PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Royce Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexander Popov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gracie comes to the cage accompanied by Heart of a Champion. Popov has chosen Be Good to Yourself as his entrance music. 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.

Gracie
vs
Popov

165 cm
22
140 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

222 cm
21
146 lbs
5 - 3 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

.: AFFAKETION :.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Royce Gracie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Alexander Popov!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Popov feints and then cracks Gracie's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Gracie down.
Popov throws a jab but it's blocked by Gracie.
Gracie misses with a takedown attempt
and Popov counters with a nice body kick.
Popov scores with a hook.
Gracie looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Popov is fending him off so far but Gracie persists. Nope, Popov circles away and we're back to standing.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gracie.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Royce Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gracie throws a combination that misses
and Popov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Popov jabs Gracie right on the nose. Gracie blinks but takes it well.
Gracie takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Gracie takes a jab right on the kisser.
Gracie throws a combination that misses
and Popov counters with a straight right hand.
Gracie throws a lazy uppercut
and Gracie takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Nice shot lands for Popov.
Gracie takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Gracie rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Popov counters with a series of strikes. Gracie will be more careful next time no doubt.
Popov is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Gracie misses with a combination
and Popov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Popov lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Gracie at a distance.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Gracie gets the takedown into side control.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gracie slows the pace down.
Gracie looking to control but instead Popov has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
Popov blocking the ground and pound attempt from Gracie.
Gracie thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Popov's head.

Gracie is working for a kimura but Popov is defending it quite comfortably.
Gracie wants to pass to mount but Popov is defending the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Gracie not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Gracie is pressing down on Popov's thigh, looking to free his foot. Popov is holding on for now.
Gracie throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gracie missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Popov blocking the ground and pound attempt from Gracie.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gracie seems to be working for a kimura but Popov defends the submission attempt.
Gracie sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Popov defending well though.
Gracie thows a huge punch but Popov dodges it nicely.
Gracie takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Gracie missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Popov is not content to let Gracie control the position.

Gracie is looking for a kimura here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Popov avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Gracie.

Gracie is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Gracie trying to control the action but Popov is working from the bottom.
Gracie lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Popov dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Popov dodges the punch combination from Gracie.
Gracie throws a combination that misses
letting Popov counter with a right hand.
Gracie misses with a jab to the body
and Popov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Gracie throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Popov counters with a stiff right hand.
Royce Gracie seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gracie lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Popov has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Gracie misses with a body shot.
Gracie throws an off balance right hand
and Popov counters with a right hand to the body.
Gracie throws an off balance right hand
and Popov counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
A shot to the body from Gracie misses
and Popov counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Gracie thinking.
Gracie looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Popov is fending him off so far but Gracie persists. Nope, Popov circles away and we're back to standing.
Popov is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Gracie misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Popov counters with a right hand to the body.
Gracie shoots in but Popov avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Horrible takedown by Gracie or perhaps it was just good defense by Popov which made him look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Royce Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gracie swings away with a body shot that misses
and Popov counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie swings away with a body shot that misses
and Popov counters with a straight right hand.
Gracie throws a poor cross that misses
and Popov counters with a stiff right hand.
Gracie misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Popov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Gracie falls off balance throwing a combination
and Gracie takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Alexander Popov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gracie throws a combination that misses
and Popov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Gracie misses with a lunging right hand
letting Popov counter with a right hand.
Alexander Popov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Popov lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Gracie misses with a body punch
and Popov counters with a left to the body.
Gracie is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Popov's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Popov with a hook.
The crowd cheers as Popov lands an impressive looking overhand right. Gracie doesn't seem phased though.
Gracie misses with an uppercut
and Popov counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Gracie throws a sloppy body shot
and Popov counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Gracie shoots in looking for a takedown but Popov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Gracie's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gracie throws a body punch but Popov moves out of range.
Gracie falls off balance throwing a combination
and Popov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Popov lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
The crowd cheers as Popov lands an impressive looking overhand right. Gracie doesn't seem phased though.
Popov displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Gracie.
Gracie looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Gracie swings widly with a right hand
and Popov counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Popov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gracie.
Gracie takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Gracie throws a combination that misses
and Popov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Nice straight punches there by Popov. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Popov.
Gracie swings for the body but Popov moves out of range.
Jab, jab by Gracie - just one landing.
Gracie throws a combination that misses
and Popov makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Gracie misses with a combination
and Popov counters with a stiff right hand.
Gracie misses with an uppercut
and Popov counters with a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Popov misses its intended target.
Popov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Gracie moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Gracie throws an off balance right hand
and Popov counters with a straight right hand.
Gracie dives in and grabs Popov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Popov pushes down on Gracie's head and hops out.
Popov lunges at Gracie with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Gracie's hand.
Gracie throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Popov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Gracie throws an off balance right hand
and Popov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Gracie takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Gracie throws a combination that misses
and Popov counters with a two punch combo.
Gracie throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Popov.
Gracie swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
letting Popov counter with a right hand.
Gracie takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Popov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Nice shot lands for Popov.
Gracie shoots in looking for a takedown. Popov tries to sprawl out of it but Gracie keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Popov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Popov lands a nice shot that snaps Gracie's head back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Popov scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Gracie doesn't seem bothered though.
Gracie fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Gracie fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Popov avoids it really well and circles away.
Gracie misses with a combination
letting Popov counter with a right hand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Popov as he avoids it easily.
Gracie throws an off balance right hand
and Gracie takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Gracie throws a sloppy body shot
enabling Popov to counter with a crisp jab.
Popov thows a left - swing and a miss!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Popov scores with a hook to the body. Gracie takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Gracie misses with a body punch
and Popov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Popov misses with a jab to the body
and Gracie counters with a left and a right that stings Popov.

