PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Oleg Popov (ranked 4923 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rodrigo Batista (ranked 3708 p4p, 0 weight class). Rodrigo Batista will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Popov
vs
Batista

189 cm
25
157 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

157 cm
26
156 lbs
4 - 7 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Oleg Popov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 7 - 1, fighting out of New York, Rodrigo Batista!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, Chad Campbell and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Popov shoots for a double leg takedown but Batista sprawls well. He's pushed Popov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Batista will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Popov ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Batista shoots in but no luck this time.
Popov thinks about countering with a head kick.
Batista looks winded!
Popov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Popov shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Batista eats them both and turns towards Popov to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Batista fails with the takedown

and Popov moves into the clinch.
Oleg Popov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rodrigo Batista.

Popov breaks the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Popov throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Batista stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Batista wants it to stay on the feet.
Popov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Batista sprawls well. Batista wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Popov gets slowly back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Popov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Batista wants to clinch.
Popov really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Batista shoots in for a takedown but Popov shows good takedown defense.
Popov darts in looking for a takedown but Batista gets double underhooks and turns Popov into the cage.
Batista fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Popov looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Batista leaves Popov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Popov rushes Batista and presses him up against the cage.
Batista keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Popov's efforts to push away.

Batista's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Batista.
Batista has worked on his takedown defense in the runup to this fight and it is paying off so far.

Batista gets tackled into the cage by Popov. Popov maintains the clinch.
Popov drops down looking for an ankle pick but Batista pulls his leg out and moves away.
Popov fails with a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Batista shoots in for a takedown but Popov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Batista fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Popov is out of range.
Batista wants to clinch up but Popov keeps it at a distance.

Batista tries to keep at a distance but Popov has taken the fight into the clinch.

Batista breaks from the clinch.
Batista is looking to clinch.
Popov is looking to counter with a body kick.
Popov fails with the takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Popov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Popov gets underhooks to prevent Batista's takedown attempt.
Popov wants to break free but Batista has control.

Popov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Popov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Popov moves into the clinch successfully.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Popov is trying to push Batista away but Batista has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Popov wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Batista has him pressed against the cage.
Popov changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Batista fights it off and pushes away nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Oleg Popov dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Popov moves into the clinch.
Batista tries to break free but Popov pushes him back against the cage.
Popov lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Batista keeps control of Popov as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Popov has Batista pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Batista manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Popov jumps guard and drags Batista to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Popov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Batista can do to turn this around?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Popov pulls Batista in close to prevent any damage.
Batista has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Popov is proving hard to escape from.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Popov has his foot on Batista's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Batista works his way back into a safe position though.
Popov tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Popov working for a triangle but Batista defends it easily.
Batista tries to stand but Popov is controlling from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Popov looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Popov clinches with his opponent.
Popov tries to circle away but Batista has him pinned against the cage.
Batista stalling against the cage.
Popov will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Batista up against the cage.

Popov manages to pull guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Popov keeping moving, preventing Batista from controlling successfully.
Popov throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Batista trying to control but Popov is working from the bottom.
Popov is pulling down on Batista's head. It's preventing any offense from Batista, at least for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Popov looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Popov pulls Batista in to control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Popov tries to close the distance and clinch but Batista swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Popov closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Batista keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Batista wants to control but Popov is keeping busy.
Popov works his foot free and advances to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Oleg Popov dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Popov looks for a takedown but Batista sprawls well.

Popov pushes Batista up against the cage in a clinch.
Batista is working for takedown but Popov is calmly controlling the position for now.
Popov working hard to break the clinch.
Batista tries to throw a body punch but Popov avoids it by throwing Batista back against the cage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Batista tries to pull guard but Popov won't allow it.
Popov looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Popov is looking for a takedown.
Popov tries to pull guard but Batista holds him up against the cage and eventually Popov drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Oleg Popov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Popov prevents Batista from breaking the clinch.

Popov has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Batista uses from the top position.

Popov kicks Batista off and gets to his feet.
Popov lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Popov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Batista tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

Batista pushes Popov up against the cage in a clinch.
Batista is leaning against Popov and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Batista leaning against his opponent.
Popov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Popov wants to take the fight to the mat but Batista manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Batista tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Popov smiles and moves away.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Batista tries for a takedown. No joy.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Popov tries a knee to the head but Batista blocks it.
Popov looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Popov drags the fight down to the ground.
Batista works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Popov is trying to stand.
Popov is trying to maintain the position but Batista is very close to passing his half guard.
Batista throws a strike but Popov avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Batista advances position into side control!
Batista trying to control the action but Popov is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Popov is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Batista's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Popov is holding on to half guard well.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

And that's the end of the fight!
Oleg Popov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Popov has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 30:27

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