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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Branko Popovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Karl Bach (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Popovic comes into the arena with Funeral March by Frederic Chopin blaring out of the sound system. Bach has chosen care bears countdown as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.
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| 193 cm
21
220 lbs
4 - 1 - 0 |
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175 cm
22
210 lbs
5 - 3 - 0 |
BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
KO power |
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BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Branko Popovic!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Karl Bach!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Dmitry Maklakov and Illya Tyunina.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Popovic tries to clinch but Bach moves out of range.
Branko Popovic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Popovic throws a right hand that Bach ducks under and follows up with a left that Bach also avoids with ease.
Bach tries for a takedown but Popovic sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Popovic misses the jab.
Popovic tries to clinch there but Bach circles away.
A slow jab from Popovic misses its intended target.
Bach closes the distance and clinches.
Bach is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Bach is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Popovic pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Popovic wants to break the clinch but can't.
Bach has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Popovic is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Branko Popovic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Karl Bach.
Popovic is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Popovic tries to break the clinch but Bach is controlling the position.
Bach lands a nice elbow.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Popovic wants to break the clinch but can't.
Bach can't get the takedown.
Bach blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Popovic is looking to break free of the clinch but Bach has double underhooks.
Popovic wants to break the clinch but can't.
Popovic tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Bach keeps control of Popovic as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Bach prevents a body shot from Popovic.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Popovic breaks from the clinch.
Bach closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Popovic can't break the clinch.
Popovic wants to get back to striking at distance but Bach won't allow it.
Bach breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Popovic thuds a left hand into Bach's body.
Popovic darts in trying to clinch
and Bach counters with a takedown into side control.
Popovic is trying to get back to his feet.
Popovic takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Bach is trying to get an arm triangle but Popovic is defending well.
Popovic is looking to get back to his feet here but Bach is keeping cool and he's managed to take Popovic's back.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Popovic looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
Popovic is breathing heavily.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bach scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.
Bach has his opponent trapped and is landing shots. Not a good position for Popovic.
Bach lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
Popovic looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
Popovic defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Bach lands with a nice looking elbow that stuns Popovic.
Bach misses with a punch to the head.
Bach is working the ground and pound. Can Popovic escape?
Bach is working the ground and pound here and the referee is taking a close look at Popovic. He must escape soon or this one will be stopped.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Popovic holding both Bach 's hands and preventing any damage.
Bach lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Bach loading up with punches from the back mount - how long can Popovic hold on?
Bach has his opponent's back but Popovic is looking to stand. He manages to get to his feet and shakes off Bach.
Bach circles away from the clinch attempt
and Bach counters with a shoot takedown. Popovic fights it but they end up in guard.
Bach wants to control from the top but Popovic keeps moving.
Bach throwing strikes but missing.
Bach trying to control the position from guard on top but Popovic is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Popovic preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bach trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bach missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Popovic keeping full guard, as Bach tries to pass.
Popovic wants to stand but Bach is controlling the position.
Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Bach tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Bach shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Popovic as he avoids it easily.
Popovic misses with a hook. Bach ducked under it nicely.
Bach moves away from the strike by Popovic.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bach shoots in but Popovic avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Bach takes a shot right to the bread basket.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Popovic lands a right hook to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Karl Bach dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.
Popovic tries to clinch
and Bach counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Popovic wants to get back to his feet but Bach is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Bach pushes down on Popovic's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Popovic is trying to stand.
Bach landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Popovic is trying to stand back up but Bach is controlling him
Bach lands with a punch from half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Bach wants to control but Popovic is keeping him busy.
Bach is working for a submission of some sort.
Popovic is looking to get back to is feet but Bach passes into side control.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Popovic is trying to buck Bach off.
Bach lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Popovic down.
Bach tries for a kimura but Popovic is defending well.
Popovic is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Bach asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Bach has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Bach has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Bach scoring with strikes but Popovic is staying in there.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bach dominating with strikes here.
Bach is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Popovic is surviving well by controlling Bach's body position as best he can.
Popovic wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Bach can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Popovic is looking to escape.
You get the feeling that Popovic really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Bach postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Popovic looks a forlorn figure.
Bach sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bach is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Popovic is surviving well by controlling Bach's body position as best he can.
Bach landing shots from mount.
Popovic is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bach is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Bach working Popovic over with strikes here.
Bach looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Bach can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Popovic is looking to escape.
Bach in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Popovic wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Bach scoring with strikes but Popovic is staying in there.
Popovic wants to get back to his feet.
Bach in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Popovic is bucking up trying to escape but Bach cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
A nice elbow there by Bach.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bach lands with some strikes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bach is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Bach working the ground and pound effectively.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Karl Bach showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Popovic's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.
Bach tries for a takedown but Popovic sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Popovic clinches but Bach breaks the clinch
and Bach counters with a nice double leg into side control. Popovic won't be happy with that.
Bach trying to control the position but Popovic is working away.
Bach working the head with strikes.
Popovic takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Bach prevents Popovic from escaping the position.
Bach lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Popovic down.
Popovic prevents Bach from improving position.
Bach lands some shots froms side control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Bach working the body and head with strikes.
Popovic is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Popovic is working to avoid the ground and pound but Bach connects with a decent elbow.
