PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ricky Star (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Soda Popinski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Star
vs
Popinski

188 cm
18
175 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

189 cm
18
179 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Intelligent

Global MMA Gear

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 Montreal, Ricky Star!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Soda Popinski!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Alec Ball and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Popinski throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Popinski fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Star looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Star changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Popinski tries to avoid it but Star manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Popinski to the ground. Popinski escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Popinski tries a head kick but it misses.
Popinski misses with a few strikes there.
Popinski fails to land with a series of punches.
Popinski throws a head kick that half lands.

It looks like Ricky Star has been cut.
Star shoots in for a double leg but Popinski sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Star fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Popinski sprawls well initially but Star persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Star seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Popinski is staying active underneath Star, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Star not doing much here.
Popinski looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Star trying to mount his opponent but Popinski defends it.
Star stops Popinski from getting back to his feet.
Popinski keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Star shoots in but Popinski avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ricky Star. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Star is breathing heavily.
Popinski misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Popinski fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Popinski displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Star.
Star is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Popinski.
Popinski throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Popinski moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Popinski misses with a head kick.
Popinski fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Popinski lands with an overhand left.
Popinski lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Star tries for a takedown but Popinski sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Popinski misses with a jab, cross combination.
Soda Popinski is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Popinski plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Popinski throws a one two combo.
Popinski throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Popinski misses with a kick to the body.

Star gets a clinch.
Star prevents the takedown attempt.
Popinski goes for a takedown attempt but Star pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Popinski throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Star has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Popinski finds it's way round the side to connect with Star's head.
Popinski catches Star with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Star moves in looking to clinch but Popinski pushes him off.
Star is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Popinski rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Star moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Star fails with a takedown attempt.
Popinski misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Popinski scores with a head kick.
Star shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Popinski but Popinski pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Jab, jab by Popinski - just one landing.
Popinski throws a nice looking combination but Star bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Popinski lands a lovely overhand right.

Star shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Star moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Popinski has worked his arm free - good work by Popinski!

Star is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Popinski has escaped the position, nice work there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Soda Popinski dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ricky Star's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Star avoids the head kick by Popinski.
Popinski scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Star misses the shot to the body.

Star pushes Popinski up against the cage in a clinch.
Popinski drops down looking for an ankle pick but Star pulls his leg out and moves away.
Star moves out of range as Popinski strikes.
Popinski tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Popinski looks to throw the jab but Star is out of range.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Star is trying hard to land a takedown here. Popinski sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Popinski moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
A big right from Popinski misses.
Popinski connects with a right hand. Star shakes it off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Popinski cracks Star with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Popinski scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Popinski throws a body kick that misses.
Soda Popinski seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Star tries to clinch but Popinski is having none of it.
Popinski fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Popinski scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Popinski throws a good cross that connects.
Popinski swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Popinski lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Popinski misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Star slips a jab and a cross from Popinski.
Popinski misses with a double jab.

Star closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Popinski did well to prevent Star getting side control.
Star working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Popinski's thigh. Popinski counters though and makes it back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Star thows a big elbow that misses.
Popinski keeping moving, preventing Star from controlling successfully.
Popinski wants to stand but Star is controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Star trying to control the position from guard on top but Popinski is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Popinski has his feet on Star's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Popinski motions for Star to come forward. Popinski throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Popinski scores with a one two! Star had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Popinski closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Star shoots in but Popinski avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Popinski misses with a series of wild punches.
Popinski throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Star takes the fight into the clinch.
Popinski is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Star gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Star wants to break free but Popinski has control.
Popinski wants a takedown.
Ricky Star has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Soda Popinski.

Popinski lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Star is looking for a sweep. Popinski is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Popinski is taking a breather. Star says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Soda Popinski showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Ricky Star's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Popinski looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Star changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Popinski tries to avoid it but Star manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Popinski to the ground. Popinski escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Popinski fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Star on the side of the head.
Star slips under a jab from Popinski.
Popinski throws a head kick but Star moves out of range.
Popinski throws a series of punches but Star moves out of range.
A punch combination from Popinski misses.

Star clinches up with Popinski and pushes him back against the cage.
Popinski wants a takedown but no success here.
Star holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Popinski drops down looking for an ankle pick but Star pulls his leg out and moves away.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Popinski misses the jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Popinski gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Star tries to free his leg and advance position but Popinski is retaining full guard.
Star trying to control the position from guard on top but Popinski is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Popinski keeping full guard, as Star tries to pass.
Star looking to sit in guard and control but Popinski gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Popinski is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Popinski stands up from guard. Let's bang!
A punch combination from Popinski misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circle momentarily. Popinski darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Popinski displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Star staying out of range there.
Star misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Popinski tests Star's chin there with a solid looking shot.
No joy there for Popinski, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Popinski shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Popinski misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Star moves into range and clinches up with Popinski.
Popinski wants a takedown.
Ricky Star has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Soda Popinski.

Star breaks from the clinch.
Popinski tries a head kick but it misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Popinski keeps the fight on the outside.
Star takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

Star gets the takedown into side control.
Popinski is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Star asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Ricky Star has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Star is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Popinski is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Ricky Star.
I think Popinski 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 Gregory Folan scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 28:30
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Soda Popinski!