PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gilbert Nunez (ranked 4042 p4p, 4037 weight class) and Alexey Popov (ranked 177 p4p, 206 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Nunez
vs
Popov

182 cm
18
171
0 - 0 - 0

199 cm
18
290
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 1 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Gilbert Nunez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alexey Popov!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Daniel Franklin and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nunez looks to land a combination. Popov sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

It looks like Alexey Popov has been cut.
Nunez shoots in for a double leg but Popov sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Popov closes the distance and clinches.
Nunez jumps guard but Popov stands there with Nunez around his waist. Nunez gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Popov breaks the clinch.
Popov shoots in but no luck this time.

Nunez moves into the clinch successfully.

Nunez breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nunez fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Popov avoids it really well and circles away.
Popov shapes to counter with a head kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gilbert Nunez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Nunez gets a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Popov is trying to pull guard but Nunez has him pressed against the cage.
Nunez wants to take the fight to the mat but Popov manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Popov just leaning against Nunez, taking a breather.
Nunez lands a body punch.
Nunez is looking to take this one to the mat.
Nunez is trying to break free.
Nunez wants to take the fight to the mat but Popov manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Nunez tries to score a body lock takedown but Popov shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Popov fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Popov breaks from the clinch.
Popov with a poor takedown
and Nunez counters with a head kick.
Popov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Nunez sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Nunez tries to clinch but Popov is having none of it.
Popov feints the counter takedown.
Nunez tries for a takedown but Popov circles away easily

and Popov counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Popov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Popov looking for a takedown.
Nunez is working Popov over against the cage.
Nunez slowing the pace effectively.
Popov wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Nunez tries for a takedown but Popov manages to get underhooks.
Nunez lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Popov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Popov clinches up against the cage.

Popov successfully pulls guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Popov controlling Nunez's posture.

Nunez decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Popov, up you get!

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Gilbert Nunez.
I think Nunez has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1 round of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight for Gilbert Nunez!
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight for Gilbert Nunez!
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight for Alexey Popov!

Gilbert Nunez wins by split decision!