Gracie darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Popov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Gracie fails with a takedown attempt.
Gracie moves away from the strike by Popov.
Popov throws a head kick but Gracie moves out of range.
Gracie misses with a body shot
and Popov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Gracie misses with a hook
and Popov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Popov takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Nice takedown defense from Popov. No joy for Gracie on that attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie throws a combination that misses
letting Popov counter with a right hand.
Gracie misses with a hook
and Popov counters with a nice uppercut.
Popov lands with a good body shot.
Gracie looks to score with a jab to the body but Popov is just out of range.
Gracie swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Popov counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie throws a right hand that misses
and Popov counters with a right hand to the body.
Gracie throws a left and a right that both miss
enabling Popov to counter with a crisp jab.
Popov changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Gracie takes one to the chin there.
Gracie throws an ugly left hook that misses
letting Popov counter with a right hand.
Popov stalks Gracie and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Gracie's face. Gracie staggers backwards, shaken.
Popov jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Gracie throws a sloppy body shot
enabling Popov to counter with a crisp jab.
Gracie throws a jab when Popov was well out of range.
Gracie moves away from the strike by Popov.
Gracie throws a right hand that misses
and Popov counters with a nice uppercut.
Gracie throws a lazy uppercut
and Popov counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Gracie throws a combination that misses
and Popov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A shot to the body from Gracie misses
and Popov counters with a nice body shot.
Gracie swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Popov counters with a right hand to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Royce Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gracie tries to score a power double leg takedown but Popov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Gracie somewhat.
Gracie closes the distance and clinches up with Popov, looking for a takedown. Gracie pushes Popov against the cage but Popov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Popov just misses with a punch to the body.
Gracie swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Popov counters with a nice uppercut.
Popov throws a body punch but Gracie moves out of range.
Popov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gracie.
Popov looks to land a right hand but Gracie moved out of range.
Popov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Gracie misses with an uppercut
and Popov counters with a stiff right hand.
Gracie throws a right hand that misses
and Popov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gracie misses the body punch
and Popov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Gracie connects with a body shot that sends Popov's belly button to the back.
Popov lands with an overhand left.
A big right from Gracie misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Popov lands a slapping body shot.
Gracie misses with a combination
and Popov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Popov connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Royce Gracie is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gracie misses with a combination
and Popov counters with a nice uppercut.
The crowd cheers as Gracie lands an impressive looking overhand right. Popov doesn't seem phased though.
Gracie fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Gracie swinging wildly here.
Gracie shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Popov defends it nicely.
Popov swings for the body but Gracie moves out of range.
Royce Gracie has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie misses with an uppercut
and Popov counters with a stiff right hand.
Popov fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Gracie scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Gracie throws a poor cross that misses
and Popov counters with a nice uppercut.
Nice body punch from Popov.
Gracie swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Popov counters with a nice uppercut.
Gracie misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Popov.
Gracie misses with a double jab
enabling Popov to counter with a crisp jab.
Gracie moves forwards but Popov connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Popov cracks Gracie with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Popov bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Gracie's head backwards.
Gracie throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Popov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Popov sprawls well. Popov wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Gracie gets slowly back to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gracie misses with a body shot
and Popov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexander Popov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Popov 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexander Popov!