Bach cracks Popovic with a big elbow.
Bach wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Popovic, who protects the arm well.
Popovic is trying to get back to his feet.
Bach has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Bach connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Popovic some visible discomfort.
Bach prevents Popovic from escaping the position.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Popovic taking punishment in the form of punches.
Bach working the body and head with strikes.
Popovic wants to get back to his feet.
Popovic tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.
Bach lands a punch that was close to the back of the head but the ref thinks it's OK.
Bach is looking for the choke from the back position but Popovic is controlling his hands well.
Popovic looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
Bach lands with a nice looking elbow that stuns Popovic.
Popovic controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
Bach lands with a nice looking elbow that stuns Popovic.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bach scores with strikes from the back.
Popovic looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
Bach lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Watch the back of the head! Comes the shout from the referee towards Bach.
Bach lands a couple of good shots to his opponent's body and a final shot to the head. Good little attack there by Bach.
Popovic is trying to stand back up.
Bach is throwing punches to the body, looking to soften Popovic up.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bach is looking to finish with some ground and pound!
Popovic is trying to get back to his feet but Bach has full control of the position and if anything, Popovic has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Bach scores with strikes from the back.
Popovic covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.
Bach is looking to control Popovic but Popovic is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Popovic wants to get back to his feet.
Bach loading up with punches from the back mount - how long can Popovic hold on?
Bach landing with strikes.
Popovic looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
Bach is throwing strikes from the back here. Oh that last one was to the back of the head. Bach gets a warning from the referee. He throws another strike to the back of the head straight away though and the referee has seen enough. He breaks up the two fighters and stands them back up. Bach gets a real talking to here and is lucky not to get a point deducted. Bach apologises and we restart here on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Karl Bach really dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!
Bach blocks a jab.
Bach changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Popovic tries to avoid it but Bach manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Popovic to the ground. Popovic escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Bach keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Popovic.
Popovic darts in trying to clinch
and Bach counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Popovic's guard now.
Bach trying to control but Popovic is working from the bottom.
Bach lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Popovic working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bach.
Bach postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Bach lands a couple of elbows.
Popovic is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Bach trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Bach closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Popovic is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Bach wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Popovic, who protects the arm well.
Bach in side control lands a decent elbow.
Bach scores with a couple of short elbows.
Popovic is trying to buck Bach off.
Popovic is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Popovic is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Bach asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Bach tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Bach has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Popovic wants to get back to his feet.
Popovic is not content to let Bach control the position.
Karl Bach has got the better of the ground game so far.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Bach ducks under a wild hook from Popovic.
Bach looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Popovic!
Bach tries to control but Popovic wriggling away.
Popovic is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Bach is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Popovic is surviving well by controlling Bach's body position as best he can.
Popovic is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Bach lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bach putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Popovic is trying to stand.
Bach working the ground and pound effectively.
Bach postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Popovic looks a forlorn figure.
Bach is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Popovic takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Bach breaks from Popovic's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Bach is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Popovic has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Popovic'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.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Karl Bach dominated that fourth round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!
Popovic tries to clinch but Bach moves away
and Bach connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A telegraphed right hand from Popovic misses the target.
Popovic misses with a wild body shot.
Popovic throws a series of punches but Bach moves out of range.
Bach changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Popovic tries to avoid it but Bach manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Popovic to the ground. Popovic escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
The crowd cheers as Popovic lands an impressive looking overhand right. Bach doesn't seem phased though.
Popovic clinches but Bach breaks the clinch
and Bach counters with a nice double leg into side control. Popovic won't be happy with that.
Bach trying to control the position but Popovic is working away.
Bach is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Popovic's shoulder. That is not cool.
Bach looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Popovic is trying to get back to his feet.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Bach lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Bach wants to lay and pray for a moment but Popovic keeps working.
Check out the look on Bach's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Popovic is trying to get back to his feet.
Bach landing a few strikes.
Bach scores with punches from side control.
Popovic on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Popovic is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bach scoring with punches and elbows.
Bach landing a few strikes.
Bach prevents Popovic from escaping the position.
Bach is looking to take a break and control but Popovic is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Bach creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Bach scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Popovic to see if he's OK.
Bach trying to control the action but Popovic is working from the bottom.
Popovic is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Bach is controlling him well.
Branko Popovic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bach is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Popovic has escaped the position, nice work there.
Bach is trying to ground and pound but Popovic uses the momentary lack of control by Bach to regain half guard.
Popovic pushes Bach off and gets back to his feet.
Popovic tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Popovic takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Popovic bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Popovic fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bach manages to avoid it.
Bach shoots in and drives through. Popovic sprawls well.
Popovic tries to clinch but Bach moves away
and Bach counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bach is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Karl Bach is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Popovic is trying to stand.
Bach not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Popovic is refusing to be controlled, as Bach sits in half guard.
Bach lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Bach is looking to take a break and control but Popovic is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Popovic missing with punches from the bottom.
And that's the end of the fight!
Karl Bach comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Bach 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 43:50
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 42:50
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 44:50
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Karl Bach!
Karl Bach is the new light heavyweight champion!
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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
100% |
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