PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Amin Crawford (ranked 4115 p4p, 2826 weight class) and Branislav Popov (ranked 0 p4p, 309 weight class). Popov has chosen Petrov - Bane as his entrance music. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Crawford
vs
Popov

182 cm
18
170
0 - 0 - 0

182 cm
22
180
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

BANZAI COMBAT NUTRITION

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight 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, Amin Crawford!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Branislav Popov!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Chris Downing and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Popov lands a big head kick that sends Crawford tumbling to the mat! Popov takes a step backwards and waves Crawford back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Crawford is rocked!

It looks like Amin Crawford has been cut.
Popov throws a leg kick which misses Crawford's front leg but catches the back leg as Crawford tries to avoid it.
Oh Crawford is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Popov tries to clinch but Crawford is having none of it.
Crawford drops down looking for a counter takedown but Popov sprawls and moves away.
Crawford is trying hard to land a takedown here. Popov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Crawford is defended easily by Popov.
Popov is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Crawford seems to have got his legs back now.

Crawford rushes Popov and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Crawford pulls Popov into guard.
Crawford pulls Popov in close to his closed guard and prevents Popov from doing any damage or advancing position.
Popov throws a big elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crawford utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Crawford is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Popov is trying to stand up here but Crawford is controlling him well.
Popov is looking to improve his position.
Popov is trying to stand back up but Crawford is controlling him
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Popov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Crawford. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Popov has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Crawford is working away from the top position though.
Crawford looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Popov with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Popov tries to kick Crawford off but Crawford keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Crawford controlling the action here.
Crawford's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Crawford swats away the attempt to clinch by Popov.
Crawford tries to counter with a takedown but Popov is quick to defend against it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crawford fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Amin Crawford. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Crawford gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Crawford has Popov pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Popov manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Crawford tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Popov just stands there and leans against the cage.
Crawford tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Popov just stands there and leans against the cage.
Popov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Crawford is struggling to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Crawford tries to pull guard but Popov forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Popov connects with a nasty looking knee right to Crawford's face.
Popov lands a big knee to the head and Crawford goes down! Popov pounces and finishes the fight with strikes! He jumps to his feet and celebrates with the crowd!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:25 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Branislav Popov!
An out of breath Branislav Popov thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.