tries to avoid it.
Popkov throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A chopping leg kick lands by Popkov.
Popkov lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Popkov throws out a loose jab but Saltzman uses good head movement to avoid it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mikhail Popkov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Josie Saltzman's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Saltzman takes the fight into the clinch.
Saltzman using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Popkov has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Popkov wants to break free but Saltzman has control.
A body shot lands from Popkov.

Popkov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Popkov lands a nice hook to Saltzman's body. Saltzman takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Popkov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Saltzman sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A leg kick checked by Saltzman.
Saltzman has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Saltzman takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Popkov throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Saltzman.
Popkov smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Saltzman has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Saltzman avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Popkov cracks Saltzman with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Popkov throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Popkov lands with a right hand.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Popkov.
Popkov lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
A nice leg kick from Popkov, right into the meat of the thigh.
Popkov looks to land a combination but Saltzman avoids it well.
Saltzman shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
enabling Popkov to counter with a crisp jab.
Saltzman blocks a head kick by Popkov.
Popkov throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Saltzman.
Saltzman tries to close the distance and clinch but Popkov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Saltzman closes this distance looking for a takedown but Popkov circles away.
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 lands with an uppercut that bounces Saltzman off the cage and back into range.
Popkov throws a right hand that Saltzman ducks under and follows up with a left that Saltzman also avoids with ease.
A counter left hand to the body from Saltzman misses its target.
Saltzman takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Popkov lands with a straight right. Saltzman didn't see that one coming.
Some wild striking there from Saltzman.
Popkov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Popkov misses with a hook. Saltzman ducked under it nicely.
Saltzman takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Popkov keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Popkov stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Popkov looks to throw the jab but Saltzman is out of range.
Popkov throws a left and a right that both miss
and Saltzman counters with a two punch combo.
Popkov throws a leg kick which misses Saltzman's front leg but catches the back leg as Saltzman tries to avoid it.
Saltzman fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Popkov manages to avoid it.
Popkov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Saltzman circles away quickly and effectively.
Popkov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saltzman pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Saltzman fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Josie Saltzman. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Saltzman closes the distance but Popkov moves to the side
and Popkov counters with a nice uppercut.
Saltzman throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Popkov throws out a counter right but Saltzman avoids it with no problem.
Popkov moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Josie Saltzman has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Popkov jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Saltzman moves out of range as Popkov strikes.
Nice sprawl there from Popkov as Saltzman shoots in.
Popkov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Saltzman manages to avoid it.
Popkov moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Saltzman blocks a head kick by Popkov.
Popkov looks to land a combination. Saltzman sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Popkov misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Saltzman tries for a takedown but Popkov sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Popkov misses with a double jab.
Saltzman fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Saltzman with a poor takedown
and Popkov counters with a stiff right hand.
Saltzman is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Popkov lands a nice shot that snaps Saltzman's head back.
Saltzman fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Popkov avoids it really well and circles away.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Popkov's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Popkov duly obliges.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mikhail Popkov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Popkov winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 26:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 26:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mikhail Popkov!
Mikhail Popkov seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.