PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Genghis Khan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Branko Popovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Popovic has chosen None as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Khan
vs
Popovic

180 cm
23
210 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

193 cm
24
220 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Rivers Edge Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Genghis Khan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Branko Popovic!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, David Schapiro and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Khan shoots for a double leg takedown but Popovic sprawls well. He's pushed Khan's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Khan misses with a series of wild punches.
Popovic takes a swing at Khan's ribcage but misses.
Popovic swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Khan counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Khan gets cracked there but stands up to it.

Khan drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Khan sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Popovic's guard.
Khan trying to control from half guard but Popovic is working away.
Popovic tries to roll over but Khan keeps him under control.
Khan thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Popovic's head.
Khan is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Popovic reverses the position - he's now on top in Khan's guard.
Popovic preventing the sweep.

Khan looking for a guillotine here but Popovic defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khan preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Popovic in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Khan looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Khan looking to hit a scissor sweep but Popovic is one step ahead there.
Khan avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Khan has momentary wrist control but Popovic slips an elbow through the middle.
Popovic throws a big right hand that misses.
Khan lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Popovic!
Popovic is looking to get to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Khan looking to control but Popovic is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Popovic is looking to get to half guard.
Popovic wants to control but Khan is having none of it.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Popovic can do anything to dispel that myth.
Khan lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Khan wants to take Popovic's back here but Popovic is holding on to an arm, himself looking to escape.

Khan is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Popovic has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Popovic!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Popovic working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Khan tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Popovic is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Popovic drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Popovic jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Khan escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Popovic gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Khan throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Popovic chips away with some ground and pound.
Popovic content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Khan manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Popovic manages to get himself to full guard.
Khan pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Popovic is keeping the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Khan missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Popovic working a defensive guard here.
Khan might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Khan looking to pass the guard.
Popovic keeping moving, preventing Khan from controlling successfully.
Khan pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Popovic is keeping the position for now.

Khan postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Popovic is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Khan, into his guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Genghis Khan will probably get the nod.
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 scores with a jab.
Popovic throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Khan counters with a nice leg kick.
Khan takes a swing at Popovic's ribcage but misses.
Popovic throws a head kick that Khan semi-blocks.
Popovic moves out of range of the strikes.
Popovic thows a body shot but no joy.
Popovic looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
The crowd cheers as Khan lands an impressive looking overhand right. Popovic doesn't seem phased though.
Good standup being displayed there by Popovic as he connects with a hook.
Khan looks for a takedown but Popovic sprawls well.
Popovic misses with a wild combination.
Khan is looking to clinch.
Popovic tries to clinch

and Khan counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Khan postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khan is pushing down on Popovic's leg trying to pass to half guard. Popovic is fighting to maintain full guard but Khan has managed to sneak the leg through.
Khan looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Popovic is breathing heavily.
Khan passes to full mount!
Khan wants to control the pace but Popovic is squirming around nicely.

Popovic got a little sloppy there for a moment and Khan has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Popovic has managed to get both his arms back between Khan's legs - danger averted.

Khan throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Popovic with a nice head shot there.
Popovic makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Popovic throwing strikes but missing.
Popovic pushing down on Khan's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Popovic landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Popovic thows a huge punch but Khan dodges it nicely.
Khan trying to control from the bottom.
Khan gets back to full guard.
Khan looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Popovic is looking to work some ground and pound but Khan has wrist control.
Popovic is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Khan looking to hit a scissor sweep but Popovic is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Popovic with a flurry of punches that miss.
Khan is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Popovic thows a big elbow that misses.
Popovic stopping the sweep attempt from Khan.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Popovic lands a nice shot that snaps Khan's head back.
Khan rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Popovic moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Khan takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
A right-left combo lands from Popovic.
Popovic scores with a hook.
Khan avoids the head kick by Popovic.
Khan is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Popovic.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Popovic displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Popovic takes the fight into the clinch.

Popovic manages to break the clinch.
Branko Popovic seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Popovic will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Popovic is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Khan ducks under a wild hook from Popovic.
Popovic has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Popovic is looking to clinch but Khan is avoiding it.
Khan misses with a double jab
and Popovic connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Popovic swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Popovic rushes Khan and presses him up against the cage.
Khan blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Popovic misses with a punch on the inside.
Popovic blocks an uppercut.
Popovic tries to break the clinch but Khan is controlling the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Popovic blocking some punches.
Popovic taking a breather.
Popovic wants a takedown.
Khan struggles to land a body shot inside as Popovic controls his hands.
Khan makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

Khan decides to pull guard.

Khan has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Popovic can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Branko Popovic showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action!

Popovic displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Khan.
A jab from Khan misses.
A combination from Khan does no damage.
Khan misses with a series of wild punches.
Popovic lands with a good body shot.
Popovic scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Khan doesn't seem bothered though.
Popovic darts in trying to clinch

and Khan counters by moving into the clinch.
Nice body punch from Popovic - that landed with a thud.
Popovic lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Khan.
A left hand lands to the body for Popovic.
Popovic is leaning against Khan and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Popovic throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Khans head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Popovic has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Khan is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
A body shot lands from Popovic.
Popovic lands with a light punch inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Popovic has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Khan clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Popovic scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.
Khan is trapped and Popovic is scoring with shots to the head and body.
Genghis Khan overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Popovic keeps control of the position as Khan tries to break free.
Popovic doesn't have the hooks in and Khan manages to turn into his guard.
Khan wants to pass the guard but Popovic is keeping the position.
Khan trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Popovic manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Popovic is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Popovic wants to stand but Khan has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Popovic must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Popovic won't allow Khan to sweep him here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Popovic throwing strikes but missing.
Khan looking to hit a scissor sweep but Popovic is one step ahead there.

