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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Bob Michigan (ranked 2669 p4p, 2576 weight class) and Pedri Popicho (ranked 223 p4p, 216 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!
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| 169 cm
19
155
2 - 1 - 0 |
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180 cm
19
154
2 - 1 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Brawler
Very strong |
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BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Bob Michigan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Pedri Popicho!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Dean Styles and David Schapiro.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Michigan has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Michigan there as he acknowledges the shot.
Michigan shoots in for a takedown but Popicho shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Popicho looks like he wants to counter punch here.
A combination from Popicho does no damage.
Nice takedown defense from Popicho. No joy for Michigan on that attempt.
Nice body punch from Popicho.
Bob Michigan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice straight punches there by Popicho. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Popicho.
Michigan fails with the takedown
and Popicho counters with a right hand to the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bob Michigan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Michigan shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Popicho lands a nice looking body shot.
Popicho scores with a nice strike.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Popicho lands with a shot to the body.
Michigan rushes Popicho and presses him up against the ropes.
Popicho misses with a body punch.
Popicho wants to break free but Michigan has control.
Michigan wants to take the fight to the mat but Popicho manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Popicho is trying to break the clinch but Michigan is controlling him.
Popicho tries a body shot but Michigan blocks it.
Popicho pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Michigan looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Popicho is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Michigan with a body shot.
Popicho has worked on his takedown defense in the runup to this fight and it is paying off so far.
Michigan looks for a takedown but Popicho sprawls well.
Popicho misses with a wild body shot.
Michigan takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Michigan fails with an attempt to clinch.
Popicho lands a nice looking body shot.
Popicho dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Michigan takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Michigan shoots and misses
and Popicho counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Michigan thinking.
Michigan pushes Popicho up against the ropes in a clinch.
I was talking to Michigan's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Popicho has had enough of the clinch but Michigan keeps him there for the moment.
Popicho breaks from the clinch.
Popicho tries to keep at a distance but Michigan has taken the fight into the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Popicho fails to land.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Popicho throws a head punch that misses.
Michigan is looking to take this one to the mat.
Michigan can't get the takedown.
Popicho doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Popicho misses with the head strike.
Michigan blocks a body shot from Popicho.
Popicho scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Popicho working hard to break the clinch.
Popicho lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Michigan backwards.
Popicho can't break the clinch.
Popicho misses with a punch on the inside.
Popicho struggles to land a body shot inside as Michigan controls his hands.
A frustrated look appears on Popicho's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Popicho letting Michigan take a breather here.
A short left from Popicho.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Popicho is trying to push Michigan away but Michigan has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
Popicho scores with a nice hook to the head.
Popicho is pressed up against the ropes. Michigan has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Popicho down to the mat. Popicho avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Michigan tries to clinch but Popicho is having none of it.
Popicho lands a nice looking body shot.
Michigan dives in and scores a takedown into Popicho's guard.
Popicho controls Michigan momentarily but Michigan frees himself.
Michigan wants to control from the top but Popicho keeps moving.
Michigan not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Popicho pulls Michigan in close to prevent any damage.
Michigan stays in close to Popicho's body and controls the position.
Popicho preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Michigan sitting in guard, not really doing much.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Pedri Popicho is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Michigan closes the distance and pushes Popicho back into the ropes.
Popicho swings wildly with an uppercut but Michigan uses good head movement to avoid it.
Popicho is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Popicho tries to circle away but Michigan has him pinned against the ropes.
Popicho lands with a left to the head.
Popicho looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Michigan blocks an uppercut.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Popicho is pressed up against the ropes. Michigan has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Popicho down to the mat. Popicho avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Michigan will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Popicho paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Michigan shoots for a double leg takedown but Popicho sprawls well. He's pushed Michigan's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Michigan will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Michigan fails with a takedown attempt.
Michigan misses with a takedown
and Popicho counters with a straight right hand.
Michigan is breathing heavily.
Michigan fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Popicho with a hook.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Popicho throws a series of punches but Michigan moves out of range.
Michigan avoids the body shot from Popicho.
Popicho scores with a jab to the body.
Michigan drives through with a takedown into Popicho's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Michigan might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Michigan is looking to work some ground and pound but Popicho has wrist control.
Michigan controls from within his opponent's guard.
Popicho working a defensive guard here.
Michigan trying to control the position from guard on top but Popicho is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Michigan loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Popicho keeping moving, preventing Michigan from controlling successfully.
Michigan with a flurry of punches that miss.
Popicho seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Michigan closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Popicho displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Michigan.
Michigan takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Michigan closes the distance and clinches.
Michigan has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Popicho avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Popicho stops a takedown attempt from Michigan.
Popicho lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Michigan backwards.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Popicho is trying to push Michigan away but Michigan has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
Popicho doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Popicho is trying to break the clinch but Michigan is controlling him.
