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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Petar Popara (ranked 1033 p4p, 711 weight class) and Ludko Struja Jr (ranked 140 p4p, 94 weight class). Struja Jr has chosen Wu-Tang Clan - C.R.E.A.M. as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!
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| 190 cm
30
205
13 - 4 - 0 |
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192 cm
31
221
15 - 13 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Great elbows
KO power |
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Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Powerful |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Petar Popara!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ludko Struja Jr!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Wagner Zegers and Saam Ante.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Struja Jr shoots in for a takedown but Popara shows good takedown defense.
Struja Jr missing with a left hand there. Popara was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Struja Jr shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Popara as he jumps to the side.
A decent looking cross lands there for Struja Jr.
Popara throws a hook to the side of Struja Jr's head but Struja Jr sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Struja Jr is trying hard to land a takedown here. Popara sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Petar Popara has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ludko Struja Jr.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Popara uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Struja Jr.
Popara was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Popara looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Struja Jr throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Struja Jr lands with a nice body punch.
Popara on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Popara dodges the punch combination from Struja Jr.
Struja Jr has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Popara is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Struja Jr missing with a left hand there. Popara was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Popara throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Struja Jr counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Struja Jr blocks a body shot from Popara.
Struja Jr misses with a body punch.
Popara misses with a body punch.
Popara misses with a body punch.
Popara comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
It looks like Ludko Struja Jr has been cut.
Popara struggles to land a body shot inside as Struja Jr controls his hands.
Popara misses with a body punch.
Popara digs a right hand into Struja Jr's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Struja Jr's gas tank.
Struja Jr is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Popara is keeping busy.
Popara lands a right hand.
Struja Jr struggles to land a body shot inside as Popara controls his hands.
Popara lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Popara gets through Struja Jr's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Popara lands a hook to the side of the head.
Popara works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Popara lands a shoulder strike.
Popara misses with an elbow strike.
Popara lands a damaging elbow.
Popara tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Popara lands a left hand that snaps the head of Struja Jr backwards.
Popara tries to throw a body punch but Struja Jr avoids it by throwing Popara back against the cage.
Popara lands a body punch.
Struja Jr stalling in the clinch but Popara improves position.
Popara pushes Struja Jr back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Popara throws an elbow that misses.
Still in the clinch, Popara scores with a nice short uppercut.
Struja Jr has Popara pressed against the cage.
Still in the clinch, Popara scores with a nice short uppercut.
Popara lands with a right to the head.
Struja Jr misses with a hook from the clinch.
Struja Jr prevents a body shot from Popara.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Struja Jr misses with some punches.
Struja Jr misses with some punches.
Popara lands a shot to the body.
Popara lands an elbow inside.
A short left from Popara.
Popara lands a left hand that snaps the head of Struja Jr backwards.
Struja Jr tries for a takedown. No joy.
Popara can't find room to land a body shot as Struja Jr controls the action.
Popara tries to throw a body punch but Struja Jr avoids it by throwing Popara back against the cage.
Struja Jr working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Popara tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Struja Jr works on Popara's body with a couple of short punches.
Popara can't find room to land a body shot as Struja Jr controls the action.
A nice left hand lands by Popara.
Popara misses with a hook from the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Popara.
Struja Jr manages to break the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Struja Jr scores with a punch to the head.
Struja Jr throws a series of punches but Popara moves out of range.
Popara throwing a counter right hand but Struja Jr manages to avoid it.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Struja Jr misses with a right hand
and Popara counters with a nice body shot.
Struja Jr looks winded!
Popara swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Popara misses with a two punch combination.
Popara rushes Struja Jr and presses him up against the cage.
Struja Jr goes for a takedown attempt but Popara pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Popara lands with a hook. Struja Jr tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Struja Jr misses with a body shot.
Popara's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Struja Jr connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Popara scrambles back to his feet.
Struja Jr misses with a body punch
and Popara counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Petar Popara dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ludko Struja Jr's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
Struja Jr misses with an uppercut
and Popara counters with a nice right hand that sends Struja Jr toppling to the canvas! Struja Jr scrambles and gets back to his feet - can Popara finish him?!
Struja Jr is rocked!
Struja Jr looks to land a left hand but Popara moved out of range nicely.
Struja Jr connects with a single shot there.
Struja Jr stuns Popara with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Struja Jr shoots in and drives through. Popara sprawls well.
Struja Jr dips to his left and cracks Popara with an uppercut!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Struja Jr connects with the punch.
Ludko Struja Jr seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Struja Jr swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Popara is looking to counter punch.