Khan is looking for a triangle but Popovic pushes his legs off easily.
Popovic is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Khan is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Khan working for a triangle but Popovic defends it easily.
Popovic lands a couple of elbows.
Popovic is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Popovic working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Popovic is in close to Khan's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Khan lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Popovic!
Popovic is squirming around, avoiding Khan's attempts to control the action.
Popovic wants to control but Khan is having none of it.

Khan moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Popovic has worked his arm free - good work by Popovic!
Khan tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Khan looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Popovic is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Khan's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Popovic is looking to control Khan's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Popovic avoid being mounted?
Popovic looks like he's trying to stand up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Branko Popovic really dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Khan darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Khan is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Popovic sees it coming and defends easily.
Khan is looking to advance position but Popovic won't allow it.
Popovic manages to get to full guard.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Khan trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Popovic manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Popovic working some strikes from top position.
Popovic working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Khan tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Khan is trying to keep Popovic in close.

Khan is working an open guard so Popovic takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Khan lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Khan falls off balance throwing a combination
and Khan takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Branko Popovic is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Popovic swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Khan counters with a left and a right that stings Popovic.
Khan misses with a double jab.
Popovic lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Khan circles away quickly and effectively.
Khan bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Khan throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Popovic avoids the body shot from Khan.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Khan lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Popovic circles away quickly and effectively.
Khan shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Popovic counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Popovic keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
A punch combination from Popovic misses.
Khan looks for a takedown but Popovic sprawls well.
Khan fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Genghis Khan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Popovic misses with a head kick.
Khan will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Popovic lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Popovic moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Popovic lands with a shot to the body.
Popovic listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Popovic avoids the body shot from Khan.
Khan tries to clinch but Popovic is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Popovic digs a good body shot into Khan's ribs.
Popovic misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Genghis Khan is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Khan throws a hook but Popovic blocks it.
Popovic throws a series of punches but Khan moves out of range.
Khan throws a leg kick
and Popovic counters with a straight right hand.
Khan looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Popovic clinches with his opponent.
Popovic drops down looking for an ankle pick but Khan pulls his leg out and moves away.
Khan fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Popovic manages to avoid it.
Popovic tries to close the distance and clinch up but Khan swats him away and circles back towards the center.
No joy there for Khan, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Popovic misses with a double jab

and Khan counters with a shoot takedown. Popovic fights it but they end up in guard.
Khan tries to free his leg and advance position but Popovic is retaining full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Khan is looking to advance position but Popovic has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Khan is in a horrible position here. Popovic smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Popovic avoids the attempt from Khan to control.
Popovic looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Popovic landing strikes from the mount.
Khan gets back to half guard.
Khan gets back to full guard.
Khan bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Popovic's guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Khan sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Popovic's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Popovic wants to control but Khan is keeping busy and won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Genghis Khan will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Khan paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Khan throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Popovic counters with a left and a right that stings Khan.
Popovic lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Popovic throws a series of punches but Khan avoids them all with ease.
Popovic misses with a double jab.
Khan tries to bum rush Popovic with a series of wild strikes but Popovic uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Khan scores with a shot to the body.
Popovic throws a hook to the side of Khan's head but Khan sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Khan fails in his attempt to clinch.
Popovic uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Khan.
Popovic misses with a jab to the body

and Khan counters with a nice double leg into guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Khan accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Khan stands and throws Popovic's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Khan goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Popovic rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Khan's guard! Nice work there by Popovic!
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.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Khan is looking for a triangle but Popovic pushes his legs off easily.

Popovic stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Khan takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Nice uppercut there from Popovic.
Khan misses with a jab, cross combination.
A punch combination from Popovic misses.
Khan misses with a combination
and Popovic counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Khan takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Popovic looks to score with a jab to the body but Khan is just out of range.
Khan misses with a double jab
and Popovic counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Khan looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Khan drives through and clinches with Popovic against the cage.
Khan misses with the head strike.
Popovic drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Khan gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Popovic blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Khan is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Popovic blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
A hook to the body from Popovic.

Popovic escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Khan keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
The fighters circle momentarily. Popovic darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Popovic staying out of range there.
Khan lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Popovic backs up against the cage.
Khan does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Khan takes a swing at Popovic's ribcage but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot lands for Popovic.
Khan showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Popovic.
Khan scores with a shot to the body.
Popovic tries to clinch up.
Popovic tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Branko Popovic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Popovic misses with a wild body shot.
Khan tries a low kick but Popovic avoids it.
Khan throws a combination that misses
letting Popovic counter with a right hand.

Khan feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Popovic tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Khan pushing down on Popovic's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Khan is thwarting Popovic's attempts to control the position.
Khan passes the guard and advances to mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

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

Khan is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Popovic knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Popovic tries to buck Khan off but Khan is having none of it.

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 Genghis Khan.
I think Khan has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Dean Styles scores the fight 48:48
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 48:48
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 48:47

The fight is ruled a majority draw!