Michigan tries to score a body lock takedown but Popicho shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Michigan prevents Popicho from breaking the clinch.
Michigan blocking some punches.
Michigan turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Popicho wants to control but Michigan postures up.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Popicho can do anything to dispel that myth.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Michigan taking a breather here.
Michigan throws a strike aimed at the side of Popicho's head but Popicho avoids it well.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Michigan tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Michigan looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Popicho is avoiding damage well.
You can see the frustration on Popicho's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The ground and pound from Michigan seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Popicho wants to control but Michigan postures up.
Michigan working the ground and pound from side control.
Michigan fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Michigan tries to advance to mount but Popicho denies him.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Pedri Popicho dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!
Popicho fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Michigan fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Michigan takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Good standup being displayed there by Popicho as he connects with a hook.
Popicho has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Popicho bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Michigan misses with a takedown attempt
and Popicho counters with a nice uppercut.
Popicho defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Michigan.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bob Michigan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Popicho throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Michigan.
Michigan looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Popicho is fending him off so far but Michigan persists. Nope, Popicho circles away and we're back to standing.
Popicho lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Michigan closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Popicho to the mat! Popicho manages to get full guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Michigan trying to control the position from guard on top but Popicho is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Popicho has control of Michigan's left arm, preventing Michigan from doing any damage.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Popicho keeping moving, preventing Michigan from controlling successfully.
Popicho looking for a sweep. Not yet Popicho, not yet.
Michigan is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Popicho avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Michigan postures up in Popicho's guard and throws a big left but Popicho blocks it.
Michigan looking to pass the guard.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Michigan trying to control but Popicho is working from the bottom.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Popicho is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Popicho slaps away a takedown attempt from Michigan, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Popicho connects with a body shot.
Michigan dives in for a single leg takedown but Popicho sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the ropes.
Popicho tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Michigan's elbow.
Popicho is pressed up against the ropes. Michigan has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Popicho down to the mat. Popicho avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Popicho lands a nice shot that snaps Michigan's head back.
Popicho throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Popicho lands a nice shot to the body.
Pedri Popicho seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Popicho slaps away a takedown attempt from Michigan, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Michigan is trying hard to land a takedown here. Popicho sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Good exchange - Popicho coming out on top.
Popicho ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Popicho has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Michigan tries to clinch up.
Michigan takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Michigan fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Popicho sprawls well initially but Michigan persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Popicho is refusing to be controlled, as Michigan sits in half guard.
Popicho trying to hold on to Michigan's head to control him but Michigan postures up.
Popicho keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Popicho is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Michigan trying to control the pace.
Michigan seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Popicho for as long as he can get away with.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Popicho is trying to control but can't.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Popicho tries to get to full guard but Michigan has control of the leg.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Popicho stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Popicho wants it to stay on the feet.
Michigan on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Michigan shoots for a double leg takedown but Popicho sprawls well. He's pushed Michigan's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Michigan keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Michigan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Popicho.
Michigan forces Popicho back against the ropes and clinches.
Popicho lands a hook to the side of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Michigan takes a shot to the head.
Popicho breaks the clinch.
Michigan closes the distance and clinches up with Popicho, looking for a takedown. Michigan pushes Popicho against the ropes but Popicho circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Popicho scores with a crisp jab that stopped Michigan in his tracks.
Michigan dives in and grabs Popicho's left leg, looking for a takedown. Popicho pushes down on Michigan's head and hops out.
Michigan looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Popicho controls Michigan momentarily but Michigan frees himself.
Michigan trying to control the position from guard on top but Popicho is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Popicho is controlling Michigan's posture.
Popicho utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Michigan passes Popicho's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Michigan thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Michigan with the ground and pound but Popicho uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Popicho being controlled here, momentarily.
Popicho is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Michigan trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Michigan throwing strikes but missing.
Popicho keeping full guard, as Michigan tries to pass.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Michigan chips away with some ground and pound.
Popicho avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Popicho working a defensive guard but Michigan manages to pass into side control anyway.
Michigan throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Michigan sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Popicho is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Michigan tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Michigan tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Bob Michigan overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Popicho is trying to control Michigan's posture but Michigan avoids it.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Popicho takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
A lull in the action here.
Popicho taking a bit of punishment here - Michigan scoring with strikes.
Michigan tries to score with some ground and pound. Popicho controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Popicho tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Michigan remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Michigan's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Pedri Popicho is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Michigan in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Michigan lands some shots froms side control.
Michigan tries to score with some ground and pound. Popicho controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Michigan working the strikes but Popicho uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Michigan is taking a breather. Popicho says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Michigan throwing shots but Popicho is blocking nicely.
And that's the end of the fight!
Pedri Popicho comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Popicho 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 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 18:20
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 18:20
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 18:20
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pedri Popicho!
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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
44% |
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