Struja Jr misses with a double jab.
Struja Jr tries to clinch but Popara is having none of it.
Popara throwing a counter right hand but Struja Jr manages to avoid it.
Popara tries to clinch up.
Petar Popara is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Popara swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Struja Jr throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Popara appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Struja Jr clinches.
Popara creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Popara throws an elbow but it misses.
Struja Jr misses with a body punch.
Popara creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Popara goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Struja Jr lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Popara misses with the head strike.
Popara working aggressively here.
Popara's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Popara tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Struja Jr's elbow.
Still in the clinch, Struja Jr scores with a nice short uppercut.
Popara tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Struja Jr's elbow.
Petar Popara has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Struja Jr lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Struja Jr wants a takedown.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Struja Jr tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Popara's elbow.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Struja Jr.
A body shot lands from Struja Jr.
A right hook to the body lands for Popara.
Struja Jr fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A short right from Popara on the inside.
Struja Jr stalling in the clinch but Popara improves position.
A short right from Struja Jr on the inside.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Struja Jr takes an elbow to the temple.
Struja Jr trying to stall but Popara improves his position.
Popara misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Struja Jr breaks from the clinch.
Struja Jr gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Struja Jr swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Struja Jr looks to throw the jab but Popara is out of range.
Popara connects with a nice looking jab.
Struja Jr is still on wobbly legs! Can Popara finish him?
That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Popara misses.
And Struja Jr tries to counter it with a takedown but Popara pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Struja Jr seems to have recovered his senses.
Struja Jr tries to clinch but Popara is having none of it.
Popara ducks under a wild hook from Struja Jr.
Struja Jr throws a jab when Popara was well out of range.
It looked like Popara wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Popara keeps the fight on the outside.
Struja Jr dives in and grabs Popara's left leg, looking for a takedown. Popara pushes down on Struja Jr's head and hops out.
Petar Popara has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ludko Struja Jr.
Struja Jr throws a hook to the side of Popara's head but Popara sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Popara is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Struja Jr.
Struja Jr closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Popara avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Struja Jr.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Popara looks like he's trying to stand up.
Struja Jr not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Struja Jr missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Struja Jr missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Struja Jr prevents Popara from standing back up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Popara taking some punishment here, with Struja Jr in his half guard.
Popara is trying to stand.
Struja Jr is looking to take a break and control but Popara is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Struja Jr missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Struja Jr works his way into side control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
A close second round but Ludko Struja Jr will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Ludko Struja Jr's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!
Struja Jr bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Struja Jr works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Popara avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Struja Jr.
Struja Jr throws a strike aimed at the side of Popara's head but Popara avoids it well.
Struja Jr is working Popara over with some ground and pound from side control.
Struja Jr working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Struja Jr working the head and body with strikes.
Struja Jr has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Struja Jr tries to score with some ground and pound. Popara controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Struja Jr advances to mount.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Struja Jr pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Struja Jr landing strikes, looking to finish!
Popara is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Struja Jr landing shots from mount.
Ludko Struja Jr has got the better of the ground game so far.
Popara is trying to stand up.
Struja Jr scoring with strikes but Popara is staying in there.
Popara is bucking up trying to escape but Struja Jr cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Popara on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Popara tries to get out of the position.
Popara is trying to stand up.
Struja Jr postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Popara looks a forlorn figure.
Struja Jr with good strikes from the mount here!
Popara knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Struja Jr on the ground.
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!
Popara is squirming around, avoiding Struja Jr's attempts to control the action.
Struja Jr lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Struja Jr looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Struja Jr lands a big shot there that rocks Popara but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Struja Jr looking to control but Popara is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Struja Jr throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Struja Jr landing punches.
Struja Jr looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Struja Jr thowing shots but they're missing.
Popara is in a horrible position here. Struja Jr smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Popara's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
BOOM! Struja Jr connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Struja Jr working the ground and pound effectively.
Popara is squirming around, avoiding Struja Jr's attempts to control the action.
Struja Jr thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Struja Jr trying to control but Popara is having none of it.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Struja Jr throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Popara because Struja Jr loaded up on that one.
Struja Jr landing punches.
Struja Jr tries to control but Popara wriggling away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Popara is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Struja Jr with the ground and pound from mount.
And that's the end of the fight!
Ludko Struja Jr comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Struja Jr 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 27:29
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 28:29
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 27:29
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ludko Struja Jr!
An out of breath Ludko Struja Jr thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
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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
61